Success Stories
Anchalik Samrudhi Sadhana AnusthanFEELING OF SELF-RELIANT IS DIFFERENT
The life of a single woman is not always easy and it can become more difficult as she gets older. The life of Saraswati Majhi, a tribal old woman was not different. Her livelihood depended on a small grocery shop and agriculture on merely 2 acres of land giving her an annual income of around Rs 60,000.00 only. Paddy grew on 2 acres of land only once a year was insufficient to sustain all her needs. Besides, she was following traditional methods of farming and do not have proper knowledge of pure seeds, and any government schemes available to marginal farmers for cultivation in the rural setting.
Meanwhile, the ASSA team took the initiative to be aware of the various government schemes and services available to tribal farmers to enhance their earnings through sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, she was counseled on the Watershed Project and was trained on various new techniques and methods of farming which includes the use of the organic method in cultivation, opportunities in fisheries, convergence through farm pond under the Watershed Project, access of bore well and hand-pump added her income henceforth.
Nevertheless, the use of various new methods of organic farming and the access to the continuous water supply to her field has increased her agricultural income manifold through the cultivation of different crops like paddy, ground nuts, and pulses. With the rise in her income, she has now introduced more new items and also increased the volume of the old items in her grocery shop to meet the demand of the local people. Through the increased agricultural income, she has increased the sales in her grocery shop.
The unfortunate old woman who was struggling for two meals in a day is now enjoying a fruitful life by having income from two different sources. Now, her income has doubled in just one year’s time and has gone up to 2 lakhs per annum.
ASSA feels satisfied to see her confidence and smile on her face. She is very punctual and attended all the training and meetings organized by the organization. Now, she is encouraging others to attend the training or meetings and get benefitted from the same.
CHALLENGING DISABILITY
Getting the right support at the right time can completely change the direction of someone’s life. Hrusikhesh Mahakur is an LD disabled from birth and survived with his wife and two children who are fully dependent on him.
Disability not only affects the physical growth of a person but always leads to mental trauma in one’s life since childhood. He belongs to a poor family background and has a small portion of agricultural land to support his livelihood. It was difficult for him to manage the daily needs of the household and the study expenses of his children. Being a person with a disability, he did not have any information about the various government schemes or services available for persons with disabilities or any support available for the marginalized farmers for doing agriculture. His life was full of misery and unhappiness unless he met the staff of ASSA conducting one of the meetings in his village. Thereby in the meeting, he interacted with the ASSA team and came to know about the various services like disability certification, monthly pension, travel pass, Public Distribution System (PDS), etc., available free of cost for persons with disabilities. Similarly, in terms of agriculture, he was aware of the agricultural inputs and financial support offered by the government and the ASSA organization as well as to enhance the earning of the farmers through convergence and sustainable agriculture.
ASSA facilitated Hrusikhesh in getting his disability certificate from the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disability (SSEPD) department. Now he is getting Rs 500/- as a monthly stipend which is a big support in meeting the daily needs of his family. Additionally, his family is also getting 20 kg of rice at the rate of Rs 5/- per kg on a monthly basis from the PDS. He has regularly attended the training and meetings organized by ASSA to empower the local farmers and persons like him on the government schemes and services available to them in relation to agriculture and disabilities. Consequently, Hrusikhesh is now cultivating different crops like paddy, ground nut, and pulses which have doubled his monthly income from Rs 5,000/- to more than Rs. 10,000.
Apart from farming, he has also started a small grocery shop to add further to his income so that he can take care of the education of his children. His earnings from the grocery shop are around Rs.2000 to Rs.3000/-
“NO” TO MIGRATION
Taking care of a family of seven members with a limited source of income was never easy for Gopbandhu Hansa, a person with a 40 percent loco-motor disability. Alike others, Gopbandhu was also doing agricultural activities on his small plot of land to feed his family and look after the education of his children as well. His wife is busy managing household work. The family subsists on what is harvested on their small plot of land. Therefore, it is very difficult for him to manage all these expenses alone with these limited resources. He also cannot migrate to other states for better opportunities also due to his disability issue.
