1989: LAND DISTRIBUTION BAWANIBATNA
In connection with the five-year drought of the late 1980s in Kalahandi, Odisha, Usthi distributed agricultural land to landless families in 1989 so that they could feed. The land was given to Usthi by the state for distribution to the population. Together with the families, water channels were built to irrigate the fields.
1984: LAND DISTRIBUTION LAKSHMIKANTAPUR
Usthi distributed land and small lakes to landless farmers in Lakshmikantapur in 1984. We were given rice fields and lakes from an Indian family estate. Usthi then handed over the land to the local people so that they could cultivate their own fields and improve their incomes. The distribution of the land was contractually recorded and certified by a court.