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ost people, the vast majority in fact, lead the lives that circumstances

have thrust upon them, and though some repine, looking upon

themselves as round pegs in square holes, and think that if things had

been different they might have made a much better showing, the greater part accept their

lot, if not with serenity, at all events with resignation. They are like tram-cars traveling

for ever on the self-same rails.

Susanta Pila is a that type of man, who has resigned himself completely to

destiny. He has accepted his penury in a pre-destined manner and thinks that he is poor

because God wants him to be poor. A toy in the cruel clutches of fate!

In the twilight of June, 2011 we first met Susanta Pila at a picturesque hamlet

named ‘IKADPAL’ in Baliapal Block in Balasore district in Odisha. In the crimson glow

of light when the nature adorned herself with the gorgeous dress of a bride, Susanta Pila

looked pale, apathetic and indifferent. We were certainly unwelcome guests to him. We

were constantly striving to convince him about the miracle of cultivation of RGL 25-37

scientifically as recommended by ICAR from the pilot programme of NABARD

implemented by ARM, a leading NGO in Balasore district in Odisha. He was giggling

silently as if we were making a fun like the sad satire and sarcasm of his lot.

Thanks to the Lord, finally Susanta Pila agreed to accept our proposal with

flickering faith.

M

CASE STUDY OF SUSHANTA PILA,IKARPAL UNDER PILOT PROJECT ,NABARD ON HYV PADDY IN KHARIF 2011-12

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The life-story of Susanta Pila is not at all new and novel. It’s the repetition of a

tragic tale of the have-nots - a dungeon of deprivation and dejection.

Susanta Pila, an inhabitant of Ikadpal village, is a marginal farmer having only 4

decimals of lands, which are mainly mono-cropped. Susanta is a primary school drop out

who had to discontinue his studies after Class-II due to poverty. Susanta, aged 50 years,

lives in a small hut in an uncouth atmosphere with his wife Rabati Pila, and 1 son [16

years] and 1 daughter [19 years]. He somehow ekes out a living by growing local paddy

in his 4 decimals lands and other 1.16 acre land hired on lease for Kharif season. He lives

below the poverty line without having food security for his family for the entire year. He

cultivates in 1 acre and 16 decimals of land every year [4 decimals own land and 1.16

acre land taken on lease]. All throughout the year he gets only 1 crop i.e. local Indica

variety of paddy. Besides, due to adherence to traditional system of farming, land

production is very low - only 11 quintals from 1 acre and 20 decimals of land. Rice is

their staple food and the family needs 3.5 kg. of rice daily, i.e. 1277.50 kg. of rice for the

whole year for family consumption. But unfortunately he gets only 11 quintals of paddy,

i.e. 660kg. of rice from 1 acre and 20 decimals of land for the whole year, if there is a

good monsoon. If there is a natural disaster, the cultivation gets badly damaged filling to

the cup of misery of the family to its brim. Thus the family lives in perpetual poverty and

privation.

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However, Susanta Pila was motivated to cultivate RGL 25-37 in the Kharif season

of 2011. He was given 1 day’s pre-season training from the Pilot project of NABARD

implemented by ARM, a NGO in Balasore district in Odisha. He was trained up in the

seed treatment, land preparation, fertilizers application, pest management and above all in

the scientific system of cultivation of RGL 25-37, a HYV paddy recommended by ICAR.

He was also given support for inputs like seeds, fertilizers, insecticides etc. on 50%

subsidy basis from the Pilot programme of NABARAD.

Thanks to the authorities of NABARD and in particular to Mr. Laxindhar Dash,

DDM, NABARD for his bold initiative, kind help and collaboration, the implementation

of Pilot Programme of NABARD through ARM, Odisha has changed the life of Susanta

Pila.

Now to assess the impact of the application of the technology in the life and

livelihood of Susanta Pila, the beneficiary farmer, let us have a comparative study of

agricultural yield and net income before and after the implementation of the programme.

Agricultural yield and resultant income from 1 acre and 20 decimals of land before

the implementation of pilot programme of NABARD, Implemented by ARM,

Odisha

Season Name of

the crop

Total yield at

1 acre and 20

decimals of

land

Value of total

produce

Cost of cultivation Net income

Kharif Local Indica

variety of

paddy

By product

Straw

1100 kg.

