Activities within the grant and expected impact:
The ongoing project aims to augment the scale of Harsha Trust’s activities and reach out to 800 tribal families in 30 villages in Bissamcuttack block of Rayagada district. Specifically, livelihood interventions are being promoted with 500 families, whilst the microfinance activities are being undertaken by all 800 tribal families.

The main components of the project are:

	Establishing and strengthening of Community Based Organisations such as Self Help Groups, Pani Panchayats and cooperatives for NTFP, reaching out to over 800 families
	Promoting in-situ rain water harvesting through construction of small farm ponds, farm bunding, 160 seepage tanks, 30 shallow dug wells, etc., reaching out to over 500 families
	Construction of small irrigation infrastructure such as flow irrigation and five lift irrigation schemes, reaching out to 150 families
	Adoption of improved agriculture techniques in 25 villages, which include interventions in both, rain-fed and irrigated agriculture, through stabilisation of paddy with the support of irrigation during critical periods, promotion of SRI and vegetable cultivation along with other crops during Rabi season, reaching out to 300 families
	Development of horticulture (mango and cashew), reaching out to 60 families
	Goat rearing, especially for landless and marginal families amongst 50 SHGs

The project would lead to an increase in the annual income of households from Rs12,000 to Rs28,000. This increased income would allow the families to invest in various areas such as assets, education of children, health, etc.

The key issue of food security would be resolved by the increase in agriculture productivity and income from allied activities. This would also ensure the improvement in the quality of life of the households, which forms the core of the project outcome.