- Millions earned from a quarter of an acre, house built with profits.
- Crop diversification is increasing farmers’ income, and farmers are adopting other crops along with paddy.
The state government’s efforts to encourage crop diversification and increase farmers’ income are now yielding positive results in the district. In addition to traditional rice cultivation, farmers are earning better incomes by cultivating cash crops like ginger, chili, and tomatoes. Mr. Santosh Kumar Singh, son of Mr. Ramsaran Singh, a farmer from the district’s Darima village, is an inspiring example.
Mr. Santosh Kumar Singh said that last year he cultivated ginger on approximately one and a half acres. Due to excellent production and favorable market prices, he earned a net profit of approximately four and a half lakh rupees. The market price of ginger, which reached approximately 150 rupees per kilogram, significantly increased his income. With this profit, he also completed the construction of his house, including the casting, which strengthened his family’s financial situation.
Farmer Mr. Singh explained that ginger cultivation is far more profitable than paddy. While paddy cultivation limits production and income, ginger cultivation yields greater profits even from a smaller area. Last year, he produced approximately 30 to 35 quintals of ginger, earning him lakhs of rupees. Inspired by this success, he has increased his ginger cultivation area to approximately one acre this year.
He informed that the state government is providing a subsidy of up to 15,000 rupees per acre under the Krishak Unnati Yojana to promote the cultivation of other crops, which is providing financial support to farmers. Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and the state government for this, he said that with such incentives, farmers are being attracted to profitable crops along with traditional farming.
Mr. Santosh Kumar Singh stated that there is no difficulty in selling ginger. Quality produce fetches a fair price in the markets, providing farmers with a better return for their hard work. He added that if farmers cultivate using scientific methods, cash crops like ginger can become a powerful means of increasing their income.
He urged other farmers to cultivate other crops alongside rice, such as ginger, tomatoes, chilies, coriander, and pigeon peas. He said crop diversification reduces risk and creates additional sources of income, empowering farmers financially.
Sharing ginger cultivation techniques, Mr. Singh explained that in March-April, the field is thoroughly plowed and the necessary fertilizers and nutrients are applied. Ginger is then sown on the ridges and mulched. This maintains moisture in the field, reduces weed growth, and promotes better plant development. As a result, higher yields and higher yields are achieved.
Mr. Santosh Kumar Singh believes that if farmers adopt cash crops and horticultural crops in line with market demand alongside traditional farming and take advantage of government schemes, they can strengthen their financial situation by earning better income even on less land.
