Juktoli village, nestled 31 km from Dibrugarh, Assam, is a small community of 53 households where farming has long been a way of life. However, like many young men in rural India, Cius Happed once saw no future in agriculture. Pressured to provide for his family, he left home in 2016, seeking work in the city. But without specialized skills, he struggled, and within months, he returned disheartened but determined to find a way forward.

Everything changed in 2023 when Seva Kendra Dibrugarh (SKD), a Caritas India partner, launched interventions under the FARM NE programme. The initiative aimed to enhance agricultural practices and empower farmers to become self-reliant entrepreneurs. Inspired by the training sessions on sustainable farming, livestock management, composting, and multi-tier gardening, Cius saw an opportunity to rebuild his life, not as a labourer but as a farmer.

With renewed hope, he embraced vegetable cultivation, enriching the soil with vermicompost to maximize yield. His vision extended beyond farming. He identified a gap in the local poultry and livestock market and began sourcing animals from nearby villages to supply urban markets, cutting out middlemen and securing better returns.

His efforts paid off. Today, Cius earns approximately ₹7,000 per month from vegetable farming and an additional ₹10,000 from poultry and livestock sales. More than just a source of income, farming has become his means of empowerment, stability, and growth.

“Cius Happed’s journey is a powerful example of how determination, coupled with the right support, can create sustainable livelihoods,” says Vincent Xalxo, Field Programme Associate at SKD. “His ability to innovate and take ownership of his progress makes him a role model for the youth in the area”, added Vincent.

Cius’ transformation embodies the essence of reverse migration, bringing back the workforce to rural India, strengthening local economies, and fostering self-sufficiency. His success story challenges the belief that prosperity lies only in cities. Instead, he proves that with the right knowledge and resources, sustainable livelihoods can be built right at home.

Through perseverance and adaptability, Cius has rewritten his destiny as a farmer and a leader, inspiring young people to reclaim their land, restore rural prosperity, and cultivate a future of hope.