Even though cultivation in the State is being affected by natural calamities yet experts and cooperative activists are confident that farmers can earn their living easily by growing varieties of crops, especially vegetables.
Nearly 200 cooperative women leaders coming from Malkangiri, Kalahandi and Khordha districts shared their success stories here at a Vegetable Growers’ Cooperative leaders’ Conclave organised by the Madhyam Foundation.
“Three years ago, we were reluctant to undertake cultivation activities as crops were then damaged due to scanty rainfall, pest attack and poor irrigation facilities. Now with developed seeds and facilities provided by the cooperative society we are making profits. We have made profit of Rs40,000 from two acres of our land by growing vegetables of different varieties,” said members of cooperative societies like Mayabanta, Maa Bauli, Maa Manikeswari Vegetable Growers.
Madhyam chief Subrat Singh Deo said nearly 20 vegetable growers’ cooperative societies have been formed under the guidance of Madhyam Foundation and nine other organisations.
“As many as 7,319 women members of these societies have made profit of Rs38,000 to Rs42,000 by cultivating vegetables on 4,098 acres of land,” said Singh Deo.
Attending the conclave Cooperation Minister Damodar Rout hailed the initiative of the Madhyam and women farmers.
Bhubaneswar (North) MlA Priyadarshi Mishra also attended the conclave.