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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
From ganja fields to green farms: Swabhiman anchal's silent transformation
1 2 Koraput: Once a hotbed of Maoist activity and illegal ganja cultivation, Swabhiman anchal in Malkangiri district is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Spanning 151 villages and nine panchayats, the remote tribal region is now embracing sustainable agriculture and self-reliance. The turnaround is being driven by the Malkangiri administration and the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), which have introduced targeted schemes to replace cannabis farming and curb distress migration. "Ganja cultivation was rampant, and agriculture meant little more than small patches of ragi, with migration of villagers in search of work," said Malkangiri collector Asish Iswar Patil. "We took up the challenge with a structured long-term plan, emphasising alternative vegetable farming. At first, villagers resisted. But with consistent dialogue and demonstration, they began to see the benefits." What began with just 11 farmers under a cluster farming model has expanded to 752 individuals across 68 villages. Farmers now grow groundnuts, brinjal, beans, chilli, onion, cauliflower, bitter gourd, pumpkin and sweet corn using organic inputs and bio-pesticides. "The produce is sold in local markets such as Paparmetla, Badapada, Chitrakonda, and several BSF camps and govt-run residential schools," said Haladhar Sabar, project administrator, ITDA Malkangiri. Iswari Golari from Nakamamudi village is one of the beneficiaries. "I earned nearly Rs 80,000 during the last rabi season by growing brinjal and chilli on my 1.5-acre plot," he said. Similarly, 28-year-old Dhanpati Pangi of Potel village, who once migrated to Andhra Pradesh as a labourer, now grows green chilli on his land. "I feel proud to be self-reliant," he said. Patil said to sustain the shift, the administration has ramped up infrastructure, building check dams and lift irrigation points while distributing free seeds and offering comprehensive technical training. Under the Socio-Economic Transformation and Upliftment (SETU) scheme, agriculture production clusters (APCs) were launched during the 2024-25 rabi and summer seasons. These clusters now span 1,350 acres. Dragon fruit is now being cultivated on 37.5 acres of land by 36 farmers — an indicator of the area's growing agri-entrepreneurial spirit. "To further boost income and market reach, value addition and processing units are being set up for turmeric, tamarind and jackfruit, helping transform raw produce into profitable products with strong market linkages," said the collector said. "We no longer need to hide from the law," said Biswanath Kinchai, a farmer from Papermetla. "Now, we work with pride. Our land gives us life."
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
MoTA New Delhi to grant Rs 1 cr for devpt of Tribal museum
Bhadrachalam: The Ministry of Tribal Welfare (MoTA) New Delhi has announced a grant of Rs 1 crore for the development of the Tribal Museum in the Bhadrachalam ITDA premises, said ITDA Project Officer B Rahul. On Saturday, ITDA unit officials congratulated Rahul for taking special care for the establishment and development of the Tribal museum. Speaking on the occasion, Rahul said that this museum was designed to be a feast for the eyes of tourists so that the tribal youth can learn about the culture, traditions, customs and rituals of the endangered tribal people and continue the traditions. He shared that he was invited to a conference organised by the Ministry of Tribal Welfare, New Delhi, at Taj Banjara in Hyderabad on Friday where he briefly explained about the artefacts of old generation tribals arranged at the Museum.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Works worth 296 crore taken up under PM Janman in Manyam dist
Visakhapatnam: Under the Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) in Seethampeta and Parvatipuram, infrastructure projects and development work worth Rs 296 crore have been sanctioned or completed, benefiting thousands of tribal families under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-Janman) programme. These include housing, roads, schools, and other essential facilities. In Seethampeta ITDA jurisdiction, 447 particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) habitations were identified across four mandals, covering a tribal population of 49,611 and 12,188 PVTG households. About 2,530 houses have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 58 crore, of which 1,367 houses have so far been grounded. Three road works have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 3.83 crore, covering 3.88 km in the villages, whereas 417 drinking water schemes have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 24.06 crore, of which 99 works have been completed and the remainder are in progress. Three Anganwadi centres have been sanctioned, completed, and operationalised, while 16 multipurpose centres have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 9.6 crore and all works are in