Samman 2024: Musharraf Khalil’s Innovation in Agriculture

Innovation in Agriculture: Musharraf Khalil, a progressive farmer of Bakhri Badai village in Vaishali district of Bihar, has not only increased his productivity by adopting new technologies in agriculture but has also become a source of inspiration for other farmers. He has become a pioneer in the field of modern farming by incorporating the latest technologies in his agricultural activities on 16-20 acres of land.

Technological Innovation: Revolution in Agriculture

Musharraf has adopted Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technology in farming, which is used for sowing paddy, mustard, wheat and pulses. This technology saves water and labour. Along with this, for sowing maize, he has used pneumatic planter, which ensures accuracy of seeds and increases the yield.

Statistics and Benefits:

• DSR technology saves 30-40% water compared to traditional paddy planting.

• Pneumatic planter has improved production by 20-25%.

Musharraf used sprinkler and drip irrigation technology in his fields, which helps in water conservation and nutrition distribution. Through drip irrigation, he has reduced the water consumption for his crops by 50%.

Organizational Initiative: Establishment of Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)

Musharraf Khalil’s vision is not limited to his farming; he is committed to collective development and community empowerment. With this goal, he registered Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) for farmers. This organization not only provides a platform for small and marginal farmers but also makes them aware of modern techniques and makes agricultural activities more profitable.

Objective and Importance of FPO

Through FPO, Musharraf organized farmers so that they can share their resources and collectively meet crop production, marketing, and other needs.

Key objectives:

1. Getting better market prices:

• Providing direct market access to farmers for their produce, eliminating the role of middlemen and ensuring they get a fair price for their produce.

• For example, arrangements were made to transport paddy and maize crops to large-scale wholesalers and retail chains.

2. Teaching latest technology:

• Musharraf trained farmers in advanced technologies such as Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), pneumatic planter, and drip irrigation, which improved both their productivity and income.

• More than 200 farmers have joined the FPO training program.

3. Collective purchasing:

• Helping farmers buy seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery collectively, reducing costs and ensuring quality.

Economic benefits for farmers

Through FPO, small farmers got a strong platform to sell their produce. “Earlier, farmers were forced to sell their produce in the local market. Now we connect them to big wholesalers and processing companies, which gives them 20-30% higher prices,” says Musharraf.

Technical support:

FPO enabled farmers to adopt smart farming equipment and techniques.

• Example: Using pneumatic planters for maize and wheat crops proved to be a game changer for farmers, reducing seed consumption by 15% and increasing production by 25%.

Training and awareness:

Weekly workshops on soil testing, organic farming, and irrigation management were organized for farmers through FPO. 

Impact on the farming community

Musharraf’s FPO has proved to be a boon for small and marginal farmers. Through it:

More than 200 farmers received better prices for their produce.

Irrigation and water management improved, leading to water savings of up to 40%.

Collective production and marketing helped farmers save 10-15% on the cost of fertilizers and seeds.

In Musharraf’s words,

“The aim of FPO is not only to organize farmers but also to empower them. Our effort is to ensure that every farmer gets the right price for his produce and is equipped with technical knowledge. This is not just an effort to improve agriculture but also to rebuild the rural economy.”

Effort to connect with government schemes

Through FPO, Musharraf has helped farmers get the benefits of government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Drip Irrigation Subsidy, and Soil Health Card Scheme. Apart from this, he improved the agricultural schemes of the farmers by connecting them with NABARD and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK).

Steps towards organic farming

He has started organic farming on his land, in which natural fertilizers and pesticides are used. Organic farming is not only beneficial for the environment, but it also provides better products for health.

Awards and Honors

Musharraf has been honored many times for his innovative efforts. In 2021, he was awarded the Innovative Farmer Award by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). This honor was given for his technological initiatives and innovations in agriculture.

Benefits of government schemes

Musharraf has taken government assistance to install drip irrigation system in his fields. This system is not only helpful in saving water but also increases the productivity of crops.

Data:

• Drip irrigation system saves 40-50% of water and increases crop production by 20%.

Future plans

Musharraf aims to

Expand the FPO to 500 farmers.

Enable farmers in processing and packaging so that they can sell the finished products directly in the market.

Promote organic products and take them to the national and international market.

Musharraf Khalil’s journey shows how technological innovation and organized efforts can revolutionize agriculture. His initiative is an inspiring example not only for the farmers of Bihar but for the entire country. His association with modern techniques, inclination towards organic farming and establishment of FPO makes him an important pillar of Indian agriculture.