Flood-resilient agriculture method for Majuli farmers

From A Correspondent

Majuli, Sept 22:  A new flood resilient Agriculture method is generating hopes among farming community in Majuli. The hydroponics initiative taken up by South Asian Forum for Environment (SAFE), an environmental NGO, and supported by BARD yields encouraging result in the river island district. Suitable for the flood prone areas like Majuli, SAFE started the first phase of the pilot project ‘Floating Technology Grows Hope for Better Future, Climate Resilient Agriculture in Majuli District of Assam” in various ponds in the district since last week of June this year on an experimental basis.

 In the first phase, this floating raft based vegetable farming project was introduced on 6 ponds at Pohardiya, Jamodchuk, Lahongaon, Borhula, Bhekulimari and Soribari gaon. Sponsored by BARD and encouraged by Majuli district Administration, especially the Deputy Commissioner Majuli Pallav Gopal Jha, SAFE first imparted training on this floating vegetable farming method to few farmers group formed by local young farmers and then engaged them in these hydroponics sites. In Pohardiya village, 10 numbers of floating beds are used to cultivate local varieties of vegetables.

One of the Farmers using this new cultivation method, Saben Kalita claims that he has got a production of 80 kgs of ladies’ finger  from his two floating rafts. Though the project is still going on an experimental basis in Majuli, it has already shown its impact in the society. From many other parts of the state, people have shown their interest for this floating raft based on altertive farming approach.