Case Story of farmer-: Floriculture

 

 

Krishnapur is a small rain-dependent village from Babhulgaon block of Yavatmal District. This village is comprised of total 97 families and have 462 populations and divided into two hamlets. Agriculture is the main source of income for 95{038b2b3e44b954fbb5a578632dd23e5a9b4d5736be48a44755feb3a749ac40b4} of the families. The limiting factor is that the maximum cultivable land is dry land and only 20 to 25 {038b2b3e44b954fbb5a578632dd23e5a9b4d5736be48a44755feb3a749ac40b4} percent land is seasonal irrigated.  As a result farmers are totally dependent on rain water for farming. Because of dependency on rain water and the limited irrigation facilities, mono-cropping, high cropping risk, conventional and conservative cropping pattern is observed. These real conditions had the strong bearing on the cropping pattern which has been conservative in nature. Water shortage, rain fed agriculture, low agricultural productivity, drought conditions, etc. became the limiting factors for the development of the village. Water shortage is the main issue so that farmers were unable to cultivate second crop and as a result farmer’s income is low. 

As the village was in real need of the support, HDFC Bank Ltd. has asked SIED to assess the village needs and design a project so that village could be developed in its real needs. Krushnapur project is being implemented since July 2016 under “Holistic Rural Development Project.”  As per the need initially emphasis was given on the water resources development, soil conservation, area treatment, construction of water storage structures, simultaneously the agricultural development, crop diversification, promotion of organic fertilizers and pesticides, development of livelihood opportunities, School development, etc. was also taken up.

 

Mr. Arvind Yeshvant Gedekar is a farmer from Krishnapur village. His main occupation is farming and he has 10 acres of un-irrigated land. Traditionally he used to cultivate different crops like Cotton, Red gram, Soybean in Kharif and Wheat, Gram in Rabi season. However due to the changing climatic conditions, traditional farming methods, mono cropping, total agricultural production from agriculture was not up to expectations. Total gross income from his farm was approximately about Rs. 30,000 to 35000 per acre/ year from different crops. The net profit after reducing the cost of cultivation, is Rs 15,000/- to 20,000/- from which he was unable to fulfill needs of his family. After getting information about different others crops which could be grown and which could give him more profit, he made up his mind to take up the floriculture cultivation.

 

Prior to the intervention of floriculture cultivation, Mr. Gedekar was used to cultivate traditional crops like cotton and soybean in his 10-acre farm like other fellow farmers. This cropping pattern and traditional approach of cultivation and rain fed nature of agriculture used to provide him a very low income from the agriculture. Of course high cost of cultivation, crop diseases, crop failures, crop loans, indebtedness and fluctuating market prices were other key factors that used to affect his profit level from agriculture. The low income level used to force the family to prioritize their needs based on the most necessary nature of them. The family was compelled to look for other sources from where they could get additional income. The adult members of the family used to go for the daily wage work in the farm based on the availability. This also used to have the adverse impact on the children. He could not provide quality education to his children and his son could not complete his education he was forced to discontinue his study at 10th standard. The nature of this particular farmer is innovative but because he could not afford to take the risk of innovation, he continued what other farmers used to do. His family continued to suffer and kept their needs limited to the survival needs. Consistent low income from agriculture and almost complete absence of alternative and effective alternative source of income. This resulted in the fact that he and his family has to depend on the loan which they could not repay fully and it continued to pile up.  

 

During the first year of project implementation, agriculture development was one of the important components of the project.  Having known the reality of the agriculture field and its level of income and different issues, it was felt that we need to convince the farmers to go for diversified cropping pattern to minimize the risk of crop failures. It was also kept in mind that there should be regular cash flow to the farmer to take care of his family needs. Floriculture was one such crop which could fit into these criterions. This farmer was in need of the support, he was ready to try out the innovation, he was ready to put in hard work and extra efforts, his family members were ready to work in the field as and when needed, he was ready to put in any other thing that is needed. He was also ready to try out organic methods of crop cultivation. His farm was also close to the road so that all the travelers could easily see it. All these factors helped to identify this farmer. This was done in a participatory manner in a meeting of farmers who initially shown interest but latter back stepped. Other farmers shown interest in some other aspects of the innovations

 

After studying the conventional/traditional mono-cropping patter of farming, awareness meeting cum trainings was organized. It covered aspects like improved agricultural practices, crop diversification, use of organic fertilizers, vegetable and flower cultivation methods. The project has provided technical, agricultural inputs, from sowing to harvesting and marketing of flowers etc. Among the inputs provide are seed lings, pesticide, insecticide to the farmers. Mr. Gadekar also contributed all the labor, cultivation cost, irrigations, weeding, earthing up, flower picking, transportation etc. The initial demonstration plot was of 10 R only and it was successfully. He earned net income of Rs. 28000/- from this small piece of land.

Successful experience of demo plot and most importantly the income which he has got from a small piece of land, encouraged him and built his confidence to expand further on his own. It is evident in the fact that he has replicated the flower cultivation in another 1.5 acre area with the technical support and guidance from the project. He has cultivated Marigold flowers in half acre area, Gaillardia flowers in 1 acre area. From these expanded flower cultivation, he has got a total income of Rs. 2,13,250/- and got a net profit of Rs 1,26,400/- This level of income and regularity of the cash flow is far better than traditional farming of conventional crops like Cotton and Soybean.

 

The overall economic condition of Mr. Gedekar’s family has changed dramatically. The main reason for this is the profit he has earned from the floriculture crops which has increased multifold. Now his profit from the agriculture is 4 to 5 times more than his earlier conventional crops and farming methods. With the support from the increased net profit, he developed his farm land and invested some money for this. His level of debt has come down significantly. He completed education of his daughter who has completed the graduate degree (BSW). One can easily see the improved leaving conditions and quality of life for this farmer. At present also he has gone for the cultivation of the 2 acres’ gaillardia flowers. He is confident that this current floriculture cultivation will also give him the high level of net income from the agriculture. So far a total of 1250 kg flower is harvested and marketed during the current season.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Gedekar sale flowers in different flower shops at Yavatmal flower market on daily basis and these flowers fetch good market price .Market price is fluctuated as per demand and supply of market. He got average Rs 30/Kg price for his flowers in the market and got good profit from cultivation of flower crop than his conventional farming. He is very thankful to HDFC bank and SIED to introduce floriculture in his village.

 

 

One other farmer has started cultivation of flowers in the Krushnapur village after seeing the net profit Mr. Gedekar is getting and the fact that he is getting a cash flow on regular basis. The improved living conditions of Mr Gedekar have also inspired this farmer. This is likely to spread further and it could be started by few more adjoin farmers. We are providing only the information and technical support. The replication is on its own.