Docu to showcase agri practices of Bundelkhand

The ministry has chosen two projects being initiated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) from the region for the films. Sources said the ministry has already tied up with the national broadcasters of about 98 countries across the globe to telecast these films. According to the officials,these films will be used to invite research institutes and private companies for investment in innovative agriculture practices in Bundelkhand.

This is the first time the agricultural innovations in Bundelkhand have been filmed and are being telecast so extensively. The projects chosen by the NABARD are “Management for increase in the production of pulses” and “Employment to tribals through horticulture”. For both,NABARD has provided technical and material support to drought-hit farmers and the Sahariya tribals who have been given land lease by the state government.

Giving details,the district development manager (DDM) of NABARD at Jhansi,Surendra Babu said,“We have been promoting cultivation of amla and guava among the Sahariya tribals on the outskirts of Jhansi. We are providing them plants and also support in getting sprinkler irrigation systems to help these plants survive in poor irrigation conditions. Even for pulses growers,we arrange for latest technologies and training,so that their production is increased through limited resources.”

A team from Delhi Doordarshan has already shot six docu-films in Jhansi and Lalitpur districts,which are being telecast on Doordarshan’s popular agriculture-based programme “Krishi Darshan”,supported by the Union Ministry for Agriculture.

A senior programme producer who has been a part of the team,confirmed,“We have shot docu-films,capturing different projects and also spoken to the beneficiaries. We will be sending these films to those countries which have shown interest in investing in agri-based innovations. We have also spoken to national broadcasters in other countries who will be airing these films.”

The countries which have shown interest in the agri-films include Russia,Japan,China,France,United Kingdom,Mauritius,Czech Republic,Denmark and Netherlands.

Two of the films – “Bundelkhand mein dalhani fasalon ki bahar” and “Sahariya vikas karyakram aur upyogita” – have already been telecast on DD National. Another 12-minute film on ‘Innovative use of sprinklers for irrigation’ will be telecast next week,followed by the remaining ones.