Markus Malto is from Keya Chapal village in Boriojhor Block, Godda District. This village is situated on top a hill, 10 km away from the nearest town. There is no proper road to this village; the only way to reach here is by foot.

Markus has 4 children; he owns 10 bighas of hilly and waste land. He used to get very little yield, hence he had to depend upon daily labour. He used to migrate every year to the cities for labour work; he earned Rs. 600 per month with which he supported his family, which is not enough for 6 of them. He was selected as one of the beneficiaries of the Land treatment programme; The land treatment work included removing stones, gully plugging and nala bunding so as to protect soil erosion as well as water conservation. His land was treated and made into cultivable land.

This year his yield has increased; total yield is 1440kg of paddy, 800kg of wheat and 260 kg of pulses.

This year Markus did not need to go to the nearby city for work, his yield is enough to support his family.

He is now planning to increase the variety of his cultivation in the next year.