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Raipur : To promote modern farming, methods like mechanization, modern technology, precision farming, drip irrigation and organic farming are being adopted, which increases productivity.
Continuous efforts are being made by the Central and State Governments to increase the income of farmers, promote modern farming and strengthen the rural economy.

Strengthening their economic condition by adopting modern horticulture farming

The government intends that farmers should move beyond traditional farming and adopt technology-based, profitable and sustainable farming, so that their income increases and they can become self-reliant. With this thinking and policies, Satish Pathak, resident of village Bahigaon of Keshkal development block of Kondagaon district, not only strengthened his economic condition by adopting modern horticulture farming, but also became an inspiration for other farmers. 50 year old Satish Pathak has received education till high school. Despite limited educational resources, he proved that if there is a desire to learn and a passion for hard work, farming can also become a powerful means of prosperity.

Pathak gets net profit of about Rs 4 lakh 35 thousand per year from farming.

Pathak is currently farming with modern techniques by taking benefits under the National Horticulture Mission. Under the guidance of the Horticulture Department, Pathak started tomato cultivation in 2.275 hectare area by adopting drip irrigation and mulching techniques. Earlier, they used to do farming in traditional way, in which they could produce only about 100 quintals. But when they started using scientific method, improved seeds, controlled irrigation and mulching, production increased significantly. Today the tomato production from his farm has increased to 180 quintals. Due to increase in production, reduction in cost and improvement in quality, Pathak is getting a net profit of about Rs 4 lakh 35 thousand every year from farming. This reflects the success of the government’s policy, under which technical assistance, quality seeds, organic fertilizers and training are being provided to farmers through schemes.

Farmers should become self-reliant and farming should become a profitable business.

Satish Pathak says that about five years ago, he saw vegetable farming being done in the village and understood that if it is done scientifically, it can become a good source of profit. After this he contacted the Horticulture Department, from where he got information about modern techniques of vegetable production. Under the National Horticulture Mission Scheme, he got improved varieties of seeds, organic fertilizers and technical guidance, which changed the direction of his farming. Today, Pathak is producing vegetables like tomato, barbatti, cucumber and bitter gourd on a large scale through technical methods in his total 5 acres of land. They plan farming keeping in mind the crop cycle, timely irrigation, disease-pest management and market demand. The government intends that every farmer should become self-reliant and farming should not be a loss making business but a profitable one.

Farmers are leaving traditional farming and getting attracted towards horticulture and vegetable production.

The success of Satish Pathak strengthens this thinking. Seeing his success, many nearby farmers have also been attracted towards horticulture and vegetable production, leaving traditional farming. Pathak says that ever since he started advanced farming under the guidance of the Horticulture Department, other farmers have started coming to him for advice after seeing his farming. Now he has also started visiting the fields of other farmers and giving them guidance regarding crop management, improved seed selection and technical farming.