The spray pumps provided by the State Government on subsidised rates helped the farmers to protect the paddy crops from diseases. The crops saved under the initiative taken by the Government are ready for the harvest now, officials stated.
Pawan Singh, a farmer of Bhawarkhol village under Kartala development block of the district said that he had sown Sarna and HMT paddy seeds. The paddy crop on the four acres land was soon under threat of seasonal diseases with rainfall. But due to shortage of funds he was not able to purchase the spray pump.
He then came to know about spray pump provided by Agriculture department and immediately approached them.
Pawan purchased the pump on half the rate of the market price and eventually managed to save his crop from diseases.
Similarly, Agar Singh said that he had sown paddy on five acres and noticed that the crop was being damaged by pests.
He got spray pump for `740 only and sprayed pesticide to save his crops.
Ganpat Singh of Dhamnaguddi Panchayat said that he had sown hybrid paddy on 6 acres and protected his crops with help of spray pump received on subsidised rates. He said that apart from receiving hybrid seeds, he had also received bonus of `15,000 in the previous year. This year also Ganpat has registered himself under this scheme and hopes to get bonus.
The farmers said that although they sow seeds but the facilities like electricity, diesel pump, seeds, tractor, fertiliser and spray pump besides crop insurance and bonus offered by the State Government helps them in getting proper reward of their hard work.
They appealed the farmers of the State to avail the benefits of the schemes offered by the State Government.