Two representatives of the World Bank met the farmers at village Sunpura in Vidisha district yesterday and held discussions with them on issues pertaining to agriculture. They enquired as to what crops they take in which season, which variety of seeds they use, quantum of production, marketing of their produce and application of fertilisers and pesticides. The team was surprised to learn that a pioneer in wheat production Vidisha district has now taken to Basmati rice production and the farmers are getting attracted to orchards. A farmer Than Singh Yadav informed that last year he had planted five hundred saplings of Pomona grate and is going to plant as many saplings this year. The functionaries of a voluntary institution "Dawat Foods" informed that 55 farmers of the district have sown Basmati rice. The institution has imparted a comprehensive training to these farmers with regard to seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and production. The two representatives are experts on farming and social matters, respectively. O Broin and Shankarnarayan visited the village to inspect the works carried out there under the Water Sector Restructuring Project of the World Bank. They sought to know from women of the families engaged in agriculture about their participation in farm activities and the nature of their contribution. The women informed that in addition to taking active part in farm activities they have formed self-help groups and discuss in group the problems of each other. The groups also provide financial assistance to the members whenever needed. The workers of SMAC informed that they have also prepared vermi compost and imparted training to the farmers about balanced use of irrigation water. The farmers are also being trained in maintenance of canals. The representatives of the World Bank also met the farmers at village Malikhedi in Bhopal district and sought to know about the skill honing activities of Water Users' Associations. The farmers said that if production is good and marketing is ensured they are willing to take to floriculture and orchard. The team leader of SMAC RS Pachauri, deputy team leader TB Singh. Expert of Water Sector Restructuring Project Amitabh Mishra, agriculture expert P Gujare, animal husbandry expert Dr Ramesh Shrivastava, fisheries expert RS Bisaria and officers concerned accompanied the team.