OREANDA-NEWS. In an effort to promote the importance of a scientific approach to agricultural practices among local farmers, Tata Power - India’s largest integrated power company has initiated the Tata Power Agricultural programme benefiting over 903 farmers across villages in and around the Bhivpuri region.

With the onset of the Rabi season, this programme helped farmers by building awareness on superior farming practises aimed at improving crop yield of the Rabi crop. It included guidance on selection of the crop, seed treatment, the right techniques of sowing and cultivation of the seeds and monitoring pesticide management. It also provided a total solution right from the actual preparation of the cultivable land to the agriculture yield produced.

The programme is aimed at inculcating a scientific and measured approach to local farming techniques as well as introducing them to improved varieties of crop. Grass root institutions like Kisan Shaet Shala and Farmers committees have been formed in each project village. Trainings, exposure visits and meetings are organised for the farmers on regular basis.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr Mahesh Paranjpe, Head-Hydro Power Stations, Tata Power said, “Tata Power is committed towards providing any possible assistance to farmers around its area of operations. By initiating this programme, we encourage farmers to look at farming as a business model that will make them self-sufficient and independent. Through this programme, farmers will be able to come forward with innovative ideas and best practices to evaluate the productivity of a particular crop and improve the yield of the land. We are extremely pleased with the results of this initiative and look forward to reaching out to many more farmers to benefit from this programme.”

For this Kharif season, 363 farmers from Bhivpuri region have adopted the SRI (Systematic Rice Intensification) technique for Paddy cultivation. SRI has not only helped in improving the yield 2.5 times compared to traditional practices but also led to definite savings in the seed requirement.

Some of the other results of the agriculture campaign have been listed below:

“Wal” crop cultivation has increased to 181 Acres this year from 34 Acre last year

The number of farmers cultivating Wal also increased to 502 this year compared to 144 last year

New millet varieties like Tur, Moog and Harbara have been introduced with selected farmers.

91 farmers have cultivated Tur in 11.25 Acre land area, 104 Farmers have cultivated Harbara in 25.25 acre land area and 84 farmers have cultivated Moog in 19.4 acre land area

Cultivation of White Onion and cucumber has also been initiated with selected farmers

Wheat and millet cultivation have been promoted in Kundli- Shirwata catchment villages

346 Farmers have been supported with improved variety of wheat seed.

131 Farmers have been supported with improved variety of millets-Gram, Watana, Massor