Raisuan: Even though many people are giving up farming in hilly pockets of Keonjhar district and are migrating outside the state for jobs, a group of tribal youths in Nuagan panchayat of Sadar block have set an example for others in farming.
The youths of Narsingpur village – Ragunath Laguri, Prasanna Hembram, Purnachandra Majhi, Pachaye Munda, Dubraj Majhi, Hunud Siku, Bir Majhi, Laxman Majhi, Purnachandra Mahakud, Hari Majhi, Unisa Majhi and Laxhhman Munda have become successful in farming.
This stands out in sharp contrast to the rising cases of distress migration in the area where people go outside for jobs and end up getting exploited at the hands of their employers and labour contractors. However, these tribal youths have been earning enough to keep their pots boiling, besides providing jobs to other locals.
These youths have drilled bore wells at their farms. However, they were not provided any training by the government. Initially, they were not successful.
East West, a private seed selling agency, came to their help. The agency trained the youths on new techniques in farming, seeds preservation and raising plants in polythene packets. The farmers employed the new techniques and have grown okra, cabbage, bitter gourd, tomato and brinjal.
They have been earning lakhs every year from vegetable cultivation, the young farmers said. “With good earnings, we have been able to educate our children in good schools and are leading a decent life,” they said.
“If youths do hard work and adopt new farming methods, they needn’t migrate for jobs. They will get a good earning,” the farmers asserted.
They suggested that if the government sets up cold storages and provides marketing facilities they will be beneficial for farmers in this region.
PNN