Most people living in this part of East Garo Hills earn the livelihood mostly by cutting firewood, timber, and some of them are daily labourers. In Samanda C&RD Block , plains areas paddy is being cultivated as main crop whereas in hilly areas people practice shifting cultivation (Jhum) to grow the vegetables and cereal crops. With the launched of HMNEH in the state, new changes has been observed in the area. Shri Italian Marak residing in the village of Rikwarenggre 4 km from Block Head Quarter, Samanda, is just a daily labourer and he abandoned jhum cultivation as it is not remunerative to run his family as he said.

Through HMNEH opportunity to grow vegetables has been given for everyone in this village. Among them, Shri Italian Marak found to be the best performer in growing seasonal vegetables like tomato, cabbage, broccoli, lady's finger, etc. In the first year, only Cole crops are being grown in his plot. Then in the next and the third year he planted different seasonal crops like tomato, lady's finger, broccoli, etc.

Though his plot is not fertile, his hard work and dedication to take care of his vegetable plot make him confident to grow more and more vegetables in different seasons.

With the guidance of District Horticulture Officer, Williamnagar, he started cultivation in a bigger way with the latest technical expertise.

On seeing his sincerity the District Horticulture Officer, Williamnagar, constructed a tubular structure for growing off-season vegetables in the year 2009-10, on seeing his performance another green house has been sanction in the year of 2012-13 which is under construction.

Tomatoes at were sold on the road side of Tura-Williamnagar and at local weekly markets of Samanda village at ` 40 to ` 50 per kg.