Agriculture Diversity Sample Plots in Thirunelly Grama Panchayath (Using Diversity)

By Ramachandran K.G., Programme Coordinator, Community Wellbeing Promotion and conservation of agriculture diversities is one of the primary objectives of Using Diversity project interventions. The project supports the expansion of crop diversities with local tribal farming communities across all intervention areas. 4 such sample diversity plots are being developed in Thirunelly Grama Panchayat, with 2 […]
Effect of Lockdown on Indigenous Communities of Central India

The pandemic has not only brought out the inequalities in health and the fragility of our public health system, but it has also shown us how vulnerable a large section of our society is in terms of necessities like livelihood and food. And the indigenous communities lie at the intersection of both livelihood and food […]
Food security and traditional agriculture of indigenous communities

Author: Arnab Chakraborty Arnab Chakraborty Masters is a Masters student of society and development with Azim Premji University (APU). He was part of a summer internship program with Keystone Foundation during which he was associated with the Using Diversity Network in a research capacity. This paper is a culmination of some of the research he […]
Planting of uncultivated food and other saplings in Birhor villages of Pali and Podi Blocks, Korba District, Chhattisgarh

Ramakant Jaiswal and Tiharu Birhor In July and August 2020 3700 saplings were distributed among 200 Birhor households across 10 villages of Pali and Podi Blocks, Korba District, Chhattisgarh. Bamboo is integral to the lives of the Birhor. They make a variety of baskets and other bamboo handicrafts which they sell in local markets and […]
Agriculture and Tree Planting related activities in Paharia villages of Sundar Pahari and Littipara, Jharkhand

Surja Paharia In June and July 2020 a variety of activities associated with the promotion and revival of traditional crops; strengthening of Jara and Kurwa shifting cultivation based practices of the Paharia people; vegetable cultivation in kitchen gardens; and planting of uncultivated food and other trees and plants; were carried out in the Paharia villages […]
Distribution of seeds for mixed cropping and kitchen gardens in Birhor villages of Korba District, Chhattisgarh

Ramakant Jaiswal and Tiharu Birhor The Birhor people residing in villages across Podi and Pali blocks of Korba district, Chhattisgarh carry out agricultural activities in their homestead plots and some also have small plots of land. In June and July 2020 seeds of 9 different crops were distributed among 83 Birhor households spread across 10 […]
Establishment of Kitchen Gardens in Patalkot – July 2020

Surendra Pandram and Gyansa Bharti A series of meetings were conducted with farmers and schoolteachers across Patalkot’s 12 villages, with regards to the establishment of kitchen gardens where a variety of desi/local vegetables would be cultivated. Subsequently seeds of local vegetable species and labour expenses were provided for the setting up of Kitchen Gardens in […]
A training program on mixed cropping at the Kamar village of Devdongar – 25th July 2020

Basant Soni and Dhansay Sori On the 25th of July a training program on mixed cropping practices was conducted by Rohidas Yadav of PRERAK in the Kamar village of Devdongar, Mainpur Block, Gariyaband District, Chhattisgarh. The village mukhiya (head) and all villagers extended their wholehearted support to the program. Rohidas Yadav shared the benefits of […]
Planting of Uncultivated Food plants and trees in Patalkot

Surendra Pandram and Gyansa Bharti Uncultivated foods make a vital contribution to the Bhariya and Gond people in the 12 villages of Patalkot, Chhindwara District, MP. These foods comprise a variety of green leafy vegetables; fruits, seeds and flowers; and tubers and have historically ensured the nutritional security of the Bhariya and Gond people of […]
Distribution of traditional seeds for mixed cropping cultivation by Bhaiya farmers of Patalkot

Surendra Pandram and Gyansa Bharti The Bhariya people residing in the 12 villages of Patalkot, Chhindwara District, MP have a long tradition of cultivating a rich diversity of crops that include a variety of millets, pulses and other legumes, maize and oil seeds. However, with increasing restrictions by the Forest Department on the traditional shifting […]