Julko Minyaka’s Green Dream Revives Koraput Soil

In Narsikaipadar village of Koraput district, tribal farmer Julko Minyaka has rewritten her farming story through natural practices. Once dependent on chemical inputs and facing repeated low yields, her soil had grown tired and unproductive, mirroring her fading confidence after successive failed seasons.

In 2025, Julko shifted to natural farming, enriching her fields with cow dung, cow urine, neem-based formulations, green manure and mulching. Gradually, soil texture improved, moisture retention increased and pest attacks reduced without chemical sprays. Her kitchen garden turned into a practical learning space where she tested and refined sustainable methods.

Today, she follows poly-cropping—cultivating ragi, maize, pigeon pea, cowpea and seasonal vegetables—ensuring household food security and diversified income. With technical guidance and local seed support under CYSD’s SOLP project, Julko has become a role model for other women farmers. Her transformation highlights how restoring soil health can rebuild livelihoods, strengthen resilience and renew dignity for small tribal farmers.