A new wave of economic prosperity is blowing through the Abujhmad forest region of Chhattisgarh. Under the state government’s “Towards a New Dawn” campaign, tribal farmers here are now shifting from traditional crops to medicinal and aromatic plants. In this context, the Medicinal Plant Board organized a special study and training program in Dhamtari district for more than 50 farmers from Narayanpur district.
Main Training Farmers were trained in Brahmi cultivation in Kandel village of Dhamtari. The entire process of field preparation, planting, irrigation, manure management and marketing was explained. The district consultant provided detailed guidance to the farmers. In this training, farmers from Kokamet, Kurusnar, Kanhari Kilkad, Kodoli and Basingbahar villages were given information on cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants. The farmers directly observed the cultivation of Khas, Brahmi and Bach being done by women self-help groups.
- Encouragement by sharing experiences
During the training, farmers witnessed the success of women’s self-help groups. Group member Mrs. Dulari Deemar explained that medicinal farming is yielding twice the profit compared to paddy. The advantage of these crops is that they are low-cost and, once planted, can yield consistent production for three to four years.
- Government support and the way forward
Chief Executive Officer of Medicinal Plants Board, Mr. J.A.C.S. Rao said that the Board is not only providing free training and saplings to the farmers, but is also providing advance funds by entering into contracts with investors.
- Campaign’s goal: medicinal farming
The primary objective of this initiative is to create new jobs in remote areas of Bastar and increase farmers’ incomes by two to three times, connecting them to the mainstream of development. Following the study tour, the farmers of Abujhmad are now fully enthusiastic and ready to adopt medicinal farming.