Rayagada

Rayagada district in southern Odisha covering an area of 7,073 sq.km comprises 11 blocks, 11 tehsils, 182 Gram Panchayats, and 2,667 villages and is a home to a population of 9,67,911. The population is predominantly tribal (57.52% of the population), with the Dongria Kondh and Saura tribes being the most prominent and Scheduled Castes account for 14%. Rayagada’s economy is primarily agrarian, with rice, millet, and pulses as the main crops. Other significant crops include wheat, ragi, green and black gram, groundnut, sweet potato, and maize. Traditional tribal farming practices, such as shifting cultivation (podu), are still prevalent in the district.

Harsha Trust began its interventions in the district, in the year 2004, in Bissamcuttack block covering five Gram Panchayats through Sir Ratan Tata Trust’s programme on institution building, food and livelihood security. We also associated with Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) for implementation of Odisha Nutrition Programme in Muniguda block. In Chandrapur block, we implemented Sustainable Livelihoods through INRM and Nutrition Security supported by Paradeep Phosphates Ltd.  We also associated with NABARD-CBBO program under Central Sector Scheme for promotion of FPOs in Kolnara and Chandrapur blocks. Axis Bank Foundation and Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation have been supporting us for Enhancing Livelihoods, Nutrition security and Promotion of Agriculture Production Cluster (APC) respectively. Currently, Harsha Trust’s initiatives span across 5 blocks, engaging with more than 23,595 households of 624 villages focusing on enhancing livelihoods, ensuring nutrition security, and boosting income levels and overall quality of life.

Key achievements/highlights in 2023-24:

• Aromatic paddy cultivation under 400 hectares was undertaken for the first time as convergence initiative covering 476 HHs and targeted to be continued for next 3 years.
• Commercial Vegetable Cultivation: 2448 HHs have successfully adopted bio agri-inputs for kharif vegetable cultivation. 65 community nurseries and 7 agri-entrepreneur nurseries have contributed towards increased vegetables cultivation. 550 farmers have been mobilized for drumstick cultivation.
• 650 scientific goat sheds have been supported by Harsha Trust and 525 goat sheds supported through convergence benefitting 1175 HHs to take up scientific goat rearing. A pool of 28 agri entrepreneurs and Livestock Entrepreneurs has been promoted to provide door-step delivery of services to the communities.
• 115 acre of mango and cashew plantation and 2000 number of plastic crates were secured through convergence initiatives.
• Under Boomitra program 1,036 acre were covered under carbon credit sequence for management of soil health as well as better agriculture practices using technologies (GPS, GIS mapping program).
• Health: More than 1200 adolescence girls were oriented under Health and Nutrition program with special focus on Menstrual Hygiene Management, consumption of IFA and calcium tablets.
• Percentage of women attending VHSND has increased from 55% to 91.6%.
• Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) incidences have reduced in the Pada Pushti Karykram (PPK) villages (0.6%) as compared to non-PPK villages (1.5%).