Seeds of Change: Transforming Agriculture in Odisha's Koraput

Nestled amidst the captivating Eastern Ghats in southern Odisha lies Koraput district, where farming transcends mere livelihood-it is a vital part of cultural identity. For Ranti Golari, a 58-year-old farmer from Jantaput village, this bond with the land is profound. Yet, like many women farmers in her community, she faces numerous challenges. "Reaching the marketplace is time-consuming," she says, "and often, I return home empty-handed because there are no seeds available."

A Deep-Rooted Farming Heritage

Koraput's farming legacy is as unique as its landscape. For centuries, tribal communities have cultivated this land with practices passed down through generations. Their traditional methods earned global recognition in 2012 when the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) designated Koraput as a *Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System*. This accolade celebrates their sustainable practices, which preserve native biodiversity, ensure food security, and safeguard the environment.

Local farmers possess an intrinsic understanding of their land, knowing precisely which crops thrive in each season and how to maintain soil health. However, behind this legacy lies a complex web of challenges threatening the region's agricultural sustainability.

Challenges Beneath the Surface

Although agriculture employs 44% of Odisha's workforce, it contributes only 24% to the state's economy, reflecting low productivity and income.

Land fragmentation is a critical issue-93% of farmers own less than two hectares, with the average size shrinking to just 0.95 hectares. These scattered plots reduce bargaining power and limit access to quality inputs and advanced farming technologies. Koraput's remote location exacerbates these issues, leaving farmers disconnected from market trends and newer cultivation practices.

Women farmers, who constitute 57% of Odisha's agricultural workforce, face additional barriers. Weekly markets, known as *padwas*, are often 10 kilometers away, requiring arduous travel through rugged terrain. Limited transportation and safety concerns compound their struggles. The unreliable quality of seeds, often untreated or mixed with inferior varieties, further undermines their efforts.

Economic constraints exacerbate the problem. High seed costs, limited credit access, and weak market bargaining power trap farmers in a cycle of low productivity and profitability. As Ranti poignantly puts it, "Sometimes, the harvest barely matches the seeds we sow. Five bags sown and five bags harvested-how can farming be beneficial?"

A Solution Through Smallholder Aggregation

The Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) initiative introduced the innovative *Small Farmers Large Field* (SFLF) model to tackle these challenges. This approach aggregates fragmented land holdings, fostering collaboration among smallholder farmers.

Potatoes, with their quick growth and soil-enriching properties, emerged as an ideal crop for the region. Rich in nutrients and widely accepted in local diets, potatoes provide consistent market demand and opportunities for value-added processing.

In Kharif 2023, 54 farmers participated in the SFLF pilot, which focused on four key pillars:

1. Access to Quality Seeds: Farmers received standardized potato seed tubers, rigorously graded and sorted for quality.
   2. Streamlined Seed Delivery: Seeds were distributed directly to villages, saving time and transportation costs, especially for women farmers.
   3. Knowledge Enhancement: Workshops and training sessions, conducted in partnership with the local NGO Pragati, empowered farmers with improved agricultural practices.
   4. Market Integration: By connecting farmers with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), the initiative enhanced collective bargaining power, enabling better price realization for high-quality produce.

Economic Opportunities and Impact

India, the world's second-largest potato producer, offers immense potential for the crop. The introduction of rainy-season potato cultivation in Koraput allows farmers to supply fresh produce when market demand peaks, ensuring higher profits.

The SFLF initiative's impact goes beyond economic gains. Reduced input costs, increased yields, and diversified income have improved financial stability, enabling families to invest in education and healthcare. Socially, the program fosters community bonds and empowers farmers through collective action and resource sharing.

Looking Ahead

The success of the SFLF model underscores the importance of targeted interventions addressing seed quality, market access, and knowledge gaps. For farmers like Ranti, these changes signify more than agricultural improvement-they represent hope for preserving their heritage while building a sustainable future.

Koraput's journey illustrates that agricultural transformation thrives when economic progress aligns with cultural preservation. As these farmers innovate and adapt, their experiences provide valuable lessons for similar regions across India.

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