IN a bid to promote the cultivation of Kodo-Kutki, the Forest Department has decided to purchase the crop directly from the farmers’ doorstep. The initiative, which is set to commence on December 15, aims to provide a fair price to the farmers and encourage them to cultivate the crop. The Forest Department has fixed the purchase price of Kodo at Rs 3200 per quintal, which is Rs 100 more than the price of paddy. The department has set a target of purchasing 1000 quintals of Kodo. According to K K Nishant, Forest Officer, the department will send its officials to the farmers' doorstep to purchase the crop.

 

He said that the initiative will not only provide a fair price to the farmers but also reduce their dependence on forest products. The Agriculture Department has also taken initiatives to promote the cultivation of Kodo-Kutki. The department has organised demonstration plots in all the development blocks of the district, where farmers are being trained to cultivate the crop. The cultivation of Kodo-Kutki is expected to benefit the farmers in several ways. The crop requires less water and can be harvested in a shorter period, which will reduce the farmers' expenditure. Additionally, the crop will provide a higher price to the farmers compared to paddy.