LocationsFrom Paddy to Plenty: Kajol Daimari's Journey to Sustainable Farming in Assam
May 22, 2026
Kajal Daimari
In the northeastern Indian state of Assam, in the district of Udalguri, farming has long meant one thing - paddy. But in Mantikiri village, a 30-year-old farmer named Kajol Daimari is quietly changing what rural agriculture can look like.
Working with her husband, mother-in-law, and a helper, Kajol has built an integrated farming system that combines fishery, horticulture, and a household nutrition garden - creating a sustainable source of food and income for her family. "I don't use any chemical fertilisers. Everything is organic and available at home," she says.
Today, her farm stands as a model of sustainable agriculture in the region. But it was not always this way.
When the Soil Could Not Support Paddy
For years, Kajol practiced traditional paddy cultivation. But the land along the Bhabar belt was not very fertile, and yields were consistently poor. "Earlier we used to grow paddy on this land, but the soil was not very good and the results were not encouraging," she recalls. With limited productivity and income, the family struggled to make the most of their land.
The Turning Point: Learning Through SGP Support
In 2024, the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), supported by UNDP and implemented through the NGO Kalong Kapili in Udalguri, reached Kajol at just the right time. Through the programme, Kajol received training on integrated farming, organic practices, and scientific fish farming.
“SGP has given us many kinds of training. We learned how to prepare organic fertilizers and how to manage our farm better. We learned things we didn’t know before,” says Kajal.
Kajol Daimari's nutrition garden comprising of areca nut, carrots, potatoes, mustard plants, lady’s finger, pumpkin and others
Building an Integrated Farm
After receiving training and inputs, Kajol began transforming her land.
Today, her farm includes: Fishery, where she manages a fish pond stocked with fingerlings provided by SGP which she plans to sell once they grow and when the water dries up.
Farmland surrounds the pond, where a wide range of crops grow across her household garden and the surrounding area - potato, turmeric, pumpkin, ash gourd, lady's finger, lemon, and areca nut, creating a steady supply of vegetables and additional income. From lemon cultivation alone, Kajol has already earned around ₹15,000.
Smart Resource Use: The 3 in 1 Mustard Advantage
One of the most striking aspects of Kajol's farm is how she uses mustard. A single crop serves three purposes - mustard oil for household consumption, mustard cake as fish feed, and dried mustard stems as compost around the areca nut trees.
This efficient use of farm resources reduces waste and strengthens the sustainability of her farming system.
Kajol Daimari's mustard plant garden
Organic at Every Step
Kajol's farm relies entirely on natural manure and organic compost - locally known as gubor khaar - instead of chemical fertilizers. These practices have improved soil fertility, pond productivity, and overall farm sustainability. Organic recycling of farm residues supports fish growth and improves crop health.
A Transformation in Numbers
Before SGP, Kajol's annual income was around ₹30,000. Today, with diversified activities across fishery, horticulture, and vegetable cultivation, it has risen to approximately ₹2,20,000 - more than seven times what she earned before. The increased income has allowed her family to improve their living conditions, meet household expenses, and ensure nutritious food through the year.
Inspiring Others
Kajol’s success has not gone unnoticed. Farmers in Udalguri are beginning to explore integrated farming systems of their own, inspired by what she has built. Kajol is not stopping here. Encouraged by the results, she wishes to expand her farming activities further.“With continuous learning and the right support , small farmers like us can build resilient livelihoods while protecting the environment,” she says. In Mantikiri, change is growing - one organic farm, one season, one woman at a time.
About GEF-SGP: The GEF Small Grants Programme, supported by UNDP, works with community organisations and individuals to protect the environment and promote sustainable livelihoods. In India, the programme operates in its 7th Operational Phase. For more information, visit https://sgp-india.org/.