Recent pandemic CORONA combined with climate change has contributed a major shift in the way life and livelihood has been practiced for migrant labour, marginal and small farmers. NABARD along with its partner organistions has been instrumental in reducing impact of both the pandemic and extreme events through the various projects and programmes. This is related to its project at Markacho with Cholkho watershed committee.
The wrinkles on his face describe experience he has with cultivation, patience which he shows in dealing with fellow friends from the village and deals with little known faces in market. He has a family of six to support, his name is Sri Sukhdeo Mahto from village Kadodih under the climate proofing project. Project started in the year 2018, has contributed by creating assets for irrigation (4 perennial new ponds and one renovated pond- Converted from seasonal to perennial), demonstrating climate resilient crops, promoting summer crops, demonstrating animal husbandry based livelihoods and creating carbon sinks through backyard plantations. Improvement in soil has been supported by Compost pits, Jeevamrita and organic urea with soil health card as a tool for tracking change. The biggest change is being made through the capacity building and demonstrations in farming practices. According to Sukhdeo “Mera mukhya vyavsay saag, sabji utpadan evam kheti hai. Jalchajan dwara prashikshan ke baad rabi evam kharif dono ki kheti unnat dhang se karta hun jisse mujhe kafi fayda ho rha hai”.
He shares that before he used to sow kharif season crops and to some extent summer crops but after receiving trainings followed by support in form of seeds for summer crops from Cholkho watershed committee, he is able to cultivate in about 25 kattha (1 acre) of land with use of jeevamitra ghol and compost gadha khad. This has increased income by reducing cost of cultivation and improved production. As a result his weekly income has increased from Rs. 700 to almost Rs. 1300 to Rs. 1700. He further shares through his enhanced income he is able to spend for education of his children. “My earnings from rabi crops have increased too”, says Sukhdev Mahto with joy and pride that he lives a dignified life and NABARD has supported a positive change in his life through the watershed committee.
But the major reason for a happy smile on his face is that people migrate and earn to support their families and live in subhuman conditions, subjected to humiliation but he leads a dignified life with his family and NABARD has a made it happen. He thanks DDM Koderma, Anshu and Kameswar who are part of the project team for bringing happiness to his family.
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