Karubai village in Rayagada district, Odisha, is home to many small and marginal farmers who depend on agriculture for their livelihood. However, limited landholding, lack of technical knowledge and traditional practices often lead to low productivity and income.
Mrs. Ashi Saraka, a farmer owning just 10 decimals of land, faced similar challenges. She relied on subsistence farming and had never attempted vegetable cultivation during the Rabi season. Due to lack of awareness about scientific methods, proper plantation and organic pest management, her production remained low and income uncertain.
A turning point came when Prayatn Sanstha implemented the SBI Gram Seva Project in collaboration with SBI Foundation in 5 villages with Karubai being one among them. As part of the project, key village-level institutions such as the Gram Seva Committee (GSC), Farmers’ Interest Groups (FIGs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) were formed and strengthened. These platforms enabled villagers to collectively identify their needs, plan interventions and improve their livelihoods.
Under the Promotion of Resilient Agriculture intervention, Mrs. Ashi Saraka was identified and supported for vegetable cultivation. She received training on vegetable cultivation and organic farming practices, including land preparation, crop spacing, soil fertility management and eco-friendly pest control methods.
To support her efforts, she was provided with 1,400 brinjal seedlings, organic manure, neem oil and continuous technical guidance from the Prayatn team. Applying the learnings, she adopted organic practices such as preparing Handi Khata to improve soil fertility and using Agniastra for pest control.
With the support of the Custom Hiring Centre established in the villages, she also accessed agricultural equipment, including a battery sprayer and power weeder, which helped in efficient input application, better weed management, reduced labor effort and improved overall crop management.
The results were encouraging. Between late February and early March 2026, she harvested 170 kg of brinjal and earned ₹6,800 from the local market. With further harvests expected, her total income is likely to reach around ₹15,000 during the seasons significantly higher than her earlier earnings.
This success has boosted her confidence and interest in vegetable cultivation. She now plans to continue organic farming in the coming seasons and is motivated to share her learning with other farmers in the village.
