Deogarh: Debendra Kumar Dhal, a farmer in Deogarh district, is a happy man today. He hopes to earn Rs 2 lakh profit from his four acre farmland at Khilei village near Kundeigola this year.
“I hope to reap more profits from my farmland this year as compared to previous years. I aim to spend the profit on my son’s education and dig another pond for fish farming,” he said.
Debendra credits his good fortune to an initiative by Reliance Foundation, helping farmers to reap rich dividends from their farms.
“I used to do paddy cultivation in two acres of land. I have planted five litchi trees, two orange trees, 150 pointed gourd trees, 30 banana trees, 30 green chilly trees, eight pomegranate and 20 mango trees on one acre of land. And in the last acre of land, I had dug two ponds for fish farming,” he informed.
“I was doing all the cultivation using my own experiments and experiences. One day, I read about Reliance Foundation in an Odia newspaper. I contacted the foundation and after a month on July 25, I attended a district level multi-location audio conference on inland fishery farming,” he said.
“I got plenty of information on fish as well as prawn farming from the conference. Then I started farming accordingly and got better results. I also got knowledge about how prawns and fishes can be grown faster,” said Debendra.
“By attending another audio conference, organised by Reliance Foundation, I got information on the use of pesticides to control grass in the field. I also got knowledge on water storage for the farming,” he added.
“I have invested Rs one lakh in my paddy field and hope to get Rs 3 lakh profit. I am really thankful to Reliance Foundation for all the information they have provided. Now, I can do better farming,” said Debendra, whose family comprises his parents, wife and son.
