Agricultural work and daily-wage labour are the main occupations of Titahi village in Chanro panchayat of Churchu block in Hazaribagh district. Felling trees was normal for the 47 families of the village. Because of unorganised farming and lack of coordination among villagers, they faced new challenges almost every day.
In this situation the social-worker team of Jan Vikas Kendra, Hazaribagh, held a meeting and urged the villagers to unite. Continued meetings brought mutual understanding, and on 28 February 2018 the “Ujwal Kisan Club” and “Jagriti Kisan Club” were formed. With the formation of these Farmers’ Clubs, a radical change came over the people. They began to say that Jal (water), Jangal (forest) and Jamin (land) are the gift of their ancestors, and that it is their responsibility to protect them — which is possible only through unity among the villagers.
Deforestation reduced and the levelling of rough fields took its place. Then 27 members cultivated 25 kg of paddy seed on 3 acres. In the very first year they harvested 1,080 kg of paddy, which was distributed at 40 kg each among the 27 members of the group. This inspired the other farmers of the village, and the remaining 20 families also joined to cultivate 50 kg of paddy seed.
Having tasted success, they went on to build a dam on the village river and raise fish. In the first year they released 4 kg of small fish into the river and earned ₹4,500 in return. The second time, they released 6 kg of small fish, which was yet to be sold. Now the entire village is enjoying the fruits of unity. That is why it is said, “Unity is strength”.
