Mr. Tarachand Thakur, a progressive farmer from Kashibahara village in the Pithora development block of the district, has earned a better income from a smaller area by adopting modern farming techniques and scientific thinking. Previously, he cultivated paddy traditionally, but rising costs and relatively low income were preventing his financial situation from improving.
To increase his income and make farming profitable, Mr. Thakur contacted the Horticulture Department. Under the department’s guidance, he received benefits from the Vegetable Area Expansion (Bitter Gourd) Scheme under the National Horticulture Mission in 2025-26. He began cultivating bitter gourd using advanced methods, using modern techniques such as drip irrigation and mulching, on approximately 1 hectare. Under the scheme, he received a grant of ₹24,000 through DBT in his bank account. Adopting modern techniques has saved irrigation water, facilitated weed control, and significantly increased both crop quality and production.
Farmer Mr. Tarachand Thakur explains that while he previously earned limited profits from paddy cultivation, cultivating bitter gourd has increased his income manifold. He produced approximately 100 quintals from bitter gourd cultivation. He received better market prices, earning him approximately 1.5 lakh rupees, which strengthened his financial situation.
