Gram Vikas is spearheading its efforts to promote nutrition among rural households in Odisha’s Ganjam and Gajapati districts with the CROPS (Climate Resilience Odisha Produce Study) project. This ambitious initiative bolsters nutrition and fosters sustainable development across 12 villages. At its core, the project champions the integration of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices, encouraging households to use grey water to enhance dietary diversity through vegetable cultivation.

Recent data from the National Family Health Survey 5 underscores the need for such initiatives, revealing that only 38% of households engage in vegetable cultivation, with alarming rates of child stunting and poor dietary diversity among women and children.

The CROPS Project aims to address these challenges over three years, beginning with pilot interventions in selected villages. Partnering with Emory University, CARE USA, and The World Vegetable Centre (WorldVeg), Gram Vikas combines local expertise with international support to empower communities and promote gender equality, nutrition, and water management.

Currently active in 220 households, the project promotes diverse crops like spinach, red spinach, ladyfinger, chilli, tomato, cucumber, coriander, bitter gourd, carrot, radish, pumpkin, and gourd. Training sessions on sustainable farming practices equip community members to skill in land preparation, multi-cropping, and pest control, ensuring maximum yield and environmental stewardship.

The CROPS project significantly impacts the community through targeted nutritional education and community engagement. It fosters a culture of dietary diversity and resilience, with local feedback indicating a newfound appreciation for nutritious vegetables previously unfamiliar to the community. This marks a significant step towards improved health and sustainable livelihoods.

Through innovative, community-driven initiatives, we continue to promote health, hygiene, and environmental sustainability for rural communities across Odisha.

Reporting and photographs by Sheethal TS, Project Manager, CROPS project, Gram Vikas.