Diversified Farming transforms Sundarlal Parasram’s Livelihood

Introduction

Sundarlal Parasram, a smallholder farmer from Muwala village in Sitamau block, Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh, supports his family of eight. His household comprised of his wife, parents, brother, sister-in-law, and two children. The family cultivates soybean, wheat, and coriander on four acres, earning Rs. 1,08,000 annually. Despite diligent efforts, Sundarlal faced setbacks when his orange plantation failed due to poor maintenance and insufficient technical knowledge. The resulting financial loss forced him to abandon the plantation.

The Need for Diversification

Keen to improve his livelihood, Sundarlal participated in the Focused Rural Development Programme (FRDP) implemented by BAIF Livelihoods Madhya Pradesh and supported by HDFC Bank. This programme introduced him to the Wadi initiative, offering opportunities to diversify and enhance crop production.

Adopting Wadi Plantation

In August 2022, Sundarlal received 110 citrus saplings for the Wadi plantation. To protect the plantation’s bunds, custard apple and teak saplings were also provided. Under BAIF’s guidance, Sundarlal followed best practices, such as pit preparation and fertilisation.

Introducing Intercropping

In July 2023, Sundarlal diversified further by planting onions as an intercrop in the Wadi plantation. To support effective crop maintenance, the programme equipped him with tools for weeding, pruning, and grafting.

Harvest and Financial Success

By October 2023, Sundarlal harvested 60 quintals of onions, selling them for Rs. 3,000 per quintal in Mandsaur and local markets. This earned him Rs. 1,80,000, significantly stabilising his finances. Encouraged by his success, he began cultivating garlic as a secondary intercrop in November 2023, further enhancing his productivity.

Improving Farming Practices

BAIF’s support extended to improving practices on Sundarlal’s remaining farmland. Tailored advice on fertilisation, irrigation, and seed treatment enabled better yields for crops like soybean, wheat, flaxseed, and coriander. These improvements optimised farm resources and increased output.

A Grateful Farmer

Reflecting on his journey, Sundarlal expressed, “I am grateful to BAIF and HDFC for providing this opportunity. It has helped me to expand and adopt different types of crops in my farm. I hope to extend similar practices on the remaining land.”

Conclusion

The interventions introduced through the FRDP have transformed Sundarlal’s livelihood. His success story highlights the potential of targeted agricultural support in empowering smallholder farmers, fostering resilience, and creating sustainable rural communities.