To become financially successful, a farmer needs to transform his cropping pattern to suit the

current market trend. He should know the requirement of the market and then plan to cultivate
the right crops. Only then his economic condition can improve. The following success story
proves the point.

INTRODUCTION
Name of the farmer Mr.Sukhdev Maharaj
Village Salbani
Block Ghatsila
Landholding(acres) 3
Irrigated(acres) 2.1
Unirrigated(acres) 0.9
Membership details Mahamilan Sevashram Sangh
Contact details 8210465277

The Salbani area of Ghatsila used to be a very resource constraints area.Here, agriculture
depends on Rain and therefore the people are adopting migration rather than accepting
agriculture as their occupation. Mr.Maharaj started his ashram life in the year 1989 in a
ashram named Bharat Sevashram.Mr. Maharaj started its activities way back in 2000 at
Salbani Block of East Singhbhum District.

Experiences of Mr.Sukhdev Maharaj

Mr.Maharaj has raised a ray of hope in the barren land of Salbani.Inspite of lack of
resources; He is doing farming in his 3 acres of land successfully. Round the year he is
growing different type of vegetables.With addition to farming, he has adopted other allied
activities very successfully like goatery, livestock and duckery. He has added other farmers
with him in farming.They are also learning different new techniques of farming from
Maharaj ji. The farmers are cultivating cucurbits, tomato and pointed gourd. With all
these activities, he is also generating income for his ashram, generating employment and
also teaching people about agriculture.
  Enterprises
1. Pointed gourd

He started his faming with pumpkin, chilly and cauliflower. But his Pointed gourd farming
in 1 acre land proved to be very profitable..He sows the crop in November and harvest
them in the month of march. The annual production is 400quintals. The average Selling
price is Rs.35/kg.The female to male ratio he is taking is 300:20-25. He is also selling the
saplings @Rs.5/plant. Total saplings sold are 2800-3000.

Technology used here is Drip system,organic farming,mulching,Machan.

2. Livestock

He is also having many cow.From them he uses cowdung for manures to and in
gobar gas plant.The cooking is done from gobar gas plant only.

3. Duckery in Fish Pond

He is having 200 ducks.He is currently selling 10000 ducks annually.The price of

each duck is Rs.200.Brooding of duck is done with machines.The eggs also is of big
size which also fetches good price. The fish culture with duckery proves to be one of
the best IFS system. The annual fish production is 2Quintal and the price of fish is
about Rs.120-140/kg.

4. Azolla

The azolla is grown for feed for livestock.It serves as most promising aquatic plant
for livestock feed due to is ease of cultivation,productivity and nutritive value.It is
very rich in protein,essential amino acids,vitamins,growth promoting intermediaries
and minerals including Ca,P,K,Fe,Cu,Mg.

5. Mango Orchard

He uses here grafting and cutting.The varieties grown are Amrapali, Langra,
Malika, etc.

6. Elephant foot yam

He gets 3 kg of yam in just 3-4 months.
7. Rabbitery
 Total rabbits=50-60 and
Price=Rs.200/rabbit
8. Poultry
Breeds =Rhode Island Red and Vanraja(800 in No.s)
 Technology Used By Him
o Artificial Fertilisation
o Mulching(Plastic in papaya)
o Diseases and pests in Pointed gourd like fungal infection,white fly.
 Problems faced before success
o Lack of labours
o Irrigation(no pumps)
o Frost attack in pumpkin
 His contributions
He has taught many things to the people of Salbani area.He has also
stopped Non-Violence.He also arranges blood donation camp.His
ashram is self sustainable and also registered.
 His achievements
He has been honoured in BAU Kisaan mela 2018 for his great contribution in
agriculture as well as in allied science.