Progress report for
Creating and nurturing vibrant partnerships to achieve the sustainable development goals in tribal regions of Western India
Achievement at a glance
More than 70,000 indigenous families were provided relief and extricated from poor situation by improving the status on agriculture input cost, natural resources, nutrition, health, child mortality, school attendance, housing and assets creation. About 40,000 tribal families received 100 days guaranteed employment on highest wage rate within 15 days in the Rajasthan State of India under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Apart from this 10,000 families received work up to 300,000 INR to improve their resources. Intensively worked with grass root workers for capacity building and improved service deliveries. About 45,000 women in tribal areas were able to access better health care facilities and received financial maternity benefits under various health schemes. Tribal families in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat States, who are poor and small farmers were motivated and encouraged for Nutri-Sensitive Integrated Farming System which is an indigenous farming practices that leads to improve agriculture land, soil, animal health and production as well. Fifty five thousand poor and small farmers are experiencing benefits of NSFS and received Nutrition Food Security through the year. Pregnant and lactating mothers, adolescent girls in 52000 families were provided knowledge on Nutrition and Health Education especially reproductive health and linked with community managed nutrition practices to reduce percentage of anemia and all form of malnourishment (Underweight and stunted) and were vaccinated. More than 200 school management committees were strengthened and capacitated for developing school development plans and thus ensuring quality primary and secondary education for every indigenous child. A policy framework was also developed for promotion of rain-fed farming and required amendments were recommended to government in agriculture policies for revitalizing rain-fed farming.Challenges faced in implementation
The following challenges were faced during implementation. A) Policies are affecting our field level interventions, their sustainability and barriers of revival of indigenous practices in the community. B) Interference of political leaders in development initiatives and community members are misguided by them. C) Limited community participation and action for their sustainable integrated development than other areas due to high migration in search of employment is prevalent in these areas. D) High expenditure on health in private health facilities. Lesser understanding on preventive health care in the community, thus making it less popular practices.Beneficiaries
VAAGDHARA is running its interventions for 100,000 indigenous families and 200,000 children up to 18 years living in southern Rajasthan and its adjoining area of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states. All the families belong to ‘Bheel’ community. Women literacy rate is half of the male literacy rate. Only 5 to 7 percent households out of total households have salaried person from Government Job/Private Job/Business/Small Enterprises. Most of them are poor and small land holding farmers, their livelihood is dependent on agriculture. There are no livelihood opportunities available other than agriculture and indigenous livestock. Therefore, seasonal migration is prevalent in these areas in search of employment. Child migration and child marriages are also the key issues in these areas.