Empowering Women Farmers: Lilima Pradhan’s Journey to Agricultural Success

Mrs. Lilima Pradhan, a 27-year-old resident of Ghoghar village in Balisankara Block, Sundargarh district, Odisha, epitomizes the resilience and determination of women in agriculture.

Despite the waning interest of the younger generation in agriculture, Lilima embarked on her journey with unwavering dedication. Initially facing the challenge of limited irrigation, she diligently drew water from wells and ponds to nurture her crops. After two years of relentless effort, she witnessed moderate success in vegetable cultivation. With savings of Rs. 70-80 thousand, she invested in digging a deep bore well, expanding her cultivable land to 2.5 acres.

The intervention of the DMF-APC project, facilitated by SEWAK, Sundargarh, proved transformative for Lilima. Equipped with modern agricultural techniques such as balanced fertilizer usage, efficient weed and water management, and integrated pest control, her farm’s productivity soared. The project also enabled her to implement drip irrigation on one acre of land, a testament to her lifelong passion for innovative water-saving methods, particularly in drought-prone regions.

Lilima’s perseverance bore fruit as her annual earnings from vegetable cultivation reached up to Rs. 2 lakh, securing the livelihoods of her family, including her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and two brothers-in-law. Her success underscores the vital role of women in agriculture and serves as an inspiration for aspiring farmers across the region.

In the face of adversity and changing agricultural landscapes, Lilima Pradhan stands tall as a beacon of hope, exemplifying the transformative power of determination and access to modern agricultural practices.