Koraput: Cactus plants are ready to harvest after three years and yield profits to farmers for 40 to 60 years.
The cactus cultivation project launched by the Centre in Jhansi had given adequate profits to farmers. Cactus is now being grown in many states.
Two NGOs are helping cacti farming in Koraput district with the collaboration of the state government on a pilot basis.
This pilot project was launched on Shyam Sundar Nayak’s three-acre field. He is a resident of Karanjiaguda in Koraput block. Shyam said the spineless cactus tree will help farmers of hilly areas.
Deputy Director of Watershed Mission Bhabani Sankar Kola said two nurseries of cactus plants have been opened by the Watershed Mission and the Ikada group at the Watershed Mission office in Koraput and Dasmantpur respectively.
District Assistant Director of Soil Conservation Narsing Narayan said awareness programmes are being conducted by the department with the help of Dr Hussen to make farmers aware about cactus cultivation.
PNN
