Karanja’s transformation- Redefining agriculture and local economy through climate-resilient technologies

Multi-faceted approach, integrating agriculture, livelihoods and climate-resilient technologies can build a prosperous, sustainable and economically secure future for women farmers. Karanja’s transformation serves as a powerful example of this approach.

Karanja, a village primarily inhabited by tribal communities like Kandha and Dombo, was once synonymous with remoteness and a primitive rural lifestyle. Today, Karanja welcomes you with scenic farms of sunflowers and vegetables, laid in lines, covering over 100 acres, where women can be seen working diligently in their vegetable plots harvesting fresh produce.

“Karanja was not like this 10 years ago. We mostly worked as farm labourers in neighbouring villages and collected Kendu leaves for income. Vegetables were grown only in small patches or in backyards and hardly sufficed our consumption needs”, said, Singari Kadraka Didi (65).”

Today, the village stands as a learning hub for neighbouring communities, particularly women farmers, who seek to transform their lives and production systems by adopting climate-smart, sustainable agricultural practices. They are not only enhancing resilience to climate change but also tapping into larger markets for improved profitability.

So, what transformed Karanja into the agricultural hub it is today? Why do traders and markets now come to its doorstep every morning? How did the adoption of climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural models like the 2-cent model, community nurseries, solar fencing, improved irrigation practices and the promotion of value chains through a Farmer Producer Company, play a crucial role in Karanja’s transformation? This case study captures the inspiring journey of the tribal women farmers of Karanja, who brought markets closer to their doorstep through innovation, sustainability, and collective action.

Background

Karanja village is located in Singari Panchayat of Kalyansingpur block, 56 km from district headquarters Rayagada. The communities predominantly relied on farming and forest-based livelihoods. Agriculture is traditionally subsistence as the lands are interspersed with the undulating landscape. Paddy and millets were the major crops grown. Women in the village contributed significantly to the household economy by collecting Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) such as Kendu leaves, Mahua seeds, and hill brooms. Additionally, they were engaged in seasonal wage labour construction work to diversify their income sources.

Transformative interventions in Karanja

Assessing Karanja’s potential to transform the agricultural landscape of the area, Harsha Trust initiated the first intervention in 2018, with a 2-Cent Model focusing on promoting vegetable cultivation with women SHGs and enhancing household consumption. While the initial focus was on livelihoods and income generation, the women members gradually expanded the activities based on the aspirations and needs of the community, aiming to improve the overall quality of life in Karanja.

Table 1: Timeline of interventions and milestones that led to Karanja’s transformation

Agriculture Production Clusters (APC) Model 

Institutionalization of women farmers and Self Help Groups (SHGs) into Producer Groups (PGs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), was done to enable them to establish innovative on-farm and off-based livelihood models and climate resilient practices, enhancing the community’s stake in agriculture and value chains.

Initially, Harsha Trust facilitated a vision-building exercise within the community, guiding the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to initiate production clusters. Through orientations, training sessions, and exposure visits, the concept of synchronized production of high-value crops like vegetables and fruits, adopting climate resilient practices, alongside the promotion of market-driven enterprises, was introduced.

In 2019, the Ganga Jamuna Producer Group (PG) was formed with 83 women members from Karanja, 22 members from Boriguda, and 40 members from Melkajaba. In 2021, this led to the formation of Maa Sitalama Farmer Producer Company Limited (MSFPCL) to provide end-to-end value chain services to the producer members. Today, 100% of households in Karanja are members of the FPC, with two women from the village serving on the Board of Directors.

