Integrated Tribal Development Project

Project Name: Integrated Tribal Development Project

Donor: Sisters of Notre Dame

Project period: January 2023 to December 2024

Target Group: 300 tribal families of 15 villages

Program Location: Kharagpur Block, Munger District, Bihar

Introduction:

The Integrated Tribal Development Project is focused on uplifting the tribal communities in 10 Santhal villages of Haveli Kharagpur Block, Munger District, Bihar. The project aims to promote organic and sustainable farming practices, establish kitchen gardens, and revive the use of herbal medicines. By empowering the tribal communities with knowledge and resources, the project strives to improve their livelihoods and enhance their overall well-being.

Objective of the project:

 The project intends:

  • To promote natural farming using bio fertilizers in the collectives of marginal farmers (Farmer Producer groups) of tribal communities in the project area
  • To provide 10 handpumps with borewells and submersible pumps in 10 tribal villages to enable irrigation of food crops and horticulture saplings
  • To ensure food security and adequate nutritious food supply from their own land
  • To prevent migration and trafficking by increasing local employment in agricultural lands
  • To promote local leadership among the tribal farmers

This project will help us contribute towards the achievement of SDG .1. No Poverty, SDG 3. Good Health and Well Being, SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12. Responsible consumption and production, and SGD 13. Climate Action

Activities:

The project includes several key initiatives to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalized communities in Jamalpur, Munger, Bihar.

  1. Promotion of Natural Farming:
    • Aims to combat ecological damage from chemical fertilizers by promoting natural farming.
    • Farmers will be trained in natural farming techniques, including the use of farm-made bio-culture “Jeeva amrita” and natural pesticides.
    • Will support 50 farmers in 10 villages to develop demonstration plots.
  2. Irrigation of Dry Farmlands:
    • Installation of handpumps/borewells to enable year-round farming, reducing dependency on monsoon rains.
    • Ten farmers will be provided with irrigation facilities, helping to increase food production and reduce migration to urban areas.
  3. Irrigation of Horticulture Plantations:
    • The project will help tribal farmers with irrigation facilities in horticulture plantations with mango, lemon, and guava which are provided with a grant from NABARD.
    • Additional handpumps will be installed to ensure the survival of these plantations, improving farmers’ economic conditions.
  4. Health Melas:
    • Organized in three prominent locations to raise awareness about balanced diets and nutritional values of various foods.
    • Demonstrations on preparing nutritious food items will be conducted, and villagers will be encouraged to sell their farm products.
  5. Leadership Development of Village Planning Committees:
    • Conducting training sessions to empower Village Planning Committees to address social issues like alcoholism, drug addiction, and migration.
    • Aimed at developing leadership and making these committees effective change agents in their communities.