From Telecom Sector to tomato farming

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samarika Chandrakar from Dhamtari district has transformed her family’s traditional paddy farming into a flourishing tomato business. Her story is now inspiring the youth across Chhattisgarh and the entire country. Samarika, a resident of Charmudiya village in Kurud block, holds a B.Tech in Computer Science from Raipur and an MBA from Pune. After her studies, she joined the telecom sector in Pune. However, during the pandemic, she moved back to Raipur and began working with international NGOs to support her family. In 2020, she decided to apply her skills and knowledge to her family's farming business, focusing on vegetable production, particularly tomato farming. For generations, her family primarily cultivated paddy, with occasional vegetable farming for personal use. Over the past three years, with Samarika's innovative approach, they expanded their tomato and brinjal farming over 20 acres, generating an annual revenue of more than 1 crore. This venture has also provided significant employment opportunities for locals, thereby contributing to the community's economic growth.

 

The Chandrakar family cultivates the Sugenta Sahu breed of tomatoes, known for its resilience, high productivity, and suitability for various growing conditions. This breed’s improved resistance to common diseases and pests makes it an efficient option for increasing tomato production. Additionally, these tomatoes have a longer shelf life, which is beneficial for transportation and storage, reducing post-harvest losses. The family employs drip irrigation, a method that conserves water by delivering it directly to plant roots through pipes. This technique allows precise control of water delivery, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency. The key benefits of drip irrigation include improved water use efficiency, reduced weed growth, and better plant health due to consistent moisture levels. Besides tomatoes, the family grows vegetables such as brinjal, cauliflower, bitter gourd, gourd, and chillies, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce to the market.

 

By using minimal pesticides and compost as fertilizer, they produce healthier fruits and vegetables. Samarika emphasizes that their farming model provides over 100 employment opportunities to local residents. Her success story inspires the youth to venture into agriculture with minimal capital investment for substantial profits. Her journey from a job in an MNC to leading her family's farming business stands as a testament to the potential of agriculture as a profitable and fulfilling career. By returning to her roots, Samarika is not only supporting her family but also fostering a sense of patriotism and community among the youth. Samarika Chandrakar's achievements have earned her recognition across the nation, positioning her as a role model for aspiring agripreneurs.