In Odisha’s Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts, smallholder farmers Anita Naik, Lalita Kisan, and Mananit Kerketa have transformed previously barren and underutilised land into productive bamboo plantations, demonstrating how climate-resilient agriculture can strengthen rural livelihoods.
Over the years, all three women faced persistent financial uncertainty due to dependence on rain-fed farming, seasonal wage labour, and limited irrigation facilities. Their journeys took a decisive turn through participation in Self-Help Groups and exposure to livelihood initiatives supported by the Odisha Livelihoods Mission and the Industree Foundation.
With technical training from Krishi Mitras and access to structured programmes, they adopted bamboo cultivation, planting around 60 saplings each using scientific methods.
The shift not only offers the promise of long-term, sustainable income but also reflects a broader change in mindset from coping with environmental limitations to actively working with them.
Officials associated with the programme continue to highlight bamboo as a viable, low-input, climate-suitable alternative for farmers in water-scarce regions.
From Barren Land to Sustainable Livelihoods
As told to The Logical Indian, for Anita Naik in Gohitngiri village, agriculture has been both a livelihood and a challenge for over two decades. Married at the age of 20 into a small household dependent on farming and a modest shop, she experienced firsthand the instability caused by erratic rainfall and limited irrigation.
Despite consistent effort, income remained unpredictable, often forcing the family to prioritise immediate needs over long-term planning. Close to her home lay nearly half an acre of barren land, unused for years due to unsuitable conditions.
A similar narrative unfolded in Pateimunda village, where Lalita Kisan’s five-member household relied heavily on seasonal agricultural wage labour, with little scope for savings or financial security. In Berhadema village, Mananit Kerketa, belonging to the Munda tribal community, also faced cycles of uncertainty, with income largely dependent on Kharif crops such as paddy and vegetables.
The turning point for all three came through their involvement in Self-Help Groups, which evolved beyond financial collectives into spaces for learning, peer support, and confidence-building. Through these platforms, they were introduced to bamboo cultivation under initiatives supported by the Industree Foundation.
With guidance from trained Krishi Mitras, they adopted scientific planting practices, including appropriate pit sizes, spacing, and long-term crop planning, and each planted around 60 bamboo saplings.
According to programme officials, bamboo cultivation is particularly suited to such contexts, requiring comparatively less water and labour while offering durable returns over time, making it an effective solution for underutilised land.
The Shift Towards Long-Term Planning
What distinguishes these journeys is not merely the adoption of a new crop, but a fundamental shift in how these women approach livelihood planning. For years, their economic realities were defined by short-term survival, where irregular income streams limited opportunities for savings, investment, or future planning.
Anita’s association with livelihood programmes dates back to 2005, allowing her to gradually build awareness and confidence in alternative agricultural practices. Lalita’s journey began more recently in 2023, when she joined a Self-Help Group under the Odisha Livelihoods Mission and was exposed to structured interventions promoting bamboo as a sustainable livelihood option.
Similarly, Mananit, who has been part of the mission since 2016, had already explored multiple income-generating activities such as apiculture, pisciculture, poultry rearing, and vegetable cultivation. However, bamboo stood out as a long-term asset capable of providing sustained income with relatively lower maintenance compared to seasonal crops.
Today, while the bamboo plants are still maturing, they represent more than future earnings they signify stability, foresight, and resilience. Lalita envisions the income supporting her children’s education and improving household living conditions, while Mananit views bamboo as a form of “pension,” a dependable resource that will continue to support her family as physical labour becomes more challenging with age.
The plantations have also begun to influence community perceptions, encouraging other women to explore similar opportunities and rethink the value of previously neglected land.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The stories of Anita Naik, Lalita Kisan, and Mananit Kerketa highlight how grassroots interventions, when combined with community participation and appropriate technical support, can unlock transformative change in rural India. In a landscape where climate change continues to disrupt traditional agricultural patterns, the shift towards crops like bamboo offers a practical and sustainable pathway forward.
What stands out is not just the economic potential of these plantations, but the empowerment of women farmers who are redefining their roles from passive participants in agriculture to informed decision-makers shaping their futures. Their journeys reinforce the importance of accessible knowledge, institutional support, and collective platforms such as Self-Help Groups in driving inclusive growth.
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