National Food Security Mission national consultant S.M. Kolhatkar inspected Arjun Naik Thanda village in Zaheerabad of Medak district recently.
The Central government, under the NFSM, sanctioned support to women farmers of Deccan Development Society (DDS) to grow coarse cereals such as sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, and foxtail, among others, on 235 hectares under special condition that these farmers will get support for use of their own seeds and their own ecological inputs such as manures, plant protection measures, etc., so that this becomes an external input-free programme and the government offers them cash support for all inputs they use. During the inspection, Mr. Kolhatkar looked at the biodiverse farms of DDS women farmers where coarse cereals, pulses, and oil seeds were planted together. He also enquired about the implementation of the NFSM programme and issues the farmers are facing.
He also discussed with the farmers how improved seed technology and other modern biotechnology can help increase productivity. DDS women farmers from Thanda explained how their practice is deep rooted in traditional organic farming principles, where they use their own seeds and manures and are able to fetch good yields. Cash support for the same from the government will be helpful, they said.
