Jajpur: When Gopabandhu Jati (50) started farming, little did he know that it would turn into a success. Today, he earns two to five lakhs per annum and is a source of inspiration to other farmers – who were using bonded labourers to reduce cost, due to constant losses.
Jati was only 20 when he took to agriculture as his vocation. Thirty years later, he says he is happy he took to farming as the rewards have been impressive.
In a two-acre farm, Jati started farming paddy as also vegetables. Besides paddy, he cultivated pulses, vegetables, maize etc. As he got good returns, he took an additional eight acres of farmland. Put together, he’s reaping a rich harvest, season after season.
“I earn a minimum of Rs 15-20,000 a month. I am very much satisfied with farming,” said Jati, whose family consists of his wife, four daughters and a son. They are also involved in farming.
Like other jobs, he works six to eight hours a day in his farm. While many farmers are opting out of farming and preferring to work as migrant workers, the success story of Jati serves as a source of hope to farmers in the region.
Jati’s is a happy life, and he’s a good singer. He loves to feast on mutton cooked by his wife. His only regret is, even after many years of farming, he never availed any help from the government. Even as the government has launched schemes for providing farmers with free seeds, saplings, fertilizers etc, Jati never got these.
This season, Jati cultivated lady’s finger, ridge gourd and brinjal. “If I get help from government, I can double my output,” Jati said.
