Khysama
Sagar Chinagun, an inhabitant of Karamahal-a small village
in the chronically drought affected district of Nuapada, is
the source of inspiration for many hopeless and impoverished
farmers. Chinagun, himself cannot believe that in a span of
eight years, how he has turned from a casual laborer working
in others’ fields to a successful farmer today with the
three acres of degraded land that he owns. While narrating
his story, Chinagun clearly expresses shy of relief that he
is no more in the grip of poverty as his forefathers were
for ages.
Karamahal
is a tiny village along the NH 217 where most of the land is
owned by families belonging to backward and tribal
communities. Most of these lands are uplands and hence the
crops grown are totally dependent on the mercy of the Rain
god. Because of the frequent crop failures in this area,
even though people have land, Agriculture has become the
secondary source of livelihood and most of the people have
to migrate to places outside the district for work. This
trend has distorted the Socio-economic condition of the
villagers. Elderly parents are left at home without care;
the children cannot go to school and have to lead a life of
constant uncertainties.
Fig. - Chinagun, in his
Mango Yard
At this juncture,
Sahabhagi Vikash Abhiyan, a Voluntary Organization working in several
districts of Orissa, after careful and extensive studies initiated a project
to promote Horticulture in the uplands through which the livelihood of the
people can be improved. SVA discovered that this area has a rich tradition in
cultivation of Mangoes, Guava, Custard Apple etc. which can be grown in upland
and degraded lands. Taking this clue, the Organization conducted various
training programs for the farmers and their development through Horticulture.
Khysama Sagar Chinagun was also a trainee to this program, and after being
aware of the benefits of mango cultivation he took interest in Horticulture
and initially by taking help from SVA, he started mango cultivation in his two
acres of degraded upland areas. Later on, after fruitful results, he started
cultivating berries, guava, lemon etc. Chinagun is now a successful farmer of
his village. He cultivates rice in 2 acres of lowland and in the remaining
three acres of land, he practices Horticulture. He says, “When I was totally
dependent on rice farming, I was getting poorer day by day with a earning of
maximum Rupees 4000 per annum but now after practicing horticulture, I earn a
fair amount of at least Rupees 45,000 plus annually. I am confident of earning
double the amount in the coming years and I am no more under the clutches of
Poverty and Hunger.
Chinagun is very much excited about the demand for his mangoes in the market.
He also states that earlier, nobody in his village believed him and rather
they used to laugh at him saying, “How can one grow mangoes in a degraded
land?” but now not only farmers from the adjoining districts come and visit
his mango orchard. With his successful efforts, Chinagun has set an example
for many hopeless farmers who can come out of the poverty trap just with the
help of Horticulture! Chinagun says, “One must not curse the land or the
Rain God, what the farmers need to do is to take right crop for the right
land.”
Like Khysama
Sagar Chinagun, hundreds of Farmers supported by SVA have taken up Mango
plantation and have transformed their degraded lands as well as their life.
Those who are interested to visit the fields of Chinagun and Others are most
welcome!
For further details
regarding Travel, Accommodation, etc., please CONTACT:
|
SVA, Bilenjore |
SVA,
Bhubaneswar |
| At-
Bilenjore, Po-Konabira,
Dist-Nuapada-766106, Ph-06679-244478, E.mail: svabilenjore@rediffmail.com
|
Plot
No. 3816, At/Po-Ghatikia, Bhubaneswar-751003, Ph-0674-2384257, E.mail: svabbsr@rediffmail.com
|
|
(Report: Ms.Subhashree Pradhan)
Dated:02.01.09 |
|
