Turning 0.2 Acres to Massive Agrarian Success: Pramila Devi's Journey in DSR Farming

Pramila Devi hailing from a humble background in Bihar's Nawada district, embodies the potential for women in agriculture. On the International Day of Rural Women, her story illuminates women's vital role in socio-economic transformation. Despite agriculture's centrality to food security, women in this field face challenges, such as limited training, insufficient technical knowledge, and financial access disparities, leading to lower agricultural productivity than their male counterparts.

Pramila's journey began when she started attending village-level meetings organized by Corteva and PRADAN. It was during these meetings that she learned about the Direct Sowing of Rice (DSR) technique.

Raised in poverty, societal norms and financial constraints denied Pramila’s education, but her participation in Corteva and PRADAN's village meetings led her to the DSR technique, which she found more affordable and promising than traditional transplantation methods.

Her hard work paid off when her paddy harvest surged past the family's previous yields, hitting around 480 kilograms from just 0.2 acres of land, an impressive 6 metric tons per hectare. This remarkable achievement has catapulted her to the forefront as a prominent figure in the world of the DSR technique. Influenced by her initial success, Pramila's determination blazed even brighter. She persistently pursued DSR in the upcoming years, steadily expanding her cultivation to encompass almost 1 acre of land, with an additional 0.31 acres of fertile ground.

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With PRADAN's guidance, Pramila planted paddy on 0.2 acres of land in 2020, reaping a bumper harvest that propelled her to become a DSR leader. Pramila's ongoing success, cultivation expansion, and subsequent wheat, lentil, and gram sowing have boosted productivity and profitability. She actively promotes DSR in her village, driving its adoption. PRADAN reached 8,552 farmers with financial literacy and technical support.

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Conclusion

Pramila's journey granted her the confidence to make independent decisions, even opening her bank account. She overcame initial challenges in understanding banking procedures and became financially independent. Pramila remains dedicated to empowering women farmers and advancing DSR practices, serving as a role model. DSR adoption has led to increased yields, resource efficiency, and sustainable farming. It has also contributed to gender equality in agriculture, fostering inclusivity and prosperity in the sector.

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