P r o j e c t s

Orissa Tribal Empowerment and

Livelihoods Programme

The Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Programme design reflects the strategic thrusts for IFAD’s operations in India outlined in the Country Strategic Opportunities Paper, which identified tribal communities as a priority target group. The programme is to be jointly funded by IFAD, DFID and WFP in partnership with Government of Orissa. The programme proposes a long-term development intervention, in the northern and southern tribal belts of Orissa and would be implemented in three phases over a period of ten years.

Programme Objective

The purpose of the programme would be to ensure that the livelihoods and food security of poor tribal households are sustainably improved through promoting a more efficient, equitable, self-managed and sustainable exploitation of the natural resources at their disposal through off-farm/non-farm enterprises development. The following are the specific objectives of the programme: 

• Build the capacity of marginal groups as individuals, and grassroots institutions.

• Enhance the access of poor tribal people to land, water and forests and increase the productivity of these resources in a sustainable and equitable way.

• Encourage and facilitate off-farm enterprise development focussed on the needs of the people.

• Monitor the basic food entitlements of tribals and ensure their access to public food supplies.

• Strengthen the institutional capacity of government agencies, panchayati raj institutions, NGOs and civil society

• Encourage the development of pro-tribal enabling environment

• Build on the indigenous knowledge and values of tribals and blend these with technological innovations.

Programme Area

The programme would cover 30 of the most backward blocks with tribal concentrations in eight districts, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawrangpur and Rayagada in South-West Orissa and Sundargarh in the northern tribal belt. During Phase-I, programme activities would be initiated in four districts and ten blocks.

Programme Cost and Financing

The total cost of the programme, over 10 years, is estimated at USD 91 million. The IFAD loan of USD 20 million would finance 22% of total programme costs and DFID grant of USD 40 million would finance 44%. Of the remainder, WFP would contribute USD 12 million (14%) in food assistance, the largest for a single WFP project in India, Government of Orissa USD 9.7 million (11%), formal financial institutions USD 0.4 million (1%) and the beneficiaries USD 9 million (10%) in terms of their savings, voluntary labour contributions and funds for the maintenance of community infrastructure.