The Tora-Parasura Watershed project, implemented by the Rural Education and Development Society (READS) in collaboration with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), has brought about a remarkable transformation in the lives of the tribal marginal farmers in Bagicha block of Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh. Spanning from 16 May 2016 to 16 May 2021, this project has revitalized the agricultural landscape and uplifted the socio-economic conditions of the project beneficiaries.
Pre-Project Status:
Before the intervention of the project, the farmers of Tora-Parsura village faced numerous challenges in agriculture due to their proximity to the forest. Heavy rains caused soil erosion and deposition of debris on their farmlands, making cultivation difficult. Lack of water storage facilities further compounded their woes, leading to reduced crop production and livelihood insecurity. Many families were forced to migrate in search of work for several months each year.
Project Implementation:
With the support of NABARD, the Tora-Parasura Watershed project was initiated to address these challenges. Covering an area of 1059.83 hectares, the project implemented various watershed structures such as CCT, CSB, WAT, FB, RFB, FP, Gabion, SGP, EGP, and CD. These structures played a crucial role in water conservation, allowing sufficient time for water to percolate into the ground and recharge groundwater levels.
Post-Project Status:
The impact of the project has been significant. Groundwater levels have risen by 3.5 feet within the project area, benefiting the entire village. Through collective action, the villagers of Parasura have ensured that all lands are now irrigated using solar pumps. The adoption of modern agricultural practices, including high-yielding varieties and timely irrigation, has enabled farmers to cultivate double crops and increase their income.
Furthermore, livelihood support provided to self-help groups (SHGs) in the form of poultry units, piggeries, rotary beekeeping, sewing machines, and mini rice mills has bolstered income generation activities. As a result, villagers have seen improvements in their standard of living, with households now owning mobile phones, motorbikes, televisions, pucca houses, and livestock.
Impact on Socio-Economic Conditions:
Participation in watershed management activities has empowered farmers to adopt soil and water conservation practices effectively. As a result, the per-family income of project beneficiaries has increased significantly, ranging from ₹35,000 to ₹42,000 annually.
In conclusion, the Tora-Parasura Watershed project stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives in rural development. By integrating sustainable agricultural practices with livelihood support, the project has not only enhanced agricultural productivity but also improved the overall socio-economic well-being of the tribal communities in Bagicha block.
