Jhum (shifting cultivation) has been a part of parcel of the ethnic people living in the North-Eastern states of India. Jhum has been practised by these indigenous people since ages to ensure food security. It is purely a rain-fed agricultural system and is dependent on the rains for irrigation purpose. Jhum in its earlier days also talked about food sovereignty which is still prevalent in a few areas. This unique agricultural practice is prevalent

If someone had told Raimat Bai a few years back that she could make decent money by selling vegetables, then she should have laughed. Today at 43, she is not just an entrepreneur but a role model for others. She narrates her journey from a shy housewife to a successful vegetable seller making her way to an owner of a grocery shop. “I was completely depended on her husband’s income for her needs and necessaries”, says Raimat Bai, a tribal farmer

Smallholder farmers make up 70 per cent of the population of many developing countries. With limited resources, they manage multiple activities in crop and animal production to spread risk and sustain their households. However, they are overlooked in public assistance programmes and services, which are often biased towards the bigger and better-organized farmers. Numerous smallholders have less influence on policy, poor access to support services

On August 23, 2020, data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed that India’s Gross Domestic Product growth rate had contracted by 23.9% for the April to June quarter. In gross value-added terms, the economy had contracted by 22.8%, showed the data. The numbers quantified what was evident all around: the Indian economy is in the doldrums. Some economist says that it is because of the decline in job opportunities

The Gaja cyclone that struck in November 2018 had brought added miseries in the lives of many. Poor and marginalised bore the brunt. Caritas India with the support of United Way Bengaluru/Chennai played the catalyst role through the livelihood recovery programme. Thanks to the generous contribution of Mphasis. 494 beneficiaries from 13 villages in Nagapattinam could enjoy a renewed life. Caritas India response was led by its manager, Dr. John Arokiaraj

The tribal villages of Satpura mountain range that runs along the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra faced acute water scarcity due to soaring temperature, lack of soil and water conservation measures, irregular rainfall pattern and groundwater fluctuation. These villages were inhabited by the Korku community, designated as a Scheduled Tribe for their socio-economic backwardness. One of the reasons for the backwardness – in terms of education,

Assam experienced a series of severe flooding this year and saw the deaths of as many as 104 people. According to ASDMA (Assam State Disaster Management Authority) flood affected 26,31,343 people in 2525 villages under 26 districts out of 33 districts in Assam as on 22nd July 2020. Heavy rainfall in the state since the month of May along with rainfall in the uphill neighbouring states have triggered massive floods and landslides. The release of

Neyyattinkara Integral Development Society formed a Task Force with the intention of conducting a funeral in accordance with the Christian faith and government protocol of the persons who die of Covid-19. The inspiration for forming this Task Force is Caritas DRR Navajeevan project ‘Disaster Clinics’. 42 volunteers have been selected including four priests and imparted two trainings to these volunteers. The resource person for the training was