Dasarathi Rout, a 45-year-old farmer from Phulabadi village, Ostia GP, Banki block, Cuttack, has been cultivating vegetables for over a decade. Previously a heavy vehicle driver earning ₹8,000–₹10,000 per month, he left the strenuous and low-paying job in 2014 to pursue vegetable farming alongside his brother. Initially, he relied on traditional farming methods but struggled with pest attacks and climate variations, leading to declining yields and income.

That situation started to change when he joined Trinath Producer Group (PG) under the project, where he learned advanced farming techniques, pest control measures, and received quality seeds. Exposure visits introduced him to mulching and organic composting, which significantly improved his crop health. Cultivating beans, bitter gourd, brinjal, and green chili, he witnessed great success—earning ₹1 lakh from chili cultivation alone on his 40-decimal land.

Chili is the primary crop in Phulabadi village, with most households depending on it for their livelihood. Dasarathi cultivates vegetables and chilies on 2 acres, supplying markets in Varanasi, Ranchi, Kolkata, and local mandis in Cuttack (Chhatrabazar) and Bhubaneswar (Unit-1 Market). His elder brother manages marketing, ensuring competitive pricing for chilies, although vegetable rates fluctuate.

Since associating with the project, Dasarathi’s annual income has grown from ₹3 lakhs (2022) to ₹5 lakhs (2024), benefiting from vermi-composting, technical training, and exposure programs.