Migrant labourers rendered jobless due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown now see a ray of hope in the coriander business.

Large numbers of migrant labourers had returned to their native villages in Pathalgada but found no work initially, spending their days playing cards to pass the time, with the hope of returning to their work cities.

Chatra, known for growing and supplying green vegetables, has turned out to be the best place for them to earn their livelihoods, and as agents pay in advance for the produce, many migrant labourers have decided to stay.

Many have taken up agricultural work and now growing coriander, herb frequently used in daily Indian cuisine and thus, in demand.

The migrants are now labouring in villages like Singhani, which was the first to engage in the business, thus inspiring other villages like Lemboiya, Tetaria, Belhar, Chautha, Barwadih, Dumbi, Nawadih, and Boga Sadam to take up coriander harvesting.

“In comparison to other green vegetables, coriander needs less hard work and less investment too, with more returns,” said Manoj Kumar, a migrant labourer.

Chatra supplies green vegetables to several districts of the state as well as Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

“Why to go there when we have options here. It’s our own work and we can live with our families”, he added.

Local farmers said that Pathalgada was always known for green vegetables, and for the first time, coriander is being grown on large swaths of land.

“It’s a good sign and I am happy that young people will live and earn here”, said a septuagenarian,
Baleshwar Mahto.