The monsoon rains had always been a gamble, but for Sukanti Dalei, the stakes had never been higher. “The paddy harvest can no longer sustain my family for an entire year,” she confided, looking at her 1.5-acre plot. “If there is not enough rain, the yield drops by half.”

Like most farmers in Ganjam district’s Dhaogaon village, Sukanti, 40, lives in the village with her husband, five children and in-laws. Along with her husband she cultivates paddy once a year in their two acres of land. She is the President of the Maa Sulia Farmer Producer Group. The land lay fallow for the rest of the year, a testament to the lack of water.

The monsoon’s capricious nature had always been a part of their lives, but in recent years, the rains had become increasingly unpredictable. The once-reliable rhythm of the seasons was disrupted, leaving the farmers at the mercy of an increasingly volatile climate.

Since its July 2022 launch, the Rural Livelihood Project has facilitated the formation of 52 Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs), involving 632 farmers across the block.

In June 2023, members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from Surada block’s Dhaogaon formed three separate Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs). Some men joined these groups, marking a significant step towards community collaboration and economic development.

The Surada block in the Ganjam district faces high interstate migration rates. At least one person from seven out of ten households migrates for work, seeking better income opportunities outside their village. Decreasing farm sizes, reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and low-yielding land have driven many men to seek employment in distant states.

The Rural Livelihood Project

In partnership with the Axis Bank Foundation, Gram Vikas launched the ‘Rural Livelihood Project’ in the Surada block to tackle these challenges. Spanning 245 villages across 14 Gram Panchayats, the project promotes livelihood diversification such as pisciculture. This initiative empowers women, traditionally reliant on migration for work, to participate in economic activities within their village, boosting their contribution to household income.

Gram Vikas encouraged residents to revitalise their traditional pond ecosystems. To enhance the economic viability of these ponds, they provided training in pisciculture. In August 2023, twelve representatives from six Panchayats attended a training on fisheries in Banjar village, learning essential skills for successful fish farming.

The training covered pond maintenance, water treatment, fish breed selection, fingerling selection, disease control, and the importance of quality feed. Gram Vikas also introduced the farmers to GO SUGAM, a Government of Odisha portal offering farmer-centric schemes and services. Gram Vikas, collaborated with the district level Department of Fisheries and Animal Resource Development (FARD), is extending the benefits of community fisheries to these villages.

Harnessing the power of collectives

Three Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs), each with 12 members, were formed in Dhaogaon village. Sukanti Dalei, a small farmer and president of Maa Sulia FPG, recognised the benefits of collective action. “The FPG offers a safety net,” Sukanti explains. “Starting a business alone is risky, especially with so few opportunities here. But together, we can face challenges and explore new ways to earn a living.”

Dhaogaon village has 36 households, with most men migrating to Surat and Kerala for work. Torani Dalei, 38, a migrant worker whose wife is part of an FPG, sees the value in these groups for women like her. “A group enterprise is more suitable for women like my wife,” he explains, “It gives them a space to talk things through and make decisions together.” He also highlights the positive impact of Gram Vikas’s involvement. “Their meetings have opened doors and made us more aware of government schemes that can help us.”

Gita Dalei, a member of Maa Gramadebati Thakurani FPG, is enthusiastic about the collective fish farming venture. The FPGs secured a five-year lease for the Khajuribandha pond and repaired it.

In August 2023, the group members released fingerlings into the pond facilitated by Gram Vikas.

Subhash Pradhan, a farmer who chose to not migrate and cultivate his land in the village, is confident in the collective effort. “Fish farming is our first venture together, and we already feel a strong bond. We hope to explore more opportunities as a group, enabling us to earn better and live with dignity in the village.”

Diversified livelihoods improve climate resilience capacity

Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns, fueled by climate change, have left farmers increasingly vulnerable to crop failures and dwindling yields. In regions heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, encouraging farmers to diversify their income streams can mitigate the risks associated with unpredictable weather.

As one farmer aptly puts it, “There is no waterlogging in the fields, essential for starting paddy crops; sometimes unexpected rains damage the crops. Therefore, it is difficult to hope for a good harvest. The erratic rains make farming difficult, and what we harvest is not enough to last us a year like it used to earlier.”

Community pisciculture offers a viable alternative, allowing farmers to supplement their income and bolster their resilience against climate-induced challenges.

Already, 28 Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs) across our partner villages have embraced fisheries in community ponds. While the financial gains may be modest, these systems significantly enhance the nutrition and income security for the communities involved.