Khawlkungi lives in Chhingchhip Mualpui Village, Serchhip District with her family of five members. Her family’s diet and livelihood are primarily dependent on farming. She has been part of the Caritas India FARM NE-III Project for the past two years. Her interest in the Farm Project stemmed from the nature of her family’s income.

“Before joining the FARM NE Project, my family was unable to generate income and had no other options,” says Mrs. Khawlkungi. She pointed out that relying on market foods can be expensive for a low-income family. As a result, she began backyard gardening, which became a profitable source of income.

FARM NE programme promoted backyard gardening to improve the food and nutrition of the families and distributed seeds to selected Backyard Garden beneficiaries. The programme assisted in the creation of kitchen gardens near their homes for the food and nutrition security of the families. These kitchen gardens are intended to increase food diversity while decreasing reliance on the market.

Mrs. Khawlkungi believes that having a kitchen garden has benefited her family and the community. She began working with the programme in 2020 and it has helped her to increase her income. The initial seeds have grown into a beautiful, diverse garden, as seen in the photo. Lettuce, Mustard, Cabbage, and green leafy vegetables are included in this garden. In the other plot, she grew Bittergourd, Snakegourd, and Ladysfinger, which she received from the FARM NE programme. This enabled her to intervene and reduce her reliance on the market. Last year her annual income ranged from approx. Rs. 2,800 to Rs. 5,700. Every year, she managed to engage in Backyard gardening.

The FARM NE programme has distributed the second batch of seeds for backyard gardens. She intended to cultivate it by the end of October 2022. Beans, Bittergourd, Snakegourd, Mustard, Cabbage, Broccoli, Brinjal, and Lady’s finger make up this new batch. The Farm Field Team encouraged her to create unique trellises which will help her to diversify and get additional vegetables from her kitchen garden.