Case Study Booklet

Case 1 - Ms. Ameerci Devi/ Mathur Yadav– Mayar, Noorsarai Nalanda, Bihar Mob: 9934996935
Introduction
Ms. Ameerci Devi wife of Mathur Yadav is from Mayar Village of Noorsarai Block, Nalanda district. She associated with Jeevika Program
at the age of 41 Years by becoming member of Shiv Guru SHG which is under fold of Tara VO. She owns farming land of 1.5 Acre and carry
3 crops (Potato, wheat, Onion & Maize) at least in year. Farmers of Mayar is known for
growing potato and onion but each year they face major challenge in marketing of the
produce even though they have good connectivity to Patna and good numbers of local
traders associated with local Mandi and Patna Mandi. With the objective to
commercialize farming, she involved herself as member of Sawan Producer Group in
2013 and had opportunities to get skilled on SWI, SRI and others programs rolled out by
BRLPS. But yet there was challenge in backward and forward linkages program to fulfil
the commercialization and realization in income through farming, which is one of the
major source of income.

She associated with “Sahoyog Women Jeevika Agro Producer Company Limited”
through Potato Selling in 2016-17, with proper orientation and guidance by team of
Jeevika, TNS and BoD of SWJAPCL on benefits of Agro produce marketing, quality Inputs
on door steps and regular knowledge enhancement programs, she added herself as shareholder of the company in September 2017. And
since then she is being continuously involved in most of the business activities rolled out by FPC through producer group. The major
business in last two years are Potato Procurement & Varietal Change, Lentil Procurement and Processing, Agri Input Supply (Seeds &
Fertilizers).

Association with Potato Seed Production – 2018-19

Potato farming with Pukhraj variety is common due to its multiplication ratio in production compared to other common varieties but on
the other side the “Pukhraj” Variety fetches less value in market because of: high sugar content, less storable endurance, high percentage
of water content when compared to other varieties. The variety is only being used for table purpose and cover local market on surplus
produce. And in last few years, it has been observed that farmers are struggling to even get the return on their investment in potato
production with “Pukhraj” variety.
To overcome the challenge on selection of variety and weak forward linkages, SWJAPCL with support of TNS, SV Agri and Technico-ITC
rolled out seed production and Contract Farming by taking two suitable new varieties: Himalini for seed production and Kufri Chipsona
for Contract Farming. After robust mobilization, FPC involved 167 Farmers where 68 farmers were involved in Seed Production and 99
farmers in Contract Farming in four blocks of Nalanda district covering 22 Acre of land.

Ms. Ameerci Devi was associated with seed production programme, where she was given guidance during entire crop season, starting
from quality seed supply, PoP Management training, on time availability of required agro chemicals to ensure PoP and harvesting
techniques suitable for seed production. She followed the PoP as per trainings and prior to this She also had proper agreement with
SWJAPCL on various terms and conditions starting from training, seed availability and minimum price offer rate by SWJAPCL. FPC with
support of TNS team managed to fulfil the agreement and also monitored farming activities during the period of association. She did seed
production in 0.2 Acre of land out of cultivable 1.5 Acre. As this was her first time and everything was new including seed variety, so she
was not ready to take much risk but agreed to do pilot on new variety.

Cost Economic Analysis – Total Cost for 0.2 Acre Potato Seed Farming/Per Acre – INR 14,145 / INR 70,725, Total Revenue Generated on
0.2 Acre /Per Acre – INR 27,700/ INR 1,38,500, Income on 0.2 Acre/ Per Acre – 12,205/ INR 61025. (Ms. Amerci Devi – On 0.2 Acre- 0.67
Ton)

The same was compared with production of Pukhraj Variety, cost economy per Acre are (Kosma/Usha): Cost – INR 37815/42772, Revenue
– INR 67500/57272, Income – INR 29685/14500. (Farmer Name – 1. Kosma Devi/Ram Ji Prasad – Mayar, Noorsarai, 2. Usha Devi/Virendra
Prasad- Dulchandpur, Rahui)

According to cost benefit analysis, more than 51% increase in income has been mapped for Amerci Devi under seed production program
with variety (Himalini) cultivated in 0.2 Acre, compared to normal “Pukhraj” Potato Production. The seed quality produce was procured
back at farm by SWJAPCL with added premium price as per agreement and payment was done through bank transfer in three days.
Approx. another 50 farmers like her from her village, were convinced to come forward to map the changes this year, so based on
outcomes of this year the same program can be replicated with large no of farmers and area.

“Americi Devi in Local Language- Bij Bahut Accha tha aur utpadan bhi pukraj jaisa hi hua isliye Napha achha raha, Agle saal 0.5 acre mein
karnege”

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