A 50 year old farmer, Mahavir Singh in Jaffarabadh village is confidently wriggling out of traditional methods that he has been following for the past 30 years. He is now self-assured that small and low cost interventions can generate significant income.

Mahavir Singh owns 4 acres land in Jaffarabadh, a cluster village of Goela in the Mewat area of rural Gurgaon. He was growing wheat for many years earning just enough to make his ends meet. Three years ago he decided to venture in to vegetable growing because they bring-in more income. Though he knew growing vegetables could be more profitable, he was reluctant to grow as vegetables needed lot of care and dreaded failure of the crop. Just three years ago he decided to grow cucumbers in one acre. He was over cautious with the crop; his lack of knowledge on modern methods of cultivation made his cost of production too high and profits too low.

Mahavir proudly shared one of his experiences: "Three years ago, when I decided to risk growing vegetables, I purchased cucumber seeds from the local market and sowed them with utmost care, and awaited the crop till the harvesting time, I was astound to see absolutely no yield; wondered if I got cheated by the local merchant who must have sold fake seeds. Later, I came to know that the seed used for sowing was meant for rainy season and not for summer. This was purely due to lack of my knowledge in agriculture. I have years of experience in agriculture, following the primitive methods, but I'm realizing the need for knowledge is important than experience.

The Sehgal Foundation (working towards integrated, sustainable village development in the Mewat area) approached him and offered help to educate him about better agricultural practices. The staff from the Foundation visited his fields and advised him to inter crop peas with radishes. He was trained on the importance of using quality seeds; sowing appropriate seeds based on the climatic conditions, and the source for procuring quality seeds.

Mahavir did not waste time pondering if this was true. He took a brave step unlike other farmers who were not sure if this intervention will make any difference. He decided to try inter cropping of peas and radishes. He was delighted to see the yield continuing even after two harvests. His previous experience was a low quality yield which ended after first harvest. He earned Rs.10,000/- from green peas by selling at Rs.7/- per kg and Rs.4,000 by selling dry peas at Rs.10/- per kg. Intercropping with radish had earned him an additional income of Rs.5000/- at Rs.6/- per kg. His gross income for the season was Rs.19,000/- whereas his cost of production was Rs.1,775. Mahavir had a net profit of Rs.17,225 by following the small interventions advised by the Sehgal Foundation.

After this success in intercropping, Mahavir Singh is confidently willing to grow other vegetables like squash and cucumber; he is willing to take time from his work and attend training sessions organized for farmers. Recently, the Foundation has helped him to set up a vermi composting unit and oriented him on the benefits of using the compost; After seeing the result, in terms of cost of production and yield in one acre, he is willing to start 4 vermi composting units for his 4 acre land.

For further information please contact:

Pooja O Murada
Institute of Rural Research and Development
A Sehgal Foundation Initiative
Plot No. 34, Sector 44, Institutional Area
Gurgaon, 122002 (Haryana), India