Geranium will be alternative to opium for farmers of Khunti

Khunti: To remove the black spot of opium cultivation in this district the state government has made an effort to encourage the production of geranium and other medicinal herbs which is being done by Seva welfare society. As part of the initiative, a training program was organized here in which progressive farmers from Khunti, Murhu, Torpa, Karra and Adki blocks participated.

The chief guest of the program was rural development Minister Neelkanth Singh Munda. In his address to the farmers, the Minister said that it was their responsibility to think about the bright future of their families and the society, therefore, they should undertake cultivation of such crops which can benefit the family and the society and does not bring a bad name for the society.

He said that when he got to know that geranium is cultivated in hilly areas and is also very profitable then the state government started the production of geranium and other medicinal Herbs including Tulsi Mentha lemongrass so that prosperity can be brought in the lives of the farmers.

He said that as an experiment in Kaparia of Khunti cultivation of geranium was undertaken and on a crop which is planted on 25 decimile of land 3 litre of oil can be manufactured from which the farmers can earn Rs 50000