Harvesting Hope: The Greenhouse Smart Farming Revolution in Janisahi Village

A Family’s Agricultural Foundation

Dibakar Sahoo, a dedicated farmer from Janisahi village in the Daspalla block of Nayagarh district, Odisha, supports a household of six: his wife, their two young children (ages seven and two), and his parents. Together, they have long relied on traditional open-field vegetable cultivation to sustain their livelihood.

Struggles of Conventional Cultivation

Working on a 660-square-foot plot, Dibakar grew eggplants, leafy greens, beans, and other staples. Yet he faced persistent hurdles:

• High irrigation costs: Pumping canal water proved expensive.

• Pest infestations: Heavy reliance on chemicals and medicines drove up expenses.

• Marginal returns: An annual investment of ₹8,700 yielded only 6–8% profits at best, often merely breaking even.

Discovering Greenhouse Farming

At a community meeting organized by Jeevan Rekha Parishad (JRP), Dibakar learned about greenhouse cultivation’s potential to conserve water, control pests naturally, and accelerate growth. Encouraged by this vision, he partnered with JRP and Jeevika Trust (UK) to establish his first greenhouse.

The First Greenhouse Harvest

Planting 3–5 varieties of leafy greens, Dibakar’s maiden greenhouse cycle delivered swift, high-quality yields with lower input costs. Within just 45 days, he witnessed:

• Reduced investment: ₹2,400 total (₹300 irrigation; ₹300 pest and fertilizer)

• Substantial profits: 25–35% margins, with the lowest at 6% even during adverse weather

• Zero losses: Consistent positive returns across harvests

From Innovation to Sustainability

Buoyed by these results, greenhouse farming has become Dibakar’s primary approach. Key benefits include:

• Resource efficiency: Dramatically lower water and chemical usage

• Crop diversity: Expanded to a wider array of vegetables under controlled conditions

• Organic practices: Minimal fertilizer use, aligning with eco-friendly standards

A New Dawn for Janisahi

Dibakar’s success story is inspiring neighbors to explore smart farming. By blending modern greenhouse technology with traditional knowledge—and supported by Jeevika Trust and JRP—he has transformed uncertainty into hope, cultivating not just vegetables but a sustainable future for his family and community.

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