Promotion of Solid Waste Management through Organic Cultivation in 15 Villages of District Kalahandi of Orissa.

State

Orissa

Region

East

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Under Mission Sanjeevita, 15 Scheduled Tribal Community Khond and OBCs dwelling  backward villages of two blocks Kurlamunda and Madanpur Rampur of district Kalahandi in Orissa.

Major Issues Addressed

Apart from poverty, migration, drought and starvation death, Kalahandi is characterized by one dominant feature—agriculture is not chemical free. Sulaxmi is intended to preserve and promote bio-diversity through soil conservation, promotion of organic agriculture through vermiculture and to cover more and more areas through growing of chemical-free indigenous varieties of green vegetables with cent percent involvement of locals specially womenfolk, the pivot of tribal economy. 

Objectives

To cover 135 acres of land for organic cultivation of different verities of green vegetables through construction of 90 vermipits for 80 farmers of 15 villages of two blocks of district Kalahandi. Being a demonstration project, two training camps were organized to spray the message to adopt vermin-manure to make the area chemical free. 

Description of initiative in brief

Sulaxmi aims to develop a society that rejects the chemical fertilizers only since this is fatal for innocent community, away from the draconian impact of pesticides and fertilizers. A Village Level Committee (VLC) was formed with the consent of locals that was followed by the selection of beneficiaries. Awareness cum motivation programme was organized and then after vermipits were constructed based on the approved model of Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. The capacity of each pit is 3.6 tones of manure in a year. Besides, 80 pits for same number of beneficiaries, 10 pits have been constructed for demonstration. These pits are being looked after by the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries were provided all technical support including technology transfer with seeds of tomato, brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage, raddish, turnip, onion, chilli, Amaranth leaves and etc. The farmers are applying vermin-manure. They are growing organic yields very beneficial to the locals, specially womenfolk, who are anemic.        

Ecologising organic based cultivation in a tribal dominated village of Kalahandi for sustainable livelihood development of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes  (SC/ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) population of drought prone area in District Kalahandi of Orissa.

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

The proposal focuses on field   The project focuses on field demonstration with R&D component to involve rural population with little equipment to provide them sustainable economic resources. The project is cent percent eco-friendly without subversion of local tradition but only to make avenues of revenue generation and convert the farmers as Barefoot Agriculture Scientist.

Major Issues Addressed

Agriculture must be free from chemical fertilizers. As Sulaxmi is intended to preserve and promote bio-diversity through soil conservation, promotion of organic agriculture through vermiculture and to cover more and more areas through growing of chemical-free indigenous varieties of green vegetables with cent percent involvement of locals specially womenfolk, the pivot of tribal economy. It was estimated to enrich the economy of tribals through production of vermin-manure and its proper marketing as rural entrepreneur scheme.  

Objectives

Awareness for the importance of organic agriculture among the indigenous population of target village. Introduction of organic farming with the construction of vermin-pits and vermin-compost. Make atmosphere for the adoptability of organic-vegetables among the target beneficiaries. Distribution of saplings of fruit tree in target region following development of a nursery. Involvement of women folk directly with this project to put them on the mainstream of nation. To explore the market-avenues of organic fertilizers. 

Description of initiative in brief

This was only a demonstration project to make aware the villagers of this region. Since, Sulaxmi believes in awareness cum motivation to get optimum achievements in our mission. Sulaxmi combined the locals with this project . The villagers developed a nursery of Bamboo (Bambusa nutans), Mango (Magnifera Indica), Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Lemon tree (Citrus limon), Drumstick (Cassia fistula) in Kursurla village. Green vegetable cultivation was done under which tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), garlic (Allicurn sitavum), ginger (Zinziber officinale), chilly (Capscicum annum), turmeric (Curcuma domestica), onion (Allium cepa) including papaya (Carica papaya) were grown. The agriculture scientists technically assisted the volunteers. Meanwhile, Sulaxmi  constructed vermipits and vermicomposts with its all accessories. The awareness components were continued. In the second months, a training programme was conducted to train the direct beneficiaries. Hereafter, the villagers were permitted to see our nursery.

Total number of beneficiaries was 24.
       

Development of Kitchen Gardens through Introduction of Organic Horticulture

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Tribal dominated revenue villages named Joradobra and Muskadandi of district Kalahandi in Orissa

Major Issues Addressed

It was an extension project of our last year’s Cottonwood Foundation supported activities to Sulaxmi on vermiculture.

