Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Crop losses caused by monkeys and langoors, pest attacks, rising cultivation costs and a shortage of farm labour have emerged as major concerns for farmers in Shantipuri, according to a field survey conducted by the Sasyam Foundation.
A team led by foundation extension head Neel Yaksh Bora, along with Hritul Purohit, Roshan Singh and Manas Bisht, visited the village and held discussions with farmers to assess the challenges confronting agriculture at the grassroots level.
The interaction revealed that frequent damage by wild animals is adding to farmers’ woes, while pest and insect infestations are affecting crops. The survey also found a significant gap in awareness about sugarcane diseases and appropriate management practices.
Despite most farmers possessing Kisan Credit Cards, several said they were unable to fully benefit from government schemes because of inadequate information and guidance. Farmers also flagged the growing reluctance of young people to pursue agriculture and a shortage of labour during peak farming seasons.
Rising input costs and inflation have further intensified concerns over whether the Minimum Support Price (MSP) provides adequate returns.
Sasyam Foundation founder and president Dhruv Sachdeva said, “Direct interaction with farmers is essential to understand field-level challenges and identify local needs for future awareness and solution-oriented initiatives.”
The youth-led non-profit has so far engaged with more than 500 farmers through initiatives focused on sustainable agriculture, soil health, climate action and farmer empowerment.
