Tana Bhagat woman transforms barren land into orchard
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Chatra: A widow and disabled woman, Jatari Tana Bhagat (45), from Thethangi village in Bahera panchayat of Tandwa block in Chatra district, has become a source of inspiration for others in her village by earning Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 per month from her mango orchard as well as by growing green vegetables.
Jatari's community, Tana Bhagats, is a small tribal group in Jharkhand which follows Gandhian principles.
D
espite facing all odds after the death of her husband in 2009, Jatari, who has an underdeveloped right hand by birth, is now emerging as an inspiration for others in her community. Just after the death of her husband, she was left with no other option but to do household work in the neighbourhood to earn a living.
Her fate changed when she planted 112 mango saplings on one acre of her land, which was lying unused and termed barren by all. "Now, I am earning every week by selling mangoes in the local market," she said.
Speaking to TOI, Jatari said, "I developed the barren land into a mango orchard after I got a well dug under the MGNREGA scheme. The scheme solved the problem of water scarcity here, too."
She further said every year, she grows garlic, onion, tomato, chilli, peas, coriander and other vegetables under the horticulture scheme of the state govt.
"Soon, I will also take up fishing in the pond constructed in my field from the MGNREGA scheme," she said.
Jatari said her daughter Shanti Devi is married, and her son Dharamdev Tana Bhagat is studying in a school. "I am happy with whatever I have achieved and am able to provide a good life to my children though my husband is no more," she added.
Seeing the passion of Jatari towards MGNREGA schemes, a pump set was given as a gift by the Tandwa block workers so that irrigation and farming could be made even easier.
Seeing Jatari and her success story, residents of her village are now approaching the block office to take advantage of the horticulture scheme and set up mango orchards.
Tandwa block development officer Devlal Oraon said the contribution of the entire team of the block has been excellent in making the MGNREGA scheme successful. "MGNREGA workers have played an important role in ensuring that the schemes are taken up at the right places and payments are made on time," he said, praising Jatari for her hard work.
Block programme officer of MGNREGA in Tandwa, Subodh Paswan, said they would schemes of public and environmental interests. Junior engineer Prince Bakshi said they keep motivating the beneficiaries to provide them with employment. "MGNREGA has proved to be effective in bringing greenery to the barren land along with employment in Tandwa block," he said.
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