Objectives

Since the locals have appropriate number of vermin-pits, so Sulaxmi intended to provide qualitative food intake among anemic womenfolk with proper application of vermimanure through development of kitchen gardens. The locals can grow all sorts of green vegetables round the year for their personal and commercial uses as well.

Description of initiative in brief

A 3 member Village Level Committee (VLC) was formed. The VLC selected 14 beneficiaries for this project following a long discussion with the participance. The VLC decided to make a provision of PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (PC) through their manpower support like other projects of Sulaxmi.  

A one day training programme was organized in Muskadandi village. The participants were provided the benefits of bio-manure through bio-mass. They were provided concerned pictorial literature as well. In the training component, the beneficiaries visited Sulaxmi’s nursery, where two vermipits (size of each pit is 3m X 1.2m X 0.80m) are existing. The capacity of each pit is 3.6 tones of vermin-manure. Just besides these pits, Sulaxmi is doing organic horticulture. The volunteers developed a land (20m X 12m), adjacent to this nursery, through two ploughs with application of bio-manure.

The beneficiaries were imparted training for development of kitchen gardens through introduction of organic horticulture. Since the locals have appropriate number of vermin-pits, so Sulaxmi intended to provide qualitative food intake among anemic womenfolk with proper application of vermimanure. Total number of kitchen gardens is 30 and the size of each plot is 25m X 10m. The design was developed by The Indian Council of Agriculture Research Institute (ICAR), Pusa, New Delhi.

The plots were developed by the end of May 2006 and plot no. 1 & 2 were used for Okara cultivation that was continued up to July. Additionally, Amaranth was grown as cross cropping on the same plot. Hereafter, the same plots were used for cauliflower growing in the month of July. Besides, tomato saplings were planted in plot no. 3 and brinjal plants were planted in plot no. 4. Near about 5000 saplings of tomato and brinjal were developed in the Central Nursery of Sulaxmi at Kursurla, and they were later on transferred to the different plots. On every plot 15 plants of papaya, 5 plants of banana were planted. In the month of September, chilli plants were planted whereas carrot was planted in the month of November in the ridge (gap between two plots) no. 5, 6 & 7.In the month of December, onion growing was started in the plot no. 3 & 7 since season of tomato was over in this area. Chilli will remain up to March and the farmers will be taking crop of brinjal up to April of 2007. Turnip is existing in the ridge no. 1 to 3 and in ridge no. 4, beat is followed by colocasia. Drumstick, banana and papaya will take time to give yields to the farmers.

The kitchen gardens have been developed just beside a well of hand pump so that the availability of water will be possible round the year. Secondly, procurement of water is not the subject of Herculean task for the beneficiaries. The quality of vegetable yield is undoubtedly very good. The horticulture experts estimated the huge quantity of vegetables from these gardens. By April, the total yields will be counted and then after The Cottonwood Foundation will be informed. There are no pest attacks so far. The Village Level Committee is looking after this project. Ownership is being availed by the beneficiaries, who are using their land. Profit is the subject of their personal benefit. Now, other villagers are taking interest to develop kitchen gardens in their backyard. Sulaxmi is ready to provide them all possible technical support to such farmers.

The demand of organic vegetables is growing day by day as it is total negation of chemical fertilizers. The project is spontaneously sustained as it is giving economic benefits to the farmers. Sulaxmi is providing suggestion to the farmers and local Block Agriculture Officer, Department of Horticulture, Kalahandi, Government of Orissa is also attached with this project.

The project was timely finished and it has been handed over to the community assisted by The Village Level Committee (VLC) in the month of November. Each and every component has been annexed with this project. First time in this area, the person was identified as who will be responsible for what activity. For each activity, deadline was already decided to get 100% achievement.

So far, Sulaxmi has been providing seeds and technical support to the beneficiaries. But the beneficiaries kept on selecting the plots or sights to grow vegetables. Through this project the sight was not only decided but they were developed in the close supervision of concerned experts. This is cent percent scientific project having mission of technology transfer.       
       

Cultivation of Sarpgandha for Sustainable Economic Growth of Farmers 

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

The traditional folk-healers, folk-physicians, farmers, local institutions & grassroot NGOs.

Major Issues Addressed

Bio-diversity of Kalahandi, existing of herbs in that locality, interested groups-individuals for traditional folk knowledge on herbs, linkages between mass and marketing following cultivation of selected herbs, suitable to the local environment.

Objectives

Availability of herbs in the nearby locality of targeted area, meeting of the traditional folk-healers, folk-physicians, farmers, local institutions & grassroot NGOs, identification of locals farmers, who are interested for herbal cultivation, cultivation of Sarpagandha & proper marketing of yields.

