Growth in Gauthans: Multi-activity Boosts Employment, Vermicompost, Vegetable Husbandry, and Poultry Farming Thrive
Raipur: Gauthans, established under Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s Gram Suraji Scheme, have become a symbol of livelihood promotion and economic empowerment. These gauthans have opened up new avenues for employment through multi-activity initiatives. Particularly, women have emerged as significant contributors, earning substantial incomes and strengthening their economic conditions within their villages.
Under the Gram Suraji scheme implemented by the state government, gauthans in rural areas are undergoing remarkable transformations. These gauthans serve as centers for various activities, including the protection and utilization of cattle resources. Livelihood opportunities are being created by harnessing the potential of cow dung.
A notable example can be found in Sirpur village of Mahasamund district, falling under Janpad Panchayat Saraipali. Ten women from the Kasturba Self-Help Group took the initiative to work in the gauthan four years ago, and their efforts have yielded remarkable results. These women have rewritten their own stories, witnessing the joy and prosperity that fills their households.
The Kasturba Self-Help Group members have successfully generated significant income, amounting to lakhs of rupees, by selling cow dung and producing vermicompost. Moreover, they have embraced additional income-generating activities such as vegetable husbandry and poultry farming.
One group member shared her journey, mentioning how she used to be confined to domestic chores. However, after joining the group and engaging in gauthan activities, she has developed a new perspective and is now moving towards self-reliance. The women expressed their gratitude to the Bhupesh Government for providing them with such opportunities.
This transformative experience showcases the positive impact of gauthans in empowering rural women, fostering economic growth, and nurturing a sense of self-sufficiency within the community.