Jasoda Devi's cultivation of the endangered Kutki species in Uttarakhand — projected to generate ₹75,000–90,000 income while reducing pressure on wild medicinal plants.
Udyogini has implemented a strategic initiative in Urgam Village, Uttarakhand, designed to empower women farmers through medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) cultivation. The project, supported by NVIDIA under "Sampada Se Samriddhi," addresses the unique vulnerabilities women face in agricultural communities while promoting ecological restoration.
Project Context
Urgam Village sits at approximately 2,100 meters elevation in the Chamoli district near Joshimath, surrounded by the Garhwal Himalayas. The region faces declining agricultural returns from traditional crops like paddy, kidney beans, finger millets, and potatoes. This economic pressure has driven locals to over-harvest medicinal plants from alpine meadows, threatening local ecosystems. The village was selected for cultivating Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), an endangered species suited to high-altitude conditions.
Jasoda Devi's Story
Jasoda Devi, a traditional farmer with three children, exemplifies the program's impact. Facing declining crop production and falling prices, she previously harvested medicinal plants from bugyals (alpine pasture lands) despite understanding the ecological damage. The program identified her commitment to environmental protection, availability of cultivable wasteland, and capacity to invest time as key selection criteria.
Through mobilization meetings, training, and exposure visits, Jasoda Devi cultivated Kutki across three nalis (approximately 0.75 acres). Her estimated harvest of 60 kg could generate approximately 75,000–90,000 Indian rupees in additional annual income.
Program Goals and Next Steps
The cultivation addresses multiple objectives simultaneously: protecting farms from wildlife attacks, reducing pressure on wild plant populations, and utilizing otherwise fallow land. Jasoda Devi plans to establish a nursery for MAP sapling propagation using her harvest profits, ensuring sustainability for other farmers.
Future integration into women's enterprise groups and Udyogini's existing Badri Kedar cooperative will provide market access and value-addition opportunities. The organization targets raising farmer annual income by 30%, reducing wild medicinal plant harvesting by 10%, and decreasing wildlife crop damage by 70% across intervention areas.