Sweetness of Pear in Mainpat

Mainpat, often called the Shimla of Chhattisgarh, is emerging as a new hub of agri‑tourism. Its favorable climate and welfare policies of the state’s horticulture department are paving the way for economic prosperity for local farmers. Progressive farmers are shifting from traditional agriculture to fruit orchards, writing new chapters of success. One inspiring story is that of farmer Manoj Yadav from the village Barima in Mainpat, who has created a successful pear orchard in the village Kudaredih near Mehta Point and earned impressive profit. With government assistance he planted 170 fruit trees on barren land. Manoj explained that in 2017‑18 he obtained pear saplings from the Kamleshwarpur government nursery and planted about 200 saplings on his 0.500 hectare plot of fallow land. Some died, but now 170 fully bearing trees remain, thanks to regular inspection and technical guidance from the horticulture department staff. Despite heavy rain and a slight delay in market sales this year, his orchard produced about 2.5 pickup (approximately 260 carats) of pears, sold wholesale at an average of 500 rupees per carat, generating around 130,000 rupees. Direct sales to tourists and open‑market sales added another 25‑30 thousand rupees, giving a net income of 1.5 lakh rupees this season, compared with 2.5‑3 lakh rupees last year. The orchard has become a tourist attraction, offering visitors a view of the picturesque Raygarh region from the famous Lalmati spot. About 100‑250 tourists visit daily, buying fresh pears at 50‑100 rupees per kilogram and enjoying the experience of picking fruit themselves, providing farmers a direct sales platform without middlemen. Manoj urges youth and fellow farmers to cultivate pears, lychees and other fruit trees on idle land, as it yields higher profit with lower investment and proximity to tourist markets adds extra benefits. District administration and the horticulture department continue to empower farmers in forest and rural areas through orchard development, modern technical training and advanced farming methods. Farmers like Manoj Yadav prove that with scientific guidance and hard work, horticulture can become a highly profitable enterprise.