‘Maza Ek Diwas, Mazya Baliraja Sobat’ Initiative by VNMKV Receives Overwhelming Response from Farmers

Since September 2022, & so far, the university's team of scientists has visited more than 250 villages

Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, is successfully implementing the ‘Maza Ek Diwas, Mazya Baliraja Sobat’ (My Day with My Farmer) initiative across all eight districts of Marathwada. Under this unique program, university scientists visit farmers' fields to understand their challenges and provide practical solutions. 

The initiative is driven by the vision of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Indra Mani and is coordinated under the guidance of Director of Extension Education Dr. G.M. Waghmare. The program has been conducted on the second Wednesday of every month in different villages of the region since September 2022, and so far, the university's team of scientists has visited more than 250 villages.

On 09 January, 2025, a team of 35 scientists in 12 groups visited farmers' fields across eight districts of Marathwada. They interacted with approximately 450 farmers, addressing their agricultural concerns and offering technical guidance. As part of the initiative, Prof. (Dr.) Indra Mani spent a day with farmers in Village Mauje Wala  Badnapur Taluka.

During a farmers' gathering organized by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Badnapur, the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor highlighted the importance of mechanization in agriculture to overcome the challenge of labor shortages. He emphasized adopting advanced technologies for sustainable farming.

The Vice-Chancellor also discussed the significance of the ‘Godavari’ pigeon pea (tur) variety developed by the university. This variety is resistant to wilt disease and can yield 10 to 14 quintals per acre under dryland conditions. Some farmers reported even higher yields of up to 18 quintals per acre using drip irrigation. The Godavari variety is proving to be a lucrative alternative to traditional crops like sugarcane, with farmers earning up to ₹1 lakh per acre.

During the visits, scientists provided guidance on controlling pests in pigeon pea and chickpea crops and offered tips on protecting mango blossoms from adverse weather conditions. The farmers expressed appreciation for the university's efforts under the 'Farmer First' (Shitkari Dev Bhava) philosophy. Many farmers assured their active participation in making the initiative more impactful. The 'My Day with My Farmer' initiative has been highly beneficial, inspiring farmers to adopt scientific practices and improve their agricultural productivity.