Livelihood Diversification and Capacity Building of Tribal Communities in the Aspirational Districts of Bihar by Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
Livelihood Diversification and Capacity Building of Tribal Communities in the Aspirational Districts of Bihar.
Problem
- Tribal households had relatively low income (Rs 3,699/month)
- Overdependence on wage labour and lack of income diversification
- Inefficient land use with low cropping intensity and vast cultivable wastelands
- Low productivity due to non-adoption of scientific practices in both agriculture and livestock
- Household food insecurity with many lacking access to preferred food and others experiencing small or no meals
- Adverse weather conditions and topographical challenges
Solution
- Implementation of the ‘Enhancement of Livelihood Security of Scheduled Tribe Communities’ project
- Interventions like beekeeping, backyard poultry, kitchen gardening, community livestock health centers and hydroponic green fodder cultivation
- Replacement of local poultry with improved breeds and local rice variety with drought & submergence-tolerant early maturing rice
- Skill enhancement programmes such as exposure visits, method and result demonstrations and input provisions
- Innovative approaches including Community Animal Health Center, Hydroponic Fodder Production, and use of Palmyra Palm for animal feed
Outcomes
- Increase in tribal household income from Rs 3,699/month to Rs 5,211/month.
- Boost in productivity for rice (21.50%), wheat (13.80%), maize (32.30%), and the new cropping system of rice-mustard-green gram
- Cropping intensity rose from 139% to 158%
- Enhanced productivity in livestock: milk (480 lit/ICP), goat meat (1.63 kg/goat), poultry meat (1.38 kg/bird) and egg production (43 to 83)
- 85 ha improvement in wasteland utilisation and tree cover; 50% reduction in goat & poultry mortality
- Enhanced nutritional security: meat and egg consumption rose by 22%; fruits and vegetable consumption by 18% and 30%
Project Details
Category: Capacity Building
Project: Livelihood Diversification and Capacity Building of Tribal Communities in the Aspirational Districts of Bihar
Organisation: Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour
Start Date: 15-Mar-2016
Problem
The tribal communities in Banka, Kishanganj, and Katihar districts of Bihar faced significant socio-economic challenges. Tribal households reported a monthly income of Rs 3,699/month, significantly lower than state and national averages. Their livelihoods were heavily dependent on wage labour, with minimal diversification in income sources. The inefficiencies in land use, along with a predominant reliance on traditional farming methods, further exacerbated the problem. Additionally, many households were plagued by food insecurities due to the lack of in-house food production systems and limited access to nutritious food. The region’s inherent climatic adversities, combined with a lack of scientific practices in farming and livestock management, contributed to the dire situation.
Solution
To counteract these challenges, the Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour rolled out a comprehensive project focused on diversifying income sources and bolstering production. Through this initiative, tribal households were introduced to multiple interventions that included beekeeping, kitchen gardening, and hydroponic green fodder cultivation. Emphasis was also placed on the adoption of improved poultry breeds and drought-resistant rice varieties. Concurrently, the community was empowered through skill enhancement programs, exposure visits, and educational tours. The project also introduced several innovative practices, such as hydroponic fodder production, establishing Community Animal Health Centers, and utilising Palmyra palm for animal feed.
Outcomes
The project interventions bore significant and tangible outcomes. Notably, there was a substantial increase in tribal household income. Furthermore, the farming systems underwent a positive transformation, evident from the remarkable increase in productivity across key crops. The cropping intensity also witnessed an uptick. Livestock and poultry sectors saw impressive growth rates in productivity, signalling an enhanced livelihood framework for tribal households. The project’s holistic approach also led to improved land utilization and a drastic reduction in livestock mortality. Besides economic benefits, there was a clear enhancement in the nutritional intake among tribal households, affirming the project’s multifaceted impact.