Building Resilience in Crisis: Nutrition Gardens and Livelihood Revitalisation in Odisha’s Tribal Belt

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Project Details

Category: Excellence in Response to COVID
Project Title: COVID-19 Food Security and Livelihood Improvement through Science & Technology Interventions in Nutrition Garden with Horticulture and Agriculture Perspectives in Tribal Areas
Department or District: Bana Dhulira Phula Trust in collaboration with GOONJ and ICAR–CTCRI in Balasore, Odisha
State: Odisha
Start Date of the Project: 1st May 2020
Website: http://www.ctcri.org/

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Tribe(s) that the Project Covers: Bhumij tribal families residing in Nilgiri Block, Balasore District of Odisha under the jurisdiction of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Nilgiri

Keywords: Nutrition Garden, COVID-19, Organic Farming, Livelihood Security

The COVID-19 pandemic not only disrupted health systems but also severely affected food and livelihood security among India’s tribal populations. In response, Bana Dhulira Phula, a charitable trust based in Balasore district, initiated a grassroots-level intervention in partnership with GOONJ and ICAR–CTCRI. The programme targeted vulnerable Bhumij tribal communities across Salabani, Dambarughati, Balabalia, and Ringpur villages. It integrated traditional tribal knowledge with science-based solutions to ensure both immediate relief and long-term resilience. The initiative addressed emergency food needs and laid the foundation for self-reliance in horticulture and agriculture through the creation of Family Nutrition Gardens and Community Nurseries.

The Project

The project unfolded in four progressive phases from May 2020 to April 2021. Initially, relief kits consisting of essential dry rations were distributed to 168 highly vulnerable tribal families, including pregnant women, elders, disabled individuals, and folk artists. This relief operation evolved into a broader socio-economic development programme with science and technology inputs from ICAR–CTCRI and Krishi Vigyan Kendras. A core innovation of the programme was the establishment of Family Nutrition Gardens and Community Nurseries. The intervention supported seed distribution, organic nutrient use, water resource planning, and post-harvest measures. Emphasis was placed on organic farming and biodiversity enhancement, reinforcing the region’s traditional strengths.

Problems that it Intends to Solve

The primary problems addressed by this project included acute food insecurity, disrupted livelihoods due to lockdowns, poor access to vegetables and nutrition, and the breakdown of local agricultural activities. Many families lacked ration cards or inclusion in formal welfare systems. There was also an erosion of traditional farming practices and limited access to quality inputs or expert guidance. The initiative aimed to simultaneously restore livelihoods, ensure food security, and rebuild community-level resilience.

What was the need

The urgency of the COVID-19 crisis revealed deep-rooted vulnerabilities in tribal belts—especially those dependent on daily wages or marginal farming. The absence of structured support, access to food, or sustainable income demanded immediate and innovative intervention. Tribal households needed support that was both humanitarian and developmental. Establishing nutrition gardens and agricultural self-reliance presented an ideal convergence of short-term relief and long-term transformation.

What Hindered its Introduction

The initial challenges stemmed from logistical constraints during the lockdown, fear and misinformation surrounding COVID-19, and the lack of immediate institutional coordination. Ensuring participation of tribal communities while maintaining public health protocols was difficult. Moreover, access to quality planting material, technical inputs, and market linkages was limited in these remote areas. Formal collaborations with experts and departmental bodies took time to solidify in the emergency context.

Process Followed for Implementation

Implementation began with small-group consultations among tribal households to understand local needs and generate community buy-in. Relief kits were distributed while simultaneously identifying families for the development of Family Nutrition Gardens. Four Community Nurseries were established—three in Salabani and one in Ringpur—to propagate vegetable and tuber crops. Experts from ICAR–CTCRI, KVK Baliapal, and other agricultural departments were engaged for technical support. Phased activities included planting of cassava, sweet potato, yams, cowpeas, brinjal, papaya, and ridge gourd, alongside soil health management using neem and mustard oil cakes. Skill development workshops, use of vermicompost pits, polyhouse creation, and organic pest management formed part of the integrated approach.

• Government
  • The project involved multiple government stakeholders at different levels. Letters of correspondence were issued to Collector, District Magistrate, Disaster Management Authority, and line departments for technical and infrastructural support. Krishi Vigyan Kendras and officers from horticulture and agriculture departments guided planning and field implementation.
• Involvement of NGO
  • GOONJ, New Delhi was a critical partner. It not only supported the initial relief distribution but extended sustained support in the form of funding, material aid, and implementation oversight. Bana Dhulira Phula acted as the implementing agency, ensuring seamless coordination between local communities and external partners.
• Involvement of Community
  • The project was deeply participatory. Tribal households were active agents—from planning to plantation. Women were especially prioritised as caretakers of the Nutrition Gardens. Group cultivation, shared nurseries, and collective training created a spirit of community dynamism. Communities contributed labor, knowledge, and local resources to reduce dependency and enhance ownership.