ASSA has been engaged in the empowerment of persons with disabilities and marginalized farmers for the last two decades. The information regarding the various schemes and services being provided by the government is shared with the local people through regular training and meetings organized by the ASSA organization. In 2018, the ASSA team led by Mr. Nilambar Tani held a meeting in the village of Gopbandhu with regard to PWDs and agriculture. His wife, Rimjim was also present in the meeting and spoke about her husband’s disability. In the meeting, the ASSA team assured that all possible support will be provided to Gopbandhu to get his disability certificate and in availing other services available through the government.
After continuous follow-up meetings with panchayat and block offices, our team was able to get the disability certificate to Gopbandhu. He is now getting a monthly stipend under the disability scheme along with other benefits like ashabadi, rice card. Furthermore, he has received Rs 50,000/- under the Kishan Credit Card (KC) Yojana through which he has opened a small grocery store at his home. As a result, he is now earning a monthly income of around Rs.1000/- to Rs.1200/- which is helping them in managing their daily needs and education of his children.
Gopbandhu has not gone to work in other states to meet the daily family expenses and provide better education to his children. His convergence to KCC Yojana has ensured enough income to make him self-sufficient and to stay with his family.
FROM DISABILITY TO PROSPERITY
Life is uncertain and no one has control over it. Golak Chandra Kumbhar with his wife was living a happy life in the rural village in Saintala block, Balangir. They have a small plot of agricultural land and do seasonal cultivation together to meet their daily needs. Life was good unless he got into an accident at the age of 35 years. The incident brought darkness to his life as he was the sole bread earner for his family. The incident changed his life as his left leg got totally immobile due to the accident. Trouble struck him like a dark cloud when he was 35 years old, rendering his left leg totally immobile due to a car accident. They were treated at Saintala Hospital first, after which the doctor referred them to Balangir district chief hospital. The doctor discussed the left leg’s failure while the patient was receiving treatment there. From that day he could no longer work with the bill stick as before. They live on what their wife earns from working in the house. After becoming disabled, he could not go everywhere like before, even if his relatives stayed away from him.
The ASSA organization has been working in the villages of Saintala block since 2017. Bellarson Sahu, block coordinator of the ASSA organization conducted a meeting in his village in 2020. Both men and women were present in this meeting. Golak’s wife was also present in this meeting and narrated the story of her husband. Following the detailed discussion in the meeting, the ASSA team shared the various schemes and services available for disabled individuals and their accommodations. Subsequently, they approached the village Sarpanch followed by meeting at Block and District offices. Two months after putting in the application for the disability certification, Golak Chandra Kumbhar received his disability certificate. Without delay, he then applied for the disability allowance in the block office. According to the certificate, he is 75% Loco-motor, and accordingly, he is getting Rs 700/- as a disability stipend per month. Nevertheless, in the month of November 2022, he was given a tricycle in the presence the of Block Social Security Officer (BSSO) and District Social Security Officer (DSSO) with the help of the the staff of Asha organization.
Golak Chandra is very happy after receiving the tricycle which he uses to move in and around his village without the help of his wife. His wife is also supporting farming at the paddy garden after taking a break from her husband’s service. With the aid of her husband’s allowance, they also pay for family expenses. In addition to thanking the ASSA organization, he is also encouraging others to attend the meetings organized by ASSA to keep them updated on the various schemes and services available by the government.
WELLNESS FROM WATERSHED
Striving to ensure a regular supply of water for the irrigation of farmland by the farmers of Chantipala village in Titilagarh Block Balangir District of Odisha, ASSA with the support of NABARD, Bhubaneswar led the foundation of Integrated Watershed Management Programme in the area. The farmers along with the local committee member and implement agency ASSA expressed that the villagers need storage tanks to improve runoff water during the rainy season. The water during the rainy season can be stored water through this project and subsequently drinking water will be arranged for cattle, goats, and other purposes. However, the crux of the project is to recharge the groundwater enclosing the tank area. Buddadev Bachha, a 46 years old small farmer held from Chantipala village, Adabahal G.P., Titilagarh Block and was brought under the Watershed Project of NABARD, Bhubaneswar.
The support of NABARD led to the systematic water harvesting structure that was very helpful to him and other local farmers as well. The land area has more than 2 acres but due to lack of water in the area, the farmers were struggling at the time of cultivation. But after the excavation of the farm pond, he was very much excited to cultivate another vegetable as well. Now he has planned duck rearing apart from farming and fishery in the farm pond. Subsequently, his income source has increased manifold as compared to the previous year which was Rs 1.20 lakh per annum in this year. The farm pond is also being used by the local people for their farming purposes as well. Near about 5 nos. of farmers are using the water to irrigate their crops.
