Costly chemical input in agriculture can be seen as one of the reasons why so many conventional farmers are becoming indebted. Organic farmers protect themselves from this by producing their own inputs from organic matter. CYSD staff members involved in Odisha Millets Mission (OMM) programme have undertaken an intensive research and revealed that organic input can reduce the input expenditure cost of farmers.

Damayanti Behera, one of the women farmers from Ghantiadar village in Jarak GP of Thakurmunda Block in Mayurbhanj district experimented with organic input in her farm land and got desired benefits.

When Damayanti was asked about the results of bio-pesticide use instead of chemical pesticides, she replied that application of bio-pesticide has effectively controlled pests without damaging the soil and saved my input cost by 50%.  This indicates the significant financial benefits of such techniques.

In the initial stage of bio-pesticide preparation, one of the Community Resource Person, Purnima Behera, conducted a training on Non-Pesticide Management (NPM) for the farmers. Then on a trial basis she prepared some bio-pesticide products like Agneyastra, Nimastra, Handikhata and sold them in her own locality including Damayanti.  She was advised by Purnima to apply the products in millet and vegetable fields. “I have been applying bio-pesticide and bio-manures for the last one and a half years. While comparing the input cost, I realized that I have saved around Rs. 20,000/- in 2022 against Rs. 50,000/- invested on input cost in 2020 and even before that, shared Damayanti”.

On realization of the actual value of this product, Demayanti eagerly wanted to know more about the product and the process of preparation and sought the technical guidance of Purnima, a master trainer in NPM.  Knowing Damayanti’s interest in NPM, Purnima offered her training. Last year, Damayanti prepared 200 Ltr. Agneyastra for application in her own land and sold the surplus products.

Being a trained person on NPM and user of related products, Damayanti wants to set up a NPM hub in her own locality and supply the products to her SHG members and to other locations as well.

CYSD OMM Project team is exploring the possibility of helping Damayanti establish a bio-pesticide input centre in convergence with the Mission Shakti for sustainability.