CULTIVATING PROSPERITY: A FARMER'S ODYSSEY TO HARVEST FOOD & WEALTH THROUGH RELIANCE FOUNDATION'S DIGITAL FARM SCHOOL PROGRAM

Bhubaneswar (10/12/2023): Suditya Sahu, a well-known farmer from Dumalpali village in the Bhatli block of Bargarh district, has become successful in maintaining soil health and receiving better crop yields by adhering the valuable information provided by Reliance Foundation Digital Farm School. Despite of having an interest in reading, Sudipta (30) was able to complete upto metric due to lack of monetary support.

He has been raising crops for more than 10 years and relying exclusively on the income from his agricultural business to sustain a family of seven (mother, father, brother, sister-in-law and their two sons).

He owns a total of 3 acres of land, of which 2 acres are used to grow rice and the remaining 1 acre is utilised to grow vegetables like chillies, bittergourd, brinjal, and other things.

He constantly implemented the newest technologies and cutting-edge farming techniques in his farmland.

Over the past few years, he had a lot of difficulties in cultivation owing to lack of experience in farming.

To manage insect pests, he was dependant on local pesticide shops and to get those.

Sometimes, he used to travel to Bargarh, Bhatli and spend a lot of money, but still unable to control pests properly. In the meantime, Reliance Foundation visited his village in May, 2022 to inform the farmers of their information service initiatives and digital farm school programme.

Reliance Foundation conducted a number of farmer training programmes at the digital farm school throughout this Kharif's 2023 growing season on topics like paddy seed selection, soil testing, nursery management, nutrient management, crop protection, harvesting, and storage.

Reliance Foundation conducted soil testing campaign in his village.

Initially, he was unaware about his soil health status and applying fertilizer without any recommendation.

Reliance Foundation made him aware about the importance of soil testing and informed him how to save and make money by following this simple procedure.

From the soil test report, he found that his cultivated land is having acidic soil with low organic carbon, medium potash and phosphorus.

In a meeting, he got an opportunity to talk with the agriculture expert and astonished by knowing the fact that these existing soil condition could result in very poor yield.

Immediately, he took step to reclaim his soil with the recommended soil reclaiming agaents like Zypmite plus @75kg per hectare.

Sudipta also applied fertilizers as per the recommendation written on the soil health card and also took part in the Foundation's audio conference programme, field-based programme, and pest diagnostic camp.

He enquired about management of BPH, leafblast and sheath blight in his field.

He also made a toll free call to 18004198800 to consult with agri experts regarding the pest and disease problems in paddy.

After acting upon every suggestion and piece of advice made by the experts, he was surprised to find that the majority of the issues he had last year came under control by their recommendations.

He also noticed that by adhering to the soil test results, the expenses due to fertilizer application was reduced to a large extent.

As a result of all efforts made, he gathered a decent crop of paddy this time.

The farmer says, "This year I harvested 40 quintals of paddy from the same 2 acres of land as compared to the 30 quintals I had the year before.

I have kept 30 quintal of paddy to sell in our local marketing society which will be around Rs.60,000 and rest 10 qunital is kept for our own consumption.

I appreciate the Reliance Digital Farm School programme because it not only helped me to minimise the cost of cultivation and protect my crop, but also guided me to earn 10 quintal extra paddy.

I am very happy that this year I have earned both food and money for my family.

Apart from this, I am also expecting double income from the vegetable farming by following same recommended practices of soil health card there.

I appreciate the tremendous work that the scientists, employees, and Reliance Foundation members did on our behalf.

I contend that we should frequently have access to this kind of service.".