Post News Network
Dhamnagar, Jan 18: Learning lessons from the potato crisis which hit the state a few months ago, the government has given thrust on boosting tuber cultivation across the state through Potato Mission.
Many areas in this block of Bhadrak district have vast swathes of land conducive for potato cultivation, besides other infrastructure support. But, for lack of interest and awareness, farmers were not keen to take up tuber cultivation. As a result, to meet its demand the state solely depends on other states like West Bengal and Maharashtra. Thousands of acres of riparian land on both sides of rivers Baitarani, Kochila and Genguti are absolutely fit for potato farming.
Given the good geo-climatic condition here, the state government took a baby step to boost potato cultivation. This year, the horticulture and agriculture department made efforts to create awareness about potato growing through cluster approach. This system requires at least 30 acre of land at one place for potato cultivation.
About 50 farmers of Palasahi gram panchayat have taken a step forward and cultivated tuber near Sahusahi with the help of loans taken from a local cooperative society. The department has provided all technical knowhow from Ranital Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
The department has suggested the farmers to adopt modern methods of cultivation, said assistant horticulture officer Manoranjan Panda. After soil test of the area, the farmers were advised to use the suitable kind and quantity of fertilizer, he added.
The ‘Kufri Jyoti’ variety of potato seeds were provided to farmers using which potato can be produced in a short duration of 90 to 100 days. However, no financial help has been provided to farmers towards purchase of seeds, insecticides and fertilizers.
The farmers have invested Rs 8.4 lakh from their own kitty towards seed purchase. Seeds have been sown in 33.3 acre out of the targeted 50 acre. The horticulture department has engaged a field officer Surendra Jena in the area to provide all technical assistance.
Deputy director of horticulture (Bhadrak), Patitapaban Samantray said field officials will visit farms and the department will provide Rs 16,000 to each farmer as assistance within the period of harvesting and it will be credited to their bank accounts or paid through cheques.
Department official Nusingha Kar said most parts of Dhamnagar are suitable for potato cultivation, but the need of the hour is awareness generation among farmers to take up this on a large scale. Dhamnagar may play a lead role in Potato Mission, he added.