Odisha’s population growth rate consistently declines

Odisha’s present fertility rate is just 1.8 and it is expected to further reduce to 1.2 in 2036. This apart in three districts – Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Kandhamal — the demographic transition will be higher that is expected to exceed two, indicating a significant regional inequality in demographic transition by 2036, said noted educationist, Professor Amitabh Kundu at the Odisha Vikash Conclave 2023 organised on 7th December by CYSD in partnership with UNFPA.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Odisha Vikash Conclave 2023, Professor Kundu said government policies and schemes need to be aligned to tackle the challenges posed by demographic transition, with a greater emphasis on social security support. Demographic transition in Odisha, according to experts, began in 1992-93. The population growth rate in the state was below 10 per cent during the last decade (2011-2021). It has consistently declined compared to the national level. Previously, Odisha’s population, representing 4 per cent of India’s total, has now reduced to 3.5 per cent.

As the state’s aging population is projected to reach 17 per cent by 2036, the state has a unique opportunity to harness the potential arising from demographic transition, observed Shri Jagadananda, a noted social scientist and Co-founder of CYSD. “This dividend can be tapped in two ways: first, the Gender Dividend, which involves utilizing the untapped potential of the aging female population; and second, the Silver Dividend, which entails leveraging the knowledge and expertise of older individuals,” he added. Dr. R Balakrishnan, Chief Advisor at the Office of the Chief Minister, Odisha, mentioned that the state budget outlay has leaped from Rs 1 crore in 1936 to Rs 2 lakh crore now, indicating steady economic progress in the state. He underscored that Odisha’s development model is equity-based and inclusive, striving to reach the last mile individuals. Such a development model needs to be adopted nationwide. He promised to take forward the recommendations of the OVC to the appropriate level to transform them into action.

Ms. Andrea Wojnar, Country Head of the United Nations UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), underscored that UNFPA will continue to support in conducting intensive research on new themes related to demography and development in India.

The OVC-2023 opening session was participated by 400 delegates comprising civil society leaders, government officials, think tanks, representatives from corporate houses, academicians, researchers, CBO leaders, PRI representatives and media representatives. The opening session was followed by six different thematic sessions and way forward sessions.

Akshay Kumar Sahoo
Deccan Chronicle.

 

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Dialogue on Building Resilient Gram Panchayat

The Odisha Vikash Conclave 2023, themed “Demography and Development,” commenced with a Dialogue on “Building Resilient Gram Panchayat,” on 6th December. The experts joining the deliberation called for strengthening the gram panchayats frameworks in Odisha for holistic development of the State.

Participating at the OVC- 2023, the experts drawn from international bodies, the Union government and State government, pointed out that the gram panchayats play a pivotal role in advancing the human development agenda of the Union and State governments at the village level.

“The level of development in a village is evident through the facilities that it provides to enrich human life and sustain the surrounding environment,” said Shri Jagadananda, Social Scientist and Co-founder of CYSD.

Shri Surendra Nath Tripathi, Director General of Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Government of India, said gram panchayats, as institutions of self-government, need to be developed as institutions of local self- governance as was the case before the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act.

He underlined the need for an inclusive approach in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) system to ensure that the last-mile individuals are covered under social security.Emphasising on the need to check distressed migration to ensure rural prosperity, Shri Anshuman Karol, Lead Governance and Climate Action, Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), stated that Panchayats play a pivotal role in planning and structuring employment in villages to reduce migration.

The formulation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) presents a unique opportunity for panchayats to align their strategies with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said CYSD Programme Director – Basant Kumar Nayak.Ms. Itishree Kanungo, another expert from Mahashakti Foundation, stressed on the need of women empowerment, mostly in rural pockets to tackle the challenges posed by the changing demographic pattern.

