PATNA, May 22 -- Emboldened by farmers' interest and positive outcome of the pilot projects, the agriculture department has planned expanding the area of natural farming by imparting technical knowledge to the farming community about ways to enhance crop productivity. Currently, natural farming is being practised on 7,000 to 8,000 hectares land across multiple districts. "This year, we aim to expand the area to around 20,000 hectares," DyCM and agriculture minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said Wednesday. An agriculture department official said the government had decided to expand the area of natural farming after its positive outcome of crop productivity, soil health and enhanced income of farmers in several clusters. "Our emphasis will now be on providing technical support and other resources to reduce input cost of natural farming," said a director rank officer. The department has also proposed to rope in around 800 Jeevika Didis (volunteers) and utilise their services as "Krishi Sakhi' in 400 clusters, so far identified for natural farming. "Each cluster will have two Krishi Sakhis, who would be trained to mentor the farmers on natural farming. Each volunteer will get around Rs.500 per day," said the officer, adding that Krishi Sakhis will be appointed soon. Officials said Krishi Sakhi, trained female workers, will go to villages and teach farmers about techniques of natural farming. They will provide technical guidance as well as assist them in training programmes. Apart, they will also be motivating farmers towards natural farming, carry out registration of interested farmers, organise training programmes etc....