Ranchi: State agriculture department will hire Fasal Rakshaks (crop protectors) in each district to help farmers to protect their yields against seasonal vulnerabilities. A minimum of two Fasal Rakshaks (FR) will be hired in each district.The recruitment drive comes at a time when farmers face a heightened risk of crop damages in the ongoing kharif cropping season due heavy monsoon rain across several districts, including fungal infections, pest attacks, and nutrient deficiencies.Ashok Samrat, joint director (crop protection) at the state agriculture department, said, “The directive to hire FRs has already been issued to all district headquarters, and we are anticipating that the complete onboarding process will be finalized within a month.”“A farmer might not immediately understand the underlying cause behind their crop deterioration. These crop protectors will function as localized technical consultants, ensuring that accurate scientific advice and timely field support reach farmers directly in the field. By appointing local individuals, we ensure better community rapport and smoother communication, particularly in the most interior pockets of the state,” Samrat said.FRs will undertake field surveys to monitor standing crop health and will be tasked with monitoring local agri-input markets to inspect the quality and fair pricing of pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers sold by private dealers.Following their appointment, the FRs will be trained by department officials and will remain linked to technical experts to continuously upgrade their diagnostic skills. “Our long-term goal is to cultivate a cadre of grassroots crop protection experts who can deliver immediate support and safeguard maximum yields across the state,” Samrat added.
