The Chunmun Story

"Sabhi logan hamko bahut sabasi diye rahe" (Every body had praised me for my work) Reminisces Chunmun standing in his farm, bubbling with enthusiasm , eager to tell his success story

He exudes confidence as he tells about himself making an informed choice of investing in an innovative technology that has helped him regain his lost pride and confidence - emanating from his economic independence and his new found dignity of not having to be at the mercy of the "Thakurs" (big farmer) for irrigating his land.

Thirty year old Chunmun lives in Chittorah, District Behrainch in a big family of three brothers and his parents, all engaged independently in farming. Pointing towards the boundaries clearly marked out on the farm, Chunmun recalls his family history when his father owned 8000 sqmts of land which was enough to support a family of 3 sons . But as the sons got married the land was divided amongst in three sons. Due to the small landholdings that was inherited by each son and their own responsibilities increasing, they were gradually drawn into the poverty spell. Adding to their woes the sole diesel pump once bought by their father for irrigating 8000 sqmts of land went out of order and demanded huge repairing costs.

"Bare bhaiyya khetn chor ke chale gaye sahar kaam khojne" (my brother went away to the town to look for work) -started the oft-repeated saga of a disillusioned farmer leaving his native land for an alien world of elusiveness and nonchalance.

While Chunmun continued to stay in the village irrigating his land as and when, the Thakur wanted his services for attending to the cattle and as a show of benevolence, would let him borrow his diesel pump for US$1 an hour. This limited alternate source of water allowed Chunmun to grow only those crops that needed few irrigations like maize, pulses and mustard seeds, sale for which overall fetched him about US $60 annually.

It was during his visit to his in-laws village, where Chunmun saw a patch of land which was generally lying fallow, to his amazement was green with many small plants of egg-plant growing. Approaching closer he saw a farmer standing on two bamboo sticks with a clear and a steady stream of water flowing into the field. Inquisitive as he became, the fellow happily agreed to give him all the information about the KB pump. He said that he could irrigate his 2000 sqmts of land as and when required with the pump and his crop yield has also increased as he doesn't have to economize on the water. He was also growing wider variety of crops, mainly vegetables which fetched him a better price. Also he was able to recover the cost of the pump by selling his produce of one month !

Chunmun was impressed but forgot about it as soon as he reached his village. Still pondering over his decision to migrate to the town he visited the village haat (a village fair). He saw the KB pump being demonstrated which was followed by a film show.

Chunmun felt the story of his life being role played on the screen wherein the character of the film deserts his farm to go to the town just to get into multiple concentric circles of shock waves and returns completely disillusioned. Instantly making a decision of buying the pump but still apprehensive about its functioning he asked for a demonstration in his field on his tube-well. This was well received and next day the pump was installed in his field. While the relatives initially dismissed the idea of the mechanical pump referring to it as a tedious and a daily laborers job, all the children loved to treadle it and started competing in rising up early to be able to be the first one on it !. Cunmun laughs and recalls their innocent excuses of convincing him to let them pedal on it.

"Ab hum kabhi khet khali nahi chorte" (I never leave my land fallow) For the last four years, Chunmun grows vegetables in this 800sqmts of land , and rice and wheat in the other piece of land which is a little away from his house . In his very first year he was able to sell worth US$400 of vegetables which was enough to earn accolades from his relative and neigbours who were motivated to buy the pump. Now his 'Tola' (a group of houses in a village) has 10 pumps. Chunmun starts early at 5am, attends to his farm and reaches the market by 10am. and is back by 12noon. In his absence the children treadle the pump and are exhilarated to receive 5cents from him as a token of appreciation!
Chunmun discovered that as he was spending more time in the field for treadling on the pump he became more aware, observant and alert towards the need for good agricultural practices . He could reflect better on the uses and impacts of different pesticides and fertilizers for a particular crop. He would often discuss the problems with the "Ahaarti" the commission agent who would suggest him ways of increasing the crop yield through good quality seeds and crop rotation. He told him of the high value crops and how to command a good price for vegetables by scheduling its sowing a little in advance and selling it a little before the onset of the season.

Chunmun articulates that since he has nurtured land with utmost care and efforts like his own child, he has been well rewarded and reciprocated. He grows onion, coriander, garlic and spinach worth US$500, during the months of June to January. His total cost of cultivation is appx. US$31, (US$20 for seeds, US$2 for pesticides & US$10 for fertilizers.) The next crop comprises of cucumbers which extends from February to July, which gives him a return of US$240 with an investment of US$40.

Taking quantum leaps towards economic independence Chunmun now stands strident and confident with his newly found self esteem that has set in motion a wonderful cycle of self motivation to take on new challenges. He has bought an ambassador car which he gives on rent for taxi and has also constructed a 'Pucca' house for himself. Recently he has bought 1600sqmts of land which he intends to take up for vegetable farming. He informs that he will still use Treadle pump though he can afford a deisel pump now as he feels that strong water current of the diesel pump leaches away the fertilizers and is also difficult to manage in a small farm like his.

A highly motivated and a practical man as he is, Chunmun feels that he has only made a beginning. He has already carved out a future plan for himself as he informs-. "Ab hum phoolon ki kheti karenge, Arif Khan ka mali ne bataya bahut profit hai " (I will grow flowers now as there is much more profit in that told to him by a gardener) For a poor farmer like Chunmun, who has never been to school this is a major stride from vulnerability to empowerment.

Top of page