Reliance Foundation’s Digital Platform Makes Farming Easier For Visually Impaired Odisha Farmer – ODISHA BYTES

Puri: A visually-challenged man is nicely on his option to construct a profession as a farmer with the assistance of Reliance Foundation’s digital platform. 
Prakash Pandi, 45, of Srikerenda Village, Anadharaichapur Gram Panchayat underneath Gop Block of Puri district has just one good eye since start. After commencement in History Hons from Nimapara College, Puri, he began taking tuitions for just a few higher main college students of his village. However, the cash earned was not sufficient to fulfill the necessities of his household, so he give up instructing in 2018.
He determined to begin paddy and vegetable farming on his parental land. But it was not simple. He confronted a number of issues, proper from varietal choice to opposed climate, weed administration, nutrient administration, pest and illness management. Contacting pesticide sellers and farmers didn’t assist in taking good care of his crop.
“Then in May 2019, I got the Reliance Foundation (RF) toll-free Helpline number 1800-419-8800 from of Krushi Mitra. I registered my name and crop detail to get weather-based crop advisory. Apart from that, I started frequently calling the RF Helpline number and interacting with agriculture experts about my crop issues,” stated Prakash Pandi.
“Now, with RF advisory support,  I am growing paddy on 5 acres of land during Kharif season. By using our village pond as a water source, I am growing potato, pumpkin,  bitter gourd, cabbage, cauliflower, chilli and groundnut on 5 Guntha (0.20 acres) during the Rabi season,” he added.
Pandi is blissful to be linked with an RF professional on the toll-free Helpline quantity. He will get a solution to all his questions. “They never get irritated even when I ask a question repeatedly. They advise me to always verify the medicine and the seed variety. Sometimes, I even consult the RF expert from the pesticide shop about the suitability of a particular medicine for my crop,” stated the farmer.
“With RF expert support, I have controlled pest and disease attack on my Kharif paddy, controlled flower dropping on pumpkin and managed pod borer in green gram. I am expecting a good yield of bitter gourd and potato too,” he added. 
Padi retains sharing his expertise with fellow farmers who search agricultural info to deal with their crop points.
“I hope the RF team visits my village to address livelihood issues related to farming, livestock rearing and inland fish-farming to help more people,” he stated.