Mukhya Mantri Ek Bigha Yojna (MMEBY) launched by Himachal Pradesh government is proving to be of immense help for rural women as the main objective of the scheme is to strengthen their economy by connecting them with livelihood activities.
Under the scheme women are linked with self help groups (SHGs) and encouraged to take up kitchen gardening to grow cash crops. Hundreds of women are now growing vegetables and fruits in their kitchen gardens and earning money with the support from SHGs.
Several activities like land development, nursery raising , fruits and vegetables growing, construction of vermin- compost pit and azolla pit, creating irrigation facilities through water harvesting, and building cow sheds are being undertaken under the MMBSY.
A government spokesman said, “As many as 17,292 women have been benefited by the scheme and Rs 41.87 crore have been till now under the scheme.”
Sudesh Kumari, a beneficiary from gram panchayat Panjawar of Haroli block said, “I had applied under the scheme in 2019 and received Rs 83,740 and at present I am doing natural farming and raised mango plants, besides growing gourds, pumpkins etc in my kitchen garden and using cow dung neem astra – traditionally used by people by shunning use of fertilizers and pesticides.”
Expressing her happiness she said, “With the help of this scheme I have been able to earn money and now several women of the area have started kitchen gardening by availing benefits of MMBY scheme.”