The “Misfit”
All of the sudden, the van turns away from the highway into a small road. All around me were small shops and stalls that were selling vegetables, fruits, and snacks. It was amazing to see all of the people walking, riding in bicycles or just chilling under the shade of the building. The van was a complete misfit for the road and the people. Everyone was staring at the car and at us. We exited from the small market center and were on our way to the farm. Today, it was my turn to talk to the farmers and get my questions answered. Zooming through the small country road, I saw patches of dry land and green vegetation. It was not the typical country view I see in Iowa with infinitely long fields of corn, soybean and green. The van eventually stopped in the side of the road with a house on the opposite side of the road.
After waiting for five minutes or less, a motorcycle stops in front of the car. The man was wearing a soiled white, full hand shirt and some worn-out sweatpants. Our guide opened the van door to meet the farmer. I took it as a cue to get of the van and meet the farmer. We walked from the road into the soft brown sand. After walking a few yards, we stopped near a sprinkler. I was blown away that the same sandy soil was being used to grow crops.
My first field visit showed me a new face of India. Derek and I visited 4 villages within two days. Our research projects were based on questionnaires to gather data. We had the opportunity to sit with the farmers and have a conversation about the current state of agriculture. Some of the farmers were having success in growing crops while others were struggling. The surprising fact was that these villages were less than 20 kilometers away from each other, but had different issues. The farmers lived differently; some were wealthier than others (yet may be considered lower middle class). Some villages had women cultivating agriculture while the majority of the villages were male-dominant farms. There were villages that practiced a certain religion while others were mixed. Regardless, all of the farmers were very welcoming and kind.
“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions — in a way that serves the world and you.”- Richard Branson.
This quote best explains the ideology behind my research project. I have a keen interest in efficiency and engineering. In a country that has a population of over one billion and a shortage of water, it is important for farmers and people to properly manage water. The implementation of efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation would help tremendously. However, this is not the case. The ground water levels are dramatically dropping due to the misuse of water. My case study is focused on the Mewat district which is in the state of Haryana. The district has seen the effect of the lower ground water levels with many farmers suffering from failed seasons. With my passion in engineering, I wish to learn about the reason why farmers are unable to implement these systems.
