ROURKELA: While a majority of traditional paddy farmers in the tribal-dominated Sundargarh district are yet to take up crop cutting, a progressive farmer Bijay Xalxo in Lathikata block has completed cutting of scented Basmati paddy on 16 acres.
Even as Xalxo waits for the paddy stocks to dry before being processed, he has started sowing mustard seeds on 30 acres, including the 16 acres, and sowing is underway. Xalxo has set an example for other traditional farmers with his gradual shifting to mechanised farming.
Assured water availability helped him cultivate ICAR 1509 variety of scented Basmati paddy during third week of June. Crop cutting was completed in four days by October 10 and he got an yield of about 25 tonnes.
Xalxo said he has also cultivated Swarna variety of paddy for personal consumption on another six acres and crop cutting would be completed in a month.
Unlike other traditional farmers, who usually get one crop in a year,
Xalxo gets three crops. A former army man and sitting Lathikata Sarparch, Xalxo has bought a Rubberised Sheller machine at `2.4 lakh at 75 per cent government subsidy. It would ensure minimum damage during removal of husks and produce fine quality of long and slender Basmati rice which would fetch him at least `40 per kg.
District Agriculture Officer (DAO) RK Mangal said, Xalxo is a role model for others and without entirely depending on Government he is making a difference. Agriculture Department is encouraging him with all possible support, Mangal added.