October, 2023 to September, 2028
GVM is actively working with 10,000 households in the Nagrijuli and Goreswar community development blocks of the newly created Tamulpur district under the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Supported by the Azim Premji Foundation and the Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation, this initiative aims to double household incomes in these socio-economically backward regions.
The program empowers communities to access support and services provided by existing schemes of the BTR council, as well as state and central government programs. This initiative serves as a unique model of convergence, leveraging the active support and collaboration of the BTR administration.
GVM focuses on mobilizing communities and promoting sustainable income generation activities, ensuring households can effectively utilize available resources and services. Through this initiative, GVM is conducting participatory planning , both at household and community level, and preparing action plan using scientific tools including GIS base mapping, therby fostering economic growth and enhancing livelihoods in Tamulpur district.
Assam is renowned for its rich heritage of handloom and weaving, a vital livelihood source, especially for marginalized women. However, the influx of machine-made products poses a significant challenge, leading many weavers to abandon their craft. To counter this, GVM launched a program in 2009 with the goal of empowering weavers in various villages across Assam.
Starting with just 10 weavers, the initiative now supports approximately 2,000 weavers. GVM has established 10 Common Facility Centers in different locations, trained 500 master trainers, and provided 300 upgraded looms, along with essential accessories and equipment. The focus has been on promoting natural dye products and Eri silk products.
Empowered by GVM’s efforts, these weavers are now participating in exhibitions nationwide, showcasing and selling their products. GVM’s initiatives are not only preserving Assam’s traditional handloom heritage but also providing sustainable livelihoods for its weavers.
Scientific livestock farming has the potential to significantly enhance household income. GVM has been actively promoting scientific livestock farming among marginalized farmers in its operational area. To date, GVM has supported and empowered 7,568 marginalized farmers across various villages in the districts of Nalbari, Baksa, Tamulpur, Bajali, and Barpeta in Assam. GVM has been providing input support such as piglet, chicks, duckling, buckling , doeling including support for shed construction . Notably, almost 60% of the targeted farmers are women. GVM empowers these farmers by providing essential training, establishing linkages with service providers for input support, offering input support, promoting producer organizations, and strengthening market linkages.
Horticulture presents viable livelihood opportunities for marginalized farmers. GVM has been actively promoting horticulture farming, including crops such as banana, papaya, guava, Assam lemon, and mango, across various villages in its operational area, particularly along the Indo-Bhutan border. Through this initiative, GVM has empowered 3,367 marginalized farmers, ensuring their sustainable livelihoods.
Notably, the horticulture development projects in the villages of Kalseni and Khatarbari, under the Nagrijuli Development Block in Tamulpur district, have received support from NABARD under the Tribal Development Programme. The project has been recognized with an "Excellent Rank," making them the only projects of their kind to receive such distinction in the entire Assam.
Since 2007, GVM has been dedicated to securing irrigation water from natural sources, addressing a critical challenge for farmers in Assam. Over the past 15 years, GVM has restored approximately 103 km of natural water bodies, reviving 14,867 hectares of land for cultivation in Baksa, Tamulpur, Nalbari, and Kamrup (Rural) districts. These efforts have greatly reduced farmers' vulnerabilities.
In partnership with several "Dong Bundh Sommitee" (traditional water management committees in the BTR region), GVM has constructed 52 diversion structures, providing a sustainable water source for around 10,000 hectares of agricultural land. Additionally, GVM has installed a pipe-based irrigation system in four vulnerable villages along the Indo-Bhutan border in the Baksa district. This system, which uses natural gravity flow, ensures irrigation for the agricultural land of 1,130 households.
GVM's initiatives have had a profound impact on local farming communities, enhancing resilience and agricultural productivity while also restoring ecological balance in the areas of intervention.
Climate change has led to shifting weather patterns, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to secure water for irrigation from natural sources. Recognizing these challenges, GVM has developed an innovative model of a movable water pump powered by solar energy. This system aims to ensure water availability and support farmers in lifting water from natural sources.
GVM has deployed these solar-powered water pumps in vulnerable areas across Baksa, Tamulpur, and Barpeta districts of Assam. In addition, GVM has installed 30 solar-operated irrigation systems in various villages.
To date, 1200 farmers are benefiting from these sustainable irrigation solutions. GVM's efforts are not only addressing the immediate water needs of farmers but also promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices.
In the face of climate change, soil degradation, ecological imbalance, and rising health hazards, promoting natural farming has become more crucial than ever. Natural farming enhances soil health and biodiversity while reducing dependency on chemical inputs, leading to healthier food and a more sustainable environment. Techniques like climate-smart agriculture, conservation agriculture, agro-ecology, and agro-forestry increase productivity while safeguarding future generations.
Gramya Vikash Mancha (GVM), supported by GIZ-India and in collaboration with the District Agriculture Department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, and ASRLM, is championing natural farming in Baksa District. This initiative aims to boost production and market linkages of agroecologically produced food by strengthening community institutions.
So far, 1,277 farmers from 11 villages across two organic clusters, Mushalpur Organic Cluster and Mohkhali Krishok Got, are being empowered through this initiative.
GVM has been expanding the initiative with aims to create a sustainable agricultural system, ensuring food security and better livelihoods for local farming communities.
In 2018, Gramya Vikash Mancha (GVM) established the "Barhampur Krishi Satra", a farm school to provide a common platform for farmers to enhance their knowledge and skills while extending input support for farming. Located in No. 2 Bardhanara village under the Ghograpar Revenue Circle in Nalbari district, Assam, this initiative aims to support farmers in promoting pisciculture and horticulture farming, particularly targeting marginalized households. To date, the farm school has supported 1,573 marginalized farmers through various training programs and input support.