In an effort to introduce economic prosperity in its neighbouring community by boosting the region’s agricultural productivity, Tata Power has started a programme in the tribal village of Sarjamda to encourage the local farmers to re-cultivate fallow lands using modern methods.
The company organised 15 local farmers into a farmer’s group, and helped the group to cultivate barren lands that was previously not under cultivation for reasons like lack of irrigation and seed capital for agricultural inputs.
lack of scientific know-how of cultivation, fragmented landholding, insufficient fertilisers and irrigation had led to a decrease in agricultural productivity over the past few years, thereby, leading to diminished incomes of the farmers. To help correct this, the company helped the farmers cultivate an agricultural tract of around seven acres using the modern scientific methods of farming to increase productivity. The entire stretch of land was leveled and drip irrigation system was put in place to minimise water loss. In the three months of the first cycle of production, the farmers earned for about Rs. 85,000 from the land.
Speaking about this initiative, VV Namjoshi, Chief, Jojobera Power Station said, “Tata Power strongly believes in the simultaneous growth and development of its communities. We have encouraged the local farmers to adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices which will enhance productivity and thereby increase incomes. We hope that these modern methods of sustainable livelihood will be adapted by more farmers in the near future.” Tata Power is encouraging these local farmers to practice integrated farming and the farmers have also agreed to grow cash rich crops like floriculture apart from the conventional crops to increase their monthly incomes.