Solutions Implemented

The programme implemented a wide range of interlinked solutions: distribution of seeds and planting material, construction of vermicompost pits, formulation of organic fungicides and pesticides using cow dung slurry and herbal extracts, and installation of polyhouses using locally sourced materials. Farmers were trained in soil and water conservation, post-harvest techniques, and cultivation of cash crops during Kharif and Rabi seasons. Science and technology inputs were embedded throughout.

Details of the Coverage

The programme initially covered 50 to 75 tribal families, primarily from the Bhumij community. It operated across villages in Mahisapata and Jamudiha Gram Panchayats. Four Community Nurseries were developed. 1000 cassava cuttings were planted in 50 gardens and 500 more in nurseries. A diverse seed bank of 24 varieties including bhindi, pumpkin, cowpea, tomato, brinjal, and maize was created and distributed. Over 30 different agricultural and horticultural species were cultivated. Continuous engagement across four seasonal phases ensured year-round activity.

Innovation and Unique Features

The project’s innovation lies in its convergence of emergency relief and agricultural regeneration. Introducing Family Nutrition Gardens alongside community nurseries brought autonomy back to tribal food systems. Organic formulations and seed propagation reduced input dependency. The use of polyhouses, crop diversification, and custom pest solutions tailored to local climates added scientific sophistication. This was not merely a relief effort but a full-spectrum development approach.

The programme embedded scientific advisory support in each stage—from soil selection to pest control. Collaborations with ICAR–CTCRI, KVKs, and OUAT introduced improved varietals and cultivation techniques. Skill-building included both men and women farmers, preserving cultural sensitivities. Cow dung-based organic treatments resonated with traditional knowledge systems, ensuring higher adoption.

The project leveraged traditional Bhumij practices of collective farming, seed saving, and natural pest management. Consultation processes respected local governance and ensured that adaptations were acceptable to the community. Women led much of the homestead gardening, reviving forgotten kitchen garden cultures.

Initially meant as a short-term response, the project evolved into a long-term developmental model. What started as a relief operation scaled into a sustainable farming programme with multi-seasonal crop cycles, training modules, and marketing exposure. Based on feedback, additional crops and polyhouse models were added in later phases.

Challenges Faced Before Implementation

• Internally, the project faced issues with staff capacity and tight timelines. Developing a multi-seasonal agricultural intervention amid a public health emergency proved demanding. Identifying undocumented families and coordinating relief and development required strategic planning with limited experience. Technical skills in horticulture and data management were initially lacking.
• Lockdowns created severe mobility issues. Villages were isolated, and health fears slowed community outreach. Approvals and technical support from line departments were delayed. Households were under financial stress, affecting their confidence and ability to participate in new farming schemes.
• Trust was built through consistent relief distribution and clear communication. Relief kits established credibility, enabling gradual transition to nutrition gardens. Panchayat support and expert advice from KVKs filled early knowledge gaps. Community participation increased as benefits became visible.

Challenges Faced During Implementation

• Internal Challenges
  • Logistical coordination and managing inputs across dispersed sites proved complex. The small team had to manage training, distribution, monitoring, and documentation. Ensuring consistent follow-up in vermicompost pits and polyhouses was difficult. Data management and feedback tracking stretched existing capacities.
• External Challenges
  • Weather disruptions, pest infestations, and poor market access limited crop outcomes. Families occasionally diverted attention due to short-term labor demands. Some crops failed, and storage limitations caused early post-harvest losses. Enthusiasm fluctuated with seasonal workload and uncertain returns.
• Mitigation Efforts
  • Youth and women leaders were trained for field-level coordination. KVKs provided emergency crop health remedies. Diversified planting mitigated risk, and feedback sessions helped adapt plans. Training cycles and crop planning became more targeted with each phase.

Outcomes

• More than 50 tribal families directly benefited. Over 30 crop varieties were cultivated. 4 nurseries and 50 gardens were established. Training sessions engaged multiple community members.
• The project restored food autonomy, improved nutrition, empowered women, and revived confidence in traditional farming.
• GOONJ and partner institutions monitored implementation through periodic reports, site visits, and performance reviews. The need for a formal DPR was highlighted to assess long-term sustainability.
• Targeted families from Bhumij tribal groups, particularly women farmers, children, and the elderly were the primary beneficiaries.

Replicability / Scalability / Sustainability

• The model aligns with national food security and tribal development goals and can inform future rural development schemes.
• By using locally available materials and organic inputs, the model reduces costs and dependency. Continued partnership with state and central agencies is viable.

Presentation

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