Women are an integral part of the society. The development of society cannot be imagined without the development of women. Keeping this in view, the State government has started many welfare schemes for the socio-economic upliftment of women. Women are availing the benefits of these schemes across the state. As a result of these schemes, Himachal has emerged as the best state in the country in women empowerment. Mukhya Mantri Ek Bigha Yojna MMEBY is one of these schemes which was launched by the state government with an objective of strengthening the economy of rural women and self-help groups by connecting them with livelihood activities. Peoples of the rural areas are being encouraged for kitchen gardening under this scheme, in convergence with MNREGA and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Women of self help groups across the state have started kitchen gardening and cultivation of cash crops through MMEBY and selling the produce in the open market. These self help groups are making good profits.
Works like land development, nursery production, fruits and vegetables plantation, construction of vermi compost pit and Azola pit, construction of irrigation, water harvesting structures and cowsheds are also being done under MMEBY. As many as 17,292 people have already been benefitted and an amount of Rs. 41. 87 crore have been spent so far in the state under this scheme. In district Bilaspur Rs. 37.34 lakh has been provided to 309 beneficiaries and in Chamba district Rs 118.43 lakh has been provided to 355 beneficiaries. Similarly, Rs. 146.37 lakh has been provided to 928 beneficiaries in Hamirpur district, Rs. 304.10 lakh to 1792 beneficiaries in Kangra district and Rs. 4.44 lakh to 41 beneficiaries in Kinnaur district. In Kullu district Rs. 114.21 lakh has been given to 1,123 beneficiaries, Rs. 3.68 lakh has been given to 5 beneficiaries in Lahaul-Spiti district, Rs 882.44 lakh to 3,124 beneficiaries in Mandi district, Rs 1452.09 lakh to 5,856 beneficiaries in Shimla district, Rs. 830.21 lakh to 2,066 beneficiaries in Sirmour district, Rs.181.93 lakh to 1218 beneficiaries in Solan district and Rs.112.25 lakh has been given to 475 beneficiaries in Una district .
The women across the state are moving ahead on the path of self reliance by availing the benefits of MMEBY. Sudesh Kumari of self-help group “Pihu” of Gram Panchayat Lower Panjawar of Haroli block of district Una is also promoting natural farming through this scheme. She had applied for this scheme in the year 2019 and an amount of Rs. 83,740 was sanctioned for the agricultural activities. Besides, planting 18 mango saplings Sudesh Kumari had also cultivated gourd, pumpkin and other cash crops using kitchen garden and natural farming model. She uses only cow dung, neem astra and other natural and traditional means in farming. Produce from her farms are totally free from chemical fertilizers, harmful pesticide and insecticides. This has brought down the cultivation cost also. Expressing her gratitude to the Chief Minister, Sudesh Kumari says that due to MMEBY she was able to expand agriculture works and increase her income. Now, other women are also inspired from Sudesh Kumari and they are eager to start the natural farming and kitchen gardening through MMEBY. In this way, many women like Sudesh Kumari are showing the path of progress to other women and self help groups of the state.
