Know how a struggling woman farmer become inspiration for many

Asmati Gadba, a tribal woman farmer from Odisha's Koraput has become an inspiration for many in the village. From being a typical housewife she now grows vegetables and pulses on almost 20 acres of land.

Koraput (Odisha): Dreams come true for those who dare to dream. If you have strong will power and dedication towards chasing your dreams nothing seems impossible. Asmati Gadba, a tribal woman farmer from Koraput in Odisha bears testimony to the same.

She has overcome all odds to become a successful woman farmer and her journey from a typical housewife to a successful farmer was not easy.

Asmati's husband abandoned her with their specially-abled child, following which she went through a difficult time to make ends meet.

Beating all odds, she is now at a point where she is self dependant and can take care of her child.

"I was broken and felt helpless when my husband deserted me. I had no piece of land and no source of livelihood as well. I had to look after my child too. I cried, I begged for help but all in vain. So, I thought of doing something on my own. I got a piece of land on lease and cultivated some pulses and vegetables," Asmati narrated her journey.

"Now, I grow vegetables and pulses on almost 20 acres of land applying natural farming methods. By seeing this, many tribal women approached me as they wanted to join hands with me. My hard work paid off," she added.

Asmita has been doing farming since 20 years. Seeing her dedication towards farming one NGO, Pragati, has extended a helping hand. The NGO provides her with the knowledge of new farming techniques. They keep her updating about the use of modern technology in farming time and again.

Cultivation is not easy for the villagers in the area as most of the land belongs either to the forest department or to the landlords. Most of the tribal people do not get the land under the Forest Right Act (FRA) so they cant do the cultivation even if they are willing to.

But, Asmita has inspired many of her fellow villagers to do sharecropping and earn their livelihood.