The district administration has started an innovative project using NITI Aayog Award Money Fund for the economic and social uplift of the farmers of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Gumla district. Under this project, about 500 PVTG farmers have been motivated to cultivate "Kufri Chipsona" variety of potato on 80 acres of land.
This variety is especially suitable for chips production.
As per the instructions of District Deputy Commissioner Karna Satyarthi, the District Planning Department is providing seeds, fertilizers and farming related training to the farmers using NITI Aayog funds. Farmers are being helped to become self-reliant by giving them information about modern agricultural techniques.
All expenses from seeds, fertilizers, and other farming equipment to plowing and harvesting of the crop are being borne by the district administration. The project started in October 2024, and the harvesting of potato crop will be completed by February 2025. Training and Guidance: Farmers are not only being given technical training, but they are also being provided guidance from time to time through experts.
The district administration plans to set up a potato chips processing plant after the potato harvest. This plant will be run by PVTG farmers, which will not only create employment locally, but farmers will also get a fair price for their produce.
The district administration is ensuring that the potatoes produced by the farmers are sold at a fair market price. For this, the administration will also provide assistance to the farmers in marketing, branding, and sales.
District Planning Officer Raman Arya said that this project is an important effort to develop the agriculture sector in the district and empower the PVTG community. Potato cultivation and chips production will improve the economic condition of the farmers and provide them an opportunity to become self-reliant.
This initiative of Gumla Deputy Commissioner will not only help in empowering the PVTG community but will also encourage agriculture-based entrepreneurship.