Mixing it up: Odisha farmer’s journey inspires other women
In a mineral rich district of northern Odisha, Suprava Pradhan achieves financial independence by mixing millet cultivation with other crops, like mushrooms, and rearing livestock too, paving the way for other women farmers.
Suprava Pradhan uses the pulverizer machine, provided to her with the support from Odisha Millets Mission, to grind finger millet. Unlike paddy, millets need few inputs, little cultivation and grow well in dry zones – that’s why they’re “low duty crops.” (Photo by Abhijit Mohanty)
Suprava, from the village of Kendujhar in Odisha, became the first woman in her village to start mushroom farming. She is proud of the mushroom production she set-up. (Photo by Abhijit Mohanty)
Country chicken, which mostly graze in the open and have feathers in different colours, is a major source of income for Suprava’s family. Given the high demand for eggs produced by country chicken, they fetch good prices in the market. (Photo by Abhijit Mohanty)
Suprava holds a pigeon in her hand. Pigeons are usually in high-demand in the region, especially during festivals and for traditional rituals. (Photo by Abhijit Mohanty)
Suprava feeds hay to her young calves. Dairy farming is more profitable now she started cultivating finger millet as it provides good quality fodder for her cattle. Cheese also fetches a good price as it is always in demand locally. (Photo by Abhijit Mohanty)
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Suprava is proud of the accolades she receives, like the Best Millet Farmer in 2022 from the District Collector, Ashish Thakare. But she is most proud of paving the way for other women farmers — many from her own community – who are following in her multi-cropping footsteps. (Photo by Abhijit Mohanty)
Abhijit Mohanty is a journalist based in Bhubaneswar.
In the lead image Suprava Pradhan shows a sample of her millet produce (Photo by Abhijit Mohanty).