BRICK KILN LABOURERS WHO ARE NOW PROUD OWNERS OF ARHAR FIELDS
It’s a rousing story of such farmers who were once forced to feed the family by doing wage work in the brick kiln. Tuka Besra and Pudi Soren of village Sirsia described that before joining the organization, they were daily wage labourers working in a brick kiln. Despite their own fields, they were hand to mouth on what they earned. They were marginal farmers growing only one crop i.e. rice during rainy season. They used to buy seeds of pulses from the market at a cost, yet were not able to meet both the ends. Those seeds were not high yielding and reliable. Left with no other option, they had to work as daily wagers and whatever they used to earn, the family was somehow fed with. They were only getting to eat simple food, mostly rice with potato curry and sometimes with water only, even oil and spices were luxury for them. PAIRVI came up as a blessing for these poor fellows. After joining the organization PAIRVI, there is a big change in their life. This projected has assisted these farmers to grow pulses and oilseeds crops in four times ensuring year-round food security. They get seeds for maize, arhar, mustard and chana from the seed bank. The beneficiary of the passbook linked to the seed bank gets 3 to 4 kg of pulses seeds per family. These seeds are traditional varieties (desi), yet give a better yield of 30-35 kg. The oilseeds and pulses (like moong, arhar, chana, mustard, summer moong, summer urad) in barren land and rice fallow area has not only given an opportunity to these farmers for extra income but has also improved the protein intake of the villagers. The most important aspect is that these farmers are never encouraged to use chemical fertilizers; they are using cow dung only as manure in their fields, thus ensuring PURE ORGANIC FARMING. There has been a huge impact on the livelihood of the tribal community of this region. Pudi Soren testified that today the crops of pulses and oilseeds are flourishing in their fields. Some vegetables are also grown. Now they have also started getting sesame seeds and mustard seeds. And they are using these oils for their domestic use only. They are not selling but it has reduced the dependency on market, creating self- sufficiency among these tribal people. Soren’s family is prospering for last two years and they are now well pleased that they never have to go back to brick kilns for wages. Inspired by their success, there was also a positive change in the lives of other villagers. They are also becoming a part of the change by getting associated with the Project.    

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