The whole world is witnessing impact of COVID-19 pandemic and its effect is evident across all parts of the country irrespective of the location and reach. Similarly, the district of Malkangiri or Malyabantagiri is affected by the horrors of Corona both economically and socially.  The district is dominated by scheduled tribe (ST) consisting of more than 50% of population mostly by two PVTGs – Bonda & Didai. The population has been struggling since long to recover not only from the left wing dominance but also from high rate of MMR / IMR because of malnourishment, anaemia, early marriage, blind belief and non-availing of basic facilities & rights. Even though the district is blessed with huge natural resources, the villagers still strive to earn a dignified life owing to three major causes i.e. lack of awareness & skill to utilise the existed resources, exploitation by vested interest groups; and unresponsive executives in the district administration.

The pandemic and the lockdown coupled together, has added to their hardships. It has been observed that the impact in the rural areas is unimaginable and villagers have been struggling hard to make their ends meet. Sources says, in Malkangiri district approximately 30 to 40 migrants from each village have returned from other places due to the pandemic. They are frightened to go outside for labour work, but living life from the govt donations in terms of PDS or financial support. These situations may lead to hunger, mal-nutrition, anaemia and death at the end.

Looking at the scenario,CYSD has stepped up to join hands with the local government to accomplish multiple objectives, like generating incomes of effected households, especially migrants due to lock down / shutdown and to curb the likelihood of mal-nutrition and anaemic conditions among vulnerable family members by promoting Nutrition Kitchen Garden under MGNREGS in the villages of three blocks of the district namely, Mathili, Khairput and Korukonda. To reach the objectives, the programme team of CYSD had strategically involved with the Gram Panchayat to identify those migrants, facilitate families to avail job cards and make functional of their bank accounts. The organization has planned for engagement of around 1000 families under MGNREGS, generate 30 to 40   person-days’ work and wage demand of Rs. 7245,000 by the end of August 2020. As a result, 375 families have already prepared beds for nutrition garden, 218 families provided with different varieties of seeds, more than 300 families received orientation on kitchen garden with the help of Odisha Livelihood Mission. Apart from the above engagement, CYSD has also been disseminating among people the COVID–19 advisories to remain safe & secure. The villagers are very much hopeful to tackle the financial crunch at their household level and overcome the chaos / hopelessness situation caused due to the pandemic.

Here is a real life example of an adolescent girl, Rasmita Pangi, age-17 of Siripeta colony of Parkanmala GP.  Being an active member of the village Adolescent Group she has motivated people in her vicinity to work on kitchen garden and cultivate the crops and plants having dual objectives – to earn money and have nutritious vegetables to deal with anaemic of her neighbouring brothers and sisters. “I know very well that it is a hard task for a father to look after a 10-members family from agriculture based income. I am hopeful, the nutritional garden can bring change in their life and livelihoods”, says Rasmita.

Now she has been a key player in her village to promote kitchen garden revolution during this  Corona epidemic.