Exposure to cooperatives and introduction of new technology has catapulted an obscure Paliganj tucked away in Bihar to limelight.
The experiment had started in 2000 under ” mission mode program of technology mission 2020′ inspired by India’s former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
Paliganj farmers were sent on trips to Amalsad, Chikku fruit Cooperative and Warana Pura in Maharashtra so that they could understand the merits of the cooperative system.
Gautam Goswami who directed the whole experiment in Paliganj exuded happiness and enthusiasm while recently talking to the media about it. According to him, Paliganj earlier produced grains a mere two tonnes per hectare but thanks to the technology mission the farm productivity in the area has surged to about 5 tonnes per hectare.
The Paliganj experiment is being supervised by technology information forecasting and assessment council of the Ministry of Science and Technology, government of India. The place is within commuting distance of Patna.
Sources say the new idea of farming being tried here has meant more information and exposure for farmers. There is optimism that the Paliganj experiment would influence the future of farming in the whole of Bihar, they add.