Age is just a number! Odisha farmers turn innovators, inspire a generation

Age may have dimmed his vision, but not his spirit. Meet Aparti Pradhan, a veteran farmer from Balanga in Puri district, who continues to toil the soil with the same enthusiasm as his youth. In the twilight of his life, Aparti has emerged as a beacon of inspiration, not just for fellow farmers in his region but also for young agricultural entrepreneurs across Odisha.

While most farmers stick to traditional crops, Aparti has gone a step ahead. Alongside paddy, pulses, and vegetables, he has taken up cultivation of grass used to prepare brooms. This was earlier limited to hilly terrains. His success has now made this crop popular even in coastal areas, turning him into a local icon.

What makes Aparti special is not just his innovation, but his impact, he has inspired others in his community to adopt new crops and become self-reliant.

Aparti Pradhan said, “During a tour to Western Odisha, I saw broom grass in a hilly area. I felt that no such harvest was being done in Puri. I decided to take it up. This does not require much water, pesticides or any other supervision. Apart from this, I was also successful in giving job opportunities to others.”

His wife, Manjulata Pradhan, proudly supports his journey, and locals from Balanga praise him as a “true son of the soil.” All that these progressive farmers now seek is government encouragement and assistance to scale their efforts.

“Initially, we earned little profit. Later, we increased and through groups, we scaled up our process,” she said.

A local resident said, “We are now getting profit by doing this job.”

In another corner of the state, Ranjan Kumar Nayak, a farmer from Bishibahal village in Nuapada, is scripting his own success story. With no formal training but a deep desire to learn, Ranjan turned to YouTube, and what followed was nothing short of remarkable.

Ranjan began cultivating lotus flowers, a crop not common in his region. Today, he earns over Rs 10 lakh annually and has generated employment for over 30 families in his village. From a curious learner to a successful agri-preneur, Ranjan’s story is a testament to how technology, innovation, and determination can transform rural economies.

“I had ancestral property and thought, how can I use it?  Later, after my studies, my friend told about lotus farming. From Youtube, I started to learn and later brought around 4000 saplings. I am able to earn Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month,” said Ranjan.

Rajkumar Nial, a local resident, “Earlier, we used to move out in search of livelihood. We stayed back after Ranjan told to work here.”

Inspired by his model, the District Horticulture Department has expressed interest in promoting lotus farming across Nuapada.

Harekrushna Hansda, district horticulture department official, said, “As of now, there is no scheme for lotus farming. We will inform higher authorities and ensure that the concerned farmer gets some kind of assistance.”

Across Odisha, stories like these are proving that farming is no longer a last resort—it’s a path to prosperity. From elder farmers like Apurti to modern growers like Ranjan, the land is yielding not just crops but confidence, creativity, and livelihood.

As the state watches these grassroots success stories unfold, one thing is clear, farming is the new age entrepreneurship. All it needs is a bit of support, a dash of innovation, and the courage to try.