A beacon of hope, perseverance in rural Odisha's water-starved area

By Bishwarupa Sahu*

Life offers each of us a unique journey, shaped by challenges, choices, and the spirit to persevere. In the remote village of Jhadsemla, nestled in the Nabarangpur district of Odisha, a powerful story of resilience and determination quietly unfolds. This is the story of Dhani—a young woman whose unwavering resolve has not only transformed her own life but also ignited change in her entire community.

In Jhadsemla, more than half of the families depend solely on rain-fed agriculture, with limited resources and little choice. For Dhani's family, the situation was even more dire as they were landless. They survived by cultivating a small patch of farm land, officially recorded as village forest. The lack of secure land ownership forced her husband, Damusingh Bhatra, to migrate for nearly six months every year to work as a labourer in far-off locations.

“After the monsoon ends, the men leave,” Dhani shares. “It’s the women who stay behind—to raise the children, care for the elderly, tend to the sick, manage livestock, and handle all household responsibilities.”

Expressing her frustration, she adds, “It pains me to think that my husband works 8 to 10 hours a day, far away, earning just Rs 350–400—just because we don’t have enough land to survive here. What fault is it of ours that our ancestors were not aware about the impofrtance and utility of formal land records?”

A breakthrough came in 2011 when the family received legal land titles under the Forest Rights Act for the plot they had been cultivating. Recognizing that irrigation was key to improving productivity, Dhani and Damusingh mobilized their community. With support from the Gram Sabha, they applied for a group dug well. It was approved the following financial year, setting the stage for a new beginning.

With access to water, Dhani took a loan from her Self-Help Group (SHG) and began cultivating vegetables like cauliflower, brinjal, radish, and coriander, along with paddy. Then, in 2015, Damusingh brought her unexpected news: “No migration this year.” Their transformation had begun. They diversified further, taking up goat and poultry rearing. Within two years, their family income crossed ₹1 lakh annually, and both children were enrolled in school.

In 2021, with the appointment of Jambubati Mohanta as the Coordinator of the Forest Rights Cell support for land title holders in Jhadsemla significantly deepened. Jambubati’s regular visits revealed a key concern—seasonal migration driven by water scarcity and a lack of local livelihood options. Recognizing the potential within Dhani and Damusingh’s success, she partnered with them to bring broader change.

To address the root issues, Jambubati introduced the idea of Trench-Cum-Bunds (TCBs) under Integrated Natural Resource Management. She encouraged the village to raise the demand through the Gram Sabha, while she worked closely with block officials to ease implementation. With the involvement of local functionaries, construction of TCBs under MGNREGA was approved for vulnerable households.

This intervention has not only rejuvenated Jhadsemla’s soil and landscape but has significantly improved the community’s livelihood prospects. With better land and water management, households are now seeing increased income potential. The success of this initiative has inspired neighbouring villages to adopt similar practices, building momentum for sustainable agriculture in the region.

Dhani’s journey stands as a beacon of hope. Her perseverance has cultivated a platform of trust, motivating others to believe in a better future. In 2024, migration from Jhadsemla dropped by nearly 50%. The local ward member proudly shared, “Many families have dared to invest in Rabi and summer crops this time. Five families are planning summer cultivation next year. I envision a mango orchard near my well.”

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*Development professional with over 17 years of work experience

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