The Agriculture Science Centre of insurgency-infested Dantewada district of Bastar division has been selected as the ‘Best Centre’ for a National Award to be given by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The South Bastar district has farmers who are into organic farming and drip irrigation system is in vogue besides use of high technology has helped the farming community a lot in the region, officials stated.
Notably, the Agriculture Science Centre in Dantewada has introduced the farmers to the methods which have been appreciated by the Central government. The same Agriculture Science Centre was selected as the ‘Best Centre’ for the National Award in year 2013. The award this year includes Rs4 lakh in cash and a certificate.
Chief Minister Raman Singh and State Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal had congratulated the scientists of Agriculture Science Centre and farming community for the award. It may be recalled that Chief Minister Raman Singh had dedicated the Agriculture Science Centre in Dantewada to the citizens on December 23, 2005. The Agriculture Science Centre has been selected for the National Award within a short span of eight years.
About 78 per cent of the population belongs to Scheduled Castes and Tribal community and major portion of the Dantewada district is covered with forests. About 100 Agriculture Science Centres are operating in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Chhttisgarh- which fall under Zone seven. The farmers are encouraged to go for organic farming and drip irrigation by the Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU), Raipur, which is in control of Dantewada’s Agriculture Science Centre.
Apart from the drug-free Raagi, Mushroom production, usage of Vermi Compost are encouraged. ‘Nikra’ programme is implemented to protect the environment. A Stop dam is under construction at Hiranagar village in Dantewada district and water conservation works are also being taken up by the authorities. Afforestation work is being carried on a large scale to preserve and protect the soil .