OREANDA-NEWS. Tata Power, one of India's largest integrated power companies, endeavours to promote the importance of a scientific approach to agricultural practices among local farmers in and around its project areas. In continuation with this philosophy, Tata Power initiated the sustainable agriculture programme under the 'Samridhi' initiative in 28 villages in the Maval and Karjat talukas, and a total of 1,194 farmers benefited.

With the onset of the rabi season, this programme assisted farmers by creating awareness on superior farming practices aimed at improving crop yield. It also guided farmers with the selection of the crop, seed treatment and the right techniques for sowing and cultivating seeds. As a vital part of its operations, Tata Power developed a sustainable package of practices for rabi crops and introduced new crops such as millets and new cash crops which are less labour-intensive and yield higher returns.

Speaking on the initiative, Mahesh Paranjpe, head, hydros, Tata Power, commented, “Tata Power strives to support the farmers around its area of operations to make them self-sufficient and independent and aims to stimulate interest, promote innovative ideas and best practices, and increase productivity in order to present agriculture as a business model. We look forward to continuing such initiatives aimed at uplifting the local communities. We are extremely delighted with the results of this initiative and look forward to reaching out to many more farmers, who will benefit from this programme.”

Some of the highlights of the programme during this rabi season are listed below:

Introduction of the sustainable agriculture programme in 11 tribal villages of the Thokarwadi region (Andar Maval).

In Kundli-Shirwata (Nane Maval), nine villages and more than 350 farmers have benefited.

Villages that have benefited are Khandshi, Nesave, Umberwadi, Bhajgaon, Kolwadi, Somwadi, Shirde and Jhambhavali.

More than 450 acres of cultivation area has been supported under this programme.

A hundred and seventy farmers have received support for wheat cultivation.

Farmers contributed 50 percent for onion and potatoes, and 25 percent for millets and wheat.

In the Thokarwadi region (Andar Maval), around 325 farmers from remote and tribal villages have benefited.

Villages that have benefited are Khandi, Swala, Methalwadi, Pimpri, Talpewadi, Malegaon Budurk, Kadakrai, Gontewadi Nilshi and Kondiwade .

Introduction of millets as the second crop in the region.

Two hundred and fifty-seven farmers have received supported for gram (harbara), 105 farmers for wal and 115 farmers for watana cultivation in the region.

Twenty-five farmers from Kondiwade have received supported for cultivating potato seeds.

More than 275 acres of cultivation area has been supported under the programme.

In Bhivpuri cluster, more than 663 farmers of eight villages have benefited.

Villages that benefited are Bhivpuri, Mandawane, Hoomgaon, Pali, Potal, Vaijnath, Ambot and Goulwadi.