With state government’s helping hand, farmers edge closer to self-reliance

In a move to make vegetable and flower growers self reliant , the second batch of consignment from Nadia to the European countries was sent on Monday.

The first batch was sent on December 20. This is the first time when vegetables are being exported with the assistance from state government. The project is likely to bring profit to the farmers, thus making them self reliant within a very short period. Export quality production has become possible due to intervention through construction of Hi-Tech Poly House Construction under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM).

Cultivation of capsicum, tomato, beans, lady finger and more are being made under the protected green house. Irrigation and fertiliser application are being done through drip irrigation system to control production and maintain quality. Gerbera flowers are also being cultivated under polynet house.

22 hi- tech structures and another 12 low cost poly house structures have been made at Dahakola under Dharmada gram panchayat, four hitech at Patikabari GP , six at Billwagram GP and five at Nakashipara GP . A total of 52 poly house structures have been made for production of high quality vegetables and flowers in Nakashipara Block only. 

More than 100 such poly houses have been constructed solely under MGNREGA scheme or in convergence mode with National Horticulture Mission. Sumit Gupta, district magistrate Nadia said, “We will construct more such structures for vulnerable farmers and ensure sustainable income from their limited land to make revolution in the sector”. 

Farmers of Nakashipara Block formed Farmers Producer Company (FPC). A total of 58 Farmers Interest Group are working under the Nakashipara FPC and 1004 farmers are associated in the FPC. Ananda Biswas, Secretary of the FPC said, “We are now getting more value for our produce and are able to get 8-10 times profit than conventional cultivation”.

There are four type of structures where such type of cultivation are being done. Hi-Tech structures with 1000 sq metre and 500 sq metre model while in low cost polynet house with 400 sq metre and 200 sq metre model. Hi-Tech structures are more durable(20-30 years) than low cost bamboo structure (10-12 years) but facility may be equal in both cases. MGNREGA scheme is  now promoting low cost structures as it cost only Rs. 120000 for 200 sq metre and Rs. 200000 for 400 sq metre structure while it cost Rs. 5.3 lakh for 500 sq metre in Hi-Tech structures. Now, more farmers are showing interest in constructing polynet houses to increase their income from limited land with high quality produce.

Gupta said, “We are constructing more structures to include more farmers to make them self reliant through MGNREGA in convergence mode.” Farmers are earning Rs. 2.5 lakh from high cost vegetable cultivation like capsicum and Rs. 5-6 lakh from Gerbera cultivation in 1000 sq metre poly house as compared to Rs. 20-30000 in conventional farming.

Vice-Chancellor, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Dharanidhar Patra said, “This technology is now getting popularity and farmers will benefit in manifold from their produce. Controlled system of cultivation will also help soil to maintain fertility in long run”.