Through the farm pond, the nearby land was irrigated at the time of drought. Now the local farmers have cultivated paddy, arhar, and vegetables in the nearby fields which have ensured their sustainable agriculture through this Watershed Project.
The Watershed Project in this village has changed the lives of local farmers who were once dependent on seasonal farming. With the increase in the farming pattern, the local farmers have enhanced their income and have a better plan for the coming seasons.
COUPLED WITH LIVELIHOOD REAPED INTO SUSTAINABILITY
Sibani Bag, aged about 22 years has an Intellectual disability. As agriculture is the main occupation and only source of livelihood for her family for certain seasons only, her father often used to go out of the state for earning. They have 1 acre of agricultural land which they used to cultivate traditional monsoon paddy. They are altogether seven members of the family consisting of her parents and four siblings who have an acute shortage of food grains. Her family lived from hand to mouth as income from a single crop was insufficient to fulfill their basic amenities. Her father desperately longed for additional income from agriculture.
ASSA conducted the village Transparency meeting at Gopalpur village in which the participants proposed to support her father in getting a disability certificate for Sibani from the department so that she can avail of the facility of the disability pension of Rs 500/- only per month. Besides, her father was motivated to apply for manual work under the MGNREGA scheme, and she was also supported with an amount of Rs 12000/- for linking her to Mo Bagicha intervention in her fields. Furthermore, training was imparted to her father by the ASSA organization in support of CBM on goat rearing, organic farming, and mushroom cultivation.
Sibani got her disability certificate. At present, Sibani along with her family members are cultivating various types of vegetables, and cash crops like groundnut, onion, etc in their field. Other inputs such as high-yield seeds and organic manure (SYAMALA GOLD) were supported by ASSA under the livelihood component with a collection of 10% of the farmer’s contribution as their labor charges. Out of a total area of one acre, about 0.50 acre is covered with vegetables giving a total earning of Rs. 20000/- per year. Nevertheless, this year her father earned Rs 30000/- approx. i.e. 50% increase from 1 acre of agricultural land. The Farmer Producers Organization (FPO) intervention in this process has led all means of development to the farmer.
Thereafter, in convergence with the Horticulture department, she got high-yield vegetable seeds and mushroom seeds for cultivation. The field staff of ASSA motivated her to do organic farming. Being an active member of the Self Help Group (SHG), her mother easily got a loan of Rs 10,000/- from SHG and started a petty business at her home.Her standard of living has changed out of her income from the very first year. Adding to that, the visit of department officials to their farm site has boosted her enthusiasm. She now leads a life of dignity and comfort.
LIVING LIFE OF DIGNITY, NOT DISABILITY
Subash Chandra Ratha, a 30 years old farmer from Matia village of Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi District used to do traditional cultivation (monsoon paddy) in his 0.5 acres of land for his livelihood. Adding more to his misery, he is a PWD and responsible to feed a big family of 6 members including his wife and four children. Being a single earner, his life was full of anxiety for the future of his children.
While traveling to the project area, ASSA staff met Subash while doing cultivation with his family in their field. Our staff noticed him and enquired about his disability certificate and other services availing from the government. Knowing the unavailability of government services, our staff arranged a Transparency meeting in his village and educated the villagers on various schemes and services available to persons with disabilities. The participants agreed to support Subash in getting a disability certificate so that he can get a monthly pension of Rs 500/- which will add to his family income and contribute to improving his financial condition. Besides, ASSA in collaboration with CBM organized training on advanced cultivation methods for vegetable, paddy, mushroom, goat, and poultry rearing. Further, he was encouraged to apply for manual work under the MGNREGA scheme.
Subash was supported with Rs 10,000/- for Mo Bagicha at his field to improve his agricultural income. An additional Rs 5,000/- was given for poultry rearing by ASSA under the CBM Project to add to his family’s livelihood. Further, ASSA supported high-yield seeds and technical support to continue with vegetable cultivation. Her wife was also assisted in getting a loan amount of Rs 10,000/- from SHG to expand their source of livelihood.
