Badlao Foundation has 37 years long experience with sundry livelihood activities to improve the living pattern and income generation for rural and tribal households. Promotion of sustainable agriculture, maximum utilization of non-timber forest produce and watershed management is integral part of securing livelihood among the rural masses.
In the recent years Badlao Foundation is making efforts to make people understand the impact of changing climate in their livelihood. The organization has taken measures like organic farming, construction of vermin-compost pits and awareness generation on the related issues. It has encouraged the rural communities to utilize improved technologies which reduce emission. Solar technology as alternative source of energy and other eco-friendly technologies have been introduced among the rural people. Rural livelihood systems are critically linked to land, water and forest. Sustainable development of the three precious resources assumes consequences in ensuring local food security check mal nutrition and ensure quality of living. Badlao Foundation adopts integrated community development approach.
Out of nearly 70 lakh population of Santhal Pargana, about 29 per cent are tribals and nearly 11 per cent are dalits. In addition, approximately 9 per cent non-tribal and non-dalit population is landless.
Once tribals owned forests and agriculture, but now they are most resourceless people. The forests were taken over by the Government and agricultural land suffered massive divisions and deteriorations leaving them so oppressed and marginalized that even living has become a big luxury for them.
| Thematic area Natural Resource Management, Livelihood and Food Security addresses the following Sustainable Development Goals of United Nations: | |
|---|---|
| Goal #1 | No poverty |
| Goal #2 | Zero hunger |
| Goal #3 | Climate action |
| These goals are to be achieved in the period 2016-2030. | |
Close to 35 per cent of the population in Santhal Pargana is absolute poor and nearly 20 lakh people way below the poverty line (BPL). The widespread poverty in Santhal Pargana region stems from the repeated mishandling of the crucial issue of sustainable livelihood development and food security.
Badlao Foundation started addressing these issues by establishing Khadi Ashram at Kewatjali village, about 5 km from the present headquarters Mihijam. The ground floor of the organisation’s building houses a Khadi outlet. Work related to Khadi has development a number of social entrepreneurs.
Now integrated community development approach is being taken livelihood issues. It has long experience with diverse livelihood activities to improve the living pattern and income generation for rural and tribal households. Promotion of sustainable agriculture, maximum utilization of non-timber forest produce and watershed management are integral part of securing livelihood among the rural masses.
To maintain natural resources and ensure food security among the masses, organic farming is one of the key components and major activities of Badlao Foundation. To restore deteriorating fertility of land and ensure easy availability of organic ingredients, Badlao Foundation started to procure organic compost manure pits in the target villages. Now small and marginal farmers are getting manure at very cost effective prices. Manure has potential to restore fertility of land and achieve food security.
In the recent years Badlao Foundation is making efforts to make people understand the impact of changing climate in their livelihood. It has encouraged the rural communities to utilize improved technologies which reduce emission. Solar technology as alternative source of energy and other eco-friendly technologies have been introduced among the rural people.
