Tribal Development

Tribal Women Empowerment Through Sustainable Agri-Business

Most of the field work in agriculture, from sowing to harvesting, post -harvest management and dairy management is done by women farmers. The tasks are laborious and since the woman is unaware of the latest technical know-how, her output and productivity are low.

 There is need to cut the drudgery of women farmers and make their efforts worthwhile and economical. To uplift the socio economic status of this group, a project on women empowerment, with an outlay of Rs 40  lakhs covering a period of one  years was initiated in  RKVY.

 The prime focus of the project was to  farming Women Empowerment  to  make self relient  through building capacity and transfer of technology  and introduction of  Sustainable Agri-business  programmes, and to extend  hand holding support  them to generate on-farm as well as off-farm income through various agri-business activities.

A total of …20 women  comprising tribals ,PVTGs in each group have been formed  jhargram blocks in  6 villages provided training on managerial skills so as to actively run and mobilize the group activities.

 IBRAD provides them requisite technical support through institutional training, demonstrations, exposure visits etc. Institutional pieces of training of 2-3 days duration is provided on the latest technology and improved practices to get more yields in agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. Vermicomposting has been a major practice that WOMEN  have been willing to adopt.

This improves soil fertility and minimizes the laborious and the often unpleasant task of carrying farmyard manure by the head load, vermicompost being comparatively lightweight.

 Demonstrations are laid out in the fields of WOMEN  members to apprise them about productivity-enhancing practices such as the use of quality seeds and improved varieties, seed treatment, nutrient management, vegetable cultivation, vermicomposting, plant protection measures, etc.

Camps are organized annually to exhibit their products, share experiences and interact with experts. This enhances their knowledge, competitiveness and marketing ability.

 Outcome Adoption of improved practices have increased production by these farmers to the extent of 25 -30%. Interaction with scientists and subject experts during exposure has sensitized them to the benefits of diversified agricultural practices, especially in tiding over lean periods in normal agricultural activities.

As a result  groups have started vegetable cultivation

Efforts  to promote their agri-entrepreneurial efforts.

Several members have also switched over to commercial agriculture.

Some of these women are now active members of Panchayats,

 Economic empowerment through  agribusiness has ensured better life and status for these women, and infused them with newfound confidence and decision-making ability.

Tribal Development

Sustainable Development