District Collector Ayush Prasad addressed tribal forest right holders at a workshop organized by the Tribal Development Department in collaboration with Jain Irrigation at Jain Hills. The event aimed to provide guidance on how individual forest right holders could use natural resources efficiently and make farming profitable through collective efforts.
Prasad urged the attendees to focus not just on acquiring land but on making it sustainable by using less water and time. He emphasized the importance of collective farming and organic practices, saying, "We should learn, organize, and struggle to build a prosperous future for ourselves, our families, and the country." He also spoke about the need for crop systems that generate income within three to six months, ensuring long-term financial stability.
Gautam Desarda, Head of Contract Farming at Jain Irrigation, discussed the importance of integrating technology into farming to tackle climate challenges. He explained how contract farming for crops like onions, tomatoes, turmeric, and garlic could benefit farmers, particularly through the use of drip irrigation and sprinklers.
The workshop, which was attended by over 100 tribal farmers from Raver, Yaval, and Chopda talukas, also featured speeches from other dignitaries. Jain Irrigation Chairman Ashok Jain highlighted the potential for sustainable farming in the Satpura hills, saying that the success of agriculture at Jain Hills could be replicated in tribal areas. Zila Parishad CEO Minal Karanwal praised the contract farming initiative for providing farmers with a secure market for their crops.
The two-day workshop also included a presentation of government schemes for tribal areas and guidance on farming methods, technology, and market access. Tribal farmers expressed their views, and the program concluded with a vote of thanks by Sandeep Patil.
