Bhubaneswar: Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment is happy as the farmers in the Borigumma block of Koraput district are at the forefront of a quiet agricultural revolution, adopting an innovative grafting technique that is significantly increasing crop yields, improving income, and fortifying the local agri-economy.
Dr.Padhee has posted his appreciation for farmers in X Platform. The practice, often referred to as “Brimato” farming, involves grafting a tomato plant onto a brinjal (eggplant) rootstock.
This clever combination leverages the robust and disease-resistant root system of the brinjal plant to support the tomato scion, which then produces fruit. The technique has proven to be a game-changer for small-scale farmers facing challenges from soil-borne diseases and environmental stress.
Increased Productivity: Farmers are reporting higher yields per plant, as the grafted rootstock enables better absorption of water and nutrients, leading to more vigorous growth. This is a critical development in a region where farming is the primary source of livelihood.
Enhanced Resilience: The brinjal rootstock provides natural resistance to common blights such as bacterial wilt and nematodes, which often plague tomato crops. This reduces the need for costly chemical pesticides and makes farming more sustainable.
Climate-Resilient Farming: The sturdy root system allows the plants to withstand adverse weather conditions, including periods of drought or excessive rain, providing a buffer against climate-related crop failures.
Economic Uplift: By increasing yields and reducing losses, the practice is directly translating to higher incomes for farmers. This newfound financial stability is not only improving livelihoods but also encouraging other farmers to adopt similar modern agricultural techniques.
The success in Borigumma is part of a wider trend in Odisha, where agricultural research institutions like the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and the ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) have been instrumental in developing and promoting such technologies. These institutions are working to ensure that the techniques are tailored to local conditions and accessible to smallholder farmers.
This initiative also aligns with broader efforts in the region to move towards integrated farming systems and provide self-sufficiency for rural communities, a goal supported by local and state government schemes.
The spread of “Brimato” farming is a clear example of how strategic innovation and a willingness to adapt can lead to significant and sustainable rural development.