In Nagpur village, the Gop block of Puri District Odisha life was always a challenge for Purna Chandra. With just an acre of farmland and the earnings from daily labor, his family barely managed to make ends meet. Every season brought new hardships—water shortages in the summer, waterlogging in the rainy months, and crop damage from stray animals. Supporting his children’s future seemed impossible, and Purna often felt the weight of despair pressing down on him. Despite his best efforts, the struggle to provide even the basic necessities for his family left him feeling defeated and hopeless.
Then, in 2021, Prayatn Sanstha, in collaboration with HDFC Bank Parivartan to implement Holistic Rural Development Program (HRDP) to improve farming practices for small farmers like Purna, who had long been trapped in a cycle of poverty. Our team members formed various village level institutions and conducted meetings to provide information on different aspects including new farming techniques and livelihood. With guidance from the Village Development Committee (VDC), he joined hands with Prayatn Sanstha and was selected for a papaya cultivation initiative. For the first time, he received high-quality seeds, technical advice, and training in organic fertilizers, irrigation, and proper spacing techniques.
With renewed energy and a sense of purpose, Purna prepared the nursery, managed irrigation meticulously, and applied organic treatments to his plants with the technical support from Prayatn. He was amazed at how these small changes made a significant difference. His hard work paid off, and the harvest was extraordinary. His field produced an impressive fifty quintals of papayas, earning him above one lakh rupee a transformative amount for his family. This income not only covered their basic needs but also allowed him to invest in his children’s education, something he had once thought was entirely out of reach.
Purna’s success story spread throughout Nagpur, inspiring other farmers to try papaya cultivation and adopt sustainable practices. Now, he shares his knowledge and techniques with fellow villagers, fostering a spirit of collaboration and growth. Through the intervention, Purna Chandra has shown that with the right support, dedication, and community-driven change, even the most difficult circumstances can lead to prosperity and hope for a brighter future. His journey from struggle to success serves as a beacon of hope for others in his community.
