Earlier, the farmers whose fields were lying vacant, who could not do farming, today their income has increased through herbal farming. About 2500 farmers are associated with cultivation in Khunti district. Salary in the income of these farmers has increased by Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000.
The Khunti district of Jharkhand was once famous across the Country for extremism, but now its identity is slowly changing with time. Due to the efforts of various Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) of Government schemes, there has been an unexpected improvement in the situation here.
People are getting the means of employment. Agriculture sector is progressing here. Especially the women of rural areas are getting the benefit of this. Most of the land here is above ground, where it was possible to cultivate only in the rain. The farmers did not have information about the crops getting less rain or without rain, due to which the land was lying vacant throughout the year. That land could not be used.
After this, in collaboration with the Government and NGOs, JSLPS, cultivation of medicinal plants began here. Such plants were planted which can give better results in less water and in above ground. Its effect was also visible and the identity of the peg is changing now. The demand for herbal products from here is also coming from abroad, because the quality of the product here is very good. The people here are getting direct benefits. Employment opportunities are increasing with them.
Medicinal plants like lemon grass, palma rosa, vetiver and tulsi are playing an important role in changing the identity of peg. In today's time, many private farmers, government organizations and non-government organizations are cultivating herbal plants here. This work is being done under the Johar project of JSLPS. According to the data given by Johar Project to TV9, lemon grass is being cultivated here in an area of 311 acres.
Apart from this, Palma Rosa is being cultivated in 10 acres, Vetiver is being planted in five acres, while Tulsi is being cultivated in 20-30 acres. The finished products from these are being sent to many states of the country as well as abroad.
Arrangements have been made to send the products of women directly from their farm to the market. A processing plant has been built in the farm itself, where oil is extracted. Then it is sold in the market. In this way, women add value to their product, which gives them benefits. There are also some young farmers who have set up oil processing plants in their fields. Many private companies export their products by buying them.