Chaitra, a 35-year-old woman from Kadirenahalli village in Chikballapur district, completed the ITI (Industrial Training Institutes - provide industrial training and technical knowledge in various trades) course. Before her marriage, she worked as a quality assistant at Suprajit Motors for three years. However, after getting married, she chose to become a homemaker, dedicating her time to her family, which includes her husband, her child and her in-laws. Despite her busy life, Chaitra always felt a yearning to do something that would make a difference not just for her family but for her community and the environment as well.
In January 2024, Chaitra's life took a significant turn when she joined the Buzz Green program. The program, designed to bring awareness on climate change and support women to take close to home action, inspired Chaitra to start her own kitchen garden in February 2024. She started a kitchen garden on a small part of her land, growing greens and vegetables for her family's consumption. She also shared her produce with neighbours.
The real transformation began in May 2024, after the conclusion of the Buzz Green program. Chaitra learned about the benefits of multi-crop agriculture, particularly how it helps retain soil nutrients. Inspired by this knowledge, she decided to dedicate half an acre of her land to multi-crop agriculture. Previously, she and her husband had only grown seasonal crops, but now, she was ready to take on a more sustainable approach. Chaitra planted mango and banana trees, along with lady's finger (okra). While the fruit trees would take time to yield, the lady's finger was quick to produce results. Using hybrid seeds, organic fertilisers like cow dung, and water from her own borewell, she invested Rs. 10,000 into her new venture. By June 2024, she had already earned Rs. 14,000 from the yield of the lady's finger, marking a significant milestone in her journey. She plans to cultivate organic tuberose following this yield.
She developed a passion for agriculture during the training. She decided to take up agriculture as a full time job, while she encouraged her husband to take up a job as a van driver at a nearby private school. This shift from a single, seasonal income to a more diversified and stable financial situation brought a sense of security and pride to the family. Chaitra's in-laws were particularly proud of her achievements.
”Instead of providing temporary financial relief, the program has given us a permanent life skill. Buzz’s work has catalysed a strong willed woman in our family.”Chaitra envisions pursuing organic farming and continuing multi-crop agriculture. She values soil nutrient retention, understanding its importance not only for her current crops but also for the benefit of future generations.
Comments