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The NGO NYDHEE (Network for Youth Development and Healthy Environment) addresses the urgent need to strengthen food and income security for marginalized and landless Dalit families in Muribahal block, Balangir district, Odisha, India. These families face poverty, food insecurity, and seasonal forced migration due to unsustainable farming practices and lack of resilient livelihoods.
With a budget of 17’015 CHF the project aims to empower 200 marginalized and landless Dalit families by promoting integrated and climate-resilient farming models. This includes backyard poultry, scientific goat rearing, and the revival of indigenous seed systems. The overarching goal is to enable communities to move out of distress migration and poverty.
By the end of the project, it is expected that:
- At least 70% of households will achieve year-round food sufficiency
- A 50% reduction in distress migration will be achieved
- A 15% increase in annual household income will be realized
- At least 120 small & marginal farmers will adopt mixed/multi/three-tier cropping systems and establish nutri-gardens, leading to a 20-30% increase in annual household food availability
- 150 farmers (60% women) will practice integrated organic farming, achieving 70% zero dependence on chemical fertilizers & pesticides.
- 50 landless families will adopt sustainable livestock-based livelihoods, ensuring an additional annual income of ₹10,000–₹15,000 and zero livestock mortality
- The community seed bank will be strengthened to conserve 20+ indigenous seed varieties
- At least 160 households will access government entitlements, enhancing livelihood stability and social protection coverage by 80%