Kandhamal

Kandhamal District is located in Central Odisha and has two sub-divisions, 12 tehsils, 12 blocks, 171 Gram Panchayats and 2,515 villages.  Scheduled Tribes account for 53.58% and Scheduled Castes account for 15.76% of the population. With a total population of approximately 7, 33, 110, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, forest-produce trading, are the chief sources of livelihood for 90.14% of the population in Kandhamal Minor forest products such as Sal leaves, Sisal, Bija, Asana, bamboo, tamarind, hill brooms, oilseeds, Kendu leaves, medicinal plants, tuber, flowers, mahua flowers,etc. are plentifully available. The district climate is known to be suitable for turmeric, ginger and honey (forest-based and cultured).The important crops grown in the district during the kharif season include paddy, maize and ginger. In irrigated areas, crops like potatoes, vegetables and mustard are grown.

Harsha Trust began operations in Kandhamal district in the year 2023-24, in 7 blocks covering 437 villages through the Swayamshree programme supported by Reliance Foundation and Bill Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in collaboration with Mission Shakti. Currently, Harsha Trust’s initiatives engage with more than 4800 households focusing on enhancing livelihoods through Farm, Off-farm and Non-Farm activities. The focus is primarily on promoting women’s entrepreneurship and value chain development.

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

• Vegetable clusters were established in 1400 acres through a Cluster approach with 4536 HHs in 7 blocks. The main vegetables grown are brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower, beans and chillies.
• 2342 HHs have been engaged in Mahua cultivation and processing. Value addition is done by practicing net collection methods and drying in polythene sheets. 32 SHGs are involved in making Laddoos and candy from Mahua.
• ITDA Phulbani has supported with two processing units for Mango and Jackfruit successfully operationalizing the production of jackfruit chips and mango pulp.
• Strawberry cultivation was undertaken by 1092 HHs on 156 acres of land in 3 blocks with the support of the Odisha Livelihood Mission (OLM) and Horticulture Department.
• 3157 HHs have benefitted from de-worming and vaccination programs. Of these 2776 HHs have been involved in exclusively Poultry rearing.
• 102 women entrepreneurs have been actively engaged in Mushroom cultivation in two blocks. They are cultivating mushrooms throughout the year and the same are being marketed in the nearby local markets.
• Solar fencing was established in 31 sites covering 418 acres of vegetable fields benefitting648 HHs in 7 blocks.