Sugalis on path of prosperity

Nambulapuntalaku (Anantapur): Gandlapenta and Nambulapulakunta mandals which are inhabited by Sugali tribesmen spread over in 11 habitations near Kadiri, were once deserted villages. The habitations are now prospering due to the efforts of government agencies such as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), District Water Management Agency (DWMA) and Foundation for Ecological Security (FES).

In a span of four years, the living standards of Sugali tribes have improved a lot. Land development was taken up by the above agencies and the fallow lands had gone through a sea change.  Tribals raised mangoes and Sapotilla plantations. A drive through the above stated mandals and Sugali tribal hamlets gives a picture of their prosperity. 

The Sugali tribal families are a happy lot with their villages now turning into fruit bearing gardens. Project dubbed as ‘Maa Thota’ by NABARD has invested Rs 1.73 crore, Rs 98 lakh under MGNREGS and Rs 44 lakh under IJP. The total project cost spread over seven years (from 2012-13 to 2019) is 2.27 crore.

Though it was a NABARD initiated project, the partnership of DWMA and the implementing agency FES, an NGO made the project an astounding success. As many as 11 villages have nearly 40,000 four-year old mango trees spread over in 542 acres. They have reached yielding stage. The Lakshminarasimha block of mango trees is spread over in 16 acres. Somalagudi village has mango plants of different varieties Benisha, Totapuri, Khader, Mallika, Punasa, Lalbadar, apart from Sapota, Indian berry (jamun) and Amla. 

Speaking to The Hans India at the project site, NABARD Assistant General Manager Ravindra Prasad says that he is happy at the way the project transformed the lives of the vulnerable Sugali community. The 561 tribal families owning just one acre of land each are engaged in raising mango orchards apart from Sapota plantations.

The project aims to build assets for the beneficiaries. The project ‘Maa Thota’ has enabled farmers in every block, having 6-10 farmers, to share water from a commonly developed water source provided by the project authorities. The regional team leader of FES P K Prabhakar told the The Hans India that farmers are being guided to go in inter-cropping raising tomatoes, sun flower and even groundnut crops for earning additional income. Krishna Naik of P M Thanda says that a MACS Society was also established by NABARD involving stake holders.

By Ravi P Benjamin