Nuapada: When everything is getting hi-tech, why not farming? In these days of unpredictable climate change, precise information on weather conditions and solution to pest attacks, can go a long way in helping farmers avoid losses.
Umashankar Ahir (23) of Sahajata village under Komna block in Nuapada district is a farmer and farming is the only source of income of this graduate.
“I have 3.5 acres of land. I am doing rice farming in two acres and Kapa farming in the rest of the land. I was interested in farming since childhood,” said Umashankar.
“Two years back, I had faced a big loss in my farming and I did not get any solution of my problem. I was depending on the medicine stores for pest attack in my farming. But I was not getting any good result out of that,” he added.
“I had a keen interest in farming,” said Umashankar.
“Once in 2018, I came to know about the Krishi Bartta of Reliance Foundation from a vernacular newspaper. I got the toll-free number 1800-419-8800 from the newspaper. I also got information about the solar pump subsidy facility,” he added.
“I applied for a solar pump subsidy and after some days, I got a solar pump worth of Rs 60,000. I had deposited only Rs 5,545 and received a subsidy of Rs 55,000. With the help of Reliance Foundation toll-free number, I talked with an agriculture scientist and came to know about all the procedures of getting the subsidy,” he said.
“Earlier, for drought, I had faced a loss of Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 from Kapa farming. But now, I am getting a good profit from my farming. I am also doing vegetable farming in my land,” said Umashankar.
“This year, I had faced pest attack problem in my rice field. I called the toll-free number of Reliance Foundation and got a solution from an agriculture scientist. I had invested Rs 45,000 in my rice field and got a good profit out of that,” he added.
“I always trust and use Reliance Foundation agro advisory for my crop growth and crop protection and disease management. I have also shared the Reliance Foundation toll free no 1800-419-8800 with many farmers to address their queries related to farming and livestock rearing. I am quite happy and really thankful to the foundation for their great help,” said Umashankar.
