From Sloping Land to Prosperity A Journey of Transformation
Chikli Badra village in Banswara district of Rajasthan where the land is sloping, rainfall is unreliable, and the roots of tradition run so deep that even the winds of change could not shake them. Women here worked in the fields, but their voices never carried beyond the field boundaries. There was no place for them at the decision-making table. But four women from this very village Kalpana Pargi, Santosh Pargi, Manjula Pargi, and Lalidevi Pargi together wrote a story that became an inspiration not just for their families, but for women across the entire region. On just 2 bighas of land, they cultivated American maize through community farming and earned an income of nearly one lakh rupees. This is not merely about money it is the beginning of a new way of thinking.
The lives of Chikli Badra’s women followed a fixed rhythm. Head to the fields at sunrise, toil through the day, and return home in the evening to sink into household responsibilities. The labour was theirs, but all decisions related to farming — which crop to sow, where to source seeds, where to sell the produce, and how to spend the money — all of this fell within the domain of men.
Kalpana Pargi recalls “We worked in the fields all day, but farming decisions were made by the men. Income was low and expenses were high. Sometimes we had to take loans. That’s when we felt something new had to be done. “Sloping land has its own limitations. Soil erodes, water doesn’t stay, and yields are never stable. In rain-dependent farming, one failed season could throw the entire year into crisis. When rains were scarce, crops withered. When rains were excessive, the water simply ran off. Families remained economically weak, trapped in this cycle. Santosh Pargi describes the pain: “If the rains fell short, the crop would fail. Many times we had to do wage labour. Running the household became very difficult.”
Every great change begins with a small knock at the door. Lalita Makwana, a community facilitator from Vaagdhara, came to Chikli Badra, listened to these women, and inspired them to organise. It began with community meetings, where women were informed about government schemes which schemes existed, how to benefit from them, and what the application process was. Group management and new livelihood options were also discussed. The women were connected to the Saksham Group When the idea of community farming was raised in these meetings; it was entirely new for these women. In traditional farming, each family worked alone on its own land small plots, limited resources, and big risks. The concept of community farming was simple: work together on one piece of land, share the costs, share the labour, and share the profits equally.
Around this time, the suggestion of growing American maize came forward. This crop was different from traditional maize higher yield, strong market demand, and no need to travel far for sale. The four women deliberated among themselves. There were risks a new crop, new techniques, and the anxieties of their families. But collective courage pushed individual fear a side. Making a decision is one thing; putting it into practice is another. These women faced several practical obstacles simultaneously. Family members were sceptical about this new experiment, and fear of loss was natural. Lalidevi Pargi shares “People at home said there is risk in new farming. But we explained, and gradually the family came around.
Shortage of resources was another major challenge. Seeds, irrigation, field preparation all of it required money and means. The women found a solution through their group. Collective purchasing reduced costs and collective effort made the work easier there was no prior experience or training in growing American maize. Here, Vaagdhara played a crucial role once again. The organization provided hands-on training the right time to sow, organic fertilizers, water requirements, and pest control. This training not only gave the women technical knowledge but also instilled in them the confidence that they were moving in the right direction. The four women then prepared a 2-bigha joint field. From tilling the soil to sowing the seeds, every task was done together. No one was alone — not in the labour, not in the responsibility. Every day these women went to the field, tended to the crop, and gradually the American maize plants began to flourish. When the crop was ready, they contacted traders from Udaipur and Banswara, sold the American maize produce in the markets, and together the four women earned an income of nearly one lakh rupees. This amount was not merely a figure for them it was proof of their capability.
One lakh rupees meant money for the children’s education, the ability to meet household needs, and the possibility of freedom from debt. But something even greater came with it recognition. These four women were no longer seen merely as field laborers; they began to be recognized as farmers and this recognition was not given to them by anyone else. They earned it themselves. Success leaves its mark not just on a bank account, but on the mind. After this experience, a new self-confidence awakened within these women. They now speak openly, participate in decisions, and show others the way forward. Kalpana, Santosh, Manjula, and Lalidevi are now playing a new role in the village. They share their experiences and inspire other women toward community farming.
2 bighas of land, four women, one lakh rupees these numbers may seem small, but behind them lies struggle, courage, and solidarity. Even on sloping land, crops can flourish all that is needed is a strong resolve. The four women of Chikli Badra have proven exactly this, and their journey does not end here this is only a new beginning.
Vikas Parasram Meshram – vikasmeshram04@gmail.com