Livelihood Activities under Watershed Development Odisha

AFCL implemented a Department for International Development (DFID) assisted Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Project (WORLP) – Watershed Development Mission, Government of Odisha between 2005-2010. This project was implemented in Nuapada, Bolangir, Kalahandi and Bargarh districts of Orissa. These districts are among the poorest in India with nearly 70 per cent of the population living below the official poverty line, having high illiteracy rates, poor health indicators, shortage of safe drinking water, lack of sanitation, poor infrastructure, natural calamities, inequitable social structures, indebtedness, gender and other inequities. WORLP project design emphasized livelihood support along with Natural Resources Management on a watershed basis. AFC was initially selected as the Project Implementing Agency (PIA) for WORLP project for the Bhawanipatana block of Kalahandi district comprising a watershed area of 5000 ha covering 26 villages in three gram panchayats.

Shri G.B.Reddy IFS, Director Odisha Watershed Development Mission (OWDM) with Shri S.K.Khatua Project Director District Watershed Mission, Kalahndi observing the Mushroom cultivation during his visit to Malgaon village under Malgaon GP of Bhawanipatna Block ,Kalahandi district.

Mushroom Beds being prepared by SHGs at Malgaon village

Shri G.B.Reddy IFS, Director Odisha Watershed Development Mission (OWDM) with Shri S.K.Khatua Project Director District Watershed Mission, Kalahndi & other officials observing the bed preparation process and sharing the with Kalinga SHG members at Phatapada village under Malgaon GP of Bhawanipatna Block ,Kalahandi district.

Dhigiri Mushroom before selling.

Phatapada village under Maljharan Watershed with their Mushroom beds

Mrs Sarabasudha Naik Phatapada a Member form Kalinga SHG plugging mushrooms

Mrs Ahalya Sahu, Maa Santoshi SHG of Malgaon watershed village plugging mushrooms before marketing

Straw Mushroom before plugging.

Chhatu Sangha of Kuliamal vilallage under Mati Maa watershed, Bhawanipatna Block with their mushroom beds.

Straw Mushroom before selling

Ms Padma Jal of Phapada village of Maa Sarbasakti SHG of Bhawanipatna Block of Kalahandi district with her Mushroom bed.

Maa Ambe SHG mebers of Singhjharan village of Bhawanipatna Block under Kalahandi district with her Mushroom beds.

Prepared Mushroom bed