Jharkhand bagged the “Krishi Karman Award” for excellent production of pulses for the year 2012-13 on Monday in New Delhi. However, the occasion was special for two nondescript farmers hailing from lohardaga and Pakur than the officials of the Agriculture and Sugarcane Development department. The State has been conferred the award for second successive year in the same category.
The farmers- Akhilesh Kumar hailing from Chandlaso Panchayat under Kuru in lohardaga and Dular Kisku hailing Hiranpur block in Pakur were given award for achieving high yield of different varieties of pulses. While Kumar was given award for achieving high yield of Arhar, Kisku was honoured for producing 21 quintal of gram. Both farmers were given Rs one lakh each and a certificate by President Pranab Mukherjee.
Kumar’s joy knew no bounds when his name was called to receive award at the hands of President Pranab Mukherjee. The farmer from Chandlaso recollected events that landed him at Delhi to receive the coveted award which is given to only two farmers from the State. “The feeling was indeed special. Receiving award from the President is something which I had never dreamt of,” said Kumar.
Kumar’s life as a farmer began in 1999 and since then it was a continued effort in the direction of achieving better produce and a positive approach towards newer and improved methodologies that reaped dividends for the farmer. A graduate in economics, Kumar braced government schemes intended for farmers and availed knowledge to improve crop yield. Interestingly, the learned farmer used his knowledge to enlighten fellow farmers and tried to bring a change in their outlook towards agriculture.
“I try to motivate other farmers also. I tell them that agriculture has the potential of giving you life that a person with regular income enjoys with,” said Kumar. The progressive farmer from Chandlaso attended training programmes conducted by Agriculture department at district, block and state level. Kumar owes his success to better crop management and subsidies given by government to farmers towards agriculture equipments and other inputs. As a motivator Kumar regularly conducts Kishan Gosthi in panchayat bhawan at Chandlaso.
The soft spoken 25 year-old farmer, Kisku, also owes her success to the officials of Agriculture department. Tilling hard in five hectares of land, Kisku and her husband produced around 21 quintal of gram in one year. Agriculture is only source of income for the farmer from Bagisa. “This is a unique experience. I have no words to express my gratitude. Officials of the district Agriculture department used to make regular visit at my farm and provided me valuable guidance on crop management,” explained Kisku. Incidentally, Jharkhand has been conferred the award in the same category in 2013. The award for this year was received by Agriculture Minister Yogendra Sao.