TV
Promoted by Maoists, the residents of Kusumagudi village under Chandrapur block in the naxal-infested Rayagada district had once adopted illegal ganja (cannabis) cultivation to earn their livelihood. However, things have changed with time.
To return to the mainstream of society, the villagers have now quit the illegal practice and opted for spiny gourd farming to become self-reliant. From quitting illegal ganja cultivation to becoming self-sufficient through spiny gourd farming is no less than an inspiration for other farmers.
With assistance from a voluntary group, Prabhat, as many as 15 farmers of the village have taken up spiny gourd farming and are now living a life that they have been long dreaming of.
“Earlier, we used to farm for ourselves. With the help of the NGO, we are learning the modern techniques and harvesting more spiny gourd from a small patch of land, ” Manmohan Sarka, a farmer said.
Echoing the same, Bijay Kumar Kadmari, another farmer said, “This is a very profitable business. In the first year, I have made Rs 40,000-50,000.”
Earlier, these farmers used to depend on illegal ganja farming for their livelihood. However, the fear of police action and arrest, the villagers shunned the practice and now with the help of the NGO they are scripting a success story through spiny gourd farming.
“After repeated police action, they have refrained themselves from ganja cultivation. They are no more associated with the Maoists,” said Bhima Jangaranga, sarpanch, Dangasarada.
S Dinesh Kumar, a member of the NGO said, “We are providing necessary training on spiny gourd farming to the farmers and this has transformed their lives by making them self-sufficient.”
Akshya Kumar Mallick, Chandrapur BDO said, ”The spiny gourd farming is a profitable business. The farmers in the region have managed to elevate their livelihood through this. ”
