Heavy rainfall and hailstorm has destroyed Rabi crop in many districts of Madhya Pradesh. It is estimated that nearly 1 lakh hectare of standing crop got ruined in more than 500 villages of 13 districts. State government has announced compensation to indemnify losses incurred by farmers.
Our approach to deal with such issues has always been incomplete. When it comes to crop-failure, compensation is the only tool the government is having. I wonder why government doesn't analyze the problem thoroughly and come out with technological and innovative solutions?
In 2011, CTM Agro Textiles conducted an experiment in Basedi village of Rajasthan. In this experiment, a product called Repol Polypropylene crop cover was provided to farmers. Farmers covered their horticulture crops with this polymer. The fabric allows sunlight and air to pass through the cover resulting in healthy growth of vegetables and fruits. The structure of non woven crop cover is such that it prevents crop from insects,wind,rain,hailstorm and extreme temperatures.
In 2013,the company and the officials revisited village to take feedback from the farmers. The results were astonishing. Farmers were enraptured and surprised at the same time. Farmers told the officials that crop grew much faster than the average so they got better price in the market for their crop.
Further, quality and quantity both improved significantly. At the same time, the product reduced the expenditure incurred by farmers for pesticides. They, in fact, stopped using any kind of pesticide.
Most importantly, it prevented crop from rainfall,hailstorm and extreme temperatures. Though Rajasthan is not prone to hailstorm but according to farmers there is no doubt about the quality of product.
As of now trials have been conducted on horticulture crops only but same can be done for other crops as well in collaboration with government and textile industry.
When we are bringing technology and innovation in every field, why are we not searching opportunities in farming? The point is crop insurance alone will not help in a long run.There is a dire need of innovation,technology and out-of-the-box approach to deal with these issues and get farmers income doubled by 2022.
Our approach to deal with such issues has always been incomplete. When it comes to crop-failure, compensation is the only tool the government is having. I wonder why government doesn't analyze the problem thoroughly and come out with technological and innovative solutions?
In 2011, CTM Agro Textiles conducted an experiment in Basedi village of Rajasthan. In this experiment, a product called Repol Polypropylene crop cover was provided to farmers. Farmers covered their horticulture crops with this polymer. The fabric allows sunlight and air to pass through the cover resulting in healthy growth of vegetables and fruits. The structure of non woven crop cover is such that it prevents crop from insects,wind,rain,hailstorm and extreme temperatures.
In 2013,the company and the officials revisited village to take feedback from the farmers. The results were astonishing. Farmers were enraptured and surprised at the same time. Farmers told the officials that crop grew much faster than the average so they got better price in the market for their crop.
Further, quality and quantity both improved significantly. At the same time, the product reduced the expenditure incurred by farmers for pesticides. They, in fact, stopped using any kind of pesticide.
Most importantly, it prevented crop from rainfall,hailstorm and extreme temperatures. Though Rajasthan is not prone to hailstorm but according to farmers there is no doubt about the quality of product.
As of now trials have been conducted on horticulture crops only but same can be done for other crops as well in collaboration with government and textile industry.
When we are bringing technology and innovation in every field, why are we not searching opportunities in farming? The point is crop insurance alone will not help in a long run.There is a dire need of innovation,technology and out-of-the-box approach to deal with these issues and get farmers income doubled by 2022.
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