In the small village of Jangalpet in the Nenne block of the Mancherial district, Telangana, Mr. and Mrs. Dharmaiah and Laxmi Durgam faced the challenges familiar to millions of smallholder farmers across the country. Dharmaiah was always worried about the future and did not know how to cope with the changing climate. For years, mono-cropping drained the soil of nutrients, diminishing fertility, and leading to declining yields. The couple’s livelihood depended solely on cultivation, and as the climate shifted, bringing severe drought and diminishing groundwater sources, their worries deepened.

However, a ray of hope emerged in the form of the Ujjwala project under U3 III. This initiative aimed to foster self-sustaining, climate-resilient agriculture and livelihoods. In a training program organized by Ujjwala III at Nennel Mandal, Dharmaiah learned about the transformative potential of multi-cropping with organic methods – an approach involving different crops on the same land in different seasons. Determined to adapt, he decided to embrace this sustainable method on his 1.00-acre plot, converting it into a paddy field and a 0.50-acre integrated nutrition garden.

Supported by the agriculture department, Dharmaiah successfully sanctioned a bore well on his land. The U3 team provided essential assistance, offering nine varieties of vegetable seeds and training farmers in climate-adaptive agriculture practices. The farmers were trained in climate-adaptive agriculture practices, preparation of low cost, and natural organic methods which are methods of organic and natural inputs to improve soil health and control pests and diseases. The shift from chemical fertilizers to organic methods marked a turning point. Waste decompose bacteria replaced synthetic fertilizers, boosting soil fertility naturally.

After a year of diligent multi-cropping, Dharmaiah witnessed the transformation of his once barren land into a thriving farm. Maize, paddy, an array of vegetables like Tomato, Green chilli, Brinjal, Lady’s finger, Curry leaves, ridge gourd, spiny gourd, ash pumpkin, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, beans, cluster beans, Colocasia tubers, onion, garlic and Turmeric etc, and various fruit including banana, custard apple, rama phal, guava, papaya, coconut and dragon fruit plants now flourish on his farm. Not only are these crops consumed by the family, but the surplus is sold in the market, fetching Dharmaiah an additional income. Within just three months, he earned Rs. 7,500, with a net profit of Rs. 5,000. Additionally, he garnered Rs. 12,000 from MGNREGS works.

The U3 program not only enhanced the dietary diversity of the Dharmaiah family but also uplifted their economic condition. What was once a struggle for survival has now transformed into a story of resilience and triumph. Dharmaiah, along with hundreds of families impacted by the Ujjwala initiative, is now leading a dignified life, proving that sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture can be a catalyst for positive change in the community.

As Dharmaiah cultivates millets instead of cash crops, he diligently studies the booklets provided by the Ujjwala team, symbolizing a commitment to continuous learning and sustainable practices.

In the face of adversity, Dharmaiah and Laxmi Durgam have become the architects of their destiny, their story echoing the triumph of resilience and sustainable farming practices in the heart of Telangana.