The National Bank for Agriculture And Rural Development (Nabard), in collaboration with the Government of Germany (GoG), is implementing an Umbrella Programme on Natural Resource Management (UPNRM) throughout the State.
The sustainable livelihood programmes are under implementation in Adilabad, Anantapur, Chittoor, Krishna, Mahabubnagar, and Medak districts.
Cumulatively, as many as 27 projects have been sanctioned under the UPNRM in the State with a total outlay of Rs.4,292.96 lakh. These projects are being implemented by NGOs as channel partners.
NGOs involved
It is being implemented through nine NGOs at a cost of Rs.18.82 crore in the district. The programmes include promotion of sustainable livelihoods, including sheep rearing, organic vegetable cultivation, dairy, smokeless chullahs, micro finance, betel vine, organic chilli, and sugarcane cultivation.
Nabard is working with Grama Swarajya Samithi, Janamitra, Jagruthi, Nehru Yuvajana Sangham, and five mutually aided cooperative thrift societies, including the Payakaraopeta Women MACTS, Vikasa MACTS, and Share MACTS.
Driven by the objective of enhancing rural livelihoods through improved natural resource conditions, Nabard, with the support of the GoG, has launched an innovative funding facility. The programme aims at assisting community managed sustainable natural resource management- based rural livelihood projects. The guiding principles of the programme are pro-poor orientation, sustainability, community participation, good governance, and integrated need-based approach.
Nabard Assistant General Manager Prasad told The Hindu that the programme envisaged a gradual shift from grant-based to loan-based NRM projects.
The programme being implemented by the Payakaropeta Women’s Mutually Aided Cooperative Thrift and Credit Society addresses livelihood interventions, including dairy, vermin-composting, Sri paddy, vegetable cultivation, and technical training.
The livelihood activities taken up by the families below the poverty line has ensured an increase in income levels by Rs.1,400 per month. About 400 farmers benefited from the betel vine cultivation by way of an increase in their income levels by Rs.1,300 per month.
