Working Collectively Transforms Individuals’ Lives
Anastasia is a farmer who lives with her husband in a rural area. Like many of their neighbors, she and her husband have had few opportunities to learn about more efficient agricultural practices tailored to their particular climate. Conventional farming produced low yields, so it was a struggle for them to live off their efforts.
In 2022, Anastasia and other women farmers were invited by local partner North East India Committee on Relief and Development (NEICORD) to form a group which they dubbed the Lily Farmers Group.
The women meet regularly, every week, in fact, to save money together, make plans, and encourage each other. Anastasia said that, in the past, these neighbor women didn’t really know each other well, and seldom met to talk amongst themselves because they were all busy with their own families and work. The Lily members soon realized it was a gift to be able to be together, learning about nutrition, keeping records, and especially the many ways to farm sustainably. They’ve become quite close.
The training and support Anastasia gets have helped her gain confidence. She was chosen to keep records of the group’s weekly savings, and everyone agrees she manages her responsibilities quite ably. She says she feels fortunate to be a part of this welcoming and friendly group.
Anastasia is one of the more progressive farmers. She’s demonstrated to the others the value of sustainable farming by adopting the practices at home. She and her husband both work at kitchen gardening, livestock rearing, soap making and pickle making. The bountiful kitchen garden right next to their home has improved the family’s nutrition because of the wide variety of vegetables they grow.
The couple has made a small business of selling excess produce, pickles and soap. The added income helps them meet household needs and pays school fees. Anastasia’s and the Lily Farmer Group’s success has been an example to other women in the area, showing how working as a group actually transforms individual lives. The entire community is now inspired to take collective action for long-term change.
India Dimoria Program
Led by World Renew and Local Partner North East India Committee on Relief and Development (NEICORD)