Tora Parasura Watershed Bagicha, Jashpur
The Water Conservation program has transformed the lives of many, including Roshan Tirkey, a resident of Parasura village in Bagicha Tehsil, Jashpur district. Coming from an agricultural family with limited land, Roshan faced numerous challenges due to the encroachment of small stones and sand onto his fields every year, making farming almost impossible. To sustain his family, he resorted to seasonal labor work outside the village.
In 2013, when the Roads Department workers visited their village and discussed the Water Conservation project with the farmers, Roshan attended the meeting. The essence of the project, "Water of the village in the village, soil of the village in the village, people of the village in the village," struck a chord with him. He saw a solution to all his problems in this project.
With collective efforts, the villagers, including both men and women, worked tirelessly for four days to conserve water and soil according to the guidance provided by the Roads Department workers. As a result, Roshan's fields no longer faced the problem of stones and sand encroachment, and a small pond was constructed for water retention.
Embracing the Water Conservation project, Roshan stopped seeking labour work outside the village and began actively participating in the conservation efforts. With the implementation of measures in the surrounding forests, the issues of encroachment diminished, and water channels were set up for proper drainage.
Engaging in the Water Conservation project enabled Roshan to earn a steady income of 3000 to 4000 rupees every 15 days, totalling up to approximately 70,000 rupees annually. He invested this income in various aspects of agriculture, including adopting the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method for paddy cultivation, producing organic fertilizers, and diversifying into vegetable farming. His wife also joined a self-help group, engaging in fragrance flower cultivation and running a weekly hotel for additional income.
Regular payments from the committee and resources allowed Roshan to make significant improvements in his farming practices. He purchased a pair of oxen for farming, repaired his fields, and initiated paddy cultivation using the SRI method, resulting in a substantial increase in rice production. He also utilized the guidance provided by the Roads Department workers to install a solar pump for irrigation, enabling him to grow tomatoes and earn additional income.
Through his hard work and dedication, Roshan has earned around 120,000 rupees from tomato cultivation alone over the past three years. Furthermore, he received 10 beehives from the Forest Department through the committee, which he plans to utilize as his main source of livelihood in the near future.
Roshan's success story is not unique. Many other farmers in the village have also benefitted from the Water Conservation program, significantly improving their standard of living. Roshan expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Roads and Jalgrahan committees for bringing about such a transformative change in his family's life. He now envisions a prosperous future for himself and his children, free from the struggles of his past.
