Samman 2024 : Vidyarthi Kumar Prasad: A step towards innovation in food processing

Vidyarthi Kumar Prasad, a resident of Khawaspur village in Siwan district of Bihar, has entered the field of food processing by starting with small-scale farming. Born on May 20, 1985, Vidyarthi has made a new beginning in food processing with his limited resources and hard work. Even though the size of his land is less than an acre, his hard work and dedication has given him a new identity in this field.

Farming method and challenges

Vidyarthi Kumar Prasad mainly focuses on the cultivation of wheat, paddy and maize.

– Inclination towards organic farming:

Vidyarthi avoids excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and uses natural methods like cow dung manure. He believes that organic farming is not only beneficial for the environment but also improves the quality of the crop.

– Challenges:

1. Farming on limited land (less than 1 acre).

2. Lack of modern agricultural equipment and techniques.

3. Inability to connect with government schemes.

Contribution to food processing

The idea of ​​food processing came to Vidyarthi to ensure maximum utility of his crop and earn more profits.

– Crop based products:

He started processing his farm produce, such as wheat and maize, instead of selling it directly. Under this, flour, maize grains and other products are prepared, which are in high demand in the market.

– Market prospects:

Vidyarthi Kumar sells his products in local markets. Local consumers prefer it due to the quality of his products and organic production.

Emphasis on the importance of organic farming

Vidyarthi believes that excessive use of chemical fertilizers reduces the fertility of the land and is also harmful to health.

– He has proved by using cow dung manure and organic fertilizers in his farm that both quality and profit are possible in organic farming.

– He gets higher prices for his products due to organic farming products.

Government schemes and assistance required

So far Vidyarthi has not availed any government scheme.

– Expectations from the government:

1. Modern equipment should be made available to small farmers at cheap rates.

2. Special training and financial assistance for organic farming and food processing.

3. Help in providing market at local level.

Economic benefits and social impact

– His main source of income is his crop and food processing.

– Despite his annual income ranging between 1-10 lakhs, he is inspiring other farmers in his area.

– His inclination towards organic farming and quality based processing makes him an example in his village.

Future plans

Vidyarthi Kumar’s future plans are to expand his existing work further.

1. Expansion of food processing unit:

He wants to expand his crop based processing unit further, so that more quantity of products can be produced.

2. Promotion of organic products:

Motivating more farmers to go organic and bringing their products to the market.

3. Starting a local brand:

Establishing a distinct identity in the market by creating a local brand for your products.

The story of Vidyarthi Kumar Prasad shows that despite limited resources, if there is willpower and hard work, big goals can be achieved. His commitment to organic farming and food processing is not only improving his financial condition but also inspiring the farmers of his region.

Vidyarthi dream is that every farmer should become self-reliant and produce healthy and safe food by adopting organic farming. His journey is an inspiration for all those who want to do something new in the field of farming and processing.