Farmers of Tandamunda village of Puintala tehsil in Bolangir district have taken up broccoli cultivation this year.
Tandamunda is located just 7 kms from the district headquarters, having around 160 houses and a population of 406.
The people are dependent on agriculture, and the village is well known for its vegetable cultivation due to the fertile soil present there.
Deep wells present in the village ensure there is no shortage of water.
This year, Reliance Foundation has provided POP training to 20 farmers with the help of the Department of Seed and Plant Growth and Horticulture for broccoli cultivation.
Since broccoli is a high-quality vegetable, farmers are now selling broccoli at Rs. 80 per kg in the Bolangir market.
The seeds are germinated on a nursery bed and then planted in prepared land.
Since broccoli is grown in the winter, it is less prone to diseases/pests.
“Earlier, we used to cultivate cabbage. Reliance Foundation facilitated us to go for broccoli cultivation.
20 farmers in our village have grown broccoli. Vegetable traders are buying broccoli from us for Rs. 60 per kilogram,” Srikkanth Sai, a young farmer said.
Market problems
Whenever a crop is sown and harvested by many farmers at the same time, its value is very likely to be reduced.
In order to provide greater benefits to the farmer, the Mandi system or some other alternative arrangements need to be made, says senior farmer Sindhu Sa.
