Timely supply of seeds in Rayagada will help farmers for the second crop farming, can revolutionize farmers’ livelihood

Badal Tah,Odishabarta

Rayagada, June 11: A recent crop survey conducted by Odisha Shramajeebee Mancha (OSM) and Mahila Shramajeebee Mancha, Odisha (MSMO), has revealed the significant impact of the Odisha government’s Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme on second crop farming in the state. The study covered 4,003 farmers across 13 blocks in Gajapati, Boudh, Nabarangpur and Deogarh districts in Odisha and examined six major seed crops including Green Gram, Black Gram, Arhar, Horse Gram, Mustard, and Chickpea. The study findings revealed that the RKVY scheme not only promoted sustainable agriculture practices but also helped enhance farmer income, sustained soil fertility and added increased protein diets in their food plates. The success of the scheme in promoting second crop farming had a positive impact on the livelihoods of farmers.

The survey findings reveal that Green Gram is the most profitable crop, with an output benefit of Rs 29920 per farmer, followed by Arhar and Black Gram. On average, farmers can expect an output benefit of Rs 21231 per farmer, and a net benefit of Rs 21870 per farmer after input costs. The average net benefit per farmer from government and NGO sources was found to be Rs 21,870, whereas farmers who sourced seed locally had a net benefit of Rs 20,592 after deducting the seed cost. One of the study findings revealed that on an average, farmers utilized 1.1 acres of land for second crop farming. According to the study results, 60% of the farmers received seeds from the government, 6.6% obtained seeds from an NGO, while 33.4% sourced seeds locally. The study findings indicate that 33.75% of the farmers reported using pot medicine, a type of traditional organic fertilizer used in farming. 97% of farmers expressed their willingness to continue practicing traditional farming methods in the following year, which suggests a growing interest in sustainable agriculture practices. This study found that on an average, farmers received 7.8 kgs of seeds and incurred a weighted average input cost of 639 Rs per farmer.

An advocacy team of the Jana Jagaran Mancha, Rayagada interacted with the officials of the district Agriculture Department, Horticulture Department, Rural Development Department, Tribal Development Department, Livelihood Mission, Soil Conservation Department, Irrigation and Lift Irrigation Department to inform them about the schemes and pleaded for the farmers. Members of Jana Jagaran Mancha, Rayagada, presented a Memorandum to the Additional District magistrate Mr Somnath Pradhan and then met journalists and voluntary organizations to cooperate with members. Jayanthi Kadraka, Jemadei Sabar, Sitaram Meleka, Lakshmi Sabar, Naresh Toika, Kusha Pradhani, Sudhir Gamang, James Sabar, Sushant Toika, Dibakar Sabar led this campaign of providing seeds to farmers in time.