From Paddy to Paycheck: Sariakella-Kharsawan Farmers Discover Lucrative Pumpkin Cultivation
Devkumar Soren and Akaliya Sardar, progressive farmers from Bankati and Mahuldiha villages in Jharkhand, India, have found a new path to prosperity – pumpkins!
A Season of Fallow Fields
Previously, both men cultivated only paddy during the Kharif season, leaving their land fallow for the rest of the year. While they grew some vegetables for their families, commercial agriculture remained out of reach.
Knowledge Brings Opportunity
A training program on “Advance Agriculture” organized by the Centre For World Solidarity (CWS) and supported by HDFC Bank CSR, changed everything. Here, Devkumar and Akaliya learned valuable skills for commercial vegetable cultivation, including:
- Soil health management
- Selecting profitable crops
- Cost-effective cultivation techniques
- Seedling propagation
- Organic fertilizer and pesticide preparation
Pumpkins: The Perfect Choice
The training exposed them to various vegetables, and pumpkins stood out for several reasons:
- Low resource requirements: Pumpkins require less labor, irrigation, and are resistant to pests and diseases.
- Storability: They can be stored for months, fetching good prices throughout the year.
From Training to Harvest
Inspired, Devkumar and Akaliya started small, preparing seedlings for 0.7 and 0.4 acres respectively. They followed best practices, including soil correction based on soil health cards and transplanting seedlings on raised beds. With proper care, irrigation, and organic inputs, their pumpkins thrived.
Reaping the Rewards
Their investment of Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 8,000 (mainly for irrigation) yielded a windfall. By April 2024, they had harvested a whopping 6 tons of pumpkins each!
Beyond the Farm Gate
Instead of selling to wholesalers at Rs. 15 per kg, they bypassed the middleman and earned a higher price of Rs. 20 per kg directly selling in the local market.
A Success Story with a Ripple Effect
Devkumar and Akaliya’s success is inspiring others. Seeing their four-fold return within just 3-4 months, farmers like Salkhan Hembrom, Koren Soren, and Dubraj Soren are eager to take up pumpkin cultivation for a better livelihood.
Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future
Encouraged by their initial success, Devkumar and Akaliya plan to scale up their pumpkin cultivation next year. This story is a testament to the power of knowledge and training in empowering farmers to achieve prosperity through sustainable agricultural practices.