Description of initiative in brief

Sarpgandha is a very important medicinal plant in Western Ghat region in India. It is generally used by the traditional folk physician and it has abundance of scope for trading. Sulaxmi identified 7 acres of land in Sarplohra village of Karlamunda block of Kalahandi on trail bases. The experiment was very successful that motivated the farmers to continue the same. Meanwhile, the TRUST established a robust networking for maximum uses of this herb. Sulaxmi developed marketing scope also, so, that the farmers could not get any problem, since there is ban from the side of government to export Sarpgandha, so Sulaxmi managed local marketing. Total number of beneficiaries was 37.

Technology Transfer to Sunflower Cultivation

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Technology transfer to sunflower cultivation.

Major Issues Addressed

Land development, proper care for seedlings, saplings, rowing, nourishment, irrigation, revitalization of plants, manuring, weeding, harvesting and marketing.   

Objectives

Selection of farmers for demonstration of scientific cultivation of sunflower following proper intervention of technology transfer. Introduction of proper marketing.  

Description of initiative in brief

In Kesingha block of district Kalahandi, dozens of farmers are involved in sunflower cultivation. Unfortunately, they are not using its scientific way of cultivation. As demonstration, Sulaxmi marked 21.34 acres of land near Uttkela area for science and technology intervention in sunflower cultivation. The selected 29 farmers came across with and experience to see the impact of such intervention with the close intervention of agro-scientists.

Lemongrass Cultivation

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Technology transfer to lemongrass cultivation.

Major Issues Addressed

Land development, proper care for seedlings, saplings, rowing, nourishment, irrigation, revitalization of plants, manuring, weeding, harvesting and marketing.   

Objectives

Description of initiative in brief

Lemongrass is not a very common species in Western India. The locals are still unaware with the importance and uses of lemongrass. So, only to disseminate to adopt this crop for instant income among the local farmers whose area has proper irrigation facility. Sulaxmi selected 5 acres of land near Sandula River. The villagers of Maskadandi were involved in this activity and they were provided training and scientific support. In addition to this they were also provided seeds and organic manure. A demonstration of oil extraction was also done. The villagers grown green vegetables to get additional income.

Greening Kalahandi

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Raising of 7250 saplings of fruit-trees and teak and distribute them among 82 people.

Major Issues Addressed

Greenery, bio-diversity conservation, climate change.

Objectives

Distribution and plantation of more than 7000 saplings of different saplings to cover 8 hectares of land to procure raw materials for preserved food in future.

Description of initiative in brief

Green India is a dream of Sulaxmi. Sulaxmi has one nursery in Kursula village of district Kalahandi, where saplings of fruit trees were raised. The beneficiaries received and planted 3000 teak saplings, 1500 jackfruits saplings, 1000 mango saplings, 1000 guava saplings and 750 lemon tree saplings. They  were poor SC/ST/OBC. The  to expand greenery in the targeted village of this TRUST.

Documentary film on the unwed mothers of Orissa based on the conducted research on the same issue.

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

The pain and pangs of unwed mothers, case study, interview, comments from related experts, the custom-norms-legal provision and rights, milestones from the side of judiciary.

Major Issues Addressed

Social-economical-legal-political-religious aspects of tribal society in the context of free and fare sex culture. The present economic scenario and democratic provision. The status of women in local society and legal provision.

Objectives

To make aware the mass to avoid the sexual intercourse before marriage. The film make them aware to keep control emotion in the context of relation between men and women. 

Description of initiative in brief

The film is based on selected interviews of 50 unwed mothers of 10 districts of Orissa. Their personal happenings,  their family background including their economic status, the reason behind their pregnancy, the reason behind being of unwed mothers, comments from related experts, the custom-norms-legal provision and rights, milestones from the side of judiciary; all have been displayed in this film. The film is being marketed. The cost of one CD is worth US$ 60. The benefit from selling of this CD will be used in favor of unwed mothers. 

Solid Waste Management-the ultimate solution Narla- Kalahandi.

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Under Mission Sanjeevita, some Scheduled Tribal Community Khond and OBCs dwelling  backward villages of two blocks Narla, Kurlamunda and Madanpur Rampur of district Kalahandi in Orissa.

