Who says farming needs land? A young farmer from Odisha just proved that a pond can be your most profitable field! Meet Hirod Patel, a 32-year-old electrician-turned-farmer from Ratanpur village, who is making waves—literally—with his floating farm model.
Instead of relying solely on traditional paddy cultivation like his father, Hirod turned to smart, integrated farming. With help from the watershed development and soil conservation department, he dug four ponds across his 10-acre land. But he didn’t stop there.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿? 𝗔 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗻𝗱!
Hirod installed a trellis system above the water to grow climbing vegetables like gourds and beans. The innovation not only saved space but also eliminated the need for separate irrigation. And the pond below? Stocked with fish—doubling his income through aquaculture.
He even built a small boat to navigate his pond farm for harvesting vegetables—talk about tech meets tradition!
In just one season, Hirod harvested 1,800 pieces of vegetables, earning an extra ₹35,000, on top of his income from fish sales. Now, his unique model is being studied by agri-scientists and visited by farmers across Odisha looking to replicate the success.
Farming Smarter, Not Harder!
Hirod’s story is a powerful example of how innovation in rural India can lead to real income growth—all while using natural resources efficiently.
Source-https://thebetterindia.com
