Micro-irrigation for food security: the Untold Stories of Forgotten Stakeholders, SCAMPIS Project World Water Week 2012 seminar, Sweden

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IsakRaika and a new path of life Bijaya Kumar Rout, India (Watch the Bjaya Story on Youtube)

The tribal families of Gumiguda village in Gajapati district belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and have no

substantial means of livelihood. On 1st day June I had gone to the village to promote our technologies. At that time no

male persons were present except 2 females and kids in the village. I discussed with the two women regarding my visit to

the village. They told that the male persons will not come on day time because they were at a far distance place on the top

of the hill fields. Then I visited surrounding village and nearby fields. One field I noticed was a barren condition. I enquired

about that field and came to know that the field owner Sri Isak Rakia. I tried to meet his children and to call him from his

field. Then his son told me to wait for an hour so that he can inform his father. I agreed with him and waited

there.

Nearly after two hours Mr.IsakRaika came to me with his wife Mrs.PrabhanjaniRaika and his son. Then I

introduced myself and discussed with him about my visit. But he told me that he had no more time to spare

because he was left some work there to do. So I explained in details the benefit of SCAMPIS project. After

listening to me he showed interest to our technologies.

He said his present situation and difficulties to arrange full meal for his family members. Two years ago he

borrowed money from the money lender for his father’s funeral ceremony, and for treatment of his children.

Then I told them about the field which was barren condition on back side of his house. He said though we are

staying at hill top and due to lack of good knowledge on cultivation I could not utilize the same. Then I said if

you can make a plan to start a vegetable cultivation in the barren land. He asked with surprised that, he had no

knowledge about vegetable cultivation and no money to invest. So it is not possible for them.

I assured him to provide support in his work to develop this barren land. He was agreed to start the vegetable

cultivation. Then I convinced them how he will do the cultivation by a Drum kit with very small quantity of

water with applying Liquid Organic fertilizer. I told them it s market price is Rs.2000 in the market, but from

SCAMPIS project there is subsidy of 90% and 10% you have to pay. Then he replied that, I did not have also

money to spend for Drum Kit.

After listening this from him, I was hopeless. But I made a plan and took him to the local Dealer Mamata

Panda and discussed about our plan to purchase a Drum kit. She agreed to give the Drum-kit on credit basis

with a condition to return the amount in the next week . Isak also agreed with him to return the same by

borrowing from his neighbour/relative. So the Drum-kit supplied to him on the same day. On next day morning

I went to his field and on my direction he cleaned the field for vegetable cultivation. Also arranged some

vegetable seedlings like Brinjal, Tomato ,& Chilly and planted them by installing the Drumk-kit in that field.

After seeing it, the couple were looked very cheerful because it was a new system for them. Regularly Isak and

his family were taking care of the plants, watering in time, cleaning of grass in the field as per my instruction. In

Micro-irrigation for food security: the Untold Stories of Forgotten Stakeholders, SCAMPIS Project World Water Week 2012 seminar, Sweden

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this work his wife also helped him. After a week he returned the Drum-kit cost to the Dealer by borrowing from his

relative.

As told by Isak and his family members, during this period some people of his neighbour and some villagers were criticizing

them for this work and telling why was he doing this by spending times unnecessarily. But as times goes on and the plants

grew with green. Then flowers and fruits appeared in the plants. All the farmers who were criticised him seen that reality ,

they understood and felt guilty with shame. Besides, they tried slowly to develop their relationship with Isak and his family

members. Then one MusiaGamango also came to him and to me and requested to start this cultivation with using our

technology nearby the field of Isak and I supplied and installed one Drum-kit by planting some seedlings like Tomato, Chilly

and Brinjal and gave him full assistance.

I used to visit the village and started activities like Farmer meetings, S.H.G. meetings and discussed with

them regarding use of our technologies, preparation of Liquid organic fertilizers and its application and benefit

etc. many times. Even I used stay back night to conduct these activities in the night time though the farmers

were free in that time.

The work of Isak was going on. Then I prepared L.O.F. i.e. Pot manure and Magic tonic in the field of Isak and

applied it in due time to the plants with help of Isak and for which he gained knowledge on preparation and

application of L.O.F.

He harvested good organic vegetables from that field. He used them for eating of his family members,

shared to his neighbours and relatives and the surplus crops sold in the local market and earned money. On

the first day of selling the crop in the market he earned Rs.400/- and he bought a saree for his wife, a towel for

him and dresses for his children. His wife and children were very happy by seeing and wearing it and that

happiness cannot be expressible. The neighbours who were not liking his family became a good relation by

sharing vegetable crops.. The villagers who were not cooperating him and participated him in their functions

are also gradually welcomed him for participation. Since then in every season he cultivating different vegetable

crops and enjoying a lot by eating, sharing and selling. He earned Rs.5000/ - in that season.

In this earning money he was able to clear up his old debts etc. Out of which he purchased a land,

changed his cottage in to a tin house , some ornaments for his wife, good clothes for his children etc. Now he

got a good position in their society. Also he is now involving with politics. it was possible because of his own

positive attitude and great deal of trust on me. By seeing this from him some other people of the village and

other villages have come to get the benefit of SCAMPICS by using M.I.S. and now doing different vegetable

cultivation with our assistance and eating in his family nutrient foods, sharing to their neighbours and

relatives and developing their social and economic condition of their family.

I have trained PhuloGamango as VBM to follow up Sales after service. He is selling all types of spare parts

to the users. All villagers are trained to install technologies and preparation of Liquid Organic Fertiliser. There is

Micro-irrigation for food security: the Untold Stories of Forgotten Stakeholders, SCAMPIS Project World Water Week 2012 seminar, Sweden

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as such no danger but it created more opportunities in the other villages towards agriculture. The villagers now slowly

stopped shifting cultivation.