From Orchards to Agency: Women Driving Sustainable Agriculture in Keonjhar

The WADI Project in Kolimati village of Keonjhar has emerged as a strong model of women-led agricultural empowerment, supported by the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and Department of Horticulture as the nodal agency and CYSD as the facilitating agency. Designed to enhance the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers, the project focuses on fruit orchard development while placing women at the center of planning, decision-making, and farm management. This approach has transformed orchards into spaces of both economic growth and social change.

Women play an active role through Community-Based Organizations such as Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Cluster Development Committees (CDCs). These platforms enable them to participate in resource planning, supervision, and collective governance. A key strength of the project is its convergence with MGNREGA, which provides wages for orchard-related activities like pit digging, irrigation, pruning, and weeding. Through this integration, 17 women farmers received 100 days of employment last year, ensuring regular income while strengthening long-term orchard care.

On the ground, women have led every stage, from land preparation and sapling plantation to protection and maintenance. They also adopted intercropping between fruit plants to generate short-term income. As part of this effort, 17 women received 7.6 quintals of turmeric seed, resulting in nearly 6 tons of fresh turmeric harvest, significantly boosting household income and food security.

Premalata Naik, a member of Maa Dakeisuni VDC, Kolimati, shares, “Through this orchard work, we earn wages and learn new skills. Being part of the Committee gives us a chance to speak up and make decisions for our families and our village.” Her words reflect how the WADI Project is nurturing not only orchards, but confident women leaders shaping sustainable agriculture for future.