Radheshyam Swain
Radheshyam Swain studied up to matriculation, but his deep understanding of agriculture, seed selection, and pest management sets him apart. After quitting his transportation job in Maharashtra in 2002, he returned to his village Harirajpur of Banki block, to focus on farming. Over the years, he has gained extensive knowledge of soil health management and cultivation practices best suited to local climatic conditions.
His association with the MART Academy-implemented and SBI Foundation-supported project has strengthened unity among farmers in his village. Regular meetings, collective savings within the Producer Group (PG), and awareness sessions conducted by the project team have helped farmers collaborate better. Radheshyam received vegetable seeds of his choice under the project, and machinery support from the CFC has significantly reduced cultivation costs and saved time.
Recognized as a model farmer, Radheshyam follows the Government-prescribed Package of Practices (POP) for all his crops. Passionate about learning, he has actively participated in technical training sessions provided by the project. He also rears cows and uses cow dung to prepare organic manure, a practice he learned from training sessions. He now encourages other farmers to adopt organic farming techniques.
Radheshyam cultivates a diverse range of crops, including papaya, raw banana, spine gourd, pointed gourd, cucumber, mint leaves, ridge gourd, cabbage, bitter gourd, long bean, beans, cauliflower, and exotic vegetables like capsicum, broccoli, and red cabbage. His knowledge and experience have helped him achieve an annual income of over INR 3 lakhs from vegetable farming.
“The project has given us knowledge, quality seeds, and access to modern tools, making farming more profitable and less labor-intensive. It has united us as farmers, and we are growing together.”


