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Traditionally, small and marginal farmers in Bankura district, West Bengal, have cultivated paddy and earned meagre returns. But the introduction of watermelon cultivation in the past two years and the setting up of a farmer producer company have changed their fortunes.

Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Walmart Foundation on Thursday announced a USD 2 million (around Rs 16.32 crore) grant for a project that aims to transform 60 women-led farmer producer organisations (FPOs) into independent institutions over 30 months.

This is the second project the Walmart Foundation is supporting after the success of the LEAP (Livelihoods Enhancement through Market Access and Women Empowerment) programme

Walmart Foundation on Thursday announced a USD 2 million (around Rs 16.32 crore) grant for a project that aims to transform 60 women-led farmer producer organisations (FPOs) into independent institutions over 30 months.

Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), one of India’s foremost agencies working on the improvement of rural livelihood for the last 40 years, has recently released the report on ‘Status of Adivasi Livelihoods 2021’. The report was released in the presence of Shri Arjun Munda, the Hon’ble Minister of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

Counselling and convincing various village influencers, and encouraging youth volunteers on their campaign drives have helped communities get past rumors and fears to get vaccinated

Threats and coercion cannot dwindle vaccine hesitancy. People are getting vaccinated out of “fear” of discontinuation of social security schemes and not out of fear of the virus. It is important to spread awareness around vaccines and to win the trust of the community.

The mention of farm fields often makes one think of the open fields with crops. Primarily all the interventions are crops based; bio-manure applications; NRM (natural resources measures) like field bunds, cropping patterns, and IPM (integrated pest management) methods are some of the popular measures.

A tribal farmer from Madhya Pradesh has been conserving indigenous seeds for nearly four decades. These seeds require less water, are suitable for local climate and terrain, and are cheaper alternatives to hybrid seeds, she says. The adivasi farmer also plans to use her seed bank as an asset to pay off loans.

Smallholder farmers utilize space efficiently, growing creepers on machaan and shade-loving plants underneath. This mixed cropping with different growth period eliminates risk and improves farm income