Agricultural success stories are scarce in our country, where new of distressed farmers committing suicide are common, and studies suggest a vast majority is ready to jettison farming given an alternative.
But Jharkhand has one to offer from Itki. This block lies some 25 km from Ranchi and is home to the innovators of Palma, Semra and adjoining villages. Here, Sukra Oraon and several like him have made as much as Rs 2-3 lakh this season, only through vegetable farming, primarily tomatoes. Trucks laden with fresh farm produce can be seen on highways to Rourkela and Kolkata.
Things were not as green as they look at present. “In our village, many of us carried a stigma — that we fill our stomachs by seeking food from our sasural (in-laws’ home). However, things started changing about a year ago. Most of the landholders have linked up with drip irrigation and are also getting easy loans from banks,” says Sukra. The situation was depressing not due to a lack of land, but because of a paucity of irrigation and awareness. Acres lay fallow season after season. As the problem was widespread, farmers went for an all-inclusive remedy.
“They formed a ‘Community Agriculture Village Development Committee’ comprising 10 farmers and putting together 40 acres. A budget of Rs 24 lakh was estimated for putting in place the drip irrigation system. Farmers had to contribute just 10 per cent of the cost, reducing it to Rs 20,000 for each,” says Robin Ignatious lakra, branch manager of Union Bank of India, Itki.
The bank contributed with Rs 8 lakh as loan to the committee. Under the scheme, meant for promoting drip irrigation, the Government makes available 90 per cent subsidy on total cost incurred. The system included a deep borewell, electric motor, tank and pipes for the entire 40 acres. Now, marginal farmers are producing green chilli, cauliflower, tomato, ladyfinger and other vegetables for the nearby Ranchi market and also to send to neighbouring States, bringing home good returns.
The success has gone viral since then. “Six more such groups have come up and are ready to start. These include about 100 farmers and the bank is ready to finance them. Many more are also in touch with us,” adds lakra. The plan does not stop at production; it keeps in mind the marketing aspect as well —considered a grey area for farmers of Jharkhand. “We are targeting hostels of schools and colleges in Ranchi to get regular supply from us. This would make our system self-sustained and continuous,” says Syamdhani Mahto of the village. Villagers have also started fishery, bee-keeping and growing flowers like marigold, jarbera and calendula to supply in Ranchi and other nearby cities. One such shop is also being run adjacent to the Krishi Bhavan in Ranchi, showing how easily affluence can blossom.