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Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Stubble for mushroom farming, diversification: why this Sonipat farmer stands out
For 60-year-old Jay Singh Dahiya, who started farming on his own in 1984 when he was just 19, it took over 40 years to get the required recognition. Nestled in Rohat village in Haryana's Sonipat district, Dahiya has been farming a revolution, quite literally, since the early 2000s. He started crop diversification at a time when most in Haryana and Punjab hadn't heard of the term, let alone practised it. It doesn't come as a surprise when Dahiya was awarded by Dr B R Kamboj, vice-chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, for being a progressive farmer and for working towards crop diversification in February this year. As he reflects on his journey, Dahiya shares that he could study only till Class 10. 'Times were tough. We struggled to even buy slippers),' he says, adding that very early in life he realised that he has to do something out of the box to triumph in life. When asked how he stumbled upon crop diversification, Dahiya says that initially, he used to do farming as taught by his father and uncle. 'But things changed when in the early 2000s, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) officials came to our village and conducted a meeting on the latest techniques of farming. I realised the importance of crop rotation and diversification and understood that it meant better produce, affordable farming, and less use of chemicals. I used to grow paddy, vegetables and sugarcane before but after guidance by scientists, I started crop diversification — something that my family didn't practice — and made good returns out of it,' he says, adding that he has also been awarded for the same as he shows certificates and recognition of his hard work. On how he carries out crop diversification, Dahiya says, 'Instead of paddy, I grow pearl millets and mustard. In kharif season, I sow millets and in rabi season, instead of wheat, I plant mustard. In between, I sow summer moong and dhaincha.' The little paddy that he grows not only feeds the people but also helps in farming of other crops. 'Na main kabhi paraali jalaata hun, na jalaane deta hun (neither I burn farm stubble, nor I let others do it). In fact, I spread the stubble in mushroom nurseries to use it as a compost. In the past 5-7 years, no one in Rohat village has burnt paddy residue,' Dahiya says, adding that he also spreads awareness on crop residue management. Elaborating on his farming techniques, Dahiya says that he and his neighbour sowed the same crop. 'He used DAT, potash and various other chemicals. I just used one bag of urea and some bags of single superphosphate. My produce was not only better than him but was also a much healthier option,' he adds. Explaining the rationale behind not using the popular DAP fertiliser, Agricultural Engineering Scientist Sundeep Antil tells The Indian Express, 'Research institutes advise farmers to use alternatives to DAP as the fertiliser is generally imported and sometimes there is a delay in its supply due to shortage.' Antil adds that when wheat gets harvested in the first fortnight of April, there is a gap of 40-45 days to sow the next crop. 'In this period, we suggest farmers not to keep their fields empty. Either sow summer moong or dhaincha (Sesbania Bispinosa). These act as a biofertilizer and help in improving the soil health. This process — known as green manuring — reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers. Also, these pulses have nitrogen fixation in their roots, which further helps the soil and in turn the next crop's growth,' he says, adding that with Dahiya reducing his reliance on paddy, he has also helped save a lot of water.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Stubble for mushroom farming, diversification: why this 60-yr-old Haryana farmer stands out
For 60-year-old Jay Singh Dahiya, who started farming on his own in 1984 when he was just 19, it took over 40 years to get the required recognition. Nestled in Rohat village in Haryana's Sonipat district, Dahiya has been farming a revolution, quite literally, since the early 2000s. He started crop diversification when most in Haryana and Punjab hadn't heard of the term, let alone practised it. It doesn't come as a surprise when Dahiya was awarded by Dr B R Kamboj, vice-chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, for being a progressive farmer and for working towards crop diversification in February this year. As he reflects on his journey, Dahiya shares that he could study only till Class 10. 'Times were tough. We struggled to even buy slippers),' he says, adding that very early in life he realised that he has to do something out of the box to triumph in life. When asked how he stumbled upon crop diversification, Dahiya says that initially, he used to do farming as taught by his father and uncle. 'But things changed when in the early 2000s, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) officials came to our village and conducted a meeting on the latest techniques of farming. I realised the importance of crop rotation and diversification and understood that it meant better produce, affordable farming, and less use of chemicals. I used to grow paddy, vegetables and sugarcane before but after guidance by scientists, I started crop diversification — something that my family didn't practice — and made good returns out of it,' he says, adding that he has also been awarded for the same as he shows certificates and recognition of his hard work. On how he carries out crop diversification, Dahiya says, 'Instead of paddy, I grow pearl millets and mustard. In kharif season, I sow millets and in rabi season, instead of wheat, I plant mustard. In between, I sow summer moong and dhaincha.' The little paddy that he grows not only feeds the people but also helps in farming of other crops. 