From Traditional to Tech-Savvy: Prahalada Biswal's Greenhouse Farming Triumph in Rural Odisha

A New Beginning in Sriramchandrapur

Prahalada Biswal, a small-scale farmer from the vegetable-belt village of Sriramchandrapur under Daspalla block, Odisha, has redefined success on his land. Alongside his wife, Rina Biswal, he has spent seven years growing seasonal vegetables and paddy—yet persistent challenges kept profits at just 10–12%.

The Trials of Conventional Farming

Traditional practices brought multiple obstacles:

• Irrigation woes: Inadequate water supply and high pumping costs

• Soil & seed management: Poor-quality inputs led to low yields

• Pest pressure & climate variability: Crop damage forced distress sales and weak market linkages

As a result, Prahalada struggled with meager returns and unpredictable losses.

Introducing the SMART FARM Model

Jeevan Rekha Parishad (JRP), supported by Jeevika Trust (UK), launched a pilot intervention to transform local farming. Prahalada received:

• A 2500 sq ft greenhouse installation

• Drip irrigation and water-efficient systems

• P2C market linkage under “Daspalla Fresh”

• Capacity building and technical training via Kheyti, Hyderabad

Pilot Phase: Three Cycles, Three Crops, Major Gains

In the first phase, Prahalada cultivated three successive cycles without chemicals:

This seven-fold profitability surge confirmed the greenhouse’s potential.

Scaling Success Across Odisha

Buoyed by these results, Prahalada now manages his entire 2500 sq ft greenhouse using smart-farming tools and best practices. The SMART FARM model aims to extend this tech-driven, eco-friendly approach to all marginal smallholders in the region.

The Farmer’s Reflection

Prahalada Biswal’s journey exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can uplift rural livelihoods—turning traditional farmers into tech-savvy entrepreneurs.