“Black-Pearl” cultivation is changing ‘Bastar Tribals’ life- A remarkable upliftment

• Bastar’s tribal woman farmer Rajkumari Markam wrote a new story of success,

• The Rajkumari got 40 kg of dry pepper this year from the vines of black pepper climbed on 20 trees of the year,

• By selling 40 kg of black pepper at the rate of ₹ 500 kg, earn ₹ 20 thousand immediately. Awakened faith, the Rajkumari will now cultivate black pepper on a large scale,

• Black-pearl i.e. black-pepper will now be cultivated on a large scale in this region,

Farmers of seven villages of Bastar took a pledge for organic farming, herbal farming and plantation,
Progressive farmers of seven villages like Temgaon, Ondrigaon, Udengagaon, Lubhagaon, Jadkonga and Katagaon of Bastar, a development block about 43 km away from Kondagaon district headquarters, which are considered to be one of the most backward and inaccessible areas of the country.

The topic was how to increase the income of the farmers of the area through the cultivation of medicinal plants which will give more profit.
There are three important things to note here.

1. Is that all the progressive farmers who came from these seven villages were 100% educated.
2. All these farmers are from 100% original tribal families.
3. In agriculture, women here are also sharing equal shares, shoulder to shoulder with men.
(For this, I would like to highlight the special contribution of Jano Bai Markam, the public representative of this area, former district panchayat president.)
4. All the progressive farmers of these seven villages, without any hesitation, unanimously resolved to participate in organic farming and herbal cultivation and plantation program.
5. Five progressive farmers of these five villages have also resolved to cultivate Ashwagandha through organic method from this year itself. These farmers were provided free of cost the technical knowledge of Ashwagandha cultivation and seeds of improved Ashwagandha species by “Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group”. Ashwagandha seeds were distributed by the people’s representatives of the area.

In the same area, under the cooperation and guidance of “Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group”, Rajkumari Markam planted plants of MDBP-16 species of black pepper, obtained free of cost from “Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group”, a few years ago, into Sal trees located in the backyard of her house. But MDBP-16 species of pepper plants was planted.* In the same year i.e. from the vines of black pepper climbed on 20 trees of Sargi, he obtained 40 kg of dry black pepper this year and sold it through the common marketing platform of “Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group” at the rate of ₹ 500 kg to ₹ 20 thousand. Sold in and received immediate payment* To see this successful cultivation of black pepper, progressive farmers of seven villages of the region inspected the pepper cultivation of Rajkumari Markam on the spot and also saw the sal trees laden with pepper and with black pepper. Simultaneously, it is being done successfully under the trees of these years along with turmeric cultivation. Seeing with their own eyes the success of an innovative woman farmer like Rajkumari Markam, all the farmers planted new Australian teak trees in their gardens and fields and planted new trees of Australian teak, peppered them as well as replanting these trees. Below resolved to cultivate other highly profitable medicinal plants is Successful women farmer Rajkumari Markam and her husband Santuji said that for giving these plants to us free of cost without taking a single penny and for supporting us for everything from planting it, to marketing the black pepper produced, The full credit of this success goes to our guiding brother (Dr. Rajaram Tripathi) and Maa Danteshwari Herbal Farms and Research Center, On this occasion, Dr. Rajaram Tripathi, founder of “Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group” while addressing the farmers said that due to the efforts of the farmers here, I have full faith in the bumper production of black pepper and its excellent quality. That of this new species With the cultivation of black pepper or this valuable black pearl, the luck of the farmers of this region will shine and their income will increase tremendously. The contribution of women in agriculture here is very encouraging and the day is not far when this area will be known as Herbal Basket. It is noteworthy that many farmers of Bastar are earning at least ₹ 5 lakh annually and more from 1 acre by cultivating the plants of this species of black pepper on Australian teak plants. It is also noteworthy that once the plant of this species is planted, it gives a rich crop of black pepper for at least 50 years. And this production also increases every year.

To make this program successful, mainly Jano Bai Markam, Ex. President Makdi district, Dhaniram Netam Gram-pramukh Patel, Gopal Bharkam-, Vice Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat- Jadkonga, Lachhuram Mahaveer former Deputy Sarpanch Gram Panchayat. Udenga, Rati Ram Poyam – Priests of Maa Danteshwari, Roopsingh Mandavi – Former Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Themgaon and Progressive farmers Rajkumari Markam, Santu Ram Marku, Bandhulal Markam Katagaon, Mahena Netam Gram Ondri, Asman Netam Gram Lubha Nayapara, Budhuram Netam, Bansu Sori Gram Udenga, Pilaram Sori, a large number of farmer brothers including Kailash Markam, Somnath Markam, Hiraman Sori, Somnath Markam, Lachhinath Sori had their presence and active participation. In the last round of the program, Jano Bai Markam appreciated the Bastaria farmers’ organization “Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group”, which is always ready to help and guide the farmers of Bastar region, all the farmers of the area and towards them. Expressed gratitude on behalf of tribal families, He also thanked all the public representatives, progressive farmers from other villages and gave best wishes for the success of new beginnings of organic farming and herbal farming. He said that if we all walk step by step on the path shown by Dr. Saheb, then we can write a new script for our region, for our state and for our country.

Shankar Nag
Maa Danteshwari Herbal Group