Success Story Outline
Title of Success Story/Case Study: “Strawberry brought sweetness in Sarita life”
Name of Project: NABARD “FSPF Strawberry Cultivation”
District: Jashpur (Chhattisgarh)
Village and Mandal/Taluk/Block: 6 village of Bagicha Block
Name of the beneficiary: Sarita Bai
Area covered (in respect of beneficiary): 0.25 acre
In the serene village of Kopa, nestled within the Bagicha Block of Jashpur District, Chhattisgarh, lived Sarita Bai, the epitome of resilience and determination. Sarita, wife of Dhaneshwar Ram, had long toiled alongside her husband in their modest farmland. Despite their efforts, the meager returns from traditional crops barely sustained their household expenses.
However, fate had an unexpected twist in store for Sarita when she attended a meeting regarding the "NABARD FSPF Strawberry Cultivation" project in her village. Intrigued by the prospects of this novel endeavor, Sarita eagerly absorbed the detailed information provided, recognizing it as a beacon of hope for her family's financial stability.
With newfound enthusiasm, Sarita embarked on her journey into strawberry farming, allocating 0.25 acres of their land for cultivation. Under the guidance of project experts, she meticulously planted 2065 strawberry plants, employing modern techniques such as mulching and fertilizer application.
As days turned into weeks, Sarita watched in awe as delicate flowers blossomed on her strawberry plants, heralding the promise of a bountiful harvest. The sight of ripe strawberries, a novelty in their village, filled Sarita and her family with boundless joy.
Partnering with the Haritkranti Farmers Producer Organization (FPO), Sarita ventured into the realm of selling her strawberries. In her inaugural harvest, she earned a modest sum of Rs 3000, marking the beginning of her remarkable journey towards financial independence.
With each successive harvest, Sarita's earnings soared, surpassing her wildest dreams. Over 25 to 30 harvests, she reaped a total income of Rs 180,000, a testament to her unwavering dedication and the transformative power of the strawberry project.
Buoyed by her newfound prosperity, Sarita set her sights on a cherished goal – the construction of a new home for her family. The proceeds from her strawberry cultivation paved the way for this dream to become a reality, symbolizing a triumph over adversity and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
In gratitude to NABARD Reads and the FSPF Strawberry Cultivation project, Sarita reflects on how sweetness found its way into her life, not just through the succulent strawberries she grew but through the opportunities and empowerment that transformed her destiny. As she tends to her thriving strawberry patch, Sarita's story serves as an inspiration to her community, a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and innovation in agriculture.