At present Mr Ratha is cultivating various types of vegetables, Cash crops like Groundnut, onion, and other vegetables in his field. Inputs such as Seeds and organic manure (SYAMALA GOLD) were supported by ASSA under the livelihood component with a collection of 10% farmer’s contribution as their labor charges. In this year, his total earnings increased by 67% from 15,000/- to Rs 25000/- in 0.50 acres of agricultural land and other supports by ASSA.
Mr. Ratha was very grateful for the support in the form of says high yield seeds, and organic manures followed by the expert guidance and capacity-building process that enabled his family with a regular source of income apart from creating productive engagement for his family members. This has raised their standard of living and increased their savings in banks.
MADE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE POSSIBLE
Digambar Thala, aged about 30 years concurrently deaf and dumb, is a marginal farmer at Matia village of Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi District. His family was mainly dependent on agriculture for livelihood. Being an owner of a mere 1 acre of land and doing traditional cultivation of monsoon paddy, his family lived from hand to mouth due to insufficient production. Also, due to his disability, he desperately longed for additional income from agriculture or any other source of income.
During the site visit, the ASSA staff found him doing cultivation his field. He was asked about the various services available to him regarding persons with disabilities and agricultural inputs. Like others, he was also unaware of any schemes and services available to them. Subsequently, ASSA conducted a village transparency meeting at Gopalpur village where it was decided to help Digambar and his family through some income generation activities. In the meeting, the participants proposed to support him in getting a disability certificate so that he can avail of the monthly disability pension of Rs 500/-. to improve his economic condition to some extent. Besides, he was motivated to apply for manual work under the MGNREGA scheme.
ASSA under its CBM project linked Digambar Thala under Mo Bagicha’s intervention and supported him with an amount of Rs 10,000/- to expand his agricultural activities. Besides, he got training in goat rearing, organic farming, and mushroom cultivation to improve the quality and production of vegetables. Thereafter, in convergence with the Horticulture department, she got high-yield vegetable seeds and mushroom seeds for cultivation. Being an active member of the Self Help Group (SHG), her wife got a loan of Rs 10,000/- from SHG and started a petty business at her home.
Currently, Digambar is cultivating various types of vegetables, Cash crops like Groundnut, onion, and other vegetables in his field. Inputs such as Seeds and organic manure (SYAMALA GOLD) were supported by ASSA under the livelihood component with a collection of 10% farmer’s contribution as their labor charges. In this year, his total earnings increased by 71% from 35,000/- to Rs 60,000/- in 1 acre of agricultural land and other supports by ASSA.
Digambar was very grateful for the support in the form of high-yield seeds, and organic manures followed by the expert guidance and capacity-building process that enabled his family with a regular source of income apart from creating productive engagement for his family members. This has raised their standard of living and increased their savings in banks.
HARVESTING PROSPERITY WITH SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Sarita Rana, a 19 years old farmer with hearing impairment resides in Madiguda village of Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi District. She supports her family members including her parents and two siblings in the cultivation process of 2 acres of agricultural land. Unfortunately, they used to cultivate traditional monsoon paddy which is a seasonal crop and suffers an acute shortage of food grains.
She was regularly attending the village meeting facilitated by ASSA in collaboration with CBM whereby she came to know about the various schemes and services available for persons with disabilities. In the meeting, the participants decided to support her in getting her disability certificate to improve her family’s financial condition. Besides, her family was enrolled under Ration Card to link under Public Distribution System (PDS) for food security. Furthermore, the participants also recommended the MNREGA scheme and encouraged her to apply for manual work under the same.
Sarita got her disability certificate and now receiving a monthly disability pension of Rs 500/-. With the support of high-yield seeds and technical support from ASSA to improve the quality and production of vegetables, they continue to do vegetable cultivation. Thereafter, in convergence with the Horticulture department, she got high-yield vegetable seeds and mushroom seeds for cultivation. Being an active member of the Self Help Group (SHG), her mother easily got a loan of Rs 10,000/- from SHG and started a petty business at her home.
At present, Sibani along with her family members are cultivating various types of vegetables, and cash crops like groundnut, onion, etc in their field. Other inputs such as high-yield seeds and organic manure (SYAMALA GOLD) were supported by ASSA under the livelihood component with a collection of 10% farmer’s contribution as their labor charges. Out of a total area of one acre, about 1.50 acre is covered with vegetables giving a total earning of Rs. 50,000/- per year. Nevertheless, this year her father earned Rs 80,000/- approx. increased by 60% from 2 acres of agricultural land.
