How sweet potato farming is gaining ground in Shivpuri; KVK trains farmers in scientific cultivation
Shivpuri: Sweet potato cultivation is emerging as a promising horticultural crop in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, with farmers increasingly adopting it as a profitable alternative. The crop is now being cultivated on nearly 360 hectares, alongside tomatoes, capsicum, onions, garlic and pumpkins.
To help farmers achieve better yields and protect crops from erratic weather, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is conducting training and field demonstrations on scientific cultivation techniques. KVK Head Dr. Puneet Kumar said that excessive rainfall in recent years had caused tuber rot and fungal diseases in sweet potato fields. To address this challenge, farmers are being trained in improved planting methods that minimize damage from waterlogging during the Kharif season.
KVK Horticulture Scientist Dr. Prashant Kumar Gupta is leading village-level training programs and demonstrating modern cultivation practices directly on farmers' fields. Recently, such sessions were organized in Kilavani and Chandauria villages of the Kolaras development block.
The initiative is being carried out with support from the Horticulture Department and the Srijan organisation. Through this campaign, KVK aims to promote scientific farming, improve crop quality and productivity, and equip farmers with techniques suited to local climatic conditions, ultimately enhancing their income.