A young student in the Gonda district is charting an unconventional path by managing agricultural work alongside his formal education. Diwanshu Maurya, an eighth-grade student residing in the Tarabganj block, has taken up maize cultivation. Observing the healthy growth of his crops, he anticipates a robust yield and encouraging financial returns from his efforts.
Discussing his agricultural pursuits, Diwanshu noted that despite being in the eighth grade, he harbors a deep passion for farming. He shared that both his grandfather and father have traditionally cultivated maize. Carrying forward this familial farming heritage, he decided to take charge of the fields himself and start growing the crop.
Balancing books and farming has brought mixed reactions from his peers. Diwanshu mentioned that while some schoolmates mock him for farming and advise him to focus exclusively on academics, others warmly praise his hard work. These supporters believe that engaging in agriculture alongside school is beneficial, equipping him with practical farming experience from an early age.
At present, Diwanshu Maurya is cultivating maize across approximately 2 to 3 bighas of land. Looking ahead, he nurtures strong ambitions to expand his agricultural footprint and increase the total area dedicated to farming in the future.
Production Costs and Market Returns
Detailing the economics of his venture, Diwanshu stated that cultivating maize across 3 bighas required an input cost ranging between 5,000 and 7,000 rupees. According to his calculations, a single bigha yields approximately 3 to 4 quintals of maize.
When sold in its green form, the produce fetches a price of about 10 to 15 rupees per kilogram. Alternatively, drying the maize, extracting the kernels, and selling it yields around 2,200 to 2,300 rupees per quintal.
Preference for Organic Practices
Diwanshu emphasized that he minimizes the use of chemical fertilizers in his maize fields, relying heavily on organic manure instead. He explained that this eco-friendly approach drives strong market demand for his produce, with buyers frequently purchasing the maize directly from the farm gate.
The Gonda district features a large population engaged in farming, where cultivators grow paddy, wheat, and various other crops alongside maize. Young individuals like Diwanshu Maurya setting an example by combining education with agricultural dedication aim to expand their cultivation scale and secure better livelihoods ahead.
