Project Overview:
- Name of the Project: Bagicha I
- Implementing Entity: Rural Education & Development Society (READS)
- Total Financial Outlay: ₹202.03 lakh
- NABARD’s Support: ₹197.03 lakh
- Year of Completion: 2016-17
- Area Covered: 4 villages in Bagicha Block, Dist- Jashpur
Challenges Addressed:
1. Inaccessible Village: Difficulty in accessing project area.
2. Awareness among Tribal People: Lack of awareness about the project among tribal communities.
3. Frost Damage to Mango Plants: Mango plants were damaged due to heavy frost.
4. Poor Road Conditions: Initial poor road conditions hindered commuting in the project area.
5. Migration due to Lack of Employment: Maximum farmers used to migrate due to lack of employment opportunities.
Solutions Implemented:
1. Awareness Campaigns: Conducted various meetings to raise awareness among tribal people about the wadi project.
2. Frost Protection: Mango plants were protected from frost damage by covering them with gunny bags.
3. Road Development: District Administration focused on developing roads in the project area post-completion of the project.
4. Employment Generation: After project completion, farmers found continuous benefits from the wadi, leading to reduced migration as they found employment opportunities within their wadi.
Project Impact:
- Wadis Promoted: 500 wadis
- Area Promoted: 500 acres
- Tribal Farmer Beneficiaries: 500
- Women Farmer Beneficiaries: 12
- Income Increase per Family: ₹90,000 to ₹100,000 annually
- Trees Planted: 27,500 (Mango-12,500, Lime-7,150, Pear-7,850)
- Employment Generated: Recurring - 500 families, Non-recurring - 0
- Migration Stopped: 485 to 490 families
- Ground Level Institutions:
- No. of SHG/JLG Promoted: 35 SHGs
- No. of SHG/JLG Credit Linked: 35 SHGs
- Income Increase of SHG/JLG Members: ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 annually (approx.)
- Enterprise Activities: Rice processing, Bamboo craft, Group Farming, Vermi Composting, etc.
Additional Impact:
1. Promotion of Chilli Cultivation: Due to water Resource facility, chilli cultivation has been promoted as a intercrop, these farmers are getting additional income of Rs 50000 /- to 100000 /- per year. Total 380 to 400 farmers are cultivating chilli in the entire wadi project. So there is a big change in Project’s Farmers life.
2. Diversification of Crops: After the completion of Project, spice cultivation, strawberry cultivation, Buck wheat cultivation, millet (Kodo-Kutki), oilseed (Ramtil, Mustard), vegetable cultivation (Scientfic method)Â etc. have been getting promoted In this project area .
3. Adoption of Improved Practices: In the project area we have introduced practices like use of good seeds, variety, raised bed platform, drip irrigation, solar irrigation, nutrient management, use of organic manure, vermicompost making and its use, SRI method in paddy, wheat, line sowing in maze, improved method of vegetable cultivation, chilli and tomato cultivation, flower cultivation, use of honey bee both pollination and honey production, summer ploughing, basin formation etc.
4. Health and Nutrition Awareness: With the various Health related programmes such as Health awareness programme, Health Education Session (Women), Sanitation awareness programme, and the villagers were sensitized about health issues and now they are aware about the importance of health, sanitation and hygiene. Through Kitchen Garden and Nutrition supply the beneficiaries are getting the proper food nutrition which they were not getting earlier because of their poverty condition.
Conclusion:
The Bagicha I project under the Tribal Development Fund has significantly impacted the lives of tribal communities in the Jashpur district. By addressing challenges and implementing sustainable solutions, the project has not only improved livelihoods but also enhanced awareness, health, and agricultural practices among beneficiaries. The success of Bagicha I serves as a testament to the positive outcomes achievable through collaborative efforts and targeted interventions in tribal development.
