Bhubaneswar: Young Odisha farmer Hirod Patel is making waves in Indian agriculture with his innovative approach to farming, earning praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 131st episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
Until eight years ago, Hirod traditionally cultivated paddy with his father, Shiv Shankar Patel. Today, his farm has become a model of sustainable and integrated agriculture.
He built a mesh structure over his pond to grow creeper vegetables, planted banana, guava, and coconut trees around it, and introduced fish farming in the pond. This combination of crops, fruits, vegetables, and aquaculture maximizes land use, saves water, and generates additional income, Modi said in his address.
The PM called Indian farmers “true devotees of the earth” and highlighted how they are now blending tradition with technology, focusing not just on production but also on quality, value addition, and exploring new markets. Patel’s farm has become a learning hub, attracting farmers from across the state to witness his model firsthand, according to an official statement.
This story exemplifies the modern, innovative face of Indian farming, where tradition and technology work together to boost productivity and sustainability.
