Harkesh Kumar Balai, Ad hoc Assistant Professor, Dept Agricultural Economics, 
COA, Indore, RVSKVV, Gwalior
Minakshi Meshram, Ad hoc Assistant Professor, Dept Agricultural Extension, 
Pt. SKS, CARS, Surgi,Rajnandgaon, IGKV. Raipur Chhattisgarh
Sarita Paradkar & Ravindra Dohley, Ph.D. Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension, RVSKV, Gwalior (M.P.)


Background:
Farmers are taking advantage of the schemes run the Horticulture Department and are also earning good profits. Due to which unprecedented changes are being seen in their standard of living.

Introduction:

Farmer name: Santram

Village : Salheona

District: Raigarh,Chattisgarh

Crop Cultivation: Growing Parwal ,cauliflower, barbatti and potato crops in one acre

Interaction with Horticulture Department
Shri Santram Sidar, a farmer of village Salheona of Raigarh , had been cultivating traditional paddy for a long time. Which they were getting good profit by selling paddy at support price, but seeing more profit from paddy in less area in vegetable crops, the trend towards vegetable farming increased, but there was no facility of fencing for security. During this time, he contacted the horticulture department and got information about the departmental plan. When the departmental officer informed him about community fencing scheme, he took advantage of this scheme and got his farm fenced. A part from this, cultivation of vegetables started under Bari Scheme. Presently Mr. Santram Sidar is growing horticulture crops like Parwal, Potato, Cauliflower and Barbatti in one acre. By selling the obtain crops in local market, he have earned income of more than RS 1 lakh so far in 6 months. Apart from this, taking advantage of departmental scheme, a pack house worth RS 2 lakh has been constructed . He said that last year , grant of RS 10,000 for brinjal crop received directly into this account from the National Horticulture Mission . He expressed gratitude to the administration and horticulture department for the efforts being made by the state government towards increasing the income of farmers through schemes.