दशरथ
Upping the
irrigational game
at Panduri
Dashrath's roadblocks
Dashrath, a 45-year-old farmer from Panduri village in Bharatpur, once depended on low-paid migrant labour and uncertain rainfall to sustain his 0.3 acres of land. After training under DBJUP at Surmathura, he received irrigation tools, a borewell, seeds, and a goat-rearing unit, and learned organic farming techniques. With reliable water access and improved skills, he diversified crops and significantly increased his income, reducing his need to migrate.
"The intervention has provided accessible market linkages to Fatehpur Sikri and Rupbas Mandi (within 6–7 Km). Building market linkages for smallholding farmers like Dashrath has helped make markets more accessible, supply chain systems more equitable and fetch better prices for their agricultural output.
Dashrath now earns a yearly income of INR 1,20,000 and saves around INR 70,000. He has also opened a bank account in the nearest Grameen Bank to achieve financial security and sustainability. Nisha proudly remarked, "He has managed to build a better life for all of us. Our house is pucca, since we can finally afford to rebuild it. We have a television and a smartphone that helps us know about the goings-on in the world. My husband has come a long way."
A beaming Dashrath remarked, "For the first time in two years, I could transfer money to my children undergoing skill training in a different town. I feel proud that my ability to earn well has enabled my children to explore different career opportunities to secure their future. After all, as parents, all we can hope to achieve is to give our children the ability to choose to live better and prosperous lives."