May 31st 2024.
In the serene village of Damposh, located in Gyanpali panchayat of Kutra block in Sundargarh district, there is a remarkable story of transformation taking place in the field of agriculture. According to the locals, a tribal farmer named Anugraha Bada, at the age of 35, has not only changed his own life but also that of others through his innovative farming techniques. This is a testament to the incredible potential of agriculture to bring about positive change.
It all started with Anugraha's childhood dream of becoming a farmer, as informed by his family members. Today, he earns an impressive annual income of over five lakh rupees through his four-acre farmland. His main source of income is his successful mango orchard, but he also grows watermelons and chillies on his land. In the financial year 2023-24, his income reached 5.2 lakh rupees, proving his hard work and dedication.
Anugraha's success story began in 2020 when he, along with 17 other farmers from Damposh, joined hands with the NGO 'SEWAK'. With the support of the district Mineral Foundation and the Horticulture department, they launched the 'WADI' project, which aimed to establish mango orchards on a combined land of 73 acres. Funded by NABARD, this project focuses on promoting sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities and increasing their incomes.
Interestingly, 'WADI' means a 'small orchard' that covers one or two acres of land. As Anugraha started working on this project, he received assistance from NABARD in the form of wires for fencing, solar pumps for irrigation, and other necessary tools and equipment. Realizing the potential of intercropping while the mango trees were still maturing, 'SEWAK' provided him with training on cultivating watermelons and chillies. With his determination and hard work, Anugraha grabbed this opportunity and earned around 2 lakh rupees in the first year of intercropping.
His income from intercropping continued to grow in the following years. In the financial year 2022-23, he made 2.45 lakh rupees from watermelon cultivation and 2.05 lakh rupees from chillies, totaling to 4.5 lakh rupees. And in the next fiscal year, his income from intercropping reached 5.2 lakh rupees, showing a steady increase. Anugraha's success story is far from over as he has already earned 2.6 lakh rupees from selling watermelons and has 65 quintals of chillies worth 10 lakh rupees stored for future sales.
Currently, Anugraha is growing radish on his land, and he expects to harvest it next week. He also has plans to cultivate watermelons on three more acres of land during the monsoon season. Looking back at his journey, Anugraha is grateful to NABARD for their support and assistance. He acknowledges that three years ago, although he had land, he was not able to utilize it effectively. But with the 'WADI' project and NABARD's help, he has been able to completely transform his life and provide a sustainable livelihood for himself and his family. Anugraha expresses his gratitude to the Horticulture department, DMF, and 'SEWAK' for truly changing the course of his life for the better.
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