PLANS AFOOT TO REVIVE MINOR MILLET FARMING IN
BALANGIR
Monday, 27 May 2013 |
SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar
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With a
bid to revive Gurjee cultivation and give it the much-needed boost here, the
district agriculture officials have dawn a plan to take up the crop in at least
100 acres of land in Mubirabhal, Titiligarh, Tureikela, Bongomunda and other
areas. Gurjee, one of the minor millets, has nutritional value which was
earlier consumed by rural people in a big way. But now the crop is hardly
cultivated, thanks to the changing of food habits of people and lack of
incentives.
According to Kharif
strategy of Balangir district, for the year 2013-14, Gurjee cultivation would
be taken up in a total of 100 acres in Titilagarh,Mubribahal, Tureikela,
Bongomunda and adjoining areas. The farmers would contribute seed themselves.
The agriculture department would provide them a financial assistance of Rs500
each, besides supply of bio fertiliser/organic fertiliser.
The farmers would be
encouraged and motivated to go for scientific way of farming like line sowing
and other methods for better yield, an agriculture official said.
Gurjee is sown by the end
of June- July in Att land (upland) and harvested by September. It meets the
crucial food stress period of the poor people. Earlier, people only cultivated
it for consuming at home and not for selling. However, with small traders
coming to villages to purchase it, the poor villagers are selling the crop in
past few years and purchasing rice in return.
As Gurjee crop is
providing food and economic security to the poor people, we are contemplating
to give a further boost to it by observing a Gurjee Parab in forthcoming
months, says Bhajaram Sahu of Bongomunda, while welcoming the decision of the
agriculture department for revival and promotion of Gurjee in Balangir.
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Thanking you and Pioneer News paper daily for beautiful coverage. We are welcoming the decision of the Agriculture department .It took longest time to think and take decision but finally Agriculture department have taken a nice step for the marginalized farmers. Implemented properly, through this process large numbers of marginal farmers would be get benefits in the lean periods. Food security of farmers would improve and borrowing from money lender would decline. From my point of view, it became possible due to your continuous efforts. Before this news, you have been covered many times in IMObserver magazine,Pioneer news paper and others. Thanks for your thought, efforts and dedication.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bhaja for your encouraging statement.
DeleteA very good article.
ReplyDeleteThanks Prakash
DeleteGurjee crop is early food of poor cultivator & valuablethan other crops. We should all cultivate it properly.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
ReplyDelete