A young farmer of Gumla earned profits by transforming a barren land into a farm to grow not only vegetables but also resorting to integrated farming practices with dairy and poultry.
Speaking to , Shivkumar Yadav (27) said, “In 2021-22, I grew cauliflowers on a leased plot of 2 acres. All crops were destroyed as a rivulet from where I drew water dried up.”
Referring to the change, he said, “In June 2023, soil conservation officer Ashish Pratap visited my field and got a deep boring system installed. Later, a drip irrigation network was provided by agricultural department.”
“In 2025, I grew watermelon on 1.50 acres and earned Rs 1,50,000.
Next, I grew tomatoes and have sold Rs 5 lakh worth of the fruit this year. ”
“In 2024, I started a dairy farm with seven cows. I earn Rs 40,000 per month by selling 150 lt of milk daily and Rs 60,000 from the sale of one lot of chicken every 45 days,” he added. Today, farmers from different areas visit his farm to learn technologies.
“The district administration planned to transform barren lands into the greenery by providing holistic support with a focus on irrigation facilities.
Special focus is being given to youths and women farmers.
Farmers are being encouraged to adopt modern agricultural technologies to enhance productivity. Efforts are being made to ensure remunerative prices for quality produce through market linkages such as the e-NAM platform. The agriculture department is continuously working in this direction,” he added.
Yadav said, “The agricultural loan should be approved only after giving crop-wise training to farmers, and the amount should be given in instalments to check misuse of the loan money. I took a farm loan also three years ago.”
Other farmers also benefited from govt support in different locations in Gumla, including Jamnuwa Lakra of Phathi village, who sold watermelon for Rs 3 lakhs last year and was again growing the same this time too.
Gumla : The dministrative support and new farm technologies have not only transformed a big baren patch into greenry but have been enriching a young farmer in Gumla. Till 2022 Shivkumar Yadav ( 27) faced losses in farming due to lack of irrigation facilities but now he has overcome it and is a huge source of inspiration for the district’s other tillers. Every day farmers from different areas visit his field and dairy farm to learn the progress made by him following moden farm technologies.
However this became possible after the district administration came forward to support him. So now a support has not only help transform a huge patch of a baren land into green scenery but has enriched a farmer in Gumla. ” Till 2022 I faced losses in commercial farming due to the lack of irrigation facilities but now I have overcome it,” Shivkumar told TOI on Sunday . He has sold tomatos worth Rs 5 lakhs during the current season only . His dairy farm is also giving him a good income while his poultry initiative is adding to his sale.
The district administration provided him a deep boring with pump set while drip irrigation system was later , added to it. All this come up a boon for him . ” Mein pani ki wajah se tika hun( I continue to keep standing due to water only here) Else, I would have left this field and migrated to other places to seek livelihood,” he said.
“In 2021- 22 I grew cauliflowers in a plot of 2 acres (which I have hired) but all dried up as a rivulet from where I drew water for watering my plants had fully dried,” he recalled
” In June 2023 passed but next next Ashish Pratap sir( soil conservation officer – SCO) visited my field and got a deep boring system installed . Later , a drip irrigation network was also provided by the agricultural development to my field. All these started changing the scenario. In 2024 I stated a dairy farm in the same field with 7 cows,” he said
“But in 2025 changed everything . I cultivated water melon in 1.50 acres and earned Rs 150000. After that in summer I grew grafted ‘saaho’ variety of tomatos and so far sold them worth Rs 500000( five lakh),” Yadav revealed.
” I earn Rs 40000 per month by selling 150 liters milk daily and Rs 60000 from sale of per lot of chicks ( one lot of growing chicken is 45 days) . Poultry is being done with a partner,” he explained thanking the SCO for his support.
SCO Ashish told TOI,” The district administration has planned to transform baren lands into the greenry through providing comprehensive support with focus on irrigation facilities to the district’s farmers. The special focus is being given to youths and women farmers “
” On one hand, farmers are being encouraged to adopt modern agricultural technologies to enhance productivity, and on the other hand, efforts are being made to ensure remunerative prices for quality produce through market linkages such as the e-NAM platform. Agriculture department is continuously working in this direction,” he said.
Shivkumar counsels that the agricultural loan should be approved only after giving crop wise training to farmers and amount should be given in installments to check misuse of the loan money Three years ago he took a farm loan also. Every day farmer visit to learn the techniques of vegetables farming frok his field
Other farmers like Jamnuwa Lakra of Phathi village who sold water melon with Rs 3 lakhs last year is again growing the same this time too. So other progressive agriculturists too are ripping the benefits of the government support hugely in different locations in Gumla.
