Balangir: 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.
Sudam Meher (45) of Bindhana Pathara village under Patnagarh block in Balangir district is a farmer and farming is his only source of income.
“I belong to a a farmer’s family. I was interested in farming since childhood. I have grown up seeing my father and grandfather doing farming in our field. I was also interested in studies and completed my matriculation but then I started doing cultivation. Now, I have an experience of 30 years in farming,” said Sudam.
“There are five members in my family including my mother, wife, son and daughter. I am taking their responsibility alone,” he added.
Sudam has 10 acres of farming land in his village. He is doing rice farming in five acres of land, Kapa farming in three acres of land and vegetable farming in two acres. He also has four cows.
“I had faced many problems in farming three years back and was unable to find a solution. For pest attack, I used to depend on the medicine available in stores only. None of them worked. In 2018, I came to know about the Reliance Foundation from an Odia newspaper and got the toll free number 1800-419-8800,” said Sudam.
“With the help of the toll free number, I contacted some agriculture scientists. They prescribed me some medicines for pest attack. I used them and got a good result. Then I started having faith in Reliance Foundation,” he added.
“I have been taking the help of Reliance Foundation for my farming related problems. I have also registered my number to get voice messages,” he added.
“I have got near about Rs 60,000 from rice farming only this year. With the help of the Foundation, I am also planning to do fish farming from this year,” said Sudam.
“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,” he added.
