Crop diversification from summer paddy to chickpea and wheat helps conserve water and increase farm income
Published on: September 27, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
The Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM AASHA) Scheme is providing farmers with better price realisation and easier marketing of their produce. Benefiting from the scheme, farmer Komal Kumar Sahu of Tendunala village has increased his income by shifting from summer paddy to chickpea and wheat during the rabi season.
The change in cropping pattern has not only helped diversify his farm operations but has also contributed to water conservation and increased income.
Chickpea Cultivation Brings Additional Income
Komal Kumar Sahu said that during earlier rabi seasons, he used to cultivate summer paddy. This placed additional pressure on water resources and made it difficult to provide irrigation across the entire cultivated area.
Following guidance from the Agriculture Department, he cultivated chickpea on 2.430 hectares this year and planted wheat on the remaining area.
His chickpea crop produced approximately 38 quintals of output.
After receiving information from the Agriculture Department about chickpea procurement under the PM AASHA Scheme, Sahu registered himself for selling his produce at Seva Sahakari Samiti Tumdibod.
Following registration, he sold his entire chickpea produce through the cooperative society and received ₹2,23,250.
According to Sahu, the sale amount was received within approximately 15 days.
₹52,000 Additional Benefit Compared to Previous Year
Sahu said that compared with the previous year, he received an additional benefit of around ₹52,000 through the PM AASHA Scheme.
He said that earlier he used to sell his chickpea produce to private shops. However, selling the crop through the PM AASHA Scheme resulted in additional income.
Sahu expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for the facility provided under the scheme.
He said the PM AASHA Scheme is making it easier for farmers to sell their agricultural produce.
Appeal to Farmers to Adopt Pulses and Oilseeds
Sahu has appealed to other farmers in the district to diversify their cultivation by adopting pulses and oilseeds along with paddy.
He encouraged farmers to cultivate crops such as chickpea, lentil, mustard, moong and soybean and register their produce under the PM AASHA Scheme for sale.
Crop Diversification Inspires Other Farmers
Komal Kumar Sahu’s shift in cropping pattern and his experience of selling chickpea through the PM AASHA Scheme are also encouraging other farmers in the village to take up pulse cultivation and sell their produce through the scheme.
According to the information provided, the initiative is creating a positive environment for agricultural diversification, water conservation and increasing farmers’ income.
