Angul: Belonging to an agricultural family at Pokatunga village under Bantala police limits in Angul district, Prasant Kumar Pradhan alias Beda Bhai (47) grew up seeing two generations of his family–his grandfather, father and his uncles tilling farmland. Farming was not something that Prasant had in mind to take up as a profession though he used to work in fields lending a helping hand to his father and uncles during his leisure time.
Just like most students of his time, he too wanted a career in IT or a government job sector. However, he passed B.Com in 1996 from ‘Puri Balanga College and was posted in Orissa Cooperative Tasar and Silk Federation Limited. However, his love and interest for farming did not allow him to stick to his job.
Without a second thought, he resigned from his job and returned to his village. He met local farmers, did some research about the market conditions, took inputs from agricultural departments and purchased a four-acre infertile forest land on the foothills of Hamamira village under Bedasasan panchayat.
He used all his savings and after several months of hard work, he turned the land into a fertile farm. Initially, he had to face criticism, Prasant said. However, he did not lose his confidence and continued listening to his heart and mind. Later, Prasant bought another four-acre farmland. He planted 100 coconut trees, 900 teakwood plants, 100 gooseberry and several other trees in the seven-acre patch of land. He also cultivated mangoes, lemons, bananas, oranges and a variety of flowers like roses, marigold, lily, jasmine and lotus.
He also dug two ponds, two wells and a house in the farmlands and began poultry and fish farming. In 2006, Prasant managed to make a profit of `1 lakh from mango cultivation, `50, 000 from fish, `2.50 lakh from chicken and `50,000 from vegetables. Now, he engages over 10 hands in his farm.
Prasant takes the name of his wife who, according to him, was his inspiration. He has won several prizes for his contribution to farming. People, who once mocked him, today do not forget to praise him, Prasant said.
He got the first prize for sunflower cultivation and was awarded by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik himself.
Having achieved a lot in his life, Prasant still wants to achieve a lot. He wants to add a diary farm and cultivate medicinal plants in his farm. Meanwhile, he showed interest to spread awareness among students and wanted to launch a learning centre for students where he would teach them about environment and farming.
A proud farmer himself, Prasant is concerned for lack of co-operation and support from the government. His message to young minds, who wish to take up farming, is ‘Farming is a very honourable profession and one must proudly say that he is a farmer. PNN