Major Issues Addressed

If poverty is the fate of Kalahandi, migration, drought and starvation death are called their destiny that always appear in full swing. Kalahandi is characterized by one dominant feature—agriculture is not chemical free. Sulaxmi is intended to preserve and promote bio-diversity through soil conservation, promotion of organic agriculture through vermiculture and to cover more and more areas through growing of chemical-free indigenous varieties of green vegetables with cent percent involvement of locals specially womenfolk, the pivot of tribal economy. 

Objectives

To make the mass to fight against the draconian tendency to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Motivational work to adopt organic agriculture through distribution of related pictorial literature to the local population with involvement of schools.  

Description of initiative in brief

The local volunteers covered 25 villages of three blocks of Kalahandi and motivated the mass to adopt organic agriculture for safe and happy life. The students of 11 schools sprayed the message of organic agriculture.  

Jungle Jungle Loot Machi Hai

State

Orissa

Region

Eastern

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Water-forest-land-man-animal.

Major Issues Addressed

Tribal and bio-diversity conservation including govt. supported developmental programmes.

Objectives

To know the actualities and realities of targeted areas.

Description of initiative in brief

Everyone knows the hunger and misery that stalks the tribal districts of India. But what remains unknown is that starvation and hunger exists amidst plenty. With 87 per cent of the population living below the poverty line/BPL among tribal populace, the struggle to eke out a living is an onerous task. The innocent, simple and illiterate tribals end up borrowing money at the time of distress only to find themselves slipping deeper and deeper into debt. Although the moneylenders vehemently deny, the annual rate of interest comes to about 460 per cent. Such is the degree of exploitation that even the poorest of the poor are not spared, whether it is Kalahandi or Palamau or Chhindwada or Banswada districts.
The land holding system is very unique and complicated in the remote districts. There are two types of land holding, first is big landlord of business community (Sahoo and etc.), who are moneylenders and second one is small landowners fromSC/ST class. Generally moneylendershold 5 to 10 acres of land and the ST/SC own 0.5 acre to 4 or 5 acres of land. The report says that there more than 7 lakh population are migrant labour in this district. Forests have been a major source of livelihood and survival for tribal communities for a long time. The development programmes wrecked the rich storehouse of bio-diversity; the poachers began to move freely, frankly and boldly. Their woods destroyed, so minor forest produces (MFP).
There is no arrangement to conserve rainwater at doorstep to do off-season vegetable cultivation in the targeted villages. The sudden increase in the number of outlets selling chemical pesticides indicates the corresponding rise in use of pesticides and other chemicals. Tribal farmers do not have any knowledge about its negative impact. Being illiterate, they cannot even follow the instructions on the label. There is a tendency to use chemical pesticides indiscriminately. This poses a grave threat to human and livestock health apart from the adverse effect on the fragile ecology of the region.
The extent of poverty and malnutrition that afflicts the tribals of India belt is beyond the comprehension of the standard economic models. And it is perhaps for this reason that the economists and sociologists have not been able to see the human side of continuous suffering and servility. Fifty-nine years after independence, an average rural family in tribal areas are survives on an annual income of less than Rs 5,000. Hunger, malnutrition, disease and even starvation are, therefore, inevitable.
The area, where the research team visited to see the reality and actuality is also world known as drought prone region. So, migration is very common phenomenon among the local villagers. Starvation deaths happen from time to time here. However, the average rainfall in most of the tribal region is 1200+ mm but there is no source to conserve run off water. The average income of the tribal villages is Rs. 3000/- per head. The farmers earn Rs. 1,500 from one acre of land. The poor infrastructure, inaccessibility to the most of the villages, improper marketing facilities, over indulgence of mediators to purchase their yields at dam cheap rate and unawareness to explore avenues for sustainable economic growth has been knitted the cobweb of poverty that compels the villagers for migration.

Migration is the biggest destiny of this area that is putting negative impact on the tribal culture. When a family migrates, the senior citizens are abandoned and their misery ultimately turns into unnoticed death. Due to engagement in the unorganized sectors of outside the native place, the womenfolk are labeled UNWED MOTHERS.

All have been depicted and described in this research through various chapters.

The State of Unwed Mothers of Orissa: Possibilities of Their Rehabilitation and Prevention to Mar This Malpractice.

State

Orissa

Region

East

Type

Research Project

Year

2004-2006

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Nine Districts of named Kalahandi, Koraput, Bolangir, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Kendrapada,  Sonepur, Sundargarh, Phulbani, Bargarh of state Orissa. 

Major Issues Addressed

The vulnerable picture of Unwed mother in the state Orissa.