The father of Sibaniappreciated the support received from ASSA in terms of inputs such as seeds, organic manures, etc., followed by the expert guidance and capacity-building process that helped them in getting regular income throughout the year and creating productive engagement for her family members. Her life has changed and now she lives a life of dignity.
DISABILITY NO LONGER BURDEN
Mr. Biranchi Majhi, aged 30 years is a person with a disability who lives in Gopalpur village of Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi District. He is a marginal farmer engaged in agricultural activities to feed his wife and three children. Adding more to his misery, he mainly cultivates paddy on his 2 acres of agricultural land which is insufficient to cover the whole year. As a result, he is used to doing manual labor in his neighbor’s field for earning some livelihood. His family lived hand to mouth as income from a single crop was insufficient. He desperately longed for additional income from agriculture.
ASSA under the CBM project organized a village meeting to discuss the various interventions and processes designed for the development of persons with disabilities and marginal farmers. In the meeting, we found that the Biranchi was not linked with any of the government schemes and services. The participants recommended that they will support him in getting disability certification which will improve his economic condition to some extent. Besides, the ASSA assured to provide high-yield seeds and manure and support with all technical guidance to improve his agricultural production. Also, his family will be lined with all other government schemes and services to increase his source of income.
Biranchi got his disability certification and now he is receiving a monthly stipend of Rs 500/- and was linked under Mo Bagicha through which financial support of Rs 10,000/- was offered to him. Furthermore, ASSA provided inputs such as feeds and organic manure (SYAMALA GOLD) under the livelihood component with a collection of 10% farmer’s contribution as their labor charges which has increased his annual income from Rs 50,000/- to Rs 55,000/-. He was also supported in the construction of a vermin compost unit for organic farming. His wife brought a loan of Rs 10,000/- from SHG to expand her livelihood. At the same time, Biranchi was supported with Rs 5000 for poultry rearing by ASSA under CBM Project. Besides, he applied for manual work under MGNREGA.
At present Biranchi is cultivating various types of vegetables, Cash crops like Groundnut, Onion, and Sunflower in his field. Besides the crops, he has started doing petty business. The Farmer Producers Organization (FPO) intervention in this process has led all means of development to the farmer.
Biranchi has a sustainable source of income. His standard of living is increased and now he is living a life of dignity.
DISABILITY NO LONGER BURDEN
Mr. Biranchi Majhi, aged 30 years is a person with a disability who lives in Gopalpur village of Bhawanipatna block of Kalahandi District. He is a marginal farmer engaged in agricultural activities to feed his wife and three children. Adding more to his misery, he mainly cultivates paddy on his 2 acres of agricultural land which is insufficient to cover the whole year. As a result, he is used to doing manual labor in his neighbor’s field for earning some livelihood. His family lived hand to mouth as income from a single crop was insufficient. He desperately longed for additional income from agriculture.
ASSA under the CBM project organized a village meeting to discuss the various interventions and processes designed for the development of persons with disabilities and marginal farmers. In the meeting, we found that the Biranchi was not linked with any of the government schemes and services. The participants recommended that they will support him in getting disability certification which will improve his economic condition to some extent. Besides, the ASSA assured to provide high-yield seeds and manure and support with all technical guidance to improve his agricultural production. Also, his family will be lined with all other government schemes and services to increase his source of income.
Biranchi got his disability certification and now he is receiving a monthly stipend of Rs 500/- and was linked under Mo Bagicha through which financial support of Rs 10,000/- was offered to him. Furthermore, ASSA provided inputs such as feeds and organic manure (SYAMALA GOLD) under the livelihood component with a collection of 10% farmer’s contribution as their labor charges which has increased his annual income from Rs 50,000/- to Rs 55,000/-. He was also supported in the construction of a vermin compost unit for organic farming. His wife brought a loan of Rs 10,000/- from SHG to expand her livelihood. At the same time, Biranchi was supported with Rs 5000 for poultry rearing by ASSA under CBM Project. Besides, he applied for manual work under MGNREGA.
At present Biranchi is cultivating various types of vegetables, Cash crops like Groundnut, Onion, and Sunflower in his field. Besides the crops, he has started doing petty business. The Farmer Producers Organization (FPO) intervention in this process has led all means of development to the farmer.
