Integrated Rural Development Agency of the Sambalpur Diocese
Church of North India

The Rural Life Program has a long history.  It was established in 1955 and has been a partner of Global Ministries and its predecessor bodies for many years.  The program serves a rural farming district in India.  The current proposal will cover a three-year period beginning in 2007. 

The Kalahandi District in the state of Orissa, in India, has an agriculture-based economy.  About 80 percent of the population depends on agriculture, either as farmers or laborers, for their survival.  The success of a crop is completely dependent on the seasonal monsoon because there are no irrigation facilities in the district.  The seasonal cycles of drought and monsoon cause the poor and marginal populations to cycle between having enough to eat for several months and then going hungry for several months.  Land owners generally own two acres or less.  Because of the pressures of globalization, the farmers are increasingly dependent on hybrid seeds and the chemical inputs necessary to grow their crops, which is costly.  The income from a successful crop may produce enough income for five to six months of the year.  Poor farmers often have to borrow from local money lenders to purchase seed and fertilizers.   Interest rates are often 100 percent over the course of the agricultural season.  If a crop fails, the debt still must be paid.  

There are four Panchayats (a local government unit) and 16 villages in the project area.  These villages are home to 3,406 households and 13,156 people who belong to the lowest castes of the Indian social pyramid (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes).  The definition of "poverty" in India is based on an income of less than 11,600 Rupees (or $263) per year.  It is estimated that 1,222 of the 3,406 households are living below this poverty line.  Many of these families survive by migrating for work when there is no local agricultural employment.  They travel to neighboring states to secure work in brick kilns and other perilous industries.  The migrations of individuals or families have many negative results, including:  (1) putting women at increased risk of exploitation and harassment;  (2) greatly diminishing the likelihood that children will attend school; and (3) increasing the family's exposure to a variety of diseases, which they cannot afford to treat without going into greater debt. 

Rural farmers are not organized and find they cannot compete with corporate farms.  People tend to want to purchase brand-name products even when locally produced goods are also high quality.  Marketing strategies and organization could help increase the farmers' income.

The objectives of this program are:

1. Increase by 50 percent the agricultural production for 3,000 households over three years.
2. Increase land fertility through using organic fertilizers and pesticides for 1,000 households (discouraging use of chemical fertilizers due to their excessive cost).
3. Organize farmers' clubs (Krishak Sangh) in each village by the second year, for sharing agricultural knowledge, skills, and for addressing common issues.
4. Promote qualitative animal husbandry in 500 families (goat rearing) for the enhancement of the economy and improved nutrition.
5. Promote planting of fruit trees to 95 percent of the households over three years for nutritional and economic enhancement.
6. Develop one resource center for training and demonstrations on self sustainability (including food processing and preservation systems).
7. Train 30 veterinary workers to help advise farmers on and provide care for livestock.
8. Promote an informed and empowered population.