Achiever's Success Story
REFINING, DEFINING AND REDEFINING TOWARDS WELFARE OF FARMERS IN ANDHRA PRADESH
Sri. Vepuri Shadrak Dharmaja has been working in the Department of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh since 1990 and serving the Horticulture farmers in different cadres and presently working as Deputy Director of Horticulture, MIDH Project. He has encouraged Crop Diversification from Low income crops to High income crop Tissue Culture Banana in Tribal areas of YSR Kadapa District resulted in drastic change in socio economic status and threefold increase in income of the Tribal farmers.
During his tenure as Project Director, Chittoor, promoted Micro-irrigation in an area of over 30,000 Ha. the district stood in 1st in implementation of Drip-irrigation in india benefiting 42,000 No. of farmers and Higher income to the farmers due to improvement in Quality, Productivity besides 40% saving in utilization of water.
A Novel initiative started on Fruit-Care Activities in Banana through PPP Banana Value-Chain Project with Exporting Companies like INI-Farms, DESAI Fruits and promoting marketing & exports of Banana. The produce has been well accepted in the Middle East countries such as UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran. Up to 2017 the Banana exports from Andhra Pradesh is negligible and during the year 2019-20 onwards every year exporting more than 50,000 MTs of Banana. This project helps in improvement of Productivity and Quality and additional income to the farmers besides stabilization of prices. For the first time organized exclusive trains for banana with refrigerated containers arranged from Tadipatri Fly Station to JNPT, Mumbai for export to Middle East.
He implemented Chilli-Value Chain Development Project in 50,000 acres in association with ITC during 2019-20 onwards duly providing Digital Services in Capacity Building and Real-time Services which helps in 15% increase in Productivity, Food Safe Chilli Production, Higher Grade Production for exports and increased 15% income to 56,000 No. of farmers and also promoted Direct Farm Gate Marketing to avoid Middlemen’s.
The department has implemented Modal FPO concept Bee-keeping project involving self help groups. The Honey produced by these FPOs is being marketed with Brand name and available for purchase in online.
Established Center of Excellence for Flowers and Vegetables in Chittoor district and produced 30.00 lakh No. of Grafted Vegetables Seedlings (Drought Resistance and Disease Resistance) and distributed to the farmers which helps in 30% increase in Productivity and Income of the farmers and also introduced Commercial Orchid cultivation under Green Houses and Shadenet Houses in Andhra Pradesh.
For promotion of Green Energy established Solar Drying Technology units and Solar Cold Room for Value addition of Horticulture produce.
Every year promoting Cocoa as intercrop in Coconut and Oil palm gardens in an area of 5000 Ha. from 2018-19 onwards which helps in getting additional income of 1.00 lakh per Ha.
He organized National Workshops on Production and Marketing and also
participating in National Training Programmes as Resource Person.
Awards Received:
a. Rythu Nestham award for Best Extension Officer from Vice President of India.
b. National Awards from Government of India, for Best Performance in Transfer of Subsides
c. (3) No. of Best Officer Awards received from Chief Ministers and (6) – No. of Best Officer Awards from District Collectors.
d. Jai Kisan Award from his Excellency Governor of Mizoram
e. (2) No. of State Best Officer Awards from Government of Andhra Pradesh.