Objectives

• To encourage the tribal women, especially the unwed mothers to form groups for having a common platform for share in different views on the other concern.
• To generate awareness about various affairs of their social, economic, and other matters.
• To provide them maximum days of employment.
• To connect them with micro-credit system.
• To include savings and credit among the members of the group for crediting of a common fund through weekly small savings to meet the future needs.
• To establish linkages between SHGs of unwed mothers and banks.
• To encourage tribal women for promoting their economic status by utilizing the skills and knowledge acquired through training.
• To encourage their participation in various development programmes. 

Research findings

The identification of Unwed mothers has done by the researchers and their case studies collected. Sulaxmi has organized various group meetings of these unwed mothers with the various officials like BDOs etc. to represent their problems. These unwed mothers encouraged time to time to start their own business for livelihood development for herself and her child. With the special emphases these unwed mothers included in the Micro credit groups of Sulaxmi made for the women’s empowerment. Four children of unwed mother’s has adopted by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) by the initiative of Sulaxmi. In the next step Sulaxmi is going to engage these unwed mothers in the entrepreneurship programme in Kalahandi district and then in further district. To make them independent. These unwed mothers will also work for Sulaxmi as the volunteers or counselors  to make the adolescent girls to escape the situations, which may tern them till the taboo of unwed mother. The training for this purpose is under process step by step.

Cultivation & Training of Bamboo and Herbs with Promotion of Craftsmen of Haldi

Region

East

Type

Action Project

Year

2004-2006

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

76 beneficiaries of Two Tribal villages (Haldi & Amatha) of Small and Marginalized farmers of Kesinga Block of Kalahandi district in Orissa.

Major Issues Addressed

Transfer technology & plantation of bamboo with cross cultivation of Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) - a herb, for income generation of small and marginalized farmers of the drought prone region of Kalahandi, where bamboo provides sustainable income to the beneficiaries and Aswagandha (Withania Somnifera) gives instant income with low consumption of water.

Objectives

The main objective of this project was to generate awareness among the small and marginalized farmers and weaker section of society, particularly BPL society & to train 50 beneficiaries in cultivation of bamboo plants with the cross cropping of medicinal plants (Withania Somnifera). Other thing was to improve design development and the utility of the bamboo products & to generate awareness about the alternate uses of bamboo in housing, horticulture, pisciculture, apiculture and sericulture. 

Description of initiative in brief

The project initiated with awareness generation, group discussions and village meetings followed by nursery development with seed germination and rhizome procurement. Training material developed in their local language. Total 118 beneficiaries planted 12,878 bamboo on waste land or less productive land. Withania somnifera has planted on 30 acre of land. Maturity of bamboo takes 3 to 4 years after that single bamboo can provide approximately 10 bamboos each year costing of Rs. 50 each bamboo. By the herb cultivation farmers are getting Rs. 19,000/- to Rs. 22,000/- from one acre of land. This project is a part and parcel of the livelihood development of small and marginalized farmers with conservation of bio-diversity. 

Sunflower Cultivation with the Small and Marginalized Farmers in Tribal Dominated Area of Kalahandi.

Region

East

Type

Action Project

Year

2004-2005

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Seventeen small and marginalized farmers of Utkela Village of Kesinga Block of district Kalahandi, Orissa.

Major Issues Addressed

Scientific and technical inputs in the cultivation of Sunflower instead of Wheat or rice only.

Objectives

To trained small farmers of Urkela village to cultivate sunflower, a cash crop, with technical and scientific inputs.

Description of initiative in brief

The villagers of Utkela village were dependent only on rice for their livelihood security, which was based on traditional methods. Under this project the cash crop were introduced among them (very prominent to the other nearby areas) with the help of all technical and material inputs as demonstration to them as well as other villagers also. Total land covered was 30 acre. And the Beneficiaries were selected in the village level meetings with the consent of all villagers.

Plantation for Green Future and Hope for Tongue

Region

East

Type

Action Project

Year

2004-2005

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Madanpur Rampur Block of District Kalahandi.

Major Issues Addressed

Conservation of bio-diversity, improvement in economic condition, livelihood support .

Objectives

The main objective of this project is to conserve bio-diversity & environmental protection with the surety of income generation in the coming years. 

Description of initiative in brief

Sulaxmi is doing plantation programmes in some areas of Orissa, Bihar and Jharkhand. In its first phase, Sulaxmi planted five thousand saplings of teak, mango, jackfruit in Kaimur district of Bihar. In its second phase, the same activities are going on in district Kalahandi. With the help of locals, Sulaxmi is growing saplings of mango, lemon tree, guava, and drumstick. By the end of November 2004, Sulaxmi distributed 15000 saplings of these spices and distributed among the locals. In this programme, Sulaxmi also introduced an innovative method of irrigation. The tribals plant the sapling and install a earthen pot, a tinny hole in its bottom, just beside the planted sapling. The same is filled with rainwater. In off-season, the conserve water oozes from the earthen pot that irrigate whole year.

