IAS Buveneswari S. is a 2015 Batch Officer of Maharashtra cadre and is currently posted as district Collector of Washim, Maharashtra. Her Vision for the district is to empower farmers Economically, socially and technologically. 

To achieve this, chia seed farming, a high-value superfood has been introduced among the farmers.“Washim has suitable soil and climate for chia and requires less water than wheat and chickpea”.In addition to this its highly profitable, has low cost of production and is easy to adopt.

“With a cost-to-benefit ratio of 1:4.81, chia cultivation significantly outperforms traditional crops like wheat (1:2.28) and chickpea (1:2.39) meaning for every ₹1 spent, the farmer earns ₹4.81 (Highest)” For successful adoption and to encourage farmers, under Buveneswari leadership a series of initiatives are being led including workshops, field demonstrations, farmer field schools, buyer-seller meets, technical guidance booklets(in local language), post-harvest management support, organic certification and much more.

“Chia farming started on 162.5 hectares in 2022-23. It grew to 898 hectares in 2023-24, which is 5.5 times more and in 2024-25,it reached 3,608 hectares, growing 3.9 times. Now chia is the third main Rabi crop after gram and wheat."

Before Intervention,farmers had to travel Neemuch(MP), to sell their produce. Today, local markets and APMCs (Agricultural Produce Market Committees ) actively trade chia in washim, ensuring fair prices for farmers. "In the last season alone, 4,500 quintals of chia were sold, generating a turnover of ₹6.3 crore, with organic chia selling at ₹14,000 per quintal."

The chia seed initiative in Washim district has transformed farming by preventing farmer suicides,doubling incomes and putting washim on the map for national and international markets.Previously Only clever farmers used to treat agriculture as business, now all.

“Washim is the only district in India with officially certified organic chia cultivation”

Looking ahead, the District administration has ambitious plans focusing on branding, retailing and developing value added products like chia nutrition bars. 

This initiative has transformed district from an aspirational to an inspirational model, showcasing how strategic interventions and teamwork can benefit community in more than one way “Healthy Consumer wealthy farmers”