Jorhat: 'Grain bank’ initiated by a group of women in a remote village in Assam's Jorhat district is serving as a ray of hope for those in need amid stalled economic activities during the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown that began on March 25.
What initially began as a ‘Kangalir Bharal' (meaning storehouse for difficult times) in 2005 run by different women-led self help groups (SHG) across the district was eventually set up as “Navratna" - a ‘food grain bank’ - by bringing together nine SHG’s operating in the area.
Women in the region would collect food grains in the form of donations from households across the district and store it for usage during times of crisis.
Navratna is now playing the much needed role in feeding the marginalised people who are facing a shortage of food and money.
“Earlier, we were working by forming a group and used to distribute saplings at LP schools nearby. Later on, we established a federation called ‘Navratna” wherein nine such groups operating in the area came together to one platform. It became easier to operate after forming a single group. Now we have anywhere between 150 and 200 women as part of the federation, “ said Dipti Baruah, a member of Navratna.
Baruah added, “After receiving help from the government we have been able to provide assistance to those in need. We have 2,000 kg of paddy in stock.”
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Mohan Saikia of NEADS, an organisation which played an important role in forming the bank, told ETV Bharat that the initiative was taken keeping in mind the food shortage faced by the people of the area during the period between September and October.
“Although the people in this region are associated with the agricultural sector, they have relatively small landholdings. Between the Ahin and Kati month (the period between mid-September to mid-November) there is a severe shortage of food. We discussed ways to help the people of this area. Under the guidance of the secretary of NEADS we decided to set up a ‘Bharal’ or food bank by bringing together the different SHGs operating in the area to help the people in the area during times of crisis,” said Saikia.
The rules and guidelines to operate the bank are simple - one can borrow any amount of grain from the bank when in need and has to replace the same with some interest in the form of grains, which will then be stored at the bank for future use.