Shri Karunakar Patnaik, a retired Indian Administrative Officer and present Chairman of IIPA-Odisha, shed light on the role of panchayats in allocating land to the landless and preventing the fraudulent practices in the sale of tribal land. Sarpanches and people’s representatives from 73 panchayats in backward districts such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Balangir, Bargarh, and Malkangiri joining the event discussed on the challenges faced by people in their respective villages. These challenges encompass poverty, lack of access to healthcare facilities, absence of universal health coverage, poor road connectivity, exclusion of eligible individuals from government social security schemes, insufficient irrigation and drinking water facilities, inadequate sanitation, absence of essential documents, and faulty documents hindering access to government benefits, they mentioned. They also formulated strategies to address these challenges.

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Transforming Agriculture with Millet Cultivation

Tavasarua villagers, mostly farmers, rely on agriculture for their livelihood.  Owing to insufficient water for traditional paddy cultivation they face huge challenges. But, with the intervention of Odisha Millets Mission for promotion of millets in tribal regions like Kendujhar district, the farmers of Tavasarua in Saharapada Tahasil of the district could see new hope and success in agriculture despite limited rainfall.

Janardhan Nayak is a hardened and prominent farmer in Tavasarua village with over 4 decades of experience. His family, comprising three members, primarily relies on income from agriculture sources. But, limited access to water for traditional paddy cultivation and unpredictable weather conditions, making agriculture more vulnerable. Motivated by the implementing agency CYSD and Odisha Millet Mission, Janardhan, as the first attempt, decided to take a leap into millet cultivation.

Janardhan possesses 7.5 acres of land, from which he cultivated paddy in 3 acres and vegetable in 1 acre. Understanding that millet crops require less water and are resilient to challenging conditions, he allocated two acres of land for Ragi millet cultivation in the last Kharif of 2023 applying the SMI method.

By adopting millet cultivation, Janardhan improved his agricultural yield and ensured a more stable income source. Ragi millets being known for their resilience and lower water requirements, make them ideal for this region. Janardhan also diversified his crops by cultivating paddy, millets and vegetables, reducing the risk of crop failure.

Other farmers in Tavasarua are closely observing Janardhan’s progress with millet cultivation. The village is excited about the potential of millets which will provide a more sustainable and reliable source of income. Janardhan’s journey into millet cultivation represents a promising new chapter for Tavasarua. While the millet crops are not yet matured, the shift towards more resilient and water-efficient farming practices is a step in the right direction. The community’s confidence and willingness to adapt to new agricultural methods highlight the potential for a brighter and more sustainable future for the village. “I am thankful to the Odisha Millets Mission and CYSD for inspiring me to cultivate millets and providing ample technical knowhow to this effect”, said Janardhan with full of cheerfulness.

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Monsoon Potato brings Livelihood Transformation in Kashipur Block

In the lush landscapes of Kashipur Block in Rayagada district of Odisha, a transformative episode unfolded in the life of Kamala Majhi, a 45-year-old tribal farmer from Mati Maa Producers Group, Bariaguda village. Traditionally engaged in cultivating crops like Ragi, Maize, Nizer, paddy, and minor millets, Kamala embraced a new opportunity brought forth by the intervention of CYSD-UANAT (Utkal’s Action for Agricultural Transformation) Project for cultivation of monsoon potatoes. Shift from traditional forest based livelihoods to agriculture was further encouraged by CYSD’s initiative to promote cash crops, particularly vegetable cultivation throughout the year.

After getting involved in a village-level community mobilization meeting organized by CYSD, Kamala decided to take up the challenge of cultivating monsoon potato in her sloppy land. Although it was her first attempt, the guidance provided by the CYSD expert team increased her apprehensions.

In 2023, around 285 farmers, including Kamala Majhi, received support from the Horticulture Department with the facilitation of CYSD to cultivate monsoon potatoes. Kamala, along with her husband Danar Majhi, received agri-inputs support like, 100 Kg potato seeds along with organic fertilizer and field bonding assistance to develop her sloppy degraded land. With proper seed treatment, preparation of bio-fertilizer and land development, Kamala implanted the potato seeds in July, overcoming challenges posed by continuous rain and soil erosion that affected other farmers in her village.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, Kamala’s strategic approach, combined with the benefits of sloping land and adherence to good agricultural practices, resulted in successful harvest. She yielded around 347 Kg of potatoes and set an example for other members of Mati Maa Producer Group and neighboring villages.

