Farmers Turn to Newer Crops for Better Returns


You could call it bootstrapping agriculture.Jamal Seth of Murshidabad district of Bengal used to grow paddy,the crop beloved of his forefathers,and was barely able to make ends meet.Things changed immediately when he shifted to corn,that is in high demand by poultry and dairy farms.Today he is the proud owner of a much-longed flat TV,and has some spare cash for a rainy day.Like Jamal,thousands of farmers across the country are gradually embracing newer crops for better returns.As awareness spreads about new agricultural practices,farmers are experimenting with new crops and bringing changes in their lives.Returns from paddy have dwindled over the years.So I have shifted to maize production this year, said Seth.The investment is less in maize but returns are high.For a quintal of maize,I am getting a price of Rs 1,100.And this is quite remunerative. Interestingly,urbanisation has also changed the sowing pattern in villages close to cities.Farmers residing in these areas have now shifted to vegetables whose demand has increased.They are growing vegetables throughout the year in contrary to earlier practice of alternating vegetable production with other crops.Swapan Kumar Dutta,deputy director general (crop science) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research,says farmers have taken the right move to capitalise the opportunities...........Read More

 

Source: Times of India


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