Maya Oraon – A Smallholder Tribal Farmer, Bendi Village

Maya Oraon, a tribal farmer from Bendi village in Katkamdag block, Hazaribagh, cultivates less than one acre of upland farmland. Previously dependent on rain-fed paddy cultivation and seasonal forest produce, he struggled with low and uncertain income due to limited access to quality seeds, agricultural training and irrigation.

Support that made the difference

In early 2024, Muskan Foundation identified Maya through its community outreach initiative. He participated in a sustainable vegetable cultivation training programme conducted by the Foundation with technical and seed support from ICAR, New Delhi. He received a seed kit containing tomato, okra, spinach and chilli varieties, along with guidance on land preparation, organic manure, irrigation and crop management.

From seeds to harvest

Using the seeds and training, Maya developed a kitchen garden on 10 decimals of land (0.10 acre). Within two months, he began harvesting spinach and okra, followed by tomatoes and chillies. The vegetables improved his family’s nutritional intake, while surplus produce generated approximately ₹3,500 in additional income during the first season. He reinvested the earnings in compost and fencing and subsequently expanded his vegetable plot.

Maya’s journey shows how timely agricultural training, quality seeds and continued field support can strengthen smallholder livelihoods in tribal communities.