Coal bringing light to the lives of Parsa farmers

Dinesh Yadav’s average annual income increased by Rs 60,000 to Rs 1,20,000 from Project Annapurna, a livelihood initiative of Adani Foundation

Dinesh Yadav wakes up early every day and goes straight to his farm. He wants to see the planting of his crop first thing in the morning and he takes care of the crop like his own children. This process makes them young. In his Chhattisgarhi dialect, he explains this thing with great pride.

Dinesh has 5 acres of land in Parsa village of the area under Parsa East Kanta Basan (PEKB) mine in Surguja. He grows paddy using pulses, wheat and vegetables using System of Rice Intensification (SRI) technology. Dinesh Yadav had an average annual income of Rs 60,000 before Project Annapurna, a livelihood initiative of the Adani Foundation, an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices that started in Dinesh’s village in 2016. After joining this scheme, his average income increased to Rs. 1,20,000. They were provided high quality hybrid seeds with modern agriculture and irrigation equipment under the project. They were also trained in modern farming practices, including organic farming, to help them increase their income. Equipped with knowledge, Dinesh also started organic farming on his one acre of land and is now happy to get good yields. He and other farmers have also benefited from this project.

The farmers of his village and its surroundings who come under the PEKB area have formed a Farmer Producer Company (FPC). It promotes institution building and stakeholder ownership, enabling them to pool their resources, resulting in reduced input costs per unit and creating new market relationships.

Regular training and workshops on Agricultural Produce Marketing Promotion organized by the Foundation in association with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) helps them to learn various aspects of marketing promotion of agricultural products. Apart from this, exposure visits are also organized for better understanding of latest technologies in vegetable production.

The life of Dinesh and his family is witnessing a change for the better. The coal mines of this region have brought a new ray of hope to the people. Contrary to the popular notion of coal damaging the environment, it has actually changed the landscape of the region. This sector is now growing rapidly in terms of better schools, infrastructure, work opportunities, health facilities etc. Dinesh sends his two children to Adani Vidya Mandir in Surguja, where they get quality education. Education is increasing awareness about health and hygiene. The family no longer defecates in the open because Dinesh Yadav has built a toilet in his house.