Jhunjhunu farmers raise a toast for a better crop yield

Rajasthan’s farmers and scientists are at odds. While the farmers are claiming that alcohol spray on crops has increased the yield, the scientists are rejecting their claim, which according to them needs to be investigated.

The farmers in Jhunjhunu district have been spraying alcohol on pulses crop for last three to four years. The farmers claim that whether Rabi or Kharif, they have been mixing alcohol in water and spraying on gram, gwar and methi.

The farmers claim that country liquor is more effective. Even former army men have been using rum and other IMFL to get better yield. A bottle of alcohol cost them Rs 125, which they use in a bigha and the yield is doubled.

The farmers are ecstatic but agriculture officials have been rejecting it. They pressed on the need to test the claim.

Agriculture scientist Dr Hanuman Prasad and associate professor in Abusar agriculture science center Dr Dayanand said that they have been receiving this information but deny that it can increase the crop yield. However, they said this must be researched to know the side effects. Also, the farmers would know which alcohol should be mixed in what quantity.