progress. Two hostels have also been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 4.6 crore, and both are under construction. All 447 tribal habitations have been electrified. As many as 27 BSNL cell towers have been sanctioned and operationalised. Under the programme, 145 grama sabhas have been conducted, and during this campaign, 4,974 Aadhaar cards, 2,072 Ayushman Bharat cards, 449 PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana cards, 96 PM Jan Dhan Yojana cards, 14 PM Matru Vandana Yojana cards, 116 forest rights pattas, and 1,944 caste certificates have been issued. Under the jurisdiction of Parvatipuram ITDA, out of 4,750 eligible households for house sanction, 3,323 houses have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 79 crore, of which 1,827 houses have been grounded. Sixteen road works, covering a length of 34.77 km and benefiting 21 PVTG habitations, have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 35.7 crore. About 12,529 functional household tap connections (FHTCs) have been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 47.2 crore for 376 works, out of which 55 works, with an expenditure of Rs 2.46 crore, have been completed. Other works taken up include Anganwadi centres, multipurpose centres, cell towers, and more.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Polavaram-displaced from 30 villages to be shown proposed rehabilitation areas in West Godavari, ASR districts
Chintoor Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officer Apoorva Bharat on Saturday claimed that the Polavaram project-displaced from 30 villages would be shown the proposed land for their rehabilitation colonies in West Godavari district and Rampachodavaram Revenue Division in Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Earlier this month, the ITDA authorities have completed Gram Sabhas in 30 villages to be rehabilitated from the Chintoor agency in Alluri Sitarama Raju district for the Polavaram irrigation project. In an official release, Mr. Bharat said, 'The displaced families belonging to tribes and non-tribes will be rehabilitated in separate locations. In Tadvai location in West Godavari district, nearly 300 acres of land is available for the rehabilitation colonies to be built for the displaced families belonging to non-tribes'. The proposed rehabilitation plan for the displaced tribals from Chintoor agency will be to Buttayagudem and Jeelugumilli in West Godavari district. They will also be rehabilitated to the Rampachodavaram revenue division. The ITDA project officer also said that the selection of rehabilitation colony site would be finalised once the displaced families give their consent for the proposed areas.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Black pepper cultivation to be taken up in Kandhamal
1 2 Berhampur: Kandhamal , the tribal-dominated district famous for its organic turmeric, is set to become a major hub for cultivation of another spice — black pepper. The district administration has decided to take up black pepper cultivation on a massive scale during the current kharif season for the first time. The administration has identified around 500 acres of land in five blocks for its plantation under Mukhya Mantri Jana-Jati Jeevika Mission (MMJJM), a tribal livelihood initiative of the state govt. The administration has identified cultivating black pepper, known as the "king of spices," in clusters in community forests. These are the titles given to the tribal people under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in Daringbadi (212 acres), Raikia (93 acres), (85 acres), (70 acres), and Tumudibandh (40 acres), involving around 4,000 households. The cultivation will be carried out by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Baliguda, with support from the horticulture department and Krusi Vikash Kendra (KVK), sources said. The proposal for the Rs 81 lakh project was submitted to the govt. The cultivation will start in the district next month, after getting approval, said Krupasindhu Behera, project administrator, ITDA, Baliguda. The economic condition of farmers will improve in the area as demand for black pepper is high in the market, he said. Once crop harvesting starts after three years of plantation, it will continue for 25 years with proper care and management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo The cultivator will get Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5.4 lakh per acre per year by harvesting the spice, he added. Kandhamal's hilly terrain, climatic conditions, and good rainfall are suitable for black pepper cultivation. Some individual farmers have already cultivated and profited from it. "It has also been cultivated in the coffee garden at Daringbadi along with coffee," said Samiran Nayak. "We have proposed to take up the plantation in an agroforestry model, where the existing trees like sal, mango, and silver oak would be used as supporting structures for the black pepper plants," said Nayak. He said they have already provided orientation to the farmers about its cultivation, while many farmers in the area showed their interest in cultivating it, he added.
