Raipur. The livelihood ponds being constructed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) are emerging as an effective means of income generation for small and marginal farmers in the state. Along with promoting water conservation, this initiative is creating new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in rural areas.
Construction of a livelihood pond under MNREGA is underway on the farm of Mr. Bihari Lal, a small farmer from the village panchayat Mendrakhurd in Surguja district. Being constructed at a cost of approximately ₹199,000, 95 percent of the work on this pond has been completed. Rainwater harvesting in the pond will increase crop irrigation and facilitate smoother agricultural operations. Bihari Lal stated that through the pond, he will begin advanced vegetable farming and fish farming, significantly increasing his income. Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Dev Sai and the district administration for this facility, he said that this scheme is proving extremely beneficial for small farmers like him.

To strengthen water management and promote rural livelihoods in the district, the district administration is constructing approximately 403 livelihood ponds. These ponds will encourage rainwater harvesting, help conserve groundwater, and promote irrigation, fisheries, and other multi-purpose activities. Concrete steps are also being taken to empower villagers by creating local employment opportunities.

In this regard, District Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mr. Vinay Kumar Agrawal stated that it is the Chhattisgarh government's priority to ensure that the benefits of development schemes reach the last person in society. Schemes like Aajeevika Dabhri are strengthening the rural economy and providing farmers with a sustainable source of income. He added that through these efforts, hundreds of farmers like Mr. Bihari Lal of Mendrakhurd are setting a new example of self-reliance by joining the mainstream of development.