Kamala’s financial gain from monsoon potato cultivation was substantial. With an investment of Rs. 3,230, including the support from horticulture department, she generated an income of Rs. 10,400 by selling 347 Kg of potatoes at Rs. 30 per Kg in the Dongasil Haat and near Farm Gate and kept 20 Kg small size potato for family consumption.  After deducting the investment, Kamala made a profit of Rs. 7180 in just four months. This income not only improved the household’s economic status but also ensured her family’s food security.

The members of Mati Maa Producer Group including Kamala, expressed their appreciation for the initiative taken jointly by the UANAT project of CYSD and Horticulture Department. “I see this intervention as a successful model which can be replicated in other villages and the model has good potential to uplift the trial population’s livelihood”, said the Deputy Director, Horticulture, Rayagada.

In the heart of Kashipur Block, Kamala Majhi’s journey from a traditional crop cultivation to monsoon potato cultivation signifies resilience, adaptability, and the positive impact of strategic interventions on tribal livelihoods. “Kamala’s success story will continue to inspire and ignite hope for a brighter and more sustainable future in Kashipur Block”, added the DDH.

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Sustainability Through Non-Pesticide Manure

Costly chemical input in agriculture can be seen as one of the reasons why so many conventional farmers are becoming indebted. Organic farmers protect themselves from this by producing their own inputs from organic matter. CYSD staff members involved in Odisha Millets Mission (OMM) programme have undertaken an intensive research and revealed that organic input can reduce the input expenditure cost of farmers.

Damayanti Behera, one of the women farmers from Ghantiadar village in Jarak GP of Thakurmunda Block in Mayurbhanj district experimented with organic input in her farm land and got desired benefits.

When Damayanti was asked about the results of bio-pesticide use instead of chemical pesticides, she replied that application of bio-pesticide has effectively controlled pests without damaging the soil and saved my input cost by 50%.  This indicates the significant financial benefits of such techniques.

In the initial stage of bio-pesticide preparation, one of the Community Resource Person, Purnima Behera, conducted a training on Non-Pesticide Management (NPM) for the farmers. Then on a trial basis she prepared some bio-pesticide products like Agneyastra, Nimastra, Handikhata and sold them in her own locality including Damayanti.  She was advised by Purnima to apply the products in millet and vegetable fields. “I have been applying bio-pesticide and bio-manures for the last one and a half years. While comparing the input cost, I realized that I have saved around Rs. 20,000/- in 2022 against Rs. 50,000/- invested on input cost in 2020 and even before that, shared Damayanti”.

On realization of the actual value of this product, Demayanti eagerly wanted to know more about the product and the process of preparation and sought the technical guidance of Purnima, a master trainer in NPM.  Knowing Damayanti’s interest in NPM, Purnima offered her training. Last year, Damayanti prepared 200 Ltr. Agneyastra for application in her own land and sold the surplus products.

Being a trained person on NPM and user of related products, Damayanti wants to set up a NPM hub in her own locality and supply the products to her SHG members and to other locations as well.

CYSD OMM Project team is exploring the possibility of helping Damayanti establish a bio-pesticide input centre in convergence with the Mission Shakti for sustainability.

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Micro Agri-Enterprise Empowers Malati Mohanta

Champajhar, a revenue village in Thakurmunda Block of Mayurbhanj District of Odisha, is about 80 Km away from the district headquarters Baripada. People from heterogeneous castes like ST, SC, OBC and General are the main residents of this village.

Malti Mohanta from Chamapjhar, an amateur agri-entrepreneur has adopted seedless nursery as a livelihood option to supplement her family’s income. Malti resides with her husband Deepak Mahanta in a joint family. They cultivate paddy for home consumption purposes, but they are ignorant of the opportunity to increase their income through other agricultural activities and selling the produce in the market.  But, Malti getting out of household chores could bring change in her family’s livelihood when CYSD intervened in her area with Agriculture Production Cluster (APC) program in partnership with Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation (BRLF) through formation of Producer Groups and followed by various capacity building orientations.

