Women are finding economic independence through Small nurseries

Dr. Utkarsh Sinha

During the Corona transition time, many families from urban as well as rural areas became unemployed due to the lockdown. Continuous efforts are being made by the Parmarth Samajsevi Sansthan  to provide employment to these families. The NGO has established nurseries through self-help groups for the livelihood of women.

Women associated with groups for construction of nurseries have increased the green cover in their respective districts.  10 nurseries have been established in Jhansi and Lalitpur. Through these nurseries, the women of the group are making their area green and earning money by selling plants.

This project is being developed under the direction of Dr. Sanjay Singh, Secretary of Parmarth, as a model to increase the income of women,  and to motivate others also to adopt  this model and increase their income.

Also Read : Empowering Women for Sustainable Water Management: The Jal Saheli Initiative

10 to 15 plants have been planted in each nursery, and after its sale, more plants will be planted in the nurseries, so 20 to 30 thousand plantlets can be produced in each nursery. The nursery will be set up every year by the groups so that it can provide employment to the people even in the changing conditions, unseasonal rains and climate change effects.

The groups are being continuously trained for nursery construction with emphasis on establishment of healthy nurseries as well as improved and new varieties. In these trainings, the women of the group were trained on subjects related to fruit plants, suitable seeds, care and maintenance, nursery management, planting methods, high density gardening, drip irrigation, mulching, water and nutrients management, disease pest management and value addition. – Sanjay Singh, Chief, Parmarth  

Pani Panchayat members Ganga Bai and Meera Bai of Chaudharykheda village of Chhatarpur says, that they are preparing 15 thousand saplings each in the nursery initially and as these saplings was sold, the women prepared more saplings. In the beginning, some shady, fruit bearing and beautiful flowering plants are being prepared in the nursery. By selling these plants in the market our income increased which made us financially stronger. Thanks to Parmarth for connecting us with this source of livelihood, we will no longer have to go to cities to work.