Jharkhand farmers started practicing organic farming to generate more income, using low-cost vermicompost, vermi wash and other botanicals under the Gram Nirman Programme implemented in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Gram Nirman is supporting the tribal communities for functional institutions (Gram Sabha, CBO’s etc.) towards achieving socio-economic wellbeing. Food security, livelihood options, increased income and linkages with government some of the major output of the program. The program is trying to ensure the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas), PESA to the tribal communities of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Shramjivi Mahila Samity based in Jamshedpur is one of the implementing partner of Caritas India to executive this programme on Rights & Entitlements since 2014. The programme focused this intervention for the tribals due to their vulnerability and marginalized status which affects their socio-economic conditions in terms of work-participation and access to various eligible government entitlements and flagship program.

Sugda Murmu, 38, of Manikpur village in East Singhbhum, working as labourer in people’s houses to feed his family but his wage was insufficient to maintain his family. The program selected Sugda and provided exposure and training on organic vegetable farming. He was supported with varieties of seeds to start organic vegetable cultivation in 20 dismals of land. Timely guidance by the programme animators on cultivation processes helped him to improve his techniques and overall production.

Currently, he has taken 2 acres of land in lease from the Gram Sabha and growing varieties (tomato, brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, chili, coriander etc.) and producing organic vegetables. He is earning around 70000 per season from his vegetable productions. With this income, his 2 children have been enrolled in the school and have now saving the account.

Today having inspired by his achievements other farmers namely Baiju Kisku, Gora Kisku, Anna Mardi, Haripada Nayak, Bhojai Murmu, Matlaa Murmu, Aditya Nayak, Maha Hembrom, Charan Hembrom, Kalicharan, and Dashmath Kisku have gone for organic vegetable farming for income generation.