Biranchi has a sustainable source of income. His standard of living is increased and now he is living a life of dignity.
WELLNESS FROM WATER
Ms.Baidei Majhi is a 25-year-old person with multiple disabilities. She lives along with her mother and has four brothers who are married and live in their nuclear family. Baidei is neither able to walk nor able to speak. She is unable to do any household chores, and her mother used to take care of her and look after all her needs. But now that Baidei’s mother has become old and fallen sick, she herself needs to be looked after. Baidei’s brothers have now taken charge of looking after their sister and their mother. The brothers take turns every month to take care of their mother and sister. The source of living for the family is whatever the brothers cultivate. They mostly grow cotton, paddy, and onion.
Like most of the other villagers, they too have got the WADI device. While interacting with the ASSA staff, one of Baidei’s sisters-in-law expressed her gratitude and said that they are very thankful to the ASSA staff that they have been provided with such a device. She also added that they collect firewood for cooking, and most of the wood was being used in boiling the water. But now they do not need to boil the water before drinking and this is also saving the firewood which they collect from the forest. She also added that now the quality of the water that they drink feels better than before.
INTEGRATED FARMING, WAY FOR BLOOMING
Gagane Majhi S/o Saklu Majhi aged about 55 years is a native of Kalkut, Jamkhunta gram Panchayat, Bangomunda Block, Balangir district is a Person with a Disability of Vision Impairment (V.I). He has a family of four members. Being a small farmer with small cultivation vegetables and paddy in his small plot of land was insufficient to meet the daily needs of his family. He is hardly able to earn an income of Rs 10,000/- in a year and it becomes very difficult for him to manage his family. He was engaged in the old pattern of cultivation and was also not aware of any government schemes and services available for people with disability or marginalized farmers.
Since ASSA has been working in the village, Gagane came to know about the various interventions being done by the organization through the local people. He met the ASSA team in one of the meetings and shared his condition with them. Subsequently, they approached the Sarpanch at the village and followed meetings at Block and District offices. Two months after putting the application for the disability certification, he received his disability certificate. Without delay, he then applied for the disability allowance in the block office. At present is getting Rs 500/- as a disability stipend per month. Besides he is getting different types of benefits like Goat rearing, Poultry, and vegetable Seeds as well as Govt. schemes like PDS. He also engaged in different types of training and meetings organized by the ASSA organization. Consequently, the production of onion and paddy has increased due to the use of organic farming along with new techniques of farming. Now he is following intercropping method of cultivation. So that the income of him increases from Rs.10,000/- to Rs.80,000/-. Now his family spent their life happily.
POVERTY TO PROSPERITY
Living a life of poverty is not acceptable when the government has various schemes and services to raise the standard of living of poor people. Lalita Podh was a poor woman living in a very pathetic condition due to poverty. He has neither any land for farming nor any other source of income to meet her daily needs. Although
In 2015, the Swagat Watershed Association emerged with the intervention of the ASSA organization in her Rigdol village. The project is fully sponsored by NABARD with an objective of the overall development of the people the in and around the village. Initially, Lalita Podhgot a small financial assistance of Rs. 5000/- only under the Swagat Watershed project to start a grocery shop in her house. Over the period, her business got recognition in the village and the local people started burying products from her grocery shop. Gradually the shop was crowded with customers which made her take some more assistance to increase the volume of items in her shop. In order to enhance her business, she further got financial assistance of Rs. 3000/-. With this financial support, she is now earning Rs. 7000/- per month as a profit.
Now she is buying in extending her shop in a new room and increasing the capacity of items so that the sales can be increased and the income henceforth. Now she is leading her family smoothly and has ensured better education for her children. Her standard of living has changed in a very span of time.
With the continuous focus on her work, she has taken her business to a different height.
ENHANCE LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT
In the above issue with the help of (Integrated Water Management Program) by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) support farmers by involving the watershed committee members. Which has implemented this program in a proper way.
The name of the farmer is Hemsagar Nag, age about 35yrs. old. He belongs to the Ainlabhata watershed of Ainlabhata village, Adabahal G.P. Titilagarh Block in Balangir district. He is a small and marginal farmer. He is a good farmer. He was facing many problems in their life but he couldn’t be hopeless, and able to make the best out of cultivation. The tank is very useful to him. Near the tank area, he cultivated Paddy, Maize, cauliflower, ladyfinger, arhar, black gram, and other vegetables. He has done fishery inside the tank. After the construction of the percolation tank, he has too many benefits from their cultivation. Now his income source gradually increases. Now he is capable of feeding his family without any difficulty. Now he is earning more than Rs. 300 per day which is a better livelihood than before.
