From insurgency to innovation

In an Assam district singed by insurgency, this man chose to cultivate change by working as a daily wager before finding his calling in farming, Prasanta Mazumdar narrates

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As a student, Dhoniram Chetia had seen villagers join an insurgent group and later, some of them "building a life" after surrendering. His family struggled to make ends meet, but the idea of enlisting in the outfit never crossed his mind. Instead, he chose to work as a daily wager before visualising a career in farming. Two decades down the line, he has earned a name for himself as a progressive farmer.

Born at Tekeri Gaon in the Pengeri area of eastern Assam's insurgency-hit Tinsukia district, Chetia lost his father when he was six years old. His elder brother was eight then. Their mother worked in the fields, but the children had to chip in for the family to survive. Chetia plucked betel nuts, oranges, and sowed paddy saplings. His brother ploughed the fields of others.

Noticing their plight, the neighbours suggested they grow vegetables and papaya and sell them at the local market. Over time, Chetia developed an interest in farm work and the market attracted him. He started growing vegetables and planting fruit trees.