Sundargarh: Environmentfriendly farming methods and chemical-free produce are the prime focus of agriculture in today’s time. Going by this mantra, Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Sundargarh promotes natural farming in its command area benefitting especially the tribal farmers in the district.
Natural farming was started on a pilot basis during FY 2022-23 at Telighana village of Kutra block in Sundargarh district. Farmers from tribal families were engaged in the program.
“In the tribal majority Sundargarh district, natural farming is being encouraged to restrict the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. The farmers have also shown a keen interest towards natural farming.
There is a sure shot market demand for crops grown naturally. The pilot programme at Telighana will soon be expanded to other parts of the district,” says ITDA, Sundargarh Project Administrator Ram Krishna Gond.
The productivity of agricultural land gets degraded upon using chemical fertilisers and insecticides while also negatively impacting the environment.
ITDA Sundargarh sensitises the tribal farmers on the same while extending necessary support to pursue natural farming. District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Sundargarh extends financial assistance towards the same.
55 farmers of Telighana village are engaged in natural farming. Rice and groundnut cultivation was done on 80 acre land. Traditional grains and natural fertilisers were given to the farmers free of cost. “Earlier, we used chemical fertilisers in the field.
Then, officials from ITDA, Sundargarh came and explained the benefit of natural farming to us. We were interested in natural farming and started with rice and groundnut cultivation. The yield was also good,” says Eman Budu, a farmer from Telighana village.
“Chemical fertiliser and pesticide proved heavy for our pockets. Now, by opting for natural farming, our costs have reduced. Along with rice and groundnut, we grow vegetables using this method. Apart from a good harvest, the produce sells well in the market,” shares Bimla Barla, a woman farmer.
Natural inputs like Jeevamruta, Ghana Jeevamruta, Dasaparni Arka, Bramhastra, Neemastra and Beejamruta are provided to farmers for use in cultivation. ITDA, Sundargarh trained the farmers on preparing the above nutrients themselves.
The organic manure can be produced using cow dung, cow urine, droppings of other domestic animals, gur (sugar molasses) and besan (gram flour). Prior to starting the pilot programme, officials of ITDA, Sundargarh undertook a field survey at Telighana village.
The farmers then prepared the land for rice and groundnut cultivation. The mandays for the same were provided under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
PNN