 Box 2: Farming against the odds: Karanja’s shift to climate-resilient agriculture 

Table 2: Crop Production in Karanja (2023-24)

Maa Sitalama Farmer Producer Company Limited (MSPCL), the Value Chain enabler

The demand-supply equilibrium of production and market is managed by the Producer Group and MSFPCL. The Producer Group (PG) develops village-level crop production plans and estimates crop volumes, while the FPC provides critical input linkages, agriculture extension services, collectivisation and market linkages.  Various services provided by the FPC include

• Input support and essential services to women farmers, including hybrid seeds, compost, pesticides, and fertilizers.
• Support in crop planning, demonstrations of sustainable farming practices, and training in collaboration with agriculture departments, and horticulture departments to improve production.
• Post-harvest support includes weighing machines, crates, tarpaulin sheets, value-addition units and access to cold storage.
• Procurement: The crop produced by PG members in Karanja are procured at the farm gate and marketed in local markets, such as haats, the Kalyansinghpur market, and the district market in Rayagada.

“Last year, Karanja PG members supplied 3500 quintals of mangoes and cashews, 7460 quintals of vegetables, and 6300 quintals of sunflower, generating a revenue of Rs. 15 lakhs and making a significant contribution to the local economy.”

 Results and Impact

• Introduction of irrigation infrastructure, climate-resilient production practices, and solar fencing enabling cultivation across all three seasons has brought significant changes in the cropping patterns, transitioning from monocropping of paddy to multi-cropping systems such as vegetables, fruit crops and millets. The average income per household from agriculture has increased from Rs. 35,000 to Rs.1,50,000 (325% increase).The women farmers directly receive payments via their bank accounts from the FPC, eliminating market intermediaries.

• Karanja has emerged as a major supplier of vegetables and fruits, significantly contributing to the local economy. This has attracted input suppliers, market dealers, traders, and various stakeholders, including government to establish infrastructure in Karanja, aiding overall development. At least 50-60 people from neighbouring villages come to Karanja daily for labour-related activities, particularly in the fields, supporting the increased agricultural activity. In addition, 12-15 traders arrive daily to collect vegetables from the women farmers, directly from their farm gates.
• There has been a significant increase in ownership of agricultural assets, including solar sprayers, solar traps, solar fencing. All women members have savings accounts in SBI Bank, Kalyansinghpur, and the average savings per household has increased to Rs. 20,000 per year.

• Women are now recognized as farmers and have gained institutional support. Women feel more respected and empowered to demand their rights showing significant changes in caste and gender dynamics. Orientations are underway to improve their participation in the local governance and village-level forums.

• Youth engagement in farming and income-generating activities within the village has surged, with most of the youth employed in agriculture, irrigation, labor work, and nursery management within Karanja and the nearby villages.

• There is enhanced food and nutrition security among communities. The food consumption pattern has improved, with households now consuming three meals a day. All women and children now have access to health entitlements and ICDS services.

• Collaborative efforts among stakeholders have enhanced the outreach of government schemes and mobilized funds for agriculture and infrastructure development, supporting overall community growth.

 Conclusion and way forward

Karanja has undergone a remarkable transformation in terms of agricultural productivity and as a thriving hub of economic activity. The local economy has seen a significant shift, with a steady flow of labour and trade. The village has become a key player in the regional supply of vegetables, fruits, and other produce, with its products reaching not only the local haats and Kalyansinghpur market but also regional markets in Rayagada, Behrampur, and Hinjilicut.

The success has a ripple effect on neighbouring villages and Gram Panchayats (GPs), positioning it as a model for sustainable development. Neighbouring communities have adopted a production cluster approach, sustainable production practices, solar fencing, and other innovative livelihood models and regularly visit Karanja for exposure.

Karanja’s transformation has become a powerful example of how a multi-faceted approach, integrating agriculture, livelihoods, and climate-resilient technologies, can build a prosperous, sustainable and economically secure future for women farmers. In the near future, the village aims to focus on Integrated Natural Resource Management, adopting water-efficient agricultural practices, promoting village-level entrepreneurship models and developing robust livelihood models.

Ranchitha Sivaram 
Harsha Trust,
Kalyansinghpur Team, Rayagada
Email: ranchitha.sivaram@harshatrust.org

 
Achyuta Nanda Dyansamantara
Harsha Trust,
N1 – 36, IRC Village,
Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar,
Odisha – 751015
Email: achutananda.samantara@harshatrust.org