Conflict to cultivation: Youths explore farming and tourism

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government organised a one-day educational tour on organic farming and tourism for 134 rehabilitated youths as part of efforts to reintegrate them into the mainstream. The exposure visit was conducted by the district project Livelihood College Society in Dantewada. Officials said the participants had earlier been influenced by Maoist ideology and are now being guided towards sustainable livelihoods and social inclusion.Initiative follows a recent request from the beneficiaries to the district administration for practical exposure to agriculture and tourism sectors. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma facilitated the tour to provide the youths with hands-on experience and insights into new livelihood opportunities.During the visit, officials from the agriculture department and coordinators of the Bhoomgadi Organic Cluster briefed the youths on modern organic farming techniques. Trainers from the Livelihood College were also present. The participants studied methods to increase yield at low costs without chemical fertilisers. They also learnt about natural resource conservation and the marketing of organic produce.The group visited key tourism sites in the district to understand employment generation through local tourism. Officials briefed them on opportunities in home-stays, guide services, handicrafts, and the sale of local products.Following the tour, the rehabilitated youths requested the Livelihood College administration to organise a special two-to-three-day residential agricultural training programme. They stated that such intensive training would help them adopt advanced organic farming in their villages and develop sustainable livelihoods. The district administration has assured them of further strengthening skill development and self-employment programmes in the future.