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Agroecology Boosts Tribal Women's Incomes, Nutrition in Madhya Pradesh

An agroecological homestead model in Madhya Pradesh's Mandla district has significantly improved production and nutrition for tribal women. The initiative promotes cultivating diverse vegetables, crop rotation, and organic methods, leading to a 350% increase in production diversity. Women farmers now manage these backyard plots, challenging traditional norms and increasing household savings. The approach reduces dependence on external markets for both food and fertilisers.

Key Points: Agroecology Model Transforms Lives of Tribal Women in India

  • Production diversity increased 350%
  • Dietary diversity doubled
  • Women lead decision-making
  • Reduces market dependence
  • Uses organic bio-fertilisers
2 min read

Agroecological homesteads boost women's incomes, nutrition in Central India: Report

Report shows agroecological homesteads in Mandla boost women's incomes, nutrition, and food security through diversified farming.

"Earlier, we bought these from the market, but now, we make it all at home. - Kusum"

New Delhi, March 4

An agroecological homestead model has transformed backyard plots in Madhya Pradesh's Mandla district, increasing production, nutritional outcomes and incomes for tribal women, a report has said.

The report from Eco‑Business said the initiative, led by the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Program and Professional Assistance for Development Action (Pradan) among the region's adivasis focuses on cultivating different kinds of vegetables at different heights, maximising use of space.

The report cited International Water Management Institute's (IWMI) findings that production diversity has increased by 350 per cent, dietary diversity has doubled, and consumption of nutrient-rich foods such as leafy greens went up by 70 per cent.

"Protein intake and household savings have also improved through backyard poultry, and families' dependence on external markets for produce and fertiliser has fallen," the report said.

The technique involves cultivating different kinds of vegetables, crop rotation, bio‑composting, rainwater harvesting and livestock integration using organic manure for crop farming and crop residue or surplus for animal feed.

The report said that women farmers have taken charge of production and decision‑making on their families' homestead farms, challenging traditional norms.

Most farmers in Chimkatola and Kevlari areas of this district erstwhile practised monocropping - of mainly maize in upland areas and rice in low-lying fields near rivers, an analyst noted.

"Earlier, we bought [these] from the market, but now, we make it all at home," said Kusum, an inhabitant of Chimkatola.

Saurav Kumar, team coordinator, Professional Assistance for Development Action said the crops were earlier vulnerable to erratic rainfall, land degradation due to improper farming on steep slopes, and fluctuating market prices due to unstable fuel prices and other factors. Backyard plots were largely left fallow, with maize occasionally cultivated.

Each woman farmer cultivates around 400-500 square meters of land under the project, using bio-fertilisers like jeevamrut and panchagavya, both made from cow dung and urine mixed with other organic matter, the report noted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Saurav Kumar
As someone working in agricultural development, this model is brilliant. It tackles nutrition security, economic resilience, and women's agency all at once. Using traditional knowledge like jeevamrut is cost-effective and eco-friendly. Hope the government scales this up.
R
Rohit P
Fantastic news! My grandmother used to talk about similar mixed cropping in her village. Modern monocropping and chemical fertilizers ruined soil health. Going back to these organic, integrated methods is the only sustainable future for Indian agriculture.
A
Anjali F
The most important part is women taking charge of decision-making. When women control resources and income, the whole family's health and education improves. This should be a model for all self-help group programs.
M
Michael C
While the results are impressive, the article doesn't mention the initial investment or training required. Scaling this up will need significant support. I hope the report addresses the challenges of replicating this in other regions with different climates.
K
Karthik V
Reducing dependence on the market for both food and fertilizer is a huge win for climate resilience and financial security. This is true "Atmanirbhar Bharat" at the household level. More power to Kusum and all the women farmers! 💪

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