Malti became one of the members of Chindigiri Producers Group and got the opportunity to attend several capacity building programs, along with other women members, organized by CYSD APC team, Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, etc., related to cultivation of vegetables using different methods and entrepreneurship models like, seed line preparation, value addition, etc. Getting training and exposure, Malti showed her interest towards preparation of vegetable seedlings through adoption of soilless nursery model.

Malti’s unwavering determination to become a successful agri-entrepreneur brought her in contact with the CYSD program team. After listening to her carefully, the program team committed to help Malti fulfil her dream. The team discussed with various government departments and finally the horticulture department came one step ahead to support Malti under the RKVY scheme. After completion of the formalities between Malti and the Department of Horticulture, she started the venture in Aug-2023. The total cost of the project being Rs 6,56,314/-, Malti contributed Rs 2,84,782/- and the RKVY scheme granted Rs. 3,71,532/- for this venture.

In every step, the CYSD program team assisted Malti, and extended technical guidance in seedling preparation, seedbed management, disease & paste  management and marketing, etc. Initially, she made an investment of Rs. 10,000/- with regard to procurement of seeds like brinjal, tomato, chili, cabbage, cauliflower, and cherry tomato seeds, and seedling preparation. After selling the first batch of seedlings at market price, she made a total profit of Rs.15000/-.“Within a month’s time, the seedlings were ready for sale and the profit which I acquired was fairly satisfying,” says Malti with a cheerful voice. While Malti’s aspiration to become an agri-entrepreneur is gradually getting fulfilled, she has become an inspiration for other women farmers in her community.

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Non-Pesticide Management Practice Augmenting Surai’s Agriculture Production

Adopting Natural Farming Practices, Surai Maji, a 46-year-old woman farmer of Ratachuan village in Kodipari Gram Panchayat, has broken the barriers in the agricultural landscape. In order to sustain the livelihood of her family – husband Lada Maji and three other members, Surai actively gets involved in both agricultural and non-agricultural activities.

In the kharif season, Surai works as a share cropper alongside her husband. Despite a lack of formal education, Surai has become an active member of Maa Tulashi Producer Group. Her deep involvement in community activities led her to a transformative experience by attending a training session on Natural Farming conducted by the CYSD under the UANAT Project supported by UAIL and BRLF.

In the training, Surai learned about the Natural Farming Practices by applying non-pesticide management (NPM), a methodology that enables farmers to create bio-fertilizers using locally available materials. Realizing the potential of producing homemade bio-fertilizers, Surai could foresee the opportunity to address the high-cost fertilizers challenges, which was not economically viable for a joint family like her.

Mingling cow dung and urine, gram flour, jaggery, and Neem leaves proportionately, Surai started preparing organic fertilizers and experimented NPM on her 3-acre land – used Neemastra in Brinjal crop yielded miraculous results, and the application of Ghanajeevamrit and Jeevamrit in potato crop yield resulted fivefold increase in production comparing to the seeds input weight. Of course, the UANAT project supported High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Vermin bed for Vermi compost preparation.

Surai’s success story in the Beans, Potato and Tomato crop production was impressive. By applying Ghanajeevamrit and Jeevamrit, she not only achieved a bountiful harvest but also reduced the dependency on expensive chemical fertilizers. “The success in natural farming has provided my family a sustained livelihood and I am further inspired to explore the potential of NPM in other crops too,” says Surai .

Surai’s enthusiasm for NPM use went beyond her family’s fields. She had recently sprayed Jeevamrit in her paddy field to observe the results and has started making Ghanajeevamrit for the upcoming kharif crop, being a sustainable practice that can be stored for the entire crop season.

Surai envisages, practicing NPM in future agricultural productivity can further be enhanced. “I see an opportunity to contribute to my family’s income by producing and selling these natural fertilizers to fellow farmers”, shares Surai.   Her entrepreneurial spirit is evident as she contemplates selling homemade fertilizers. Her neighbor, Sinai Majhi, who borrowed Jeevamrit and Vermi compost from Surai for use, has observed positive results in the growth and color of Beans and potatoes.

