Raipur:  The farmer-friendly policies of the state government are showing their excellent results. Yogesh Agarwal, a progressive farmer of Semriya (B) village of Bhatapara block of Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, has succeeded in increasing his income by cultivating grafted brinjal. Agarwal told that earlier he used to cultivate vegetables in the traditional way. Then he got the benefit of Grafted Brinjal and Tomato Demonstration Scheme under the National Agricultural Development Scheme by the Horticulture Department.

He explained that grafted eggplants are less susceptible to disease than conventional cultivation. Furthermore, they yield in all three seasons. Water and labor costs are lower. The plants are also stronger, resulting in improved production. Agarwal stated that this technique is providing economic benefits to farmers.

It is noteworthy that the Horticulture Department is running the Grafted Brinjal and Tomato Demonstration Scheme under the National Agricultural Development Scheme with the aim of increasing the income of farmers in the district by connecting them with modern technology. This scheme has been implemented for the first time in the district. Under the scheme, farmers are cultivating grafted brinjal and tomato for which a subsidy of Rs. 30,000 is being given per demonstration.

The district has received a target of 188 demonstrations, against which 188 farmers were selected as per rules and the farmers are being given the benefit of this scheme.