Samman 2024: Dayanand Jangid – Innovating Traditional Agri-Tech

Traditional Agri-Tech: Dayanand Jangid, a farmer from Jaipur district of Rajasthan, has given a new direction to the field of agriculture by doing technological innovation. He believes that the most effective way to increase the income of farmers is to process their products and sell them instead of selling them directly in the market.

Processing of agricultural products: Why is it important?

Dayanand explains, “When farmers sell their crops directly in the market, they get only a small part of their actual price. On the other hand, if those products are processed and put in the market, then their price can increase manifold.”

According to him, for example, if the mustard crop is sold without processing, the farmer gets only ₹ 40-₹ 50 per kg. Whereas, if the same mustard is converted into oil through cold press method and sold, then its price can be up to ₹ 150-₹ 200 per kg.

Dayanand’s technological initiative

Dayanand has developed machines based on traditional and cold processing technology for farmers. With the help of these machines, farmers can process their crops in their villages.

Dayanand says, “We make machines that use less energy and can be operated easily. With the help of these machines, farmers can make oil, flour, spices, and other products at home. This helps them get a better share of the market price and their income remains stable.”

Interaction with farmers

Dayanand started a series of dialogues with farmers in the area to share his experience and knowledge. He explains to farmers the utility of cold processing technology and the benefits of adopting it. A farmer, Ramesh Yadav, said, “Dayanand ji told me about the cold processing machine. I adopted it and now my income has almost doubled.”

Lack of government schemes

Dayanand has not received the benefit of any government scheme so far. However, he hopes that the government will start grant and training programs on setting up processing units for small farmers.

Government Initiatives

The Government of India has launched schemes like “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana” and “Mission Farmer Producer Organization” with the goal of doubling the income of farmers. These schemes help farmers to work in an organized manner and get better prices.

Dayanand says, “If technologies like cold processing are added to these schemes, farmers can benefit a lot.”

Economic benefits and employment generation

The cold processing technology developed by Dayanand Jangid is not only helpful in increasing the income of farmers, but it is also becoming a major means of employment generation in rural areas. Farmers using his machines are now able to process their crops in their own villages and sell them in local and regional markets. This process is not only increasing the income of farmers, but also creating new employment opportunities in other related activities like packaging, distribution and marketing.

Local employment opportunities:

Dayanand explains, “Our machines are easy to use and do not require excessive technical knowledge to operate. This gives the youth of the village the opportunity to run these units by giving them training.”

Apart from this, local women are being employed for tasks like packaging and labelling. Through these units, not only are the rural youth getting employment in their own villages, but they are also avoiding the need to migrate to cities.

Economic independence and self-reliance:

According to Dayanand, “Farmers do not need to go to the market for their produce. They can sell goods directly to consumers through production and processing in their own villages. This reduces transportation costs and increases their profit.” 

Development of small industries in rural areas:

Their initiatives are promoting small industries in rural areas. For example, farmers working on their model are doing oil extraction, flour making, and spice processing in their villages.

Impact through data:

• A farmer who has set up a mustard oil processing unit processes an average of 15-20 tonnes of mustard per month. This gives him 2.5 times more profit than traditional sales.

• 30% of the farmers in the villages connected with their equipment have set up their own processing units, providing employment to an average of 50-100 people in each village.

Recognition as a local brand:

Dayanand says that with the help of their machines, farmers can sell products like oil, flour, or spices under their own brand. “When local products are sold under a brand, both their price and demand increase.”

Participation of rural women

Their technology has also provided economic independence to women. Many women have started extracting oil and making spices using these machines on a small scale. This has increased their family income and made them self-reliant.

Dayanand says, “Our effort is to ensure that at least one member in every household earns additional income by using these machines.”

Sustainable and eco-friendly approach

Dayanand’s machines consume less energy and are also sensitive towards the environment. His process adopts traditional methods, which does not emit any kind of harmful gases.

He says, “While promoting rural industries, we should also ensure that we do not cause any harm to the environment. Our technology is an important step in this direction.”

Future plans

Dayanand plans to set up a community processing unit in every district in the coming years. The aim of these units is to train farmers and help them reach a larger market for their products.

He believes that this initiative will not only strengthen the economic condition of the farmers, but will also expand small industries in rural areas and give a new direction to the agricultural economy of the country.

Conclusion

Dayanand Jangid has proved through his hard work and innovation that there is an unlimited world of possibilities hidden in the processing of agricultural products. His technology is not only helpful in increasing the income of farmers, but it is also empowering the rural economy. His efforts are inspiring farmers across the country and this model is becoming a symbol of revolutionary change.