Introduction
Ganesh Tiria, a small farmer from Ramsahi village in Jashipur block, once faced serious challenges in meeting his family’s needs through farming. With limited resources and little knowledge about sustainable practices, he was dependent on subsistence paddy cultivation and forest produce for survival. But today, through awareness, guidance, and his own dedication, Ganesh has transformed his land and livelihood, becoming a symbol of positive change in his community.
Initial Challenges
Ganesh lived with his wife and two sons. He had 2 acres of land, but only cultivated paddy on 1 acre, while the remaining land was left unused. During winter, he grows leafy vegetables on just 0.05 acres. Alongside, he kept four goats to support his family. The rice produced was only enough for household consumption, leaving nothing for sale. To manage daily expenses, he relied on collecting and selling forest produce, which was uncertain and offered very little income.
Turning Point
In 2023, Ganesh attended a village-level awareness meeting organized by Sambandh. The discussion focused on techniques such as off-season vegetable cultivation, organic manure preparation, intercropping, and multiple cropping methods. For the first time, Ganesh understood how better land utilization and eco-friendly practices could improve both productivity and income. This meeting became the turning point in his farming journey.
Training and Initial Support
After the meeting, Ganesh decided to act. Sambandh supported him seeds for maize and leafy vegetables, along with technical training on preparing organic compost using farm waste. He used the fallow land to grow maize and set up a kitchen garden near his home. The use of organic compost improved soil fertility, and his first harvest gave him confidence to expand further.
Adopting New Practices and Results
Motivated by early success, Ganesh started triple cropping. In the monsoon, he grew paddy along with chilli, okra, and maize. In winter, he cultivated tomato, leafy vegetable, radish, ridge gourd, and chilli. During summer, he cultivated tomato, which profit earned him ₹15,000. He used organic compost across all seasons, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and lowering production costs. Today, he farms throughout the year and earns over ₹95,000 annually.
Wider Impact
Ganesh’s success has not only improved his own life but has also inspired others in the village. Neighbours have started adopting kitchen gardens and organic practices after seeing his results. His family now enjoys food security, better health, and improved financial stability. He often shares his experience in community meetings, encouraging others to make use of their land and try sustainable farming. His journey is creating a ripple effect of awareness and change in the village.
Conclusion
Ganesh Tiria’s story shows that with awareness, support, and commitment, even a small farmer can bring big changes. His journey from a struggling cultivator to a year-round, income-generating farmer is a real-life example of how sustainable farming can transform rural lives.