4 Kahans

[1100 x

Rs.10/- per

kg] = 11,000

[4 Kahans x

Rs.200/- per

Kahans] =

800

Rs.11,800

i] Cost for inputs like

seeds, fertilizers,

insecticides = Rs.1,500

ii] Cost for ploughing

Rs.500

iii] Cost for labour =

Rs.3,000

iv] Cost for lease for 1

acre land for 1 season =

Rs.3,500

Total = 8,500

Rs.11,800 –

Rs. 8,500 =

Rs.3,300

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Agricultural yield and resultant income from 1 acre and 20 decimals of land after

the implementation of pilot programme of NABARD, Implemented by ARM,

Odisha

Season Name of

the crop

Total yield at

1 acre and 20

decimals of

land

Value of total

produce

Cost of cultivation Net

income

Kharif HYV paddy

– RGL 25-

37

By product

Straw

2250 kg.

4 Kahans

[2250 x

Rs.14/- per kg]

= 31,500

[4 Kahans x

Rs.150/- per

Kahans] = 600

Rs.32,100

i] Cost for inputs like

seeds, fertilizers,

insecticides = Rs.4,800

ii] Cost for ploughing

Rs.1,000

iii] Cost for labour =

Rs.4,000

iv] Cost for lease for 1 acre

land for 1 season =

Rs.3,500

Total = 13,300

Rs.32,100

–

Rs.13,300

=

Rs.18,800

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Impacts of the project:

1. Introduction of scientific system of farming – Before the implementation of the pilot project of NABARD, the beneficiary

farmer used to grow only Local Indica variety of Paddy in the traditional method.

But after the implementation of the project Susanta no longer adheres to

traditional system of farming. He has started cultivating HYV paddy in a

scientific manner.

2. Successful dissemination of appropriate technologies – The technologies of improved farm practices and cultivation of disease-resistant

and high yielding variety of RGL 25-37 have been successfully transferred among

the beneficiary farmer.

3. Phenomenal Increase in agricultural productivity - After the implementation of the pilot programme with the introduction of

scientific system of farming, agricultural productivity per acre has increased

phenomenally. For example, before the implementation of the project, Susanta

only used to get Local variety of 1100 kg. of paddy in 1.5 acre of land in the

Kharif season. But after the implementation of the project Susanta has got 2250

kg. of HYV paddy in 1.5 acre of land. So, the agricultural productivity has been

multiplied two times with the successful implementation of the pilot programme

of NABARD.

4. Rise in Income – The Pilot programme of NABARD has raised the meager income of the poor

farmer Susanta spectacularly. Before the implementation of the programme from

1.5 acre of land Susanta had only net income of Rs.3,300, which has been

increased to Rs.18,800 after the programme. His income has been increased

roughly six times of his previous income. The comparison of return from 1.5 acre

land area before and after the pilot programme of NABARD has been represented

below by Bar-diagram.

3300

18800

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

1 2

Income Level

Income Level

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1 denotes the Net Income of Susanta Pila from 1.5 acre of land before the

implementation of the Pilot programme of NABARD.

2 denotes the Net Income of Susanta Pila from 1.5 acre of land after the

implementation of the Pilot programme of NABARD.

5. Up-gradation of standard of living – With a perceptible rise in income level the standard of living of Susanta Pila has

been improved noticeably. His purchasing capacity has been increased leading to

increase in the per capita consumption level.

6. Food Security – Before the implementation of the pilot programme they had to starve or remain

under-fed day after day. The family had only food security for hardly 200 days in

a year. Now they will have food security for the entire year.

Susanta no longer looks apathetic and indifferent, nor does he curse his fate for

his sufferings. He has taken the course of his life in his own hands as he has

already tasted the victory of diligence. He has suddenly been awakened from his

sweat-sound sleep and slumber. He will have to still cross many meadows and

mountains. He is longer like a tram-car traveling for ever on the self-same rails.

And above all, we are no more unwelcome guests to him.

RAJENDRA KUMAR RANA

Coordinating Member