Accessibility, availability and poverty are some of the major causes of children school dropout in rural India and this problem is more evident in Cachar District of Assam. Socioeconomic status, lack of parental support, Low family education, Childbearing and domestic chores influences the school dropouts. The dropout rates in Assam’s schools are the highest at both primary and secondary levels. The dropout rate in Assam at the primary level was 10.1% and the secondary level dropout rate was 33.7% in the year 2017-2018.

Kiusingpou Rongmei was a good and hardworking student and wants to do something in his life but he was forced to drop out in 8^th standard due to family and financial problems. Having an alcoholic father can have a significant impact on a child when you know he can not support the family financially. Kiusingpou being the eldest son took that hard step and along with her mother took a loan from local SHG and also started working in a village petty shop to sustain the family. Even in these hardships, he decided to support his siblings to continue their studies.

The earnings from the petty shop were not sufficient, to manage the seven-member family.  Kiusingpou migrated to Manipur for a better-earning prospect but landed up as a daily wage worker. He earned a good amount un daily labour but he could not find any sustainability of this work. He returned home and started searching for some sustainable source of income. He also shared his challenge and discussed it with the village leaders.

Village leaders suggested to start working in his field but Kiusingpou did not know how to get started. Then village leaders informed lead farmers to support him.

Lead farmers have been promoted by the Caritas India Farm Northeast programme to empower leaders from the community through capacity building and other resources to support and train other people in the community. This concept not only creates ownership but also develop a sense of responsibility among the community to lead their development.

The village lead farmer supported Kiusingpou with knowledge on traditional ways and techniques of farming. In 2019, Kiusingpou used this learning in his 4 bighas unused land by planting different kinds of cash crops guava, mango, litchi, papaya, arecanut, banana and Assam lemon. Kiusingpou asserted, “This year I earned Rs.3000-5000 per month only from banana and I am expecting to earn up to Rs.4lakh per year from the other crops which I had planted in my farm. According to Ramgaizang farmers’ Club, Kiusingpou will be the future lead farmer of their next generation.