Farmers Speak at Meeting

: “We don’t want any support for growing paddy in pour region . Give us even a loan if not a grant or a subsidy to grow either mustard , peas or ginger, as they are grown well on the sloppy surfaces of mountains where we live” . Even though these words of Ratan Jani , a marginal farmer from Kanti , the most difficult terrain of the block went into thin air in the block level ‘meet the farmers’ programme being organized at Doliambo in Semiliguda block by the District Agriculture office of Koraput district today , it had given other farmers and villagers to raise their concern in the forum .
While appreciating the initiative of the department in standing with the farmers , Bisikeshan Khilo , a farmer from Sundhiput village highlighted the importance of the officials in being more open and clearer in their communication and commitment to deliver the desired services . Apart from other things he emphasized on the need of seeds reaching in time for the growth of the small and marginal farmers in the tribal region of Koraput district . Dushmant Nayak of Sundhiput was with more good news for the people as he was there with a success story on how he had doubled the yield of paddy from his 0.2 Acre of land by adopting SRI method of cultivation . He asked everyone present to go for it without any hesitation . There were more supporting voices from the other farmers participating the meeting .

While the farmers interacted on the various issues , challenges and opportunities affecting their lives , Narayan Panda , the District Agriculture Officer of Koraput informed the farmers on the various schemes and proposals of the government for the welfare and betterment of the farmers in the region . Among others he highlighted the importance of Work Plan , ISOPM and Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana(RKVY). SRI , the new method and more of acting like a new age mantra in the field of agriculture was the only answer to meet the demand of the generation , he said .
Arjun Kirsani and Sima Khora , two successful farmers from the block were felicitated by M.G.Rasul , BDO of Semiliguda for their exemplary performance and work culture . Farmers from 16 panchayats of the block took part in the programme