CHALLENGING DISABILITY
Women have always played a key role in the development of the world in one or another way. Be it agriculture to cooking food at home, their role has never got any recognition that is contributing a major portion in the development world. The life of Pandey Dharua, a person with a disability was fully dependent on his wife who is managing the livelihood of her family with her small income from the small piece of agricultural land in the village. They do not have any other source of income to manage the daily needs of the family and the education of their children is also dependent on the earning of his wife.
Due to his disability, he is not able to contribute to the income generation work at his home resulting in the poor condition of his family.
While conducting a meeting in his village, the ASSA team came to know about the miserable condition of Pandy Dharua. The ASSA team facilitated him in getting the disability certificate from the government. This helped him in availing of the various government schemes and services available to persons with disabilities. However, he got the 50% disability certificate prior to receiving assistance from ASSA. The ASSA team helped him in raising the disability to 60% to increase the monthly pension from Rs 500/- to Rs 700/-.
Furthermore, the ASSA organization supported him with 20 chicks to improve his family’s condition. Besides, the training on integrated farming was given to him in poultry and many other cash activities so that he can enhance his expertise in livelihood opportunities.
PandeyDharua is no longer a burden on his family after associating with the ASSA organization. He makes a fine living off of his flock of chickens. With the enhanced skills and abilities, his source of livelihood income is enhanced manifold making him self-reliant.
NO DEPENDENCY ANYMORE
Buchi Sahoo resides in the village of Chikinibahali with her parents. She has a disability from birth itself and finds difficulty in moving her hand and leg. This led her to be dependent fully on her parents to perform her daily routine work. Besides, she is unable to move from her place and always needs assistance from someone to move her from one place to another.
Looking at the condition of the poor woman, the ASSA team visited her house and share the various government schemes and services available to the persons with the disability. Subsequently, the ASSA team facilitated her getting the disability certificate from the government department. Accordingly, the disability certificate was issued and now she is getting a monthly stipend of Rs 700/- from the government. Additionally, she was also supported with the wheelchair through the initiative of the CBM.
The wheelchair provided to Buchi Sahoo was a big support that enables her parents to move her from one place to another. Furthermore, she is now found relaxing in the wheelchair
BUILDING CONFIDENCE FROM CHILDHOOD
Dileswar Sahoo, a 12-year-old child with a disability, resides in Dengapadar village of Titilagarh block, Balangir. He is entirely dependent on his parents for all his daily routine activities.
Being an active organization in Titilagarh block, Balangir for the last two decades, the ASSA organization has facilitated several persons with disabilities and made them live their life with dignity. As soon as the organization heard about Dileswar, the ASSA team approach him and facilitated his getting his disability certificate from the government. Accordingly, he is receiving a monthly stipend of Rs 500/-. Besides, in order to raise the level of living for his family, his family has also been granted Rs 3000/- incentive for growing vegetables in their field. His father has been actively attending the specific training given in this area.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT TO SELF-RELIANCE
People do higher studies to get high paid jobs in the company. Shri Simanchal Behera, a 35-year-old man from Katarkelavillage of Katarkela Gram panchayat also thought of the same and completed his bachelor’s degree to get a good job in the city. Although he has some experience in agriculture, he preferred to do private jobs. Nevertheless, after working for several months, he quit his private job and came back to his village to put his hand again on agriculture.
With great enthusiasm, he was back to his village to support his family through agriculture. However, due to a lack of knowledge and skills in agriculture, he did not able to put his dream into reality. Meanwhile, he heard about the various agricultural initiatives being taken by the ASSA organization in his area. Subsequently, he approached the ASSA team with the intention to acquire skills and knowledge in agriculture so that the same can be replicated in his field.
He actively participated in the training and meetings organized by the ASSA organization related to vegetable farming as well as animal husbandry. Besides, he was also assured to receive all kinds of support and guidance from the ASSA organization whenever he require it. Moreover, he received guidance on various vegetable crop varieties and then used ASSA’sassistance to bring the inputs at a discounted price.
