World Renew Canada is supporting North East India Committee on Relief and Development (NEICORD) with a five-year agriculture and livelihoods project in 15 villages under Rongkhang Block of West Karbi Anglong District of Assam State. The proposed villages are comprised mainly of tribal groups belonging to the Karbis, Garos, Bodos and Tiwa. Additionally, the project will work with the Nepalis and Bengalis who are also inhabitants of the targeted villages.
Although agriculture is the dominant livelihood it is underdeveloped for a variety of reasons such as a lack of modern technology, continued dependence on the monsoon season, natural calamities (particularly floods and landslides), lack of capital, poor access to institutional credit, and limited market linkages. ‘Jhum’ is the traditional farming practice of shifting cultivation. The growing population and increased protection of forested areas are resulting in a shortening of the jhum cycle, from 15 to two years, which is causing significant soil nutrient loss and a decrease in agricultural productivity. NEICORD’s recent situation assessment indicates most households are experiencing increased food insecurity and related nutritional challenges.
The project will work with communities on multiple and interrelated strategies including the promotion of sustainable farming, strengthening the livelihoods of the communities and encouraging enterprise development, improving soil and water conservation and management, increasing productivity of crops and livestock, improving health and nutrition, and building the resilience of the community to climate risks and natural disasters. Diversified food crops will be introduced and promoted to improve stable food access, consumption, nutrition and income. Women’s empowerment and a gender-sensitive approach will be central in project implementation, recognizing the importance of gender transformation for improved household food and livelihood security. The project will promote women’s and girl’s equitable access, control, and decision-making over productive resources at the household and community level and encourage male involvement in domestic responsibilities. Women’s leadership and decisionmaking will be promoted in Self-Help Groups (SHG), Producer Groups (PG), and People Institution (PI). Over five years the project aims to work with 1,766 households and reach 9,722 people.