The more I move around the
jungle -mahal, specifically in Ajodhya Hills range the more I become surprised. Suffice it to say I am enriched with diverse
experience from the terrain as well as from the poor but innovative farming
community. In fact,I had a mission of
introducing cash-crops like turmeric
under rain-fed situation. This mission I inherited as I grew up in Paschimanchal
and as I saw droughts and its impact from close. I thought if turmeric
could change the life style of tribal in
Kandhamahal,Odisha then why it could not be translated in Paschimanchal.Thus, with the
turmeric I came across from Jamboni ,W.Midnapore to
Khatra,Bankura to Ajodhya Hills ,Purulia & so on. Almost everywhere I got
tremendous response. Everyone wants to
get rid of drought. Undoubtedly, drought
should be fought with other feasible crops. Again I believe there is a need for composite system
including agriculture,horticulture, animal husbandry ,fishery and small scale
rural industry. After all there is need for innovative,aggressive and challenging youths who will reap
appropriate technology in reality. There is
demand for entrepreneurs at grass root level. I am lucky that I met some
guys who showed the rays in Paschimanchal. I want their success story be given
to others for inspiration.
I am
applauded with the strength of women , ShGs, Farmer’s body, rural clubs etc. etc who are relentlessly trying for the
welfare of Paschimanchal. I have stated
elsewhere where Government establishment including Paschim anchal Unnayan
Parshad taking strong position for
uplift of the drought prone areas. I also saw how agricultural experts are deeply involved in changing
livelihoods of backward areas. It
is not always success everywhere. However, mammoth success anywhere touches my heart. I shall tell a tale of hero who overcame
drought in most awkward terrain of
Ajodhya Hill areas,
My hero is Sachindranath
Mahato. A slim stout firm
personality with glazed eyes has been fighting against drought for the
last five years. He hails from
Ghorabandha village,Baghmundi which is five kms from Charida- the birth
place of legendry Guru Gambhir Singh
Mura . I could recall sordidly that the Guru lived under abject poverty. The entire area is undulating, un-irrigated
and infertile. Local trees like palash,
arjun were abundant once upon a time. Now, these are vanished and barren lands
are visible. People are here dependent
on rain-God. Monocrop is the chief characteristics of Ghorabandha and
surroundings. Sachi grew up under this adversity. He has
experienced the curse of irregular rains, he saw droughts many times. He had to
leave home in search of food many times.
From his boyhood he dreamt to
overcome the situation. Amidst poverty
his father showed the way of struggle for existence. Sachi could remember how did his father sowed a few mango saplings which bloomed today. Sooner,
his quest for survival and doing orchards drew the attention of horticulture department. With departmental support he managed 500
mango saplings. From then he did not turn back. He made a camp at the outskirt of village and stayed there
without thatch to care the saplings . Thereafter, he began for other searches.
I was fortunate that my turmeric seed reached to a genuine farmer. This year
Sachi got about 3 qtls of turmeric as an
inter-crop. I found him aggressive . He took the risk of growing Kharif-onion .
Today he let me informed that he got Rs. Fifteen thousand from Kharif onion.
Further, this year he put ol( elephant foot) amidst mango trees.
Size of each tuber was between 2.5 to 3 kg. He told me “ Sir I will not sell OL, I am
keeping those for next year. This crop along with turmeric is wonderful crops
under rainfed condition”. I thanked him. Today he was in a gay mood and non-stopping
in tele-chat. I was listening to his
success on other crops. Reply came” Sir I also intercropped in my orchard with
chilly. Vegetables, This year I harvested mangoes first time.. I got more than
Rs. Fifteen thousand on sale...Sir
please come and see my orchard again”.
Sachi
has diversified his other activities. He
is now owner of many desh-poultry birds. He
is also proud of his goat-herds. I was overjoyed to hear “Sir come
this time. You can stay in my hut..I have made a decent cottage in my orchard
complex”.
I also came to know that his innovative works have been recognized. Sachi was honoured by the title Krishi Ratna-of the Block. Interestingly, Sachi led rallies for farm-diversification organized by the agriculture department in
his block .
“ Is there
any body following your path”?-I asked
-“Yes Sir,
Rabi Mahato is now my follower. Rabi takes tips frequently. Apart there are other two guys
who are readying for orchards. Sir, many
will follow in future. “
Sachi
demonstrated feasible crops under rain fed. He has woven a system of
agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry & poultry.
Sachi is
my warrier against drought.
No comments:
Post a Comment