Tathya.in, Feb 21, 2009
Bhubaneswar:21/February/2009
Running for petty jobs will be a passé in Orissa, say Gautam Benia and Debendra Bag.
Thanks to the drive and initiative to empower farmers with latest technology and know how by the Department of Agriculture, scenario is changing with more and more youth are being attracted to farming.
They are the beneficiaries of ambitious agricultural initiatives taken up in Orissa.
For Gautam of Narla in Kalahandi district, cultivation was not that bad as considered by many youths in Orissa.
Taking agriculture as a profession it had changed his life and lifestyle, said Gautam.
Benia, who displayed his agricultural implements at the State Level Agriculture Exhibition here organized by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), claimed that he was beneficiary of technology in agricultural activities.
Three days long exhibition has roped in farmers, corporate sectors, consultants and others.
At a side stall here at the exhibition ground here, was Debendra Bag of Behera Patti in Kalahandi, claimed that his paddy production was doubled after implementing SRI System of rice cultivation.
Nakula Kissan of Bijaynagar and Kesab Kissan of K Singhpur in Rayagada district, had also similar story to tell the youths visiting the exhibition here that they were not lagging behind others by adopting cultivation as their profession.
“Use of farm equipment, hybrid seeds, use of more fertilizers and proper know-how on the subject could multiply production and productivity”, they said asking educated youths to hit the agricultural field instead of running after petty jobs.
Ramesh Das of Jagatsinghpur who had been growing chicken, claimed that imported chicks from Japan, helped him to generate a good income.
His chickens were averagely weighing three to eight kilogram fetching Rs 1500 on open market.
Das was the attraction at the exhibition for his poultry products.
Overwhelmed over the success of farmers in Orissa, Director Agriculture, Arabinda Padhee says: “this is infectious and more and more youths are being attracted to farming”.
Since Dr.Padhee has taken over as the Chief of the Agriculture Directorate, he is trying hard to lure the youths for farming and has been successful in his drive, admits Surendra Nath Nayak, Minister Agriculture.
Farmers also echo the Minister's view and are quite hopeful about the growth of agriculture given the support extended at district level by ATMA.
The interaction session among farmers at venue of the exhibition, was interesting with participants from all over the state are showing keen interest in technology and SRI method of farming.
They are also demanding marketing support even as they got technological support to double their crop.
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