Umaria is well known for Bandhavgarh National Park. Large number of tourists from across the world visit Umaria. But still the overall development of the district is not possible only through promotion of tourism. Agriculture is the main source of income in the district. However farmers were apathetic to adopt modern and innovative practices in farming. Due to this, the crop production remained low. From last few years, district administration made concerted efforts for agriculture development and as a result, record increase of 175 percent in paddy production drew everybody’s attention across the country. Such a growth in one year’s time had not been seen before in any district of India.

The total cultivable area of the district in 2012 was 83.03 hectares which increased to 102.86 in 2013 with 23 percent increase in total cultivatable area. Out of total area under cultivation, there was 20 percent increase in paddy sown area from 40.07 thousand hectares in 2012 to 48.09 thousands hectares in 2013. Though there is only 20 percent increase in net sown area, but total paddy productivity increased by 129 percent. Between 2012 and 2013, paddy production increased from 1095 kg/hectares to 2509 kg/hectares. In 2013, there was 1,20,657 metric tonnes of paddy production against just 43,876 metric tonnes of paddy production in 2012.

Under ATMA Project, district administration launched intensive campaign for enhancing rice production in the district. Last year, they have started SRI Rath Abhiyan for the first time and trained farmers in the district as ‘Kisan Mitra’ and ‘Kisan Didi’. These trained youths were given the responsibility to take forward this campaign. Supply of Cono Weeder used under SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method was ensured so that there should not any shortage in supply, when the demand of it increased. Gram Choupals were organized on weekly basis. All these have very positive impact upon farmers. With the increase in net paddy sown area through using SRI method, rice production also increased enormously. In some areas, farmers have not completely adopted SRI method, but have experimented in a part of the area. So there is comparative increase in the crop production in such area in comparison to last year.

Many farmers in the district were awarded at state and national level for marked improvement in agricultural productivity. Their achievements have motivated other farmers in the district and this time more and more farmers are adopting SRI method for cultivating their land. The increase in crop production owing to SRI method has such a large scale impact that attraction towards agriculture has revived. It has provided new avenues for development of agro-based industries like rice mill and agriculture equipment. (IPA)