Prarambh
Project Prarambh (means a new initiative) commenced in Nov. 2025 and will run till Oct. 2028 to improve sustainable livelihoods and food security among poor and deprived tribal households in nine villages of Tamar, Ranchi district. An initial survey and discussions with the community revealed that although over 90% of households own agricultural land, livelihoods remain insecure due to limited irrigation coverage, low productivity, and increasing climate risks. These leads to food insecurity and unsafe migration. These insights informed the need for climate-resilient agriculture and small animal rearing supported through technology, government convergence and strengthened community institutions. Many young people expressed a strong desire to remain in their villages if they have access to education and livelihood opportunities.
As in all our projects, mobilizing the community and transferring the project ownership to community groups is central. In keeping with this principle, 15 Farmers’ Committees with 191 subsistence farmers have been formed as on date. We will be reaching out to 500 farmers by the end of the three-year project. Similarly, Livestock Committees made up of youth in the 18 to 25 age group and representing marginalized households, many of whom do not even own land is being formed.
We plan to reach out to 500 such youth representing as many households. Through community engagement, awareness building, and collective action, the project aims to strengthen local capacities and promote sustainable development practices.
For generations, the tribal farmers relied on rain fed agriculture. With climate change, this has become unreliable leading to food insecurity and poverty. Hands-on training is being provided to each Farmers’ Club and Livestock Club to enable them to look at their activity from a new perspective. The training sessions have walked them through every stage of the crop cycle: land preparation, sowing, trellis construction, pest management, harvesting and marketing, building not just skills but shared confidence. The farmers are encouraged to diversify their crops and move from single to multiple crops. Each farmer is preparing a crop calendar to include growing vegetables with techniques like trellis gardens. They are encouraged to take up collective marketing of their produce reaching out to larger markets.
Flourishing farms where there was empty land before
Irrigation systems are being installed through low lift solar pumps. Solar pumps are used since electricity is unavailable or highly unreliable. Awareness on groundwater depletion is provided. Large soak pits at appropriate locations are dug to ensure that rain water does not run off but rejuvenates groundwater. Reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides will be kept to a minimum by awareness and skills to produce and use natural fertilizers like vermicompost and pesticides.
Appropriate and quality seeds are used to improve quality of the crop and output. These are procured from agencies like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and/or Krishi Vigyan Kendra. A seed bank is being established in each village to cycle these seeds and make them available at a reasonable cost.
A committee made up of women will be trained to manage these seed banks and make profit. Modern farm implements are introduced to reduce the drudgery of farming and make the operations effective. An “Implements Bank” is set up in each village so that the farmers can rent the implements.
A quiet transformation is taking place in the project villages. The most inspiring outcome is that this collective effort has unlocked: regular income, instead of waiting for one seasonal harvest. Farmers are using scientific crop management with staggered planting. They are now harvesting and selling their produce every alternate day. For households once dependent on a single yearly payout, this steady rhythm of cash income is nothing short of a transformation that is turning small plots of land into dependable sources of livelihood.
