DC advises farmers to integrate tech into agri practices

Wanaparthy: District Collector Adarsh Surabhi on Wednesday advised farmers to embrace innovative ideas and integrate technology into their agricultural practices to adapt to ever-changing weather conditions and ensure profitability.

He attended as chief guest the ‘Kisan Mela-2026’ organised under the aegis of the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). Various companies showcased high-quality seeds, solar fencing, agro-chemicals, livestock (poultry, rams, and Gir breed cows) and displays related to integrated horticulture, sericulture, oil palm cultivation, kisan credit cards and modern machinery and tools. While the companies raised awareness among farmers about their products, he visited every stall to inspect quality of goods on display. The Collector drew attention that rainfall has been significantly low this year due to the El Niño effect; while 100 cm of rainfall was recorded by this time last year, only 42 cm has been recorded so far this year. Due to the lack of sufficient water for paddy cultivation, efforts have been made to raise awareness about opting for alternative crops. Consequently, while paddy was cultivated across 2.25 lakh acres during the last monsoon season, cultivation was limited to 1.7 lakh acres this season.

Surabhi advised farmers to focus on alternate crops suited to the prevailing weather conditions. Blackgram cultivation in the district has risen to 30,000 acres this year.

Oil palm cultivation offers significant benefits; by maintaining the crop and cultivating intercrops for just the first three years, farmers can reap profits for up to 30 years.

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The Hans India