Lead from the front – Shaila Narwade, the crisis manager
COVID-19 pandemic shattered life of poor families in rural villages. Migrants returned home from cities & all of them become jobless. Agriculture and selling of produce in the market also affected the farmers. In this situation, Shaila Tai from Masla village took a different approach to reduce the risk of farmers. She is an experienced and learned woman inspire many woman in Osmanabad. Shaila worked tirelessly during the lock down period and find innovative solutions to crisis.
Her group worked closely with Gram Panchayat and explored the ways in supporting migrants and negotiated with a solar power company and managed to get daily job for 40 migrants and 30 migrants for rich farmers land.
Since the agriculture market was closed and they can’t sold the produce, Shailaja got an idea to make the seeds into packets, label and market it. They never knew that this will become a success. The type of seeds for half acre farming with 16 types sold at $ 8 and the kitchen garden seed kits were sold for $ 2 per packet.
“We sold these seeds to 1300 farmers in the two districts from which we earned around $ 600. Now we plan to make a seed bank where 2000 women can work together that provide organic, pesticide free, drought resilient seeds”, says a jubilant Shailaja.
Shaila Tai doesn’t stop there. She took care of 47 widows by mobilizing resources locally and supported for food for 4 months.
Editor : Chandran P.