The fallow land and the shallow pond pay with industry!
The situation
Hinjlicut Block of Ganjam district shows a gap of 0.0204 HM between Ground Water use and resource available. To improve the situation, an action was initiated in the Sikharpur village is in Hinjlicut block of Ganjam district. In this village, Surjanarayan owns 5 acres of land. Most of his land is not irrigated. But today Surjanarayan sits on an oasis. It is expected that the improved water availability will help
As a result of lack of irrigation, the crops show a sizeable decline in production in the Rabi and Summer season in Ganjam district.
TABLE XII – HINJLICUT BLOCK- AREA WISE CROP DETAILS: (IN HECTARES)
Surjanarayan Nayak never thought that his one acre of fallow land would be converted to the most fertile patch, of his total five acres. Due to non consolidation of land his ownership is in different patches. Surjanarayan was often tempted to sell this fallow patch, as there was no possibility of irrigation there.. Land in the area currently sells at Rs 25 lakhs per acre and many of the farmers find it far more lucrative to sell their farms for real estate purposes. He almost let go.
The situation
In 2017- 18 he met the field extension workers of Harsha Trust. He was convinced that instead of selling his land he could actually benefit much more by making it productive. He started his endeavour by renovating his farm pond. He dug the pond two feet more. He was told that the greater depth would help him retain water even in summers.
His next step was plantation, and vermin- compost pits close to his farm pond. He used the compost he generated on his land; keen to extend the plantation he was given (G9 varieties of banana plant). Now nothing could stop Surjanarayan anymore. Thanks to the digging of the farm pond, his old dilapidated well had also been recharged and the water level had substantially risen. He wanted it all. He got himself solar panels (which do not need batteries) in convergence with OREDA (Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency) and used the clean energy to run his motor to draw water from both his farm pond and his well. His bananas had enough water. He started vegetable cultivation, and has started growing potatoes and radish. His solar energy powered motor which has recharged his dug well also, was received in convergence from the Block under (MGNREGS).
There is no stopping him now
Two months back, Surjanarayan decided to diversify into animal husbandry. It was a new venture, but after the myriad opportunities and new successes that had opened up, he knew this was very much possible. He got himself funds for a poultry shed from the government under convergence from the MGNREGS scheme (Block and Veterinary Department) and bought two hundred birds (chicks). The total cost of setting up his poultry unit was Rs 60,000, with Rs 21,000 being the farmer’s contribution. He finally made his fallow land and shallow pond pay, with his industry.
Suryanarayan’s Poultry in convergence with Block and Veterinary Department under MGNREGS
