- Emphasis on increasing farmers’ income through integration of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and other livelihood activities
To increase the income of farmers and villagers in Bastar division, make agriculture profitable, and strengthen the rural economy, it is necessary to promote integrated farming systems. Speaking at the division-level Kharif review and Rabi 2026 preparation meeting in Jagdalpur, Agriculture Production Commissioner Shri Siddharth Komal Pardeshi said that by combining agriculture with horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, poultry, and other livelihood activities in Bastar, diverse sources of income can be developed for farmers. This will provide employment and income opportunities for rural families throughout the year, and will also reduce the impact of weather and market fluctuations on farming.
He said that keeping in mind Bastar’s geographical conditions, natural resources, and local agricultural practices, such plans should be developed that can provide farmers with maximum benefits at lower costs. Through integrated farming systems, production and productivity can be increased by making better use of available agricultural land, water resources, and agricultural residues.
Along with agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries should be encouraged.
Emphasizing the value of integrated farming systems, the Agricultural Production Commissioner urged farmers to adopt animal husbandry, fisheries, vegetable production, fruit and other horticultural crops alongside farming, instead of relying solely on traditional crops. Selecting livelihood activities that align with the resources available around their farms can generate additional income for farmers.
He said that integrating animal husbandry with agriculture increases the availability of organic fertilizers, while crop residues can be used as animal feed. Similarly, by constructing ponds in fields according to irrigation and water availability, activities like fish farming and vegetable production can be encouraged. This creates the potential for generating income from a single agricultural unit through various means.
Livelihood models should be prepared according to local conditions
The Agriculture Production Commissioner stated that developing agriculture-based livelihood models based on local needs and available resources is crucial to strengthening the economic status of farmers in the rural areas of Bastar Division. To this end, farmers should be encouraged to adopt modern agricultural techniques, improved seeds, balanced fertilizer use, use of agricultural machinery, water conservation, crop diversification, and production in accordance with market demand.
Integrated farming systems can also be developed to facilitate useful models for small and marginal farmers. This will enable farmers with limited land holdings to make better use of their available land. Rural families will also gain financial security by earning income from activities other than agriculture.
Farmers should get technical guidance and benefits of schemes
The Agriculture Production Commissioner emphasized that coordination between various departments is essential to promote agriculture-based livelihoods. By linking the schemes of the Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock Development, Fisheries, and Rural Development departments, farmers should be provided with tailored assistance. Providing farmers with training, technical guidance, information on advanced production methods, and marketing facilities will ensure more effective access to the benefits of the schemes.
Agricultural Production Commissioner Mr. Pardeshi stated that, in line with the state government’s vision, promoting an integrated farming system aims to empower Bastar farmers, continuously increase rural household incomes, and develop agriculture as a more sustainable and profitable livelihood. The coordinated development of various agriculture-based activities can be a significant step toward creating new employment opportunities in Bastar’s rural areas and strengthening the local economy.
Highlighting the natural advantage, he said that Bastar has abundant greenery, pastures, and rich groundwater levels, offering immense potential for development in the fields of fisheries and animal husbandry. Given the growing demand for meat and eggs in the local market, these sectors should be prioritized. Referring to technological needs, he also directed that essential technologies like aerators be integrated into projects like shrimp farming.
Agricultural Production Commissioner Mr. Pardeshi directed officials to work closely with scientists at Krishi Vigyan Kendras and implement the Save the Farms Campaign with full urgency. He also stressed the need to implement an online fertilizer management system for the upcoming Rabi season and take strict legal action against substandard and counterfeit fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides sold in the market.
During the meeting, Bastar Commissioner Mr. Doman Singh directed departmental officials to make coordinated efforts to empower farmers and villagers economically through agriculture and other allied activities, utilizing the division’s local resources appropriately. He urged the development and implementation of a comprehensive action plan in this direction. During the meeting, Director of Agriculture Mr. Rahul Dev presented on crop diversification, emphasizing the need to promote the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, and millets instead of paddy. He also directed that farmers be encouraged to cultivate oil palm and intercrop and provided with agricultural inputs. In accordance with the action plan for Rabi 2026, detailed guidelines were provided regarding the availability of seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs, as well as access to short-term agricultural loans. During the meeting, the division’s district collectors detailed the innovations being implemented in their districts.
In the meeting, Director Animal Husbandry Shri Chandrakant Verma, Managing Director Seed Development Corporation Shri Ajay Agarwal, Director Horticulture Shri Lokesh Kumar, Director Fisheries Shri Narayan Nag along with state level officers of Cooperation, Markfed, Mandi Board, Apex Bank, besides CEO District Panchayat of all the districts of Bastar division and division and district level officers of the concerned departments were present.