'Na main kabhi paraali jalaata hun, na jalaane deta hun (neither I burn farm stubble, nor I let others do it). In fact, I spread the stubble in mushroom nurseries to use it as a compost. In the past 5-7 years, no one in Rohat village has burnt paddy residue,' Dahiya says, adding that he also spreads awareness on crop residue management. Elaborating on his farming techniques, Dahiya says that he and his neighbour sowed the same crop. 'He used DAT, potash and various other chemicals. I just used one bag of urea and some bags of single superphosphate. My produce was not only better than him but was also a much healthier option,' he adds. Explaining the rationale behind not using the popular DAP fertiliser, Agricultural Engineering Scientist Sundeep Antil tells The Indian Express, 'Research institutes advise farmers to use alternatives to DAP as the fertiliser is generally imported and sometimes there is a delay in its supply due to shortage.' Antil adds that when wheat gets harvested in the first fortnight of April, there is a gap of 40-45 days to sow the next crop. 'In this period, we suggest farmers not to keep their fields empty. Either sow summer moong or dhaincha (Sesbania Bispinosa). These act as a biofertilizer and help in improving the soil health. This process — known as green manuring — reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers. Also, these pulses have nitrogen fixation in their roots, which further helps the soil and in turn the next crop's growth,' he says, adding that with Dahiya reducing his reliance on paddy, he has also helped save a lot of water.
India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Haryana government approves Rs 1,267.49 crore annual agriculture plan
Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], May 21 (ANI): In a major step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting sustainable practices, the Haryana State Level Sanctioning Committee under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) has approved an ambitious annual plan of Rs 1,267.49 crore for the year 2025-26. The meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, aims to steer the state's agriculture and horticulture sectors towards innovation, efficiency, and long-term resilience. The approved plan will now be submitted to the Union Ministry of Agriculture for final clearance. A significant highlight of this year's plan is the government's focus on on-farm water management in response to the worsening crisis of declining groundwater levels in key agricultural districts like Karnal, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Sonipat, and Yamunanagar. As part of this initiative, Underground Pipeline (UGPL) systems will be promoted on a large scale. These pipelines are expected to drastically reduce water wastage, conserve energy, and optimise irrigation efficiency. Farmers adopting these systems will receive substantial financial assistance from the government. The broader goal is to expand the net irrigated area, reduce input costs, and ensure sustainable water use in agriculture. The plan also includes several forward-looking initiatives that promote natural farming, mechanisation, and scientific innovation. Under the umbrella of natural farming, a vegetable-centric integrated farming model will be introduced to promote crop diversification and improve soil health. The government will establish state-of-the-art laboratories for developing fruit fly traps and research and training centres for end-to-end mechanisation in rapeseed and mustard cultivation systems. A notable component of the plan is the promotion of mushroom farming as an alternative and eco-friendly livelihood source. A central mushroom unit will be established at the Regional Research Station (RRS), Karnal, and linked with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for field-level training. This initiative, coordinated by CCS Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU), Hisar, aims to boost entrepreneurship among small and marginal farmers, especially landless labourers, while contributing to nutritional security through protein-rich mushrooms cultivated using agricultural waste like straw and sawdust. The Rs 1,267.49 crore allocation is spread across key research and agricultural institutions. The Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Department will implement ten projects worth Rs 45.12 crore, while the Horticulture Department will receive Rs 27.26 crore for two projects. CCSHAU, Hisar, has been entrusted with eight projects totalling Rs 10.15 crore. Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal, has received Rs 75.63 lakh for three projects. The Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR), Karnal, will execute four projects worth Rs 18.21 crore, while the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal, will carry out five projects totalling Rs 14.30 crore. Additionally, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Karnal, has been sanctioned Rs 27.90 crore for ten projects. Under the Annual Action Plan (AAP), several major schemes have also been approved based on merged schemes of RKVY Cafeteria. These include SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization) with an outlay of Rs 89.90 crore, CRM (Crop Residue Management) with Rs 250.75 crore, Soil Health Card and Fertility with Rs 16.25 crore, Crop Diversification Programme with Rs 47.92 crore, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) with Rs 9.68 crore, and Per Drop More Crop with Rs 415.98 crore. Furthermore, under the Krishonnati Yojana, financial allocations have been sanctioned for key national missions: National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (Rs 47.97 crore), National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (Rs 24.17 crore), Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (Rs 6 crore), ATMA Scheme (Agricultural Extension Services) (Rs 38.15 crore), and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) with Rs 177 crore. (ANI)
