Bhopal: Thursday, November 11 : Balmukund had only 7 bighas of non-irrigated land for feeding his family and was in dire straits in doing so. He always hoped for assistance from somewhere for making irrigation arrangements in his fields so that he can increase the yield. But it was hard to come by. It was under such circumstances that he came to know about Kapildhara Yojana and the information proved a boon for him.
The tone and tenor of Balmukund’s life have changed completely ever since a well has been dug in his field under the Kapildhara Yojana. His family, who used to toil hard to earn two square meals daily, has become prosperous now. Says Balmukund, “The earning from agriculture has risen four to five fold and now I have no difficulties in life.”
Balmukund, son of Mangilal Jat of village Ralayata in Mandsaur had inherited only 7 bighas of non-irrigated land. One day, he was informed by the Panchayat Sachiv that a scheme named Kapildhara has been launched for digging wells for irrigation in the fields of small farmers under Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Balmukund lost no time in lapping up the prospect of digging a well in his field and increase his income resources through taking more crops by ensuring irrigation facility. In a few days, a well costing Rs 1 lakh 89 thousand was sanctioned to be dug under Kapildhara Yojana in Balmukund’s field. Now, a 40 feet deep and 24-foot diameter well has been dug in his field after which he has never looked back. He is now taking cash crops not only during the monsoon but also in the summer season.
Balmukund says that earlier, he used to grow soyabean during the monsoon, which was sold for Rs 40 thousand. It was from this meagre income with which he used to make his both ends meet after deducting the cost. After having irrigation facility, he now grows poppy (opium), wheat, chilly, coriander, onion and garlic in his fields, which give him an income ranging from Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per annum. Balmukund and his family members are now a happy lot after five-fold increase in the income.
