Raipur / Farmers in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh have found a new way amidst the water crisis. While farmers across the country are investing more water and cost in traditional farming, Ramnath and Chaitram of Kurru village have changed their approach, not only increasing profits but also presenting a new model of water conservation.
Ramnath, who previously cultivated rice, planted chickpeas this time and sold chickpeas worth ₹84,000 in just two months. Meanwhile, his fellow farmer Chaitram earned ₹1.76 lakh by cultivating chickpeas on three acres, while his total expenditure was only ₹60,000. That’s a profit of ₹1.16 lakh! This shows that by choosing the right crop, farmers can earn more in less time.
Rice vs. Chickpeas: Which is Better?
Rice cultivation requires 1.20 crore liters of water per hectare, while only 40 lakh liters are sufficient for chickpeas. This means 80 lakh liters of water can be saved per hectare. In addition, the cost of fertilizers and pesticides in chickpea cultivation is ₹40-45,000 less than that of rice. The natural bacteria present in its roots increase soil fertility, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers for the next crop.
Compared to rice, the chickpea crop matures quickly—in just 70-80 days. This allows farmers to sow the next crop early and earn more profit throughout the year.
This year’s budget described the agricultural sector as the engine of the Indian economy. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took several major decisions to increase farmers’ income and improve farming. The most revolutionary decision was to increase the loan limit under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh. This will enable 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and livestock farmers to get short-term loans at low interest rates, enabling them to adopt modern agricultural techniques.
Schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and Crop Insurance Scheme have already changed the direction of farming. Now farmers are getting the right price for their crop along with its protection. Under the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme launched in 2018, farmers receive ₹6,000 annually, transferred in three installments directly to their bank accounts. This scheme is not limited to financial assistance alone; it also enables farmers to buy new seeds, fertilizers, and equipment to further increase their yield.
The government is now working towards making farmers not just food providers but also agricultural entrepreneurs. Emphasis is being placed on moving beyond traditional farming and adopting new technologies and water conservation measures. These farmers from Dhamtari have proven that with the right approach and new technologies, farming can not only be made profitable but also solutions can be found for serious problems like water scarcity.