Sagar Jena, 56, is an experienced farmer from Kantabania village of Balugaon GP in Nayagarh Block. He is the sole bread earner in a family of his parents, wife and two children. He has about two acres of rainfed land in which he cultivates paddy during Kharif season. He used to get 1,800 kilograms of paddy from his two acres of land.

Gram Vikas staff, implementing the Holistic Rural Development Programme, supported by HDFC Parivartan (a CSR initiative of HDFC Bank) were creating awareness in the village about improved rice cultivation practices. The package included new and better practices in seed selection and treatment, land preparation with organic fungicides, seedling bed preparation; on-time transplantation, line transplantation, weeding and life-saving irrigation provision. 

IPOP rice plants showed more tillers, bigger panicle size and bold grain with more weight. Ensuring weeding at the right time and the application of handi khata (literally meaning pot manure) – organic liquid manure prepared with cow dung, cow urine, aromatic leaves, lactate leaves and jaggery, through aerobic fermentation – help farmers get a higher yield.

Sagar was not sure about adopting the Improved Package of Practices (IPoP). With the constant motivation and guidance from Ramesh Chandra Naik, the HRDP Project Coordinator, Sagar decided to take up IPoP rice in half-acre of his land. After the first years’ experience, Sagar now considers IPOP the best method for rice farmers. He has a lower cost of cultivation and higher yields. His net income increased by ₹ 5,560.

Sagar has not only extended IPOP rice cultivation to one acre during this year but also impressed those who were criticising the IPOP method.