Currently, he is the most prosperous mixed farmer in his community. He gained all this courage to try out various farming techniques. Over the period, he added 8 to 9 cows in his house to increase his livelihood through dairy. Additionally, he also prepares fodder for his cattle and thus, saves extra expenses for the same. He is now really happy with his work.
NO MORE MIGRATION
The lockdown during the Covid pandemic has affected the lives of all in one or the other form. However, the construction workers were worst affected in the lockdown. All lost their livelihood and return back to home with no other source of income leading to utmost depression and panic in society.
The story of Upendra Majhi is not different. He came back to his home due to the loss of his job during the Covid pandemic. With no other options for employment in hand, he chose to start farming in the small plot of land owned by him. However, his problems did not end there. When he started doing agricultural activities in his field, he found that there was no irrigation facility, and without water, farming is not possible. As a result, he gave the farming work too.
Coincidently, he came to know about the ASSA organization that is engaged in training farmers to enhance their productivity through sustainable agriculture and integrated farming. Subsequently, Upendra attended all the training and meetings organized by the ASSA organization on agricultural inputs, organic methods of cultivation, integrated farming, etc. Besides, a ring well was constructed nearby to his field through the ASSA organization under the Watershed Project. This solved the problem of water for his field.
After going through various pieces of training under the Watershed Project, Upendra is now utilizing the knowledge and skills learned in the various to maximize his agricultural produce. Now, he is no longer a migrant laborer and wants to spend the rest of his life with his family in the village. His family members are happy to see him at their farms and earning together for their personal development.
SMART FARMERS, SMART VILLAGE
Problems in life lead to Innovations. This suits well to Ganesh Podh, a 53 years old farmer who used to learn different and innovative ways of cultivation in the field. He is always curious about new techniques which can help him increase his agricultural produce.
However, due to a lack of information and guidance from potential farmers or mentors, he never gets the opportunity to use innovative methods in cultivation. He used to do cultivation with the same old-fashioned methods of paddy cultivation.
Meanwhile, he met the ASSA team and came to know the various interventions being led by the organization in his village. In no time, he approached the organization and put his interest to do mango plantation in his field. Accordingly, the technical team guided him with various types of farming available for mango plantations and the different varieties of mango seeds used for the same.
After going through the training sessions, he gainedknowledgeaboutdifferentvarietiesofMango andoptedforAmrapalivariety for plantation in his field. He linked with the ASSA organization to get that variety from the horticulture department atSagadghat.
He has a beautiful Mango farm of 200 Mango plants and his dream of various cultivations has come true. As a result, the people in his village and the nearby villages also got attracted and wish to have a mango farm like him.
LIVING LIFE WITH DIGNITY
Laxmikanta Majhi is a disabled resident of the village of Dengapadar. His right hand was missing. Additionally, he is alone because he has no family. In his daily life, he was dealing with a number of difficulties. He was illiterate and supported himself by begging. After discovering his condition ASSA NGO helped him obtain his disability certificate with a 50% quota and also received 500/- per month as a pension after discovering about his circumstances. During this process also he faces many problems like frequent transportation to the Government functionaries and delays in receiving the certificate which was very beneficial for him.
In addition, ASSA gave him 20 chicks for small poultry, proper training, and handholding support to help him raise his level of living. He is currently a proud and satisfied DPO member as well. With intimate contact with the ASSA NGO, his social and economic situation has improved. Also, now he has built a good link with the government officers and is well aware of his rights. Now his socioeconomic condition has been improved and also, he started saving in the bank.
HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY VILLAGE
Mrs.Sapura Bhoi is a housewife of a small farmer and engaged in all underrated necessary work at her home despite of her age. As her husband is always busy with his agricultural activities, the work like collecting firewood, fetching the water for cleaning, washing, cooking, etc., are done by herself only. She is well aware of the value and importance of the water and therefore, boils water to make it drinkable.
One day she came across the awareness campaign in her village organized by the ASSA organization regarding water disinfection (WADI)under the CBM project. In the campaign, she understood the importance of the device as she has seen the challenges in making the water drinkable, and burns a lot of resources for that. She used the WADI device since that day, initially, they used to get sick and suffer from dysentery as their bodies were not used to feeling the changes, sill she continues using the device so as they gradually accepted the changes and now, they are experiencing a better health condition