*Golden Fields of Sisterhood -Millet harvest in Manaparai Block Village*

Sorgam cultivation ready for harvest.

Intercroping and Fruit trees plantation 

In Manaparai Block, a group of women farmers has brought in a thriving harvest of millet and sorghum — grown entirely with organic inputs through dryland farming and careful, hands-on practices. Much of this success is credited to the technical support of the ASSIST team, which guided the women on soil health through land preparation, seed selection, natural pest management, and water-wise cultivation suited to millets and sorghum.

Months of sowing, weeding, and nurturing paid off as the fields turned golden and heavy with grain. For these women, the harvest is more than yield — it’s proof that sustainable, chemical-free farming can restore both land and livelihood.

Grateful for the bounty, the women gathered in the village to thank God for the rains, the soil, and the strength to see it through. The thanksgiving turned into a vibrant celebration: they sang _Kummi Paattu_, the traditional call-and-response folk songs of Tamil Nadu, clapping in rhythm as they circled in the _Kummi_ dance. The air filled with laughter and the joy of a community that had worked together and reaped together.

The event also highlighted ASSIST’s role in empowering rural women through training and technical input, showing how local knowledge, organic methods, and community spirit can make farming both resilient and celebratory.

It was a day Manaparai Block will remember — not just for the full granaries, but for the songs, steps, and shared pride of the women who made it happen.🥉Govin