R Udayagiri: Manoj Raika, a farmer in Nuagada block of Gajapati district, has set an instance for others through the use of photo voltaic power for rising completely different crops and turning into self-sufficient.
“As I take advantage of photo voltaic power to run the pump units to irrigate the vegetation, I’ve nothing to pay the electrical energy invoice. The photo voltaic pump units have helped me save a number of thousand rupees on power payments over the past three years,” mentioned Manoj, a resident of Atarasingh village.
Manoj, who has ventured into farming for the previous 15 years, has 4 acres of land however in an space with out irrigation. At first, it was tough for him to develop crops equivalent to rice, corn, mustard and greens in response to the climate.
“Once I began farming, the dearth of irrigation amenities emerged as a significant impediment as a result of agriculture right here depends upon the wet season. There is no such thing as a electrical energy close to the farm. It was very tough for me to attract water from the depth of the properly, ” he added.
In 2018, he considered utilizing photo voltaic power. Below the Jalanidhi Yojana, he received a solar-powered pump set after making use of for the scheme.
“The pump set could be very useful in watering the vegetation freed from cost. Since irrigation is simple, I’ve to develop different crops as properly, which will increase my farm earnings,” he added.
He confused the necessity for an increasing number of farmers to make use of these solar-powered agriculture implements in order that they will save some huge cash on electrical energy payments.
In addition to, he adopted farm mechanization to scale back dependence on farm fingers. He makes use of an influence weeder and a mini rice mill that additionally assist him domesticate the land extra successfully and lower your expenses.
Taking inspiration from Manoj, many different farmers within the space have additionally purchased photo voltaic pump units to develop crops. Manoj earns Rs 2.5 lakh per 12 months from farming. In contrast to others, he didn’t must migrate to different states seeking livelihood alternatives.
NNP