Collector turns model farmer

Adilabad: District Collector M Jagan Mohan is striving to prove that agriculture is remunerative at a time when investment in the sector is becoming scarce. The crisis in the agricultural sector is leading farmers facing the debt burden to commit suicides.

The Collector is personally getting involved to drive home the message that farmers can lead a luxury life if more organic fertilisers are used to raise crops.

Jagan Mohan, who believes in doing what he preaches, has converted his camp office into a farm centre, earning a good name for himself as ‘Adarsha Rythu Collector’.

He is raising maize, wheat, pulses, red gram and vegetables like brinjal, chikkudu (beans), coriander (kothmira) and onion, to set an example for farmers to follow.

He begins the day at 4.30 am. He starts his day with farm work, waters fields/crops and removes weeds in the backyard of his house. This, he points out, is his way of doing exercises; he need not take up more exercises for which he has no time.

Jagan Mohan’s wife also shares his burden. Thanks to their combined effort, the backyard of the Collector’s house resembles a lush green field. The efforts, he says, bring not only extreme joy, but make living amid greenery pleasant. This is also making visitors curious to know the methodology being adopted. The Collector impresses upon farmers the need for using more organic fertilisers .