Surai Majhi’s journey from a traditional farmer to an advocate of Natural Farming Practices exemplifies the transformative potential of sustainable agricultural methods. Through her dedication, Surai has not only achieved remarkable results in her own crops but also become a beacon for her community. Surai’s story showcases the power of knowledge and innovation in creating a sustainable and economically viable future for farmers in rural communities.

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Youth of India & Sustainable Development

CYSD’s Public Lecture Series on ‘Youth Work’

Addressing the audience, Dr.(Prof) Pitabasa Sahoo stated, “Today, 12th August, we are celebrating the International Youth Day globally and I am happy to acknowledge CYSD’s pioneering role in empowering the youth and uplifting the underprivileged communities of Odisha”.

He continued, “India’s ‘demographic dividend’ emerges from its diverse and youthful population, aged approximately 10 to 24, shaping the nation’s future. Addressing challenges in education, employment, and gender equality is vital, with youth engagement being pivotal. Government initiatives like NCC, NSS, and NYKS underscore their significance in nation-building. Through collaboration and action, India’s youth can drive positive change for a promising tomorrow. The government’s commitment to youth development is evident through policies, programs, and collaborative efforts, acknowledging the vital role of the youth in shaping India’s future”.

He tells us about SDGs, “The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 interconnected targets aimed at addressing global challenges and creating a sustainable and equitable future for all by 2030. The SDGs build upon the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but with a holistic approach and recognition of interconnected challenges. The 17 SDGs include goals like ending poverty, achieving food security, ensuring good health, promoting education, gender equality, clean water, sustainable energy, economic growth, industry and innovation, reducing inequality, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, climate action, ocean and land conservation, peace, justice, and partnerships for sustainable development.”

The ‘youth bulge’ highlights a demographic trend with a large young population, emphasizing the need for youth employment and peace-building. India’s youthful average age of 29 presents a “demographic dividend,” propelling a $5 trillion economy goal. However, challenges like education, employment, and gender inequality must be tackled. Youth contribute as human capital, driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Youth activism drives change for gender equality and environmental conservation. Their critical thinking, innovation, and tech skills enable effective advocacy via digital platforms. The Indian government has launched various schemes and programs for youth empowerment and development:

  • Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK): Through initiatives like Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), National Youth Corps (NYC), and National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP), this program aims to foster youth leadership, engagement in nation-building, and personality development.
  • National Service Scheme (NSS): Providing opportunities for community service and social development, NSS encourages youth participation in various community projects.
  • Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD): Dedicated to youth research and development, RGNIYD focuses on enhancing youth skills and knowledge.
  • Green Skill Development Programme: Addressing skill gaps in environmental fields, this program, by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, offers training in areas like wildlife conservation and horticulture. It empowers youth to drive sustainable practices and promote a greener future.

In the transition towards a green economy, green jobs and skills are pivotal. They drive innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth while addressing global challenges like climate change. Youth involvement is essential in advocating for a greener world, fostering awareness, innovation, and community engagement. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and individuals is key to creating a resilient and sustainable future.

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Light at the end of the tunnel

Aspirations of Train Tragedy Survivors

The June 2 Odisha train accident was a disastrous collision involving three trains that resulted in 294 deaths and left a large number of injuries. It is considered the deadliest rail disaster worldwide since the 2004 Sri Lankan tsunami train wreck. This tragic occurrence showed the remarkable bravery of survivors in addition to exposing flaws in railway safety. One of them, Gautam Kumar, demonstrates firm courage to keep going with his education and rebuild his life despite suffering severe injuries.

Gautam Kumar, a 17-year-old from the Bihar village of Rasonk, was undergoing treatment at Cuttack’s SCB Medical College and Hospital, accompanied by his mother Nirmala and brother Vikash. Despite having a head injury, Gautam occasionally smiles. Just days before boarding a ‘prestigious’ train to Chennai, he recalls dancing at his brother’s wedding on May 28. Gautam had received the highest marks in his intermediate exam, and in September, he hoped to move to Patna for coaching. He had plans to work as a daily wage laborer, save money, and spend his weekly days off visiting Chennai’s most popular sites before he began pursuing more serious studies.

