1. The document describes a case study of Susanta Pila, a marginal farmer in Odisha, and the impact of a pilot project implemented by NABARD through a local NGO. 2. Before the project, Susanta cultivated only local rice varieties on his small landholding and lived in poverty, with annual income of Rs. 3,300 from 1.5 acres of land. 3. The project trained Susanta in scientific farming techniques and provided subsidized inputs. He began cultivating a high-yielding rice variety. This doubled his production and increased his annual income six-fold to Rs. 18,800. 4. The project successfully transferred new technologies, increased agricultural productivity

1. CASE STUDY OF SUSHANTA PILA,IKARPAL UNDER PILOT PROJECT ,NABARD ON
HYV PADDY IN KHARIF 2011-12
M 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.
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2. 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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3. 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 Total yield at Value of total Cost of cultivation Net income
the crop 1 acre and 20 produce
decimals of
land
Kharif Local Indica 1100 kg. [1100 x i] Cost for inputs like Rs.11,800 –
variety of Rs.10/- per seeds, fertilizers, Rs. 8,500 =
paddy kg] = 11,000 insecticides = Rs.1,500 Rs.3,300
By product 4 Kahans [4 Kahans x ii] Cost for ploughing
Straw Rs.200/- per Rs.500
Kahans] =
800 iii] Cost for labour =
Rs.3,000
Rs.11,800
iv] Cost for lease for 1
acre land for 1 season =
Rs.3,500
Total = 8,500
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4. 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 Total yield at Value of total Cost of cultivation Net
the crop 1 acre and 20 produce income
decimals of
land
Kharif HYV paddy 2250 kg. [2250 x i] Cost for inputs like Rs.32,100
– RGL 25- Rs.14/- per kg] seeds, fertilizers, –
37 = 31,500 insecticides = Rs.4,800 Rs.13,300
=
By product 4 Kahans [4 Kahans x ii] Cost for ploughing Rs.18,800
Straw Rs.150/- per Rs.1,000
Kahans] = 600
iii] Cost for labour =
Rs.32,100 Rs.4,000
iv] Cost for lease for 1 acre
land for 1 season =
Rs.3,500
Total = 13,300
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5. 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.
Income Level
18800
20000
15000
10000 Income Level
3300
5000
0
1 2
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6.  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
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