Nearly 125 coriander farmers and eminent local agriculture experts attended a Kisan Sammelan organised by Gram Unnati, one of India's first integrated agri-tech solutions companies, in Baran, Rajasthan. The farmers received advice on a wide range of farming practices, such as integrating conventional agricultural methods with integrated pest management (IPM) techniques.
Since Baran is mostly a dry and arid terrain, coriander has been scientifically advised for this region and is commonly produced there. The popular cash crop coriander thrives in the soil and climate of Baran and requires little water and other agricultural inputs.
Farmers in Baran and the surrounding areas rely greatly on the sale of coriander as one of their main sources of income; as a result, they spend a lot of time, money, and effort to produce the highest-quality crop possible in order to increase their profits. Since managing pests and illnesses in this crop can be quite difficult, it is crucial to have access to the pertinent information at the appropriate time.
In his speech at the event, Aneesh Jain, CEO, and founder of Gram Unnati said, "The purpose of the camp was to help farmers cultivate healthier crops that will yield better market returns. With the help of industry experts, we highlighted to the farmers the importance of integrated pest and nutrient practices. Certain unique practices such as sowing Garlic with Coriander could be helpful for insect management as the strong odor of garlic acts as an insect repellent. Experts also recommended that farmers must try to revert to certain traditional practices such as manual hoeing and tilling of the crop to manage weeds and reduce their dependence on weedicides. These practices will also eventually lead to better soil health.”
The event gave a few progressive farmers a platform to educate other farmers about their expertise and best practices. Malkeet Singh, the Sarpanch of Badipura village, noted that such occasions serve as exposure tours for farmers who gain expertise from the actual field experience of other farmers.
Additionally, Dr. Nand Bihari, Assistant District Horticulture Officer, briefed farmers about the different government programs and subsidies that they can take advantage of toward the end of the session. A folder was distributed to farmers including brochures about government programs and subsidies, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra's monthly newsletter, and a Gram Unnati-prepared package of coriander practices.
About Gram Unnati:
Gram Unnati is an agri-tech start-up that has received recognition from DPIIT. It offers marginal farmers: i) advice services, ii) affordable access to high-quality inputs, iii) market connections, and iv) specialized production, logistics, and end-to-end quality control of agricultural goods. The company was founded by IIT Kharagpur graduate Aneesh Jain in 2013.
The company has a strong advisory board that includes seasoned agricultural professionals, former government officials, and industry leaders. The organisation works through a nationwide network of 30 district-level centers to help agro-processors in locating high-quality grains, oilseeds, pulses, fruits, and vegetables from farmers.
