More villages to become self-reliant

The Statesman, March 28, 2007

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, March 27: Mr Lennart Båge, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development and chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik today launched the second phase of Orissa Tribal Empowerment & Livelihoods Programme extending it to another 20 blocks of three districts with an investment of $30 million.
The OTELP is a $90 million programme with its first phase of $8.9 million being implemented in four districts since 2004 and the second phase beginning today in three more districts.
Mr Bage said the objective was to empower, build capacity and strengthen institutions so that people could develop their own model of economic prosperity. The village development committees will handle everything, including funds, he said.
He did not apprehend any problem working in the Maoist-infested districts of Malkangiri, Nawarangpur and Rayagada which are to be covered in the 2nd phase of the programme. They (Maoists) realise that this is unlike any traditional government programme and that it is controlled by people themselves. He added that the IFAD was working in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh which has a similar Maoist problem.
The IFAD president said he was satisfied with the results of the first phase wherein 396 villages had been covered. The tribals are aware of the adverse effects of shifting cultivation and have learnt other methods and are taking to sugar cane cultivation he noted.
As many as 12 NGOs are involved in the programme, he informed. The first phase was spread over Koraput, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Gajapati districts, while the second phase will involve the villages in Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nawarangpur districts.
Mr Patnaik lauded the efforts of IFAD, World Food Programme, DFID and other partners for their concerted efforts in implementing the first phase of the programme. “Tribal communities in Orissa constitute almost a quarter of our population. It has been our endeavour to implement various programmes for all section of the society in general and tribal communities in particular, in a holistic manner without disturbing their cultural diversity,” he said.
The programme adopts a participatory appro-ach ensuring complete involvement of the tribal communities in planning and executing the activities by themselves. It facilitates the process of empowering the poor tribal people in real sense by building self-reliance and self-esteem in them. The special survey and settlement operation in the villages under OTELP is a very welcome step for addressing critical issues of landlessness and poverty, which are major challenges in the path of development of tribal communities, he said.
Yesterday, Mr Bage visited some areas of Gajapati and Koraput districts. Reports from Paralakhemundi said he reached Teraba village and conducted a field visit. “It is remarkable that the women in this district are in the forefront of forest protection and this should set a bright example to others. I am pleased to mark that the funds being allotted by us are being used for the right purpose and direction,” he said.
The IFAD team was impressed by the work being undertaken by the SHG in this area.