REVOLUTIONIZING AGRICULTURE IN ODISHA'S BALANGIR DISTRICT: POINTED GOURD CULTIVATION TAKES CENTER STAGE
Bhubaneswar (21/12/2023): In a bid to overcome challenges such as water scarcity and pest infestations, farmers in Balangir district, Odisha, are embracing pointed gourd cultivation, marking a significant shift from conventional practices.
Lochan Behera, a local farmer, stands as a testament to the success of this transition, experiencing improved yields and financial gains.
Gram Vikas, through its exposure visits, is playing a crucial role in guiding farmers, showcasing sustainable practices and the potential of pointed gourd farming. Historically dependent on paddy cultivation on small patches of land ranging from 0.5 to 5 acres, farmers in Balangir have faced challenges such as water scarcity and vulnerability to pests and diseases.
In response to these needs, Gram Vikas, in collaboration with HDFC Bank Parivartan, has been working closely with 632 farmers, establishing 55 Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs) across 20 villages in the district. An exposure visit organized by Gram Vikas for 25 farmers from 15 FPGs proved to be a turning point.
Lochan Behera, a 47-year-old marginal farmer, invested in a deep borewell supported by the Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation.
Facing challenges like low yields, unpredictable rains, and pests, Lochan found inspiration in the structured farming and modern techniques observed during the visit to Balisahi village in Ganjam. Encouraged by the success of pointed gourd cultivation in Balisahi, Lochan dedicated 0.30 acres of his land to this crop, following guidance on spacing, trellising, mulching, and organic fertilization.
In just three months, he harvested 6-7 quintals of pointed gourd, earning between Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000.
Lochan's success highlights the financial boost and security achievable through pointed gourd cultivation. Pointed gourd, propagated through vine cuttings and root suckers, thrives for three years, providing an extended harvest period of up to eight months.
Farmers in Balangir implement mulching to conserve moisture, deter weeds and pests, and reduce the need for frequent fertilization.
With market prices ranging from Rs 40 to Rs 150 throughout the year, depending on the season, pointed gourd cultivation offers farmers a substantial income. Inspired by his early success, Lochan Behera plans to dedicate an entire acre to pointed gourd farming in the upcoming months.
He emphasizes the positive impact of mulching on his farming practices, reducing labor costs for weed control and fertilization.
Lochan is optimistic about the potential for increased earnings through sustainable agriculture practices, heralding a new era for farmers in Balangir district. Gram Vikas is a community development organization working in Odisha since 1979.
More than 5 million people in 8000+ villages have advanced their lives by partnering with Gram Vikas.
Gram Vikas won the 10th Earth Care Awards, by the JSW Foundation and Times of India in 2022, for its work in Community-based Climate Action .
