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Odisha Farmer Hirok Patel Doubles Income with Pond Farming, Praised by PM Modi

Odisha farmer Hirok Patel has been nationally recognized after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his innovative pond-based farming on 'Mann Ki Baat'. Facing land constraints, Patel built ponds and created raised beds over them to grow climber crops, successfully doubling his income. He combines modern techniques with traditional knowledge, practicing mixed farming with vegetables, fruit plants, and mushrooms. Patel credits his success to hard work, his father's inspiration, and the motivation from the Prime Minister's vision for doubling farmers' income.

Key Points: Odisha Farmer's Pond Farming Innovation Doubles Income

  • Transformed limited land with pond farming
  • Doubled income to Rs 4-5 lakh monthly
  • Combines modern tech with traditional knowledge
  • Inspired by PM Modi's vision for farmers
  • Practices mixed & climber crop cultivation
2 min read

Hirok Patel from Odisha featured in 'Mann Ki Baat' for pond-based farming innovation

Hirok Patel from Sundargarh uses pond-based farming to double his income, earning praise from PM Modi on 'Mann Ki Baat'. Learn his methods.

"Since land was limited, I thought about how to double the income on less land. - Hirok Patel"

Bhubaneswar, Feb 22

Odisha farmer Hirok Patel, whose ingenuity Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded in his latest 'Mann Ki Baat', has transformed limited land into a high-yield farming mode by combining modern techniques with traditional knowledge to successfully double his income, while inspiring farmers across the country to innovate and optimise resources.

Hailing from a village in Odisha's Sundargarh district, Patel admitted that his formal education was limited. "I haven't had much formal education; I studied only up to matriculation. My parents farmed traditionally on one acre, and I joined them, learning gradually," he said.

Patel began experimenting with modern farming techniques in 2015 and, by 2018, had fully embraced technical farming. Facing constraints of limited land, he constructed three ponds and developed raised beds over them to grow climber crops such as bottle gourd. "Since land was limited, I thought about how to double the income on less land. The Prime Minister has said farmers' income should double. That motivated me to innovate using ponds for cultivation," he said.

The farmer currently grows vegetables in one pond while cultivating fruit-bearing plants like banana, ber (Indian jujube), and guava in other areas. He also practices mixed farming, including mushroom cultivation, effectively combining five to six types of crops. On average, his monthly income ranges between Rs 4 to 5 lakh, depending on the yield.

Patel credits his father for inspiration and said the Prime Minister's vision for farmers also motivated him. "I want to tell young farmers to work hard. Success comes only through effort," he added.

He revealed that he was unaware of being mentioned on 'Mann Ki Baat' until the Prime Minister named him while he was in Patna. "I was very happy," he said.

Patel has benefited from several government schemes and institutional support, which he says have greatly aided his farming innovations and overall productivity.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Rs 4-5 lakh per month from one acre? That's incredible! This is exactly the kind of agricultural revolution we need. More farmers should adopt such integrated farming models instead of relying only on traditional monocropping.
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Aman W
While I appreciate the recognition, I hope the government ensures this success story leads to concrete support for others. Many farmers lack access to the same schemes or institutional help. The real test is scaling this model across villages.
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Sarah B
As someone working in sustainable agriculture, this is brilliant! Combining pond-based farming with raised beds is a fantastic use of vertical space and water resources. It addresses both land scarcity and water management. Hope to see more such case studies!
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Karthik V
Jai Kisan! 🚜 This is what happens when traditional wisdom meets modern technique. My father is also a farmer in Tamil Nadu, and I'm going to share this article with him. Maybe we can try something similar with our coconut farm.
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Nikhil C
Heartwarming to see an Odia farmer getting national recognition. Sundargarh is not typically known for such innovations, which makes this even more special. Proud moment for our state!

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