Case Story: Transforming Lives Through Pigeon Pea Farming
Introduction
Ajgara village, located in the Uska Bazar block of Siddharthnagar district, is home to many farmers striving to overcome the challenges of traditional agricultural practices. One such farmer, Ramvriksh Yadav, son of Chhedi Yadav, turned his struggles into success through innovation and determination. His story exemplifies how modern farming methods can uplift rural households and foster sustainable livelihoods.
Farmer Details
- Farmer’s Name: Ramvriksh Yadav
- Family Members: 11, including his wife, two sons, daughters-in-law, and his brother’s family.
- Education: Intermediate
- Land Ownership: 1.3 acres
- Primary Source of Income: Farming
- Additional Assets: Sons work in Mumbai to support the family.
Ramvriksh initially worked as an amin (revenue assistant) at the District Cooperative Bank. However, irregular salary payments led him to quit his job and focus on farming. Despite owning 1.3 acres of farmland, his reliance on conventional methods of paddy and wheat cultivation yielded low income, making it difficult to sustain his family.
Challenges Faced
- Low Yield: Traditional paddy and wheat farming methods produced insufficient income to meet household expenses.
- Financial Struggles: Dependence on external labor and high input costs further reduced profits.
- Limited Resources: Lack of exposure to innovative farming techniques hindered opportunities for diversification.
These challenges forced his family to rely on his sons, who worked in Mumbai, for additional financial support.
Intervention by Swabhiman Samiti
In 2015-16, Swabhiman Samiti identified Ramvriksh as a potential beneficiary of their agricultural training programs. The organization provided him with training on “line sowing methods for pigeon pea (arhar) cultivation.” This intervention focused on:
- Reducing input costs by adopting efficient sowing methods.
- Enhancing crop yields through improved practices.
- Encouraging the adoption of sustainable techniques like crop diversification and platform farming.
The training sessions, coupled with practical demonstrations, instilled confidence in Ramvriksh to experiment with modern farming methods.
Implementation and Results
- Crop Cultivated: Pigeon Pea (Arhar)
- Area: 0.5 acres
- Cost of Cultivation: ₹4,205
- Yield: 5 quintals
- Market Value: ₹80 per kilogram
- Gross Income: ₹40,000
- Net Profit: ₹35,795
Ramvriksh reserved 2 quintals for household use and sold 3 quintals for ₹24,000. With this income, he purchased a solar light for his home and invested the remaining amount in adopting machan (platform) farming techniques for future crops.
Impact
- Economic Upliftment: The shift to pigeon pea cultivation significantly increased Ramvriksh’s income, providing financial stability for his family.
- Sustainability: The adoption of solar lighting marked a move toward sustainable living and reduced dependence on non-renewable resources.
- Community Inspiration: His success encouraged other farmers to adopt similar techniques, fostering a culture of innovation in the community.
- Reduced Migration: Improved income reduced the family’s reliance on remittances from his sons working in Mumbai.
Conclusion
Ramvriksh Yadav’s journey from struggling with traditional farming methods to achieving success with innovative techniques highlights the transformative power of modern agricultural practices. With the support of Swabhiman Samiti, he not only improved his own livelihood but also became a role model for other farmers in Ajgara village.
His story demonstrates that proper guidance, training, and determination can turn challenges into opportunities, empowering rural communities to achieve sustainable growth.
Acknowledgment
Swabhiman Samiti played a pivotal role in this success story by providing training and continuous support to Ramvriksh Yadav. Their efforts underscore the importance of community-driven initiatives in fostering agricultural innovation and improving rural livelihoods.
