The ‘Maa Thota’ programme’, a flagship programme of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) aiming at tribal development, has come as a ray of hope for around 2,100 families living in the remote areas of the district. The programme is striving for ensuring the financial security of the tribal population.
The tribal habitations, in the absence of job opportunities and basic amenities food and potable water, has seen mass exodus of the population to faraway places in search of green pastures.
Compared to people living in plains , tribals lead a pathetic life with meagre income and poor amenities. In this backdrop, the ‘Maa Thota’ programme has become a bon for the tribal families living in five mandals such as Saravakota, Patapatnam, Meliyaputti, Jalumuru and Hiramandalm.
With the financial support from NABARD, Bapuji Rural Engineering and Development Society has been implementing the programme in rocky terrains which have now turned into farm lands. In a span of ten years, NABARD and BREDS could turn barren lands into agriculture fields, by engaging various water conservation measures such as construction of water pits, percolation tanks.
NABARD Assistant General Manager M.D. Vasudevan and BREDS Chief Executive Officer A. Rama Krishna Raju told The Hindu that they were imparting training to tribals on the usage of advanced technology and techniques to ensure more yield from crops. During development of land, farmers will get financial support for engaging labourers in their fields and get the ownership right over the land in future.
“Each tribal family is able to generate up to Rs. 30,000 per annum by growing vegetables, banana, cashew, neem, amla and other crops. They will also ensure their financial security by growing teak plants, along the crop area which will act as insurance in case of crop failure,” said Mr. Ramakrishna Raju.
“I earn around Rs.25,000 per annum from the exclusive sale of ridge gourd which has huge demand in the district for its export quality. Farmers can even earn more, if proper storage and marketing facilities are created for their produces,” said J. China Babu, a tribal farmer.
