How an Engineer's NGO is Doubling Crop Returns and Making Farming Profitable in Bihar
Kumar's journey began when he returned to his native village, Bargaon in the Gaya district of Bihar, after a decade away due to his father's passing. He witnessed the struggle of his fellow farmers who were barely making ends meet.
In a nation where nearly half its workforce is engaged in agriculture, farmer income disparities have long been a pressing issue. A 2022 report by the State Bank of India highlighted the stagnant income growth for most farmers, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions. Prabhat Kumar, an electrical engineer turned agricultural advocate, embarked on a mission to address this problem and transform the lives of farmers across India. His brainchild, SumArth, a non-profit organization founded in 2015, has emerged as a guiding light, positively influencing thousands of lives across seven districts and 600 villages in the country.
Kumar's journey began when he returned to his native village, Bargaon in the Gaya district of Bihar, after a decade away due to his father's passing. He witnessed the struggle of his fellow farmers who were barely making ends meet. This eye-opening experience propelled him to create SumArth, a catalyst for change in the agricultural landscape.
From Vision to Reality: Empowering Farmers
Kumar's background as an electrical engineer and his exposure to philanthropy and entrepreneurship through initiatives like Jagriti Yatra kindled a passion for driving positive change. He co-founded SumArth with Mayank Jain, who brought substantial experience in social entrepreneurship to the table. They recognized that outdated agricultural practices and limited access to modern techniques were keeping farmers from realizing their potential.
Identifying Challenges and Crafting Solutions
In Bihar, paddy and rice dominated cultivation, limiting farmers' income potential due to low market prices. SumArth's primary goal was to convert recurring expenses into recurring income by introducing horticulture crops, inspired by the success of similar diversification efforts in Maharashtra.
Kumar's astute observations uncovered various barriers. He noted a lack of social unity among farmers in Bihar, hindering the formation of farmer-producer organizations (FPOs). Storage infrastructure was also lacking, preventing optimal crop utilization and revenue generation. SumArth aimed to offer comprehensive support, from training and technological assistance to storage infrastructure and market linkages.
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Cultivating Success: Transformative Initiatives
The journey began with the Onion Project, where SumArth convinced 11 farmers to switch to onion cultivation. By providing training and modern methods, over 3,000 farmers reaped substantial rewards, earning Rs 31.5 crore through the cultivation and storage of 14,000 metric tons of onions.
The organization then ventured into the Magical Mushroom Project, introducing low-cost mushroom cultivation for daily income and double returns within 45 days. This initiative diversified income sources, freeing farmers from the shackles of single-harvest dependency. Over 643 farmers generated Rs 4.5 crore through this project in FY23.
The Honey Project engaged landless households, cultivating honey to diversify livelihood sources. SumArth's efforts led 52 farmers to cultivate 20 metric tons of honey, yielding Rs 15 lakh in consolidated earnings during 2019-2020.
Cultivating Hope and Prosperity
Beyond monetary gains, SumArth instilled a sense of control and empowerment in farmers. Their approach converted challenges into opportunities, fostering a thriving local economy and reducing dependence on distant markets. Over 10,000 farmers now collaborate with SumArth, generating a cumulative income of Rs 25 crore in FY23.
Supported by organizations like ATE Chandra Foundation, Nalanda Charitable Foundation, and ICICI Foundation, SumArth's influence extends even further. The establishment of Tekari Agro Producer Limited, a local farmer-owned FPO, solidifies the organization's commitment to local sustainability and leadership.
Prabhat Kumar's initiative has not only revitalized Bihar's agricultural landscape but also kindled hope and confidence among farmers. SumArth's journey is a testament to the power of innovative solutions, demonstrating that with determination and strategic thinking, agriculture can be transformed into a thriving sector, benefiting farmers and the nation as a whole. The vision now is to replicate this success story across India, ushering in a new era of prosperity for its farmers.
