Bhubaneswar: The Mission Shakti has evolved as a movement under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the last two decades, and this can hardly be contested. The inclusive development and financial independence of at least 70 lakh women associated with self-help groups, is a testimony to the success of Mission Shakti in Odisha.
While there are countless success stories of women leading from the front, setting up small to medium-scale businesses under SHGs, in this story we assess the dedication of two Odia women, who are idolised in their respective localities.
Let us take a look at this 28-year-old dynamic young woman from Barbil who expects an earning of Rs 1 lakh by planting brinjals. Jaimani Munda, Secretary Of Radharani WSHG is an active member of the Jaikrisna producer group. Motivated by the local APC project staff, Munda cultivated brinjal on 2 acres of land.
“Seeds and fertiliser support was rendered by the Integrated Tribal Development Authority under the ‘Jeebika’ scheme while technical assistance for farming was extended by APC Shristi,” said Munda and that the harvest was good and sold to a retailer in Barbil.
“I earned Rs Rs 30,000 this season and expect to make at least Rs 1 lakh in the next,” adds Munda, confidently. “Out of the earnings we ensured food security for the year, and bought new clothes for children,” she said.
With her efforts, Munda has earned special recognition and a place among elders in the village. Today, she is part of the village development programmes.
The second hero of this story is 40-year-old, Nirupama Naik, a farmer from the tribal-dominated Bala village in Jajaposi gram panchayat of Keonjhar. Naik, with the assistance of local administration in Champua, cultivated bitter gourd on one acre of land. While she was lacking technical assistance earlier, with the intervention of experts, the woman harvested an encouraging yield.
“We provided training and technical guidance to her, apart from seeds, fertilisers, and medicines. With better methods of farming, Naik is one of the most successful farmers in the locality,” a local panchayat official said.
Naik has made an income of Rs 35,000 and expects a better one in the upcoming season. She is now a source of inspiration for all the other farmers of the locality who are learning tricks of the trade from Naik
“I was able to contribute to the education of my children, health and social expenses. The new methods of farming with a proper plan have resulted in a sustainable yield and source of income,” the 40-year-old added.
