At the age when people start retiring from work, Pi Lalsangliani at 60 is blooming with a new spirit to extend her agricultural production. This spark was possible due to new techniques and practices learnt by Pi Lalsangliani under the FARM Northeast program.

She is one of the farmers who has been using shifting cultivation on her 4-acre land for the past several decades. Even though she wanted to grow vegetables to increase her income, she ran out of land by cultivating some horticultural crops and had no more suitable land for engaging in agricultural activities.

FARM North East program has empowered many marginalised farmers to improve their food sovereignty through sustainable agriculture practices. One of the activities under the program is to increase sufficient food production at the family level and nutritional intake as per their cultural food habits. Pi Lalsangliani has gained many insights and experiences through the capacity-building training conducted under the FARM program.  The hands-on learning about good practices has renewed her passion for agriculture.

She shared her desire and requested any assistance and advice that could be provided during the meeting that was held under the Serchhip VC-I Farmers’ Club in the Aizawl district of Mizoram as part of the FARM Northeast Project. The Farmers’ Club Chairman Pu RL Biakvara lent Pi Lalsangliani his 1.5-acre land to practice agriculture. However, he cautioned her about the steep land that could be a challenge in pursuing her dreams. He also mentioned that she would need to take action to stop soil erosion. The participants in the meeting also suggested creating bunding using bamboo to arrest soil erosion.

As soon as she set fire to the field, she began using bamboo bunding to stop soil erosion and rainwater runoff. Additionally, this bunding made it easier and more comfortable for her to move around the field. She grew a variety of common vegetables, including aubergine, mock tomato, ginger, maize, pumpkin, and various mustard varieties. She had already made more than Rs. 10,000 from selling her products from the field at this point in the current season.

“I would not have been able to overcome my difficulties if it weren’t for the helping hands I received from my fellow members. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Pu RL Biakvara and my fellow Farmers’ Club members for their assistance. Without them, I could not be here growing all these vegetables,” says Pi Lalsangliani. She has been a role model for many young farmers in her village and people frequently visit her field to witness the growth and outcome.

“From Pi Lalsangliani’s account, it can be inferred that the farmers’ cooperation, encouragement, and sharing of helpful tips resulted in a blessing for those farmers who were truly in need of assistance due to overcoming personal difficulties and challenges”, said Samuel Z, Coordinator, Zoram Entu Paul, a Caritas India partner.