Koraput: For years, during months when agriculture was lean tribal families in Koraput migrated to neighbouring states to work at construction sites, brick kilns and farms.Now, that pattern is changing as a rural economy takes root in the Eastern Ghats. Coffee plantations, millet fields and aromatic crops are creating opportunities, helping families find work closer home. The shift from subsistence farming to a climate-resilient model has placed three crops at the centre of transition: Millets for food security, coffee for long-term income and aromatic plants for quicker returns.Surjya Chautia of Gollur village in Nandapur block said earlier around 40 villagers used to migrate in search of work but now are engaged in coffee plantation. “Earlier, when there was no work in the village, I had to go outside during the lean months. Now I have coffee plants on my land. I can work here and hope to earn as the plantation matures,” he said.Coffee cultivation has expanded from around 2,000-3,200 hectares to nearly 5,000 hectares, benefiting more than 4,000 tribal farmers. Production has doubled from about 550 metric tonnes in 2018 to 1,100-1,500 metric tonnes in 2024-25. Direct procurement through TDCCOL has crossed 100 metric tonnes, while branded Koraput coffee earns a 20-50% premium.Millet cultivation has grown from 1,244 hectares to 72,689 hectares in seven years, with production rising from 14,868 quintals to more than 6.1 lakh quintals. Aromatic crops such as lemongrass, Japanese mentha and chamomile now cover over 3,000 hectares, up from 300-500 hectares. Community distillation units have increased oil production to over 150 metric tonnes. Prices have improved, rising from around Rs 700-800 per kg through middlemen to Rs 1,200-1,500 per kg in wholesale markets, generating an estimated district-wide value of Rs 18-22 crore.Collector (Koraput) Manoj Satyawan Mahajan said coffee was creating employment across the value chain. From raising nurseries and plantation management to harvesting, processing and marketing, coffee creates employment at different stages. This helped reduce the need for seasonal migration in several coffee-growing areas, as farmers find livelihood opportunities within their villages. “The larger objective is to ensure that tribal families do not have to depend only on seasonal wage labour. By combining traditional crops with high-value agriculture, processing and market linkages, we are creating local employment and strengthening the tribal economy,” he said.