MP: How Smart Farming Methods Helped Orange Farmers Cope with Unseasonal Rain in Agar Malwa?
Agar Malwa: This year, climate change and erratic pre-monsoon rains caused significant losses for orange farmers in the district. The blossoms of the traditional 'Mrig Bahar' crop were damaged, hindering proper fruit development and reducing yields. However, farmers in Kundla Khurd village, Agar block, turned this challenge into an opportunity by adopting new techniques.
Acting on the advice of the Horticulture Department, progressive farmers switched from the traditional 'Mrig Bahar' cycle to the 'Ambiya Bahar' flowering technique. This shift has yielded excellent results. During a recent visit to Kundla Khurd, Collector Preeti Yadav interacted with the farmers. They shared that they have been cultivating oranges using the 'Ambiya Bahar' system across approximately 70 bighas of land for the past three years.
Kundla Khurd becomes a model for orange cultivation
The farmers explained that this technique has shielded their orchards from the adverse effects of unseasonal rain while simultaneously improving both fruit quality and yield, thereby boosting their income. Their success has made Kundla Khurd a model for orange cultivation in the district.
Impressed by the results, the Collector instructed the Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department to encourage more farmers to adopt this technique and to organize awareness and training programs in the village. District Panchayat CEO B.S. Solanki, Assistant Director (Public Relations) Jagdish Chandra Malviya, Horticulture Department official Arjun Singh Rajput, along with other officials, villagers, and farmers, were present during the visit.