MALATI MALIK was a farm hand for over 20 years, until an intervention programme enabled her to become self-sufficient and, in turn, an enabler for others.
For the past 22 years, Malati Malik of Harishchandrapur village in the Hooghly district of West Bengal has been working hard as a farm hand for her family, helping her potato farmer husband in cultivating their small patch of land. In the little time she had left, she took care of the household responsibilities. Life went on this way, until she came to know about PepsiCo India and USAID’s Women Empowerment Initiative, under which women farmers were trained robustly in seed treatment, pest control, harvesting, storage of produce and so on. The women farmers are also given the option to supply to the company at pre-determined rates so as to not lose any produce.
“The training has expanded my horizons by educating me. Now I feel confident that I can cultivate potatoes independently.” – Malati Malik
With the support ofher family and husband, Malik joined the initiative and has been working with it for over a year, and helping others as well. “I have come a long way from the time I joined,” she says. “The training has expanded my horizons by educating me on sustainable farming practices, the best irrigation and crop rotation techniques, record-keeping, and more. Now I feel confident that I can cultivate potatoes independently for the company, which it buys at a pre-decided rate, and I don’t usually take anyone’s help.”
In a turn of events, instead of just being her husband’s helping hand, Malik is now well versed enough with the process to educate him on various aspects such as the kind of nutrition required for potato plants and dealing with common pests. With the knowledge being practically implemented, the family can see the increment in income and the difference in profits. “Apart from being financially independent, with the additional income, I have been able to construct a tube well and a toilet for my family in our house,” she beams.
“With the additional income, I have been able to construct a tube well and a toilet for my family in our house.” – Malati Malik
Becoming a member of the Mahaprabhu Self Help Group in the region, Malik also imparts her knowledge to other women farmers from the neighbouring villages. “Many community members regularly visit our farms to see the growth of our crops. We often help them identify pests and disease attacks,” she says. Apart from that, the members of her group and her neighbours often come to her with pertinent questions, which she answers to the best of her experience and abilities.
Malik is happy that she is a role model for many women farmers in her community who have seen her transformative journey. Through her, they have come to appreciate that farming is no longer a male domain; they are farmers equally.
The life-changing experience has encouraged Malik to dream, rather than think only of basic subsistence – a thought that was foremost in her mind for years. She now dreams of acquiring more land for farming, and constructing a home for her family. She also wants to see more women becoming independent farmers through training.
Article Credit: m.femina.in