Jajpur: For 34-year-old Bhagirathi Swain of Raitikar village in Sukinda block, Pingala Gram Panchayat, farming was never just a tradition, it was a passion waiting to take shape. A professional executive engineer, he turned to agriculture with renewed purpose during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that reshaped perspectives on livelihoods and self-reliance.
Managing nearly 6 acres of land, including his own and family holdings, Bhagirathi cultivated crops such as paddy, groundnut, pointed gourd and vegetables, earning around ₹3 lakh annually. However, he was keen to move beyond conventional farming and explore more rewarding opportunities.
A turning point came when he was introduced to modern horticulture practices through the Horticulture Department, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with Tata Steel Foundation. With their guidance and support, he ventured into strawberry cultivation, a relatively new, high-value crop in the region.
On 48 decimals of land, Bhagirathi planted nearly 10,000 strawberry saplings. Support from the government and Tata Steel Foundation, including planting materials, mulching sheets and trellis nets, helped significantly reduce his initial investment.
“I always wanted to try something new in farming, but the support from Tata Steel Foundation and the Horticulture Department gave me the confidence to take this step,” he says.
The results have been encouraging. With an investment of around ₹47,000, he has already earned close to ₹1 lakh and expects total returns to exceed ₹2.5 lakh by the end of the harvest season. Selling strawberries at about ₹250 per kg in local markets like Duburi and Danagadi, he is now earning nearly ₹95,000 per month during peak harvest.
His success is now inspiring others in the community. Through the Mahabir Krushak Sangha, a farmer group supported by Tata Steel Foundation, Bhagirathi is motivating fellow farmers to adopt innovative crops and modern practices.
“Strawberry farming has shown me that with the right support, farmers can improve both income and confidence,” he adds.
Sharing his perspective, Debanjan Mukherjee, Head – Kalinganagar Impact Cluster, Tata Steel Foundation, says, “We are working to promote high-value crops that improve farmer incomes and build resilience, while maintaining a balance between industrial and agrarian growth.”
Looking ahead, Bhagirathi plans to diversify into value-added activities such as a mini oil processing unit, while continuing to experiment with new crops. Despite challenges like water availability, he remains committed to innovation-led farming.
Bhagirathi Swain’s journey reflects how the right support and determination can transform agriculture into a sustainable and rewarding livelihood. Through such initiatives, Tata Steel Foundation continues to empower farmers to adopt high-value agriculture and build resilient rural communities.
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