Kalahandi

Kalahandi district is predominated by tribals (28.5 % of total population). Tribes like Banjara, Bhatra, Bhunjia, Binjhal, Dal, Gond, Kandha, Mirdha, Munda, Paraja, Saora and Savar etc. are inhabited in the district. 

In terms of population, Gonds are in first place and Kandhas come next in the district. 

Administratively, Kalahandi comprises 2 sub-divisions, 13 blocks, 13 tehsils, 310 Gram Panchayats, and 2,253 villages.                                                                    

With a total population of 15,76,869, Kalahandi’s economy is primarily agrarian, with 92.26 % living in rural areas. Agriculture forms the backbone of Kalahandi’s economy, with major crops including paddy, green gram, black gram, horse gram, ragi, maize, groundnut, while livestock rearing and NTFP collection supplement rural incomes. 

Harsha Trust began operations in the district, in the year 2003, in Golamunda block-covering 11 villages through Sir Dorabji Tata Trust’s irrigation infrastructure development for livelihood enhancement programme. In the year 2015, Harsha Trust started working in Thuamul Rampur block, covering 38 villages through NABARD Wadi programme.

Currently, Harsha Trust’s initiatives span across the 2 blocks of Thuamul Rampur and Golamunda, engaging with more than 11,912 households of 220 villages focusing on enhancing livelihoods, ensuring nutrition security, and boosting income levels.

Key highlights/progress in the year (2023-24) 

• Drumstick plantation in Wadi model
• Transformation of life of Ultra Poor through productive asset creation
• Creation of Irrigation infrastructure changed the pattern of agriculture
• Establishment of Kitchen Garden brought a new thought to address the nutrition
• Convergence with OLIC and successfully installed solar borewells of more than 80 farmers which amounts to Rs.2 crore.
• NPM Agriculture developed a new thought towards use of pesticide and reduced the cost of cultivation. 
• Livestock entrepreneurship system provides facilities at the door step, benifitting tribal households
• Focused Village level INRM Plan
• Health and nutrition Program