Demotand Agricultural Research Centre to be Developed as Agro-Tourism Hub: Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey

Hazaribag/Ranchi

Jharkhand Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Tuesday visited the Agricultural Research and Training Centre at Demotand in Hazaribag and inspected various agricultural activities, research projects and training programmes being undertaken at the facility.

The minister appreciated the innovations being carried out at the centre and described it as an important model for agricultural development in Jharkhand.

Spread over nearly 160 acres, the centre has emerged as an example of an Integrated Farming System, where agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and allied activities are being integrated to develop sustainable and economically viable farming models for farmers.

Around 2,000 farmers from across the state are provided residential training at the centre on modern agricultural techniques, scientific farming, efficient use of natural resources and new agricultural innovations aimed at improving productivity and farm incomes.

During her visit, Tirkey said tea cultivation had been experimentally undertaken for the first time in Jharkhand across 20 acres. The Horticulture Department has also initiated a trial of coffee cultivation in the state.

She said the initial results of both experiments were encouraging. If the trials prove successful, the crops would be expanded in phases to suitable areas of Jharkhand, providing farmers with alternative high-value crops alongside traditional farming.

Tirkey said the state government plans to develop the Demotand Agricultural Research and Training Centre as a major agro-tourism destination, bringing agriculture, nature, research and tourism together.

The proposed development would include prefabricated cottages, modern demonstration units, experiential farming activities, training facilities, horticulture tours, organic farming demonstration areas and other visitor-oriented facilities.

The minister said the government intended to move Jharkhand’s agriculture beyond production by integrating innovation, scientific research, value addition and agro-tourism to create new income opportunities for farmers.

She said the government’s objective was to make agriculture more modern, profitable and employment-oriented while giving Jharkhand a stronger identity in agricultural innovation.