Bahraich’s Bamboo Market & Multi-Layer Farming Boost Incomes in UP
In a remarkable example of grassroots economic empowerment, Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district is revolutionizing rural livelihoods through innovative agricultural practices and women-led entrepreneurship. The district, known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, is now setting new development benchmarks in the country. In this blog post, we will explore two key initiatives that are transforming the lives of farmers and local communities in Bahraich.
B-2 Market: Empowering Women-Led SHGs
The Bahraich district administration, in collaboration with the local Self Help Group (SHG) federation, has launched a bamboo-based B-2 market to empower women-led SHGs. The initiative aims to create a sustainable income stream for these groups by promoting bamboo-based products such as handicrafts, furniture, and construction materials.
The B-2 market is a unique concept that connects local artisans with buyers and sellers through a digital platform. The platform allows artisans to showcase their products, receive orders, and get paid promptly. This initiative has not only provided a new source of income for women-led SHGs but also enabled them to become financially independent.
“The B-2 market has been a game-changer for our SHG. We are now able to earn a regular income by selling bamboo-based products, which has helped us to improve our living standards and support our families,” said Rukmini, a member of a women-led SHG in Bahraich.
Multi-Layer Farming: Boosting Farmer Incomes
Another innovative agricultural practice that is gaining popularity in Bahraich is multi-layer farming with Napier grass and gourds. This method involves planting multiple layers of crops, including Napier grass, gourds, and vegetables, which not only increases crop yields but also reduces soil erosion and improves soil health.
Multi-layer farming has been a major success story in Bahraich, with many farmers reporting significant increases in their incomes. “I used to earn around Rs. 20,000 per year by growing a single crop. But with multi-layer farming, I am now earning around Rs. 1.5 lakh per year,” said Kumar Singh, a farmer from Bahraich.
The success of multi-layer farming in Bahraich can be attributed to the district administration’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture practices and provide training to farmers. The district has also established a network of farmer producer organizations (FPOs) that connect farmers with buyers and provide them with market access.
MoU with Patanjali: Linking Local FPOs to Big Markets
In another significant development, the Bahraich district administration has signed an MoU with Patanjali, a leading FMCG company, for the procurement of turmeric. This MoU will link local FPOs in Bahraich with big markets, providing farmers with a new source of income and improving their livelihoods.
The MoU is a significant step towards making Bahraich a model of grassroots economic empowerment. It will not only benefit farmers but also create new job opportunities in the district.
“Bahraich is setting new development benchmarks in the country. The district’s innovative agricultural practices and women-led entrepreneurship are a testament to the power of grassroots economic empowerment,” said an official from the district administration.
Conclusion
Bahraich’s bamboo market and multi-layer farming initiatives are a shining example of how rural livelihoods can be transformed with innovative agricultural practices and women-led entrepreneurship. The district’s MoU with Patanjali for turmeric procurement is a significant step towards linking local FPOs with big markets, making Bahraich a model of grassroots economic empowerment.
As the district continues to set new development benchmarks, it is clear that innovative agricultural practices, women-led entrepreneurship, and sustainable income streams are key to transforming rural livelihoods in India.
Source:
