Avadh Singh of Simdega has achieved something with hard work, which is no less than a miracle.
Mukesh Kumar, Simdega. When drops of sweat fall on the rocky soil of Jharkhand, flowers can bloom even in the desert. Barwadih village of Domtoli Panchayat located in Kolebira block of Simdega district is witnessing such an inspiring story today.
Avadh Singh, an ordinary farmer here, has achieved something with his unwavering willpower and hard work, which seems no less than a miracle. The 3 acres of land which people had abandoned considering it rocky and barren, today the same land is not only sustaining the families of Awadh, but has also become a living document of self-reliance for the entire district.
Barren land and solution of hopes
About eight years ago, when Awadh Singh had decided to do farming on his rocky land, many people considered this decision a loss-making deal. The stones lying on the surface of the land and the dry soil in the name of irrigation were enough to break the morale of any farmer.
But Awadh had a strong desire to do something different. He made farming not just a means of livelihood but his passion. Initially, it took a lot of time to make the soil suitable for farming, but traditional wisdom and scientific coordination gradually changed the complexion of the barren land.
The crop of success irrigated with sweat
Today this land of Awadh Singh remains blooming with vegetables of different colors in every season. They understand the weather cycles very well and choose their crops accordingly.
Sometimes one sees the glow of red tomatoes in their fields, sometimes purple brinjals and green okra. Potato, bitter gourd and other seasonal vegetables are their main sources of profit.
While a large number of youth from rural areas of Simdega are migrating to big cities in search of employment, Awadh has proved that there is no greater happiness than self-employment by exploring possibilities in its own soil.
Indifference of the system and water crisis
As golden as this success of Awadh Singh appears, the struggle behind it is equally dark. The surprising thing is that despite doing excellent work in the agriculture sector continuously for the last eight years, they have not been able to get the benefit of any government scheme till now.
Awadh says that in farming he is not as afraid of insects or wild animals as he is of lack of water. Lack of proper irrigation arrangements is their biggest hindrance.
Even today they are dependent on their personal resources and at the mercy of nature. Many schemes for wells, borings and ponds for farmers are registered in the government files, but not a single one of these facilities could reach the fields of Awadh.
Zero government help, yet income worth lakhs
Despite the indifference of the system, Awadh's spirits did not waver. He has made a net income of about Rs 1.5 lakh in the last year 2025 without any subsidy or government incentive.
Recently, after successful production of tomato, he has sold it in the market and currently the crop of brinjal is being prepared in his fields. They hope that this time also they will get good prices in the market.
Awadh's dream is that if they get irrigation facilities from the government or administration, they can grow crops like peas, cauliflower, chilli and pumpkin on a large scale.
Will Domtoli become a hub of vegetable production?
Avadh Singh believes that the quality of soil in his village and panchayat is very good, the only thing that is lacking is infrastructure. He says that if the farmers of the area get the support of irrigation facilities and advanced agricultural equipment, then Domtoli Panchayat can be made the biggest vegetable production center of the district.
This will not only create new employment opportunities at the local level, but will also completely stop migration. The story of this farmer from Barwadih gives the message that if the intentions are clear and the intentions are good, then even lack of facilities cannot stop the path of your progress.