Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the efforts of farmers from Kalahandi, who have spearheaded a ‘Vegetable Revolution’.
During his monthly radio address ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi noted that these farmers, who were once forced to migrate, have transformed the Golamunda block of Kalahandi district into a thriving vegetable hub.¹
The success story began with a small group of 10 farmers, who formed a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) called ‘Kisan Utpad Sangh’. By leveraging modern technology in farming, their FPO has achieved remarkable success, generating business worth crores. Today, over 200 farmers are associated with this FPO, including 45 women farmers.
Collectively, these farmers cultivate tomatoes in 200 acres and bitter gourd in 150 acres. The FPO’s annual turnover has surpassed Rs 1.5 crores, with vegetables from Kalahandi being supplied to various districts in Odisha and even other states. Moreover, the farmers are now acquiring new skills in potato and onion cultivation, further boosting their prospects.
“This success of Kalahandi teaches us what all can be done with determination and collective effort. I urge all of you to encourage FPO in your area, join farmer-producer organizations and strengthen them. Remember – big changes are possible even through small beginnings. We just need determination and team spirit,” said the Prime Minister.
