Tribal Farmer becomes a Model of Sustainable Farming

05 April 2023, Chanho (Ranchi): Shri Bandhu Oraon, a tribal farmer from the Tangar village near Bijupara in Chanho block of Ranchi district, has become a model of sustainable farming with the help of the Holistic Rural Development Programme by NBJK, in partnership with HDFC Bank.

Despite having financial difficulties that prevented him from completing his education, Oraon has been involved in agriculture since the age of 20 and has received horticulture training from the Ramakrishna Mission in Ranchi. He now teaches other farmers at his Farmer Field School (FFS) and is an active member of the Village Development Committee in his village.

Thanks to his experience and expertise, Oraon was chosen to receive a Solar Irrigation Pump under the HRDP. He received orientation and training on how to use the solar pump and other equipment, and it was installed on his farmland. However, this was not just for his benefit, but also for other farmers in the area, as it was a demonstrational activity with an inclusive approach.

After receiving the solar pump and other equipment, Oraon has adopted better farming practices such as vermin-composting, drip and mulching, and greenhouse farming. He has cultivated a variety of crops, including cauliflower, tomato, green chilli, fabshell beans, and strawberries, and has significantly increased his yield at a low cost.

Bandhu Oraon says that the solar pump is easy to use and requires very little maintenance. He has also received support from MNREGA to cultivate mango trees, which further enhances his farming practices. Oraon has been able to run his FFS more efficiently and provide other farmers with first-hand learning experiences.

In addition to the Solar Irrigation Pump, NBJK and HDFC Bank provided Oraon with a Mulching and Drip Irrigation system under the HRDP. All of these resources have provided him with an enormous opportunity to create a model of sustainable farming, and Oraon hopes to inspire other farmers in the area to adopt similar practices.