LOCK DOWN A FILAMENT FOR ONION PROCUREMENT TRIBAL FARMERS OF RUDAYAGIRI BLOCK IN GAJAPATI

Bhagabat Padhi,Odishabarta

PARALAKHEMUNDI:Where whole world besieged by tragic Corona, Tribals of Tai & Gadapadar villages of Dabarguda panchayat under Sangsang Nala of RUdayagiri block in Gajapati not lost hope of their livelihoods.More than 100 farmers of these 2 villages could chase their medium unexpected cultivable land to show green filament.Those selected farmers of both villages showed interest for onion cultivation. They got trained under OTELP & implemented NGO Partner SWWS.Each of those belligerent farmers procured 3 to 5 quintals of onion. They cultivated on bio-organic method.So far they procured more than 250 quintals on 2019-20 Financial Year.They are selling @ Rs.30 to Rs.35 to nearest villagers.They are cultivating since last 2 years.Where simple grass could not be found but that flourished with onion with a planned process. Supported by Coordinator Surendra Panda Coordinator of SWWS & regular monitoring by Sangsang Nala VDA President Babila Gomango, Secretary Anam Gamango & CSP Jisaya Gamango the farmers carried their livelihood. Even at Lock Down they are continuing to procure by maintaining those norms e.g.social distancing & wearing Masks.

DJagannath Raju of SWWS says,”We are working those backward areas where we never dream of plain cultivable land. But whatever minimum resources available from up & medium land we could ensure plenty of procurement to support Livelihood which those tribal people never expected to produce such huge quantity of onion but dream became true”.