Experiences of Farmers in India Experiences of Farmers in ... - AgSri

Orissa
Madhu Pradhan
Odagaon Block, Badagorada
Dist. Nayagarh
Orissa
Contact: Mr.Mitan Kumar Mohapatra,
BOJBP, Dist. Nayagarh, Orissa.
Ph: 9438296369
Age: 62 years
Education: Upper primary school
Family size: Seven
Occupation(s): Agriculture
No. of years in farming: 40
Paddy cultivation
Madhu Pradhan, a marginal farmer, has two acres of agricultural land and mainly
cultivates paddy. His yield from the beginning was 6.75 q/acre. As soil fertility
decreased, he began using chemical fertilizers to increase production. Over the last
few years, his use of chemical fertilizers doubled every year, which in turn pushed
him toward economic penury. To make things worse, he depends on the rain and in
case the rains fail, it would be very difficult.
SRI adoption
Pradhan loves to tell the story behind his success in adopting SRI. A roadshow in
2005 by BOJBP (a peoples’ organization) introduced him to SRI. Though initially
unsure, he was convinced by Shri Laxmidhar Acharaya, a field motivator of BOJBP.
He used to cultivate CR 1009 variety in his land. In 2006 he adopted SRI on an
experimental basis in 10 cents (100 cents = 1 acre) of his land. During the kharif
season he cultivated varieties Kalakoili and Swarna Masuri with inputs like Magic
compost, Vermicompost, and Medicinal magic compost. To protect plants from pest
attacks, he used leaves of different plants. He kept pests at bay by taking small
natural precautions like seed purification using neem leaves on the seed bed etc.
BOJBP organized training programmes to enhance the efficiency of many farmers
on SRI. Madhu Pradhan has attended three training programmes on SRI and
Sustainable Agriculture by BOJBP.
Innovations and modifications
The motivator told him about the Marker prepared by BOJBP, but he was not satisfied
with it and used a Rope Marker for transplantation. He further found that the use of
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