Acting on the instructions of District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal, a meeting with the progressive farmers of the district was organized at the Collectorate Auditorium. The event, chaired by Deputy Development Commissioner Manish Kumar, saw participation from PD ITDA, Director NEP, and officials from the Cooperation, Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry departments.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring the farmers of the district together on a single platform to learn from each other's experiences and inspire fellow farmers to adopt new agricultural techniques. Progressive farmers shared their successful practices in mushroom cultivation, flower cultivation, vegetable farming, and other agricultural products. Those who excelled in these areas were honored by the Deputy Development Commissioner and PD ITDA.
Deputy Development Commissioner Manish Kumar emphasized the district's potential in agriculture, promoting agricultural entrepreneurship and the adoption of scientific farming methods. He highlighted the state's efforts to support farmers, such as sending them to Israel to learn new techniques and organizing tours to other states and districts within Jharkhand. "The objective is for these farmers to return and inspire others in their village panchayats," he said. He also stressed the importance of moving beyond traditional farming to embrace integrated agricultural systems, including animal husbandry and fisheries, to enhance economic prosperity.
PD ITDA Dipankar Chaudhary remarked on the crucial role of farmers in societal development. He urged farmers to explore value-added agriculture, such as vegetable and flower cultivation, and to utilize government schemes for irrigation, seed distribution, and financial support. He highlighted the need for increased awareness among farmers about these schemes and their benefits.
Director NEP Ajay Saav underlined the importance of schemes from the agriculture, cooperative, horticulture, and animal husbandry departments in strengthening the rural economy. He encouraged farmers to be proactive in utilizing these schemes to create new income sources.
During the meeting, progressive farmers were informed about various initiatives, including goat, poultry, cow, and duck farming in animal husbandry, pond construction and renovation, deep boring schemes, crop relief schemes, farmer loan waivers, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, cage fishing, fish seed distribution, fish extension-training and research, mixed fish farming in ponds, and Soil Health Cards.
District Animal Husbandry Officer Dr. Surendra Kumar, District Cooperative Officer Asha Toppo, District Agriculture Officer Deepak Kumar, District Horticulture Officer Anima Lakra, and over 150 progressive farmers from different blocks of the district attended the meeting.
The event concluded with a call to farmers to take advantage of state government schemes and work towards an integrated agricultural system to ensure economic and social upliftment.
