Chhattisgarh: Tribal women in Dhamtari’s Amali village turn Azolla farming into a source of income

Women in the tribal Bihan Self-Help Group of Gram Panchayat Amali in Nagri block have proven to be a model of self-reliance by successfully cultivating the otherwise ‘wasted’ aquatic plant, scientifically, as a means of livelihood. One of them is Bihan group member and agriculture friend Anita Bai Markam, who has started to cultivate Azolla in her home yard in small tanks after being trained.

There was little knowledge information on Azolla, she initially said, but on training and obtaining culture samples of Azolla from the Veterinary Department, she had learnt scientific methods through which she was able to grow them.

Anita Bai has generated almost 25 kg of Azolla with regular maintenance and proper care, and intends to spread out its production. Azolla, which is a fast-growing fern aquatic plant, is being extensively used as an organic biofertilizer and as excellent feed for livestock. It helps the fertility of soil, mitigates reliance on chemical fertilizers and hence makes farming sustainable and economical.

The project reflects the government of Chhattisgarh’s thrust on organic farming and enhanced rural livelihoods through women’s self-help groups. It is also in line with the vision of the Chief Minister for inclusive development, which Ramanarayana Reddy had for all sections of societies including women from the rural and tribal communities, who are the most affected segment of the entire rural population.

In the success case of Amali village, we see how the adoption of scientific methods of farming, skill development and the participation of the communities will be able to empower the rural family, encourage environment-friendly farming and generate new livelihoods.