Koraput: In an effort to economically lift tribal farmers, the Rayagada district administration has launched a project called Integrated Farming Mission (IFM).
District Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar launched the programme in the presence of many senior officials. The aim of the project is to identify tribal farmers and train them in integrated farming.
As per reports, as many as 1,000 tribal farmers of the district will be identified under the mission in the initial phase. They will be trained and supported by departments concerned in integrated farming.
Agriculture, horticulture, fishery, veterinary and watershed departments have been integrated into a single platform to provide the basic knowledge of integrated farming to the selected farmers.
“Most of the farmers are involved in cultivating paddy and vegetables which involve a high degree of uncertainty of income. Hence, it was decided to change the agricultural system itself by integrating crop yield with vegetables, animal husbandry, fishery, poultry and vermin composing,” the Collector said.
“Adoption of integrated farming will not only enhance the economy of the farmers but also provide much needed employment in rural areas,” she added.
While the administration has decided to review the mission every six months, special focus will be given to women farmers of the district. Further steps will be taken to include more farmers depending upon the response of the programme.
In the case of women farmers, they will be trained in the cultivation of mushrooms and pulses. This will help them earn handsomely and make profit.
“We have made mushroom farming the prime focus of women farmers as it offers lucrative returns for its high demand. Technical guidance will be provided by the line departments with regular monitoring,” The Collector said.
Moreover, a special team has been set up to check on the negligence of the departments in imparting knowledge to the farmers. If anyone is found taking their job lightly and mistreating the farmers, action would be taken against them, an official said.
PNN