Gautam and his fellow villagers boarded the crowded general compartment of the Coromandel Express traveling to Chennai. They were unable to find seats, so they ended up standing by the door for four hours while enjoying the fast-paced journey. A week later, Gautam found himself in a hospital bed with his left leg amputated. He responded with confidence when asked if he would continue studying, “I may not pursue science, but I will study for sure”, he answered to Kahnu Behura (lead volunteer, CYSD)

On the other side of this heartbreaking story, we come across Bulti Khatoon, a wife who has spent 20 days next to her unconscious husband, Sk Khokan, in the neurosurgery ICU of Cuttack’s SCB Medical. She was temporarily living on the hospital floor, with a bedsheet as a bed and a plastic bag as a pillow, this represents her will to overcome this challenge. Khokan is one of the severely hurt passengers from the same train accident on June 2.

Despite the intense heat and humidity, Bulti remains calm. Bulti excitedly awaits the day when she can feed Khokan real fruits and food he likes instead of having to use nasogastric tubes to provide him with nutrition.  Their younger son’s desire to attend school must wait while Khokan keeps his promise to go back home and fix their leaky roof.

Financial difficulties continued even after the government’s assistance. They were unable to cash the cheques. Similar struggles were found in the accounts of other victims at the hospital, as witnessed by CYSD’s lead volunteer, Madhusudan Das. In an effort to alleviate some of the financial burden of Gautam Kumar and Sk Khokan’s attendants at the hospital, CYSD also provided Rs.7000 and Rs. 5000, respectively so that they could meet their basic needs and transit expenses to go back home.

These stories of two families affected by the Odisha train disaster showcase the strength of the human spirit. Their dreams may be temporarily crushed, but their hopes remain intact.

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High-income generation through low-cost agricultural input

Kupuli Guda is a small hamlet with approximately 20 households, located in the Kollar Gram Panchayath within the Boipariguda Block of Koraput District. This hamlet is well-known for its low-cost agricultural methods used for cultivating vegetables, paddy, and millet. All 20 households in the village have adopted Non-Pesticide Management (NPM), a cost-effective cultivation method that also reduces chemical residue on the harvested produce.

Buddhai Bhumia, a 35-year-old woman farmer from one of these 20 households, has been practicing NPM for the past five years on her three-and-a-half acres of farmland. Along with her husband, Gobardhana Bhumia, they manage to harvest two crops annually. The first crop is paddy, and the second consists of various vegetables such as Lady Finger, Beans, Chili, Cauliflower, and Cabbage, which cover half an acre of their land. They sow paddy in two acres and cultivate millet in the remaining one acre. Buddhai Bhumia shared, “In our three-and-a-half acres of land, we cultivate vegetables on half an acre, sow paddy on two acres, and grow millet on the remaining one acre.”

“For the past five years, my husband and I have been extremely satisfied with the consistently good yield we obtain each season,” Bhuddai said, her face lit up with contentment. Prior to adopting this approach, the couple had been using chemical pesticides on their farmland. “Initially, when we used chemical pesticides, we couldn’t even recover the amount we invested, and moreover, it was costly to purchase them from the market,” she recalled.

Now, Buddhai utilizes homemade organic pesticides and fertilizers in her farmland. This not only has reduced their expenses on purchasing expensive pesticides and fertilizers from the market but has also resulted in higher yields, leading to more profitable returns. She mentioned that she uses organic fertilizers like Handi Khata & Jeevamrut and organic pesticides like Neemastra & Agniastra.

Explaining the process of preparing Handi Khata, Buddhai detailed that equal parts of cow dung and cow urine are mixed with 15-20 neem leaves, 15-20 Arka leaves, 15-20 Karanj leaves, followed by 1 kg of jaggery and 1 kg of gram flour (besan), respectively.

When calculating her profits, she shared, “For the crop of lady’s finger, I have earned Rs. 2,400 so far, and I only invested Rs. 200 in seeds. I can harvest 150 kg of lady’s finger from a single batch of seeds.”

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