The farmers of the district who have adopted a technical approach to papaya farming are setting new records of production.
These farmers are now supplying papayas to the adjoining districts of Chhattisgarh as well as to the bigger markets in other states such as Goa and Uttar Pradesh (Agra and Allahabad).
The Mohgaon, Bisatola, Singhangarh, Karra Bundeli and Nawagaon of Sahaspur lohara development block of the district have started Papaya and also Banana farming on 82 acres of land under National Horticulture Mission (NHM).
With novel techniques adopted by the farmers, the production of Papaya has multiplied. The farmers of these villages have sold papayas and bananas worth Rs2 crore.
Inspired by them, the farmers of the adjoining villages have also shown keen interest in horticulture cash crops. Action plans are being drawn to engage farmers of the district in cultivation of horticulture cash crops.
Collector P Dayanand has advised officials to engage the farmers in cultivation of Pomegranate along with papaya and banana. Initially, a target of cultivation of Pomegranate on 15 acres of land has been set in the district.
Similarly action plan is being chalked out to engage Baiga tribals of Bodla development block in cultivation of spices as the climate of this area has been found favourable for cultivation of spices.
The Collector directed the Assistant Director (Horticulture) MP Singh Chauhan to convince and prepare farmers for cultivation of pomegranate and spices in the district.
The Collector along with officers of Horticulture Department observed Banana and Papaya farming in Mohgaon, Bisatola, Singhangarh, Karra Bundeli and Nawagaon of Sahaspur lohara development block of the State.
He interacted with the farmers and asked about the cultivation technique used by them and also listened to their problems faced by them in supplying the produce in the market.
The Collector asked the officers to engage the farmers in cash crop farming of papayas and bananas and to establish ‘low energy cool chambers’ or mini cold storage in their homes to stock their produce at controlled temperature. This will help the farmers not only to keep the fruits fresh but also facilitate the farmers to sell their products as per demand in the market.