Empowering farmers: Modern schemes transform agri in Chamba

The state government, through its Department of Agriculture, has introduced several initiatives aimed at empowering farmers and enhancing self-reliance. These programmes have had a significant impact in Chamba district, with many farmers benefiting, including Madan Kumar from Hathedi village, Mangla Gram Panchayat.

Madan Kumar, 45, a 10th-grade graduate, has been engaged in farming for 25 years. About five years ago, with the guidance of the Chamba Agriculture Department, he adopted scientific farming techniques and modern machinery, which greatly improved his practices and income.

Prior to this, Madan faced multiple challenges, including lack of irrigation and crop damage from wild animals. He also relied heavily on manual labour, which reduced profitability. His fortunes changed when he received 70 per cent government assistance for solar fencing, worth Rs 4 lakh, which protected his crops from wild animals. Additionally, a water storage tank was built with Rs 3 lakh in government support, resolving his irrigation issues.

Madan also received a 9 HP power tiller and a 2 HP brush cutter at subsidised rates, benefiting from a subsidy of around Rs 40,000. These technological advancements significantly boosted his farming efficiency and output. Today, he grows 10 types of cash crops, including tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, eggplant, and bell peppers, generating an annual income of Rs 5 lakh.

With the construction of the irrigation tank, Madan now enjoys a year-round water supply, enabling him to grow off-season vegetables, which command higher prices in the market. He also employs local labourers, contributing around Rs 1 lakh annually towards their wages, thereby creating employment opportunities within his community.

Dr Kuldeep Singh Dhiman, Deputy Director of Agriculture in Chamba, commended Madan as a role model for unemployed youth, highlighting the government’s efforts to promote agricultural mechanisation. This, he said, reduces production costs and makes farming easier for farmers.

In the 2023-24 financial year, the government provided subsidies worth Rs 91 lakh to farmers in Chamba district for mechanisation under the State Agricultural Mechanisation Scheme and the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation. These subsidies enabled the purchase of nine tractors, 133 power weeders, 165 brush cutters and 125 maize threshers.

Additionally, under the Chief Minister’s Field Protection Scheme, the government provided 70 per cent subsidies for solar fencing to protect crops from wild animals and stray cattle. In 2023-24, 31 farmers in Chamba received Rs 85 lakh in subsidies for 9 km of solar fencing.

To address irrigation challenges, the government also spent Rs 2.02 crore on water tanks and pipeline installations in 2023-24, ensuring farmers have adequate access to water for their crops year-round.

Through these targeted interventions, the government is not only boosting agricultural productivity but also improving the livelihoods of farmers like Madan Kumar, enabling them to lead more dignified and self-reliant lives.