Locked away from society, yet sowing seeds of change — inmates at Nagpur Central Jail have cultivated agricultural produce worth ₹79.10 lakh over the past three years, proving that even behind bars, there’s room for transformation. As part of a statewide rehabilitation initiative, prisoners are turning prison land into fertile ground for both crops and character reform.
The project, led by the Maharashtra Prison Department, has seen enthusiastic participation across 31 jails in the state. While Paithan Open Prison in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar topped the list with farm produce worth ₹3.34 crore, and Nashik Central Jail followed at ₹1.13 crore, Nagpur stood proudly in third place — a testament to the discipline and hard work of inmates involved.
“Nagpur Central Jail has 6.6 hectares of agricultural land. Inmates cultivate vegetables, fruits, and grains here, most of which is used in our kitchen. Some produce is also sold, helping inmates earn wages,” said Vaibhav Aage, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons and Superintendent of Nagpur Central Jail.
The jail uses one tractor and four pairs of bullocks under the supervision of Agriculture Supervisor Jitendra Khadse. Inmates also manage a fishery unit to generate additional revenue.
Most participants come from farming backgrounds and are familiar with agricultural practices. “This initiative not only gives them meaningful work but also offers sentence remission. Even life convicts work in open fields,” Aage added.
Across Maharashtra, the department owns 613 hectares of farmland — 186 hectares irrigated and 142 non-irrigated — where 10,000 to 15,000 prisoners are engaged in farming. Over three years, they have grown crops worth ₹13.24 crore, with a government investment of ₹7.50 crore, resulting in a net profit of ₹5.74 crore.
Prisons like Nashik and Paithan produce sugarcane, rice, and cotton, while Nagpur specializes in wheat, leafy vegetables, and seasonal fruits. The success is attributed to the use of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and training programs provided to inmates.
Maharashtra now leads the country in prison-based agriculture — a model that offers not just food and revenue, but a second chance at life for those behind bars.
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