Development of Medicinal Plant Nursery in Kalahandi District.

Region

East

Type

Action Project

Year

2004-2005

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

A Planet of Herbs and indigenous knowledge the Kalahandi District of Orissa

Major Issues Addressed

Development of Nursery of Medicinal Plants under the care and concern of Ayurved Practitioners and Protection and conservation of Indegenous knowledge of ayurveda in Kalahandi district.

Objectives

The main objective of this project is to establish medicinal plants nursery with the ayurvedic practitioners and to conserve the indigenous knowledge of Ayurveda.

Description of initiative in brief

In Kalahandi districts of Orissa, Sulaxmi is supporting various folk-physicians at many stages. Sulaxmi is financially supporting some folk-physicians to develop backyard nurseries so that they may get life-saving roots, barks, leaves, fruits or seeds easily to save their time and energy. By now, 12 such nurseries have been developed. Similarly, Sulaxmi is also supporting to some Vish-Vaidyas. The TRUST is also making directory of traditional bone-setters of Orissa

Scientific cultivation of cotton.

Region

East

Type

Action Project

Year

2004-2005

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

The farmers of Maskadandi and Joradobra village of Kalahandi

Major Issues Addressed

Reduction in risk factor of technical and scientific cultivation of cotton.

Objectives

To improve the economic condition with the help of technical and scientific input to reduce the risk factor.

Description of initiative in brief

This project is basically the demonstration of technical cotton cultivation in Maskadandi and Joradobra villages of Kalahandi. However, it needs more labour money and energy and risk factor is very high in its cultivation. That's why very few big farmers took initiative to associate with this project. However some of these cultivators have been doing this activity for the last ten years and now they are getting technical support from Sulaxmi. Sulaxmi is in the favor of its organic cultivation and planning to provide seed money including other supports like buy-backs to the farmers. In Bhawanipatna block, villagers have organized for cotton cultivation with Sulaxmi. The Total land covered under this project was 10 acre.

Conservation of Traditional Knowledge of Medicinal Plants by Different Tribal Communities of Tribal India

Region

East

Type

Action Project

Year

2004-2005

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Kalahandi, Phulbani and Rayagara of Orissa and four districts Latehar, Gumla, Palamau and Lohardaga Jharkhand.

Major Issues Addressed

Collection and Documentation of knowledge of tribal Doctors.

Objectives

This project aims to cover three districts of Orissa & four Districts of Jharkhand to conserve the traditional knowledge of tribal Doctors revive and revitalize this knowledge.

Description of initiative in brief

This project aims to strengthen the traditional medicine system of Jharkhand and Orissa. It is well known fact that Jharkhand is the homeland of 33 tribal communities where as in Orissa has the largest number of tribes, as many as 62. In terms of percentage, they constitute and impressive 18 percent of the total population of both states. The tribal youth is getting opportunity to learn the skills of traditional medicines from their elders with the effort of Sulaxmi. In addition to this, they are also being motivated for a new source for sustainable harvest from the re-generated land, thus potentially improving their livelihood. We are mainly concentrated to conserve the traditional knowledge of tribal medicine Doctors in the use of plants and herbs besides, only to revive and revitalize this knowledge and skills through collection of seeds of medicinal importance, process, store and raise them through the support of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Workshop on Water Tradition and People Their Pious Relationship with Water.

Region

East

Type

Workshop

Year

2002-2003

Project Details

Areas Covered by Initiative Work With

Drought prone area of District Kalahandi of Orissa

Major Issues Addressed

The major Issue of this workshop was the pious relations of man and water and awareness of clean drinking water.

Objectives

• To organize a networking of the NGOs working in this region.
• To take out their experiences of working with people in regards of water.
• To transform the collected knowledge among the villagers and some other like clean drinking water.

Description of initiative in brief

A workshop was organized in Kurusula to discuss over the pious relation of man with water. In this workshop 16 Local NGOs participated and shared their ideas and experience of working with people in this regard. In the month of November, the villagers of Sarengdag locality were convinced with the importance of clean drinking water. It has discussed with the villagers in presence of Volunteers of various voluntary organisations. It was the main part of the networking of Various local NGOs of Kalahandi.