Kuiltas in Bargarh
As told in oral history, a year-long effort and struggle of the Kuiltas brought dramatic changes. They excavated some thirteen tanks round about their new settlement. The digging of tanks was meant for conservation of water for multiple purposes; but the Kuiltas utilized these tanks mainly for agricultural purposes during scanty rainfall and thereby cultivated the fertile lands successfully. In that area water is a far more important factor than soil to farmers. Artificial irrigation is absolutely necessary and is a matter of vital importance when the amount of rainfall is insufficient. The then British Political Agent, Cobden Ramsay, wrote that the Kulitas were excellent cultivators, very industrious and very skillful in irrigation.
Later on, some Kuiltas migrated to Kalahandi district from Sambalpur, most probably from Bargarh area, about the year 1867 to participate in the agricultural development of Kalahandi. In this context, it would not be unwise to mention the significant contribution of Raja Udit Pratap Deo (1853-1881 AD) of Kalahandi made towards the improvement of agriculture in his state. He was married to Asha Kumari Devi, the only issue of Maharaja Narayan Singh, the last ruler of Sambalpur.
The Kuiltas have the reputation of being very good cultivators (chasi) in west Odisha. In the past, irrigation was done mostly by tanks called kata, munda, or bandh. The very existence of villages over a large portion of the area is dependent on the tanks which have been constructed near them. Accumulated agricultural acumen of Kuiltas over the years has had a significant contribution towards the agricultural development of the region where they have settled. Today, agriculture is the key sector of this region's economy and bulk of its population primarily depend on agriculture for occupation and livelihood.Kuiltas had made a whole cycle of environment friendly economy. They are not only farmers but also the hub of economic,social,cultural & religious activities of the area they were living. With the advent of so called advanced agriculture using dangerous pesticides and inorganic fertilizer we are producing more but is destroying the land, water, flora and fauna of the area and ultimately our civilization. The land is now addicted to pesticides and fertilizers and we are now forced to eat the foods produced in this polluted land and water. This has totally ruined the economy of the Kuilta and other farmers and has also ruined the future of our children. However Kuiltas & other farmers have understood it and have started green farming by using Vermi compost, Neem oil & other such environment friendly fertilizer, pesticides and management of water resources for better farming.
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