Farmers should adopt allied occupations along with agriculture: Progressive Farmer Baljinder Singh.

By 121 News

Chandigarh 25^th March:-  To survive in the present scenario where the prices for day to day consumable goods are on increase, the farmers should adopt allied occupations along with basic agriculture. As such, dairy farming along with bio farming is a good option to increase the profitability. This was stated by farmer Baljinder Singh a resident of village Bhajouli near Kharar falling under district SAS Nagar.

Progressive farmer Baljinder Singh said that he has 7 acres of agriculture land wherein for irrigation purposes a tubewell stands installed and he uses the irrigation water judiciously also the water uses is being done according to the crop requirement. He said that his increased profitability is the result of training on bio farming under Crop diversification program which was provided by office of Chief Agriculture office SAS Nagar under ATMA Scheme. As such, after getting training he replaced some of the cultivable area from the traditional crops to cultivation of Maize, green gram & vegetables and he emphasized on bio farming. He said that with the guidance of Chief Agriculture Officer, he has done direct cultivation of rice crop last year, which has helped him to save on labour & for efficient utilization of water, which intern increased his income. Besides above, he added that Hi-brid seed of maize at 50% subsidy were provided to him by the Agriculture Department, which has also contributed for his income.

Baljinder Singh said that due to bio farming where on the one side his crop production got increased, at the same time he also got good selling price for the same. He said that he sells the vegetable directly in the market. Baljinder Singh said that now the time has come when the farmers have to adopt crop diversification & with the help of new techniques they could be able to be more finically stable. He said that besides agriculture, famers should adopt Dairy farming, Bee farming, fisheries, etc. He said that he is having 5-7 milking cattle including cows & buffaloes for running a small dairy unit besides agriculture, which adds to his daily income.