“Antyodaya Vatika” is a model based on horticulture block plantation linked with MGNREGA. The objective of the mixed plantation is to check soil erosion, control flood, mitigate climate change and provide fuel, food, and timber. In order to stabilise the river banks of Mahanadi which is a major river of East Central India, ASORD has implemented the horticulture plantation in the common land along river in more than 21 hectares of land in the Nari Gram Panchayat of Dhamtari. The plantation which has resulted in the development of orchard of mix fruit species like Mangifera indica (Mango), Psidium guajava (Guava), Carissa carandas (Kanronda) and Syzygium cumini (Jamun) etc is also being used by the SHG members to grow vegetables through intercropping for additional income. Impressed with the success of the Antyoday Vatika in Nari GP, the State Steering Committee (SSC) had recommended the project to be replicated across other districts of Chhattisgarh.
As of now, the Antyodaya Vatika model has been undertaken in 15 locations of 9 Gram Panchayats covering 148 acres of land. In terms of capacity building, more than 200 people have been trained on model to facilitate scale up at the state level while the consultations are ongoing to mainstream the Antodaya Vatika model at National level.
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“Antyodaya Vatika has helped us in several ways. We have earned 1.9 lakh rupees in past 2 years through the vegetables. Other than the environmental benefits, it has got us rid of old encroachments on the common lands.” –Rupa Bai Sahu, Village Nari, Dhamtari |