Angul: Dharanidhar Sahu (65), a resident of Bherubania village under Bantala police limits in this district, has set an example for many farmers through his hard work and dedication.
Sahu is a perfect example of rags to riches courtesy his achievements in the field of agriculture and mango cultivation at a time when farmers in the state look away from agriculture.
He earns lakhs of rupees every year and inspires many farmers who have taken to mango cultivation as a calling.
Sahu always wanted to do something and bring a change in his village. However, he was left discouraged after many criticised his ideas. His family members supported him all the while.
To avoid criticism from relatives and locals, he bought an acre of plain land far away from his village. He toiled day and night and turned the land fertile. He cultivated vegetables and pulses to further increase the fertility of the land.
He made profit by selling vegetables and bought another nine acres close by. Seeing his dedication and hard work, the horticulture department extended a helping hand to Sahu. That’s when he was inspired by some officials and entered mango cultivation.
He planted over 500 different types of mango in his farmland with the help of the horticulture department in 1998-99.
Along with mango, his farmland has 2000 teak trees, 10 coconut trees, 100 lemon trees, five ‘bael’ trees, five jack-fruit trees and 30 bamboos.
He dug out a bore well and a pond in the farmland that helps in irrigating the land.
All though the year, he cultivates different types of vegetables including brinjal, tomato, cabbage, bitter gourd, beans, peas, onion, garlic and other vegetables. He also cultivates groundnuts, mustard and sunflower. He has constructed a small cold-storage.
This year, his vegetables and mango were destroyed by the untimely rain.
He suffered heavy losses as mangoes and vegetables were destroyed. However, he has not lost confidence and wishes to begin a chicken farm in the village. PNN
