A women self-help group (WSHG) in Rayagada district has successfully cultivated dragon fruit and set an example of rural entrepreneurship and agricultural innovation under the Odisha Livelihoods Mission. The members of Maa Nanda Ganda WSHG in Gogupadu panchayat under Ramanaguda block were encouraged to take up dragon fruit farming as part of a project aimed at increasing income for small-scale farmers. Soil testing was conducted, and expert guidance from the Agriculture Department and MGNREGA was utilised to prepare the land.
Subsequently, they began cultivation on 0.75 acres of land by installing 150 concrete poles and frames at a cost of Rs 1.8 lakh. Another Rs 30,000 was spent on purchasing 600 saplings. The fruits have now started to ripen, and the group has begun selling the produce in local markets. With the current rate at Rs 300 per kilogram, the SHG is expected to earn around Rs 7–8 lakh annually from the project. They say the initiative has not only provided a sustainable source of income but also strengthened their confidence and community standing.
Presentation -Dibyabharati Nayak