Hira Oraon and Lal Dev Tana Bhagat embody the resilience and determination of countless small-holder farmers who have embraced millet cultivation as a means to transform their lives. Their journey of revitalizing millet farming is a testament to the impact of Caritas India’s Gram Nirman program, which seeks to foster inclusive socio-economic development for marginalized communities, particularly among Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes. The program is driven by the vision of achieving wellness and dignity through community ownership and participation, utilizing existing assets.

Hira Oraon’s story originates in Aan village, within the Cheter Panchayat Chandwa Block of Latehar district in Jharkhand. He spent seven years as a migrant laborer in Delhi, seeking a livelihood until the unforeseen arrival of COVID-19 in 2019-2020 compelled him to return to Latehar. The pandemic left Hira and his family in dire straits, with their lives upended, and employment opportunities scarce.

Hira’s turning point came in August 2021 when he encountered a team member of the Gram Nirman program during a community mobilization gathering. Through various meetings and capacity-building trainings, he realized the potential of using his existing agricultural land to generate income for his family. He embarked on rainfed cultivation, primarily of paddy, and diversified his income through small ruminants.

In June 2023, Hira’s life took a significant turn when he participated in the “Millet Popularization Event,” organized by CIDAL and supported by Caritas Australia through the Gram Nirman program. The event provided a platform for 100 farmers, including subject matter experts, to exchange experiences and ideas on millet cultivation. Inspired by the event, Hira purchased Bazra seeds (pearl millet) and experimented with half an acre of land. In July 2023, he received 2 kgs of finger millet seeds (Maduwa) as input support from Gram Nirman and cultivated them on one acre of land.

Notably, Caritas India’s Gram Nirman program, backed by Caritas Australia and Australian Aid, is providing input support and capacity building to 952 millet farmers in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Hira Oraon’s efforts are now bearing fruit, and he anticipates a bountiful harvest of 7-9 quintals this year. This success promises to enhance the food and nutrition security of his family while significantly increasing their income.

Lal Dev Tana Bhagat, another farmer, hails from Latehar and comes from a family with a history rooted in the Tana Bhagat Movement. Faced with subsistence farming in a hot and drought-prone region, Lal Dev and his family experienced hardships. The region typically receives minimal precipitation, making agriculture even more challenging.

In July 2023, existing community-based organizations stepped forward to provide Lal Dev Tana Bhagat and his sons with millet seeds as input assistance. With the guidance of the Gram Nirman team and their own determination, the family reclaimed nearly 1.5 acres of fallow land for millet cultivation. The crop is thriving, and the family expresses deep gratitude to Caritas India and Gram Nirman for their guidance and support in revitalizing millet farming for their family’s well-being.

Hira Oraon and Lal Dev Tana Bhagat, along with over 950 farmers in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, have embraced millet cultivation with the hope of reinstating millet in their communities’ diets, thereby enhancing their nutritional well-being. Their stories exemplify the transformative impact of the Gram Nirman program, bringing empowerment and resilience to marginalized farmers as they cultivate a sustainable future.