Transforming Mizoram: NABARD’s Pioneering Initiative to Empower Tribals & Combat Unscientific Farming | MorungExpress

Aizawl, December 17 (IANS): The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is driving the TRIBES (Tribal Resilience Initiative for Building Environmentally Sustainable Livelihoods) initiative in Mizoram to empower tribal communities and address the adverse effects of unscientific shifting cultivation, known locally as jhumming. This initiative responds to the environmental challenges posed by reduced fallow periods and declining land productivity in a state where nearly 94.4% of the 12 lakh population is tribal.

NABARD has sanctioned 13 TRIBES projects in Mizoram, underscoring its commitment to transforming tribal livelihoods. Of these, seven projects are complete, and six are ongoing, with approximately Rs 17 crore disbursed from a sanctioned total of Rs 19 crore. These projects cover a range of crops such as orange, mango, litchi, and banana, with turmeric and pineapple as intercrops. For landless farmers, piggery and poultry units offer alternative livelihood options.

The projects are facilitated by agencies like NEIDA, World Vision India – CADP, CODNERC, and Angel Business Promoters of Mizoram and are monitored by NABARD’s district development managers and consultants from NABARD Consultancy Services (NABCONS). Implementation is focused on seven districts: Aizawl, Champhai, Khawzawl, Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Mamit, and Serchhip, affecting 90 villages and over 19,250 families. The initiative has brought over 3,500 acres under cultivation, significantly boosting agricultural productivity.

A core part of NABARD’s approach involves land development programs, sustainable farming techniques, and capacity-building efforts to help tribal communities diversify crops and adopt environmentally friendly practices. NABARD’s ‘wadi’ model, supported by the Tribal Development Fund (TDF), emphasizes sustainable tribal development and has been key in replicating orchard models nationwide since 2003-04. This initiative aims to minimize tribal dependence on forest resources, thus conserving these ecosystems while improving tribal living standards and quality of life.

Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/mizoram-nabards-implementing-flagship-scheme-to-empower-tribals-prevent-unscientific-farming
Category : North-East
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Publish Date: 2024-12-17 18:33:00