15 years ago, IMAP realized that barren land and poverty are deeply interconnected. India's place in the
Global Hunger Index has dropped from 101 in 2021 to 107 in 2022 due to the lack of awareness.
Reducing the amount of barren land is one of the ways to alleviate hunger and poverty. Hence, IMAP
initiated its program on productive utilization of barren land way back.
The first project to utilize fallow land was located in Chandrakona I Block of Paschim Medinipur. A total
of 15 acres of fallow land was organized into various little patches.
The success story of Chandrakona I spread throughout the district of Paschim Medinipur. We initiated to reclaim a fallow of murram soil and begin lac cultivation with the help of Semialata Flemingia in the Paschim Medinipur's Garhbeta III Block. The plot was kept to dig murrum for the construction of civil infrastructure. This time the participants were ethnic groups that are marginal both socially and economically. They are the local "scheduled castes and tribes." The success continued. The abandoned field started seething with greenery.
The approach of IMAP to include the marginal ethnic groups in the mainstream was accepted by both
the administration and the members of these ethnic groups. IMAP began to be a useful friend, especially
to the women of the community. Two similar projects were undertaken in the nearby Jhargram district,
which is primarily a tribal area with vast stretches of fallow land.
Not only did these projects provide a
source of income for many tribal people, but they also brought about a significant change in their
socioeconomic lives.The regular income from wages created the propensity to save among these tribal
people. A market where regular transactions could be made emerged, agricultural expertise increased,
primary health care helped them live a healthy life, dietary preferences were gradually shifting, and
overall an upward spiral effect was set in motion. With the kind co-operation of the administration and active participants of the
local people, 5 Lakh plants were raised in 5 years, resulting in the reclamation of 105 acres of fallow land
along with yielding agricultural produce.
The approach of IMAP to include the marginal ethnic groups in the mainstream was accepted by both
the administration and the members of these ethnic groups. IMAP began to be a useful friend, especially
to the women of the community. Two similar projects were undertaken in the nearby Jhargram district,
which is primarily a tribal area with vast stretches of fallow land.
Not only did these projects provide a
source of income for many tribal people, but they also brought about a significant change in their
socioeconomic lives.The regular income from wages created the propensity to save among these tribal
people. A market where regular transactions could be made emerged, agricultural expertise increased,
primary health care helped them live a healthy life, dietary preferences were gradually shifting, and
overall an upward spiral effect was set in motion. With the kind co-operation of the administration and active participants of the
local people, 5 Lakh plants were raised in 5 years, resulting in the reclamation of 105 acres of fallow land
along with yielding agricultural produce.
Copyright © 2023 IMAP. All Rights Reserved.