Group members earning more profits by adopting organic farming

Bhopal: Organic farming is being promoted to provide more benefits to self help group members in lower cost. Under MP State Rural Livelihood Mission, more than trained 4200 members of self-help groups are being motivated for adopting advanced seeds, pest treatment, organic manure productiona and its use, innovation in agriculture and new methods in agriculture. More than 11.30 lakh families of weaker section have been linked with agro-based activities by the livelihood mission in the state.

 Totoal 5, 10,520 warm pits/ Nadep have been prepared in the state by self help group members for promotion of organic farming. One such pit produces 2.5-2.7 tonne organic manure which is sufficient for one acre agriculture land. Organic manure has reduced use of chemical fertilisers.  Total 37 seeds production committees have been got registered under advance seeds production programme through which, high quality seeds are being provided to self help group members. More than one lakh farmers are using certified seeds.

 Total 35, 116 women farmer have been benefited for woman farmer empowerment. Around 24 production companies have been formed, of which 20 are related with agriculture, two for milk and two for poultry. Seeds of vegetables to be grown in Poshan Vatika will be provided by horticulture department. Organic vegetables are being sold through 'Ajivika Fresh' shops by group members.

 Production of turmeric in Badwani, Shahdol and Sagar, Chlorophytum Borivilianum (Safed Musli) in Alirapur, potato in Dhar, chilli in Badwani, pulses in Narsinghpur, paddy in Mandla, coriander in Guna, pumpkin in Sheopur has been promoted. Help has been extended in production of drip mulching in Vidisha district. For encouragement and help in production of commercial vegetables and other crops, work is going on, on the basis of daily wage by CRP. Work has been carried in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh by CRP of Madhya Pradesh.-WTN