SBI Foundation
About Project
In collaboration with the SBI Foundation and local stakeholders, MART Academy is implementing the project “Improving Income of Farmers Through Upscaling Existing Vegetable Cultivation and Introducing Exotic Vegetable Cultivation Using a Cluster Approach and Market Linkages for Remunerative Pricing.” The project is being executed in the Balipatna Block of Khurda district and Banki Dampara Block of Cuttack district in Odisha. This project addresses several challenges faced by farmers, such as declining agricultural productivity, limited access to markets, insufficient infrastructure, and the impact of climate change on traditional farming practices.
Upscaling Vegetables,
Uplifting Farmers
Project Highlights
The SBI Foundation-supported project implemented by MART Academy has improved the livelihoods of farmers from Balipatna (Khurda) and Banki-Dampara (Cuttack) blocks of Odisha. The followings are some of the major achievements & highlights of the project:
Social Mobilization
The project initiated 116 meetings with farmers across the targeted clusters to foster a sense of collective responsibility and awareness about the project’s objectives. These meetings provided a platform for farmers to voice their concerns, challenges and learn about sustainable agricultural practices.
Institution Building
- As part of strengthening the agricultural ecosystem, 50 Producer Groups (PGs) were formed, comprising 1,000 farmers.
- These PGs serve as local collectives that provide farmers with access to shared resources, inputs, and knowledge.
- Subsequently, two Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) were established:
- Shishu Ananta Producer Company at Balipatna block, registered on April 26, 2023, with 500 member farmers.
- Maa Arachandi Producer Company at Banki block, registered on December 1, 2023, with 500 member farmers.
- The FPCs play a crucial role in enabling collective bargaining power of small/marginal farmers, facilitating better access to markets, and offering members a platform for a more remunerative operations.
Technical Assistance and Training:
- The project provided extensive training sessions to over 1,000 farmers, focusing on advanced techniques like precision farming, climate-smart agricultural practices, and organic farming through vermicomposting.
- These training programs have equipped farmers with the knowledge to adopt sustainable farming methods, manage soil health, and optimize crop productivity.
- Exposure visits to successful agricultural practices and models have broadened the perspective of farmers, allowing them to replicate best practices in their own fields.
Infrastructure Development for Post-Harvest Management
- Central Facilitation Centres (CFCs):
- Four CFCs were established (two in each project block), serving as resource hubs for the local farming communities.
- These centers provide access to essential farm machinery like power tiller, power weeder, and irrigation equipment at an affordable rental rate, enabling small and marginal farmers to improve farming practices and avoiding drudgery.
- Innovative Storage Solutions:
- In collaboration with IIT-B professionals and with support from NABARD, 41 farmers were provided with low-cost vegetable coolers.
- These coolers are capable of storing up to 1 quintal of fresh vegetables for 4-5 days and green leaves for 2-3 days, thus reducing post-harvest losses.
- With a 70% subsidy provided by the State Horticulture Department, these coolers have made it more economical for farmers to store and sell their produce at the right time for better prices.
- Drip Irrigation Systems:
- To promote sustainable water management practices, 31 farmers in the project blocks were equipped with drip irrigation systems.
- These systems ensure water is delivered directly to the plant roots, minimizing water loss due to evaporation and improving water use efficiency.
- Provision of Crates for Efficient Storage:
- The project distributed 625 crates to 25 PGs in the Banki-Dampara cluster to facilitate the transportation and storage of vegetables.
- These durable crates help in minimizing damage during transport and ensure the freshness of produce, enabling farmers to access markets without compromising quality.
Input Support for High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs)
- The project distributed quality seeds of high-yielding vegetable varieties to over 1,200 farmers across different seasons.
- During the reporting period, in Kharif season (July-October) 76 farmers were provided with quality seeds of 2 crops; 783 farmers got the benefits of high quality seeds of 11 different vegetables in Rabi season (November-March); similarly 385 farmers received the seed varieties of 5 different vegetables in Zaid season (March-June).
- Input support included seeds & fertilisers for different vegetables and other high-demand crops, allowing farmers to diversify their crop pattern.
Overall Impact of the Project
The comprehensive interventions have resulted in positive changes in the livelihoods and economic status of the participating farmers. Key positive sides of the project include:
