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Promoting Agroecology and Climate Adaptation to Empower Communities in Jorhat, Assam
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- Promoting Agroecology and Climate Adaptation to Empower Communities in Jorhat, Assam
Project Summary
Jhanjimukh, a river valley area in Jorhat, Assam, is a region marked by its unique geographical and ecological features. This area, situated along the banks of the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries Jhanji and Mori Jhanji, is characterized by fertile alluvial soils and abundant water resources, making it a key agricultural zone. However, its proximity to rivers also makes Jhanjimukh highly vulnerable to seasonal flooding and erosion, severely impacting agricultural productivity and community livelihoods.
The local population consists predominantly of smallholder farmers who depend heavily on agriculture. These communities face growing challenges due to climate change, including erratic rainfall, frequent flooding, and soil degradation—leading to low crop yields and food insecurity.
Socially, Jhanjimukh is home to diverse ethnic communities such as the Mishing tribal community, Indigenous People, Fisherfolk, and other backward classes. Traditional farming practices are widely followed but lack resilience to climate stress, highlighting the need for integrating sustainable agroecological approaches.
The project aims to address these challenges through community-driven agroecological interventions, climate adaptation techniques, capacity-building, and support services. By empowering local farmers and communities with knowledge, tools, and collective action, the project envisions improved agricultural resilience, enhanced community preparedness, and long-term environmental and socio-economic sustainability.
Project Objectives
The objective of the project is to build sustainable rural development by promoting agroecology and local-level climate change adaptation, advancing the adoption of sustainable livelihood practices, enhancing community preparedness and capacity to manage disaster risks. The project aims to strengthen community-based institutions, increase community participation in their development process and promote local leadership to ensure a resilient, adaptive and inclusive approach to environmental and their socio-economic challenges. Through these efforts, the project will contribute to the long-term sustainability and empowerment of local communities, ensuring their ability to thrive in the face of changing climate conditions and evolving development needs.
Target Area and Beneficiaries
The project is being implemented in 10 highly flood-prone villages under the 8 No. Jhanjimukh Gaon Panchayat in the Kaliapani Development Block of Jorhat district, Assam. The target population comprises vulnerable and marginalized communities, including Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and riparian families living along the banks of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Special emphasis is placed on women, children, and youth to ensure inclusive participation and address their specific needs. The project directly benefits 4,200 individuals, including men, women, boys, and girls, and indirectly reaches an additional 2,000 community members through awareness, training, and support for sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods.
Location
The project is located in Jhanjimukh, a riverine region in the Kaliapani Development Block of Jorhat district, Assam. This area lies along the banks of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries—Jhanji and Mori Jhanji—and is known for its fertile land and agrarian economy. However, its geographical position makes it highly vulnerable to recurrent flooding, riverbank erosion, and other climate-induced hazards. The selected 10 villages under the 8 No. Jhanjimukh Gaon Panchayat represent some of the most at-risk communities, where the need for climate-resilient and sustainable development interventions is critical.
Target Population
The target population of the project includes vulnerable rural communities primarily dependent on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods. This includes Indigenous Peoples, Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and riparian communities living in flood-prone areas. Special focus is given to women, children, and youth to ensure inclusive development and address existing social and economic disparities. The project aims to empower smallholder farmers, promote sustainable practices, and build community resilience to climate change and environmental challenges.
5. Duration: The project began with a pilot phase in 2023 to assess community needs and test context-specific agroecological approaches. Based on the learnings and positive community response, a full three-year intervention was designed and launched in 2024. This expanded phase, running through 2027, is currently under implementation and focuses on scaling up sustainable practices, building resilience, and ensuring long-term impact across the targeted communities.
Key Activities Undertaken:
- Community-Level Trainings/Workshops on Agroecological Practices
- Establishment of Demonstration Farms
- Development of IEC Materials
- Training & Capacity Building for Agroecology/Biodiversity Support Groups
- People’s Research on Agroecology & Climate Adaptation
- School-based Agroecology Awareness Events
- State-Level Consultation on Agroecology and Climate Adaptation
- Local Conservation Support Initiative
- Establishing a Farmer Field School and an Indigenous Seed Bank in the Community
- Farmer-to-Farmer Exchange Visits
- Seed Exchange Programs
- Formation of Community Cooperatives & Youth Entrepreneurs Groups
- Skill Development Workshops for New Livelihoods
- Support for Sustainable Agriculture Practices
- Promotion of Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties
- Inputs & Linkage Support for Micro-Enterprise Development
- Annual Livelihood Success Showcasing Event
- Community-Level Flood Risk Management Workshops
- Monthly Village-Level Community Resilience Meetings
- Quarterly Community Awareness Campaigns on Disaster Preparedness
- Development of Disaster Preparedness IEC Materials
- Annual Disaster Simulation Exercises
- Participatory Disaster Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HVCA)
- Establishment of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs)
- Training of Local Leaders & Volunteers in Climate Risk Management
Project Outputs and Outcomes
The project has been successfully implementing a series of integrated interventions that strengthened community resilience, promoted sustainable agriculture, and empowered local governance systems. Key outputs included the establishment of a Farmer Field School and an Indigenous Seed Bank, development of community action plans through participatory assessments, capacity-building of Farmer Interest Groups, and facilitation of village-level dialogues with PRI institutions and government departments. Demonstration plots on climate-resilient crops were set up in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), and several trainings on agroecology, disaster preparedness, and community leadership were conducted. As a result, the project outcomes demonstrated increased community awareness and adoption of agroecological practices, enhanced access to traditional seed varieties, improved coordination between communities and service providers, and strengthened local preparedness and adaptive capacities in the face of climate and disaster risks.
• Outputs:
- Established a Farmer Field School and an Indigenous Seed Bank within the community to promote sustainable agriculture and preserve traditional seed varieties.
- Conducted participatory community assessments leading to detailed community action plans addressing local needs and priorities.
- Formed and strengthened Farmer Groups to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among farmers.
- Organized training sessions on climate-resilient farming practices, agroecology, disaster preparedness, and community leadership.
- Set up demonstration plots of climate-resilient crop varieties in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Assam Agriculture University.
- Facilitated village-level dialogues and coordination meetings involving Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), government departments, and community representatives.
- Enhanced local disaster preparedness through community-led early warning systems and risk mitigation strategies.
Outcomes:
- Increased adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices among community farmers, leading to improved crop yields and food security.
- Improved conservation and use of indigenous seed varieties, strengthening biodiversity and local agricultural resilience.
- Enhanced community capacity to plan and implement locally relevant development and disaster risk reduction initiatives.
- Strengthened linkages and collaboration between communities, government agencies, and service providers, resulting in more effective service delivery.
- Greater community awareness and readiness to respond to climate and disaster risks, reducing vulnerability and enhancing adaptive capacity.
- Empowered local leadership and institutions, fostering inclusive and participatory governance at the village level.
Partner and Collaborator:
DKA Austria
Success Stories
One of the most inspiring success stories from our project is the establishment of the Farmer Field School and Indigenous Seed Bank in the village of Sumoni Chapori, Jhanjimukh. Prior to the intervention, farmers relied heavily on external seed suppliers and conventional farming methods, which left them vulnerable to climate shocks and reduced crop diversity. Through hands-on training and community engagement, farmers learned to cultivate climate-resilient crops and preserve indigenous seed varieties, empowering them to regain control over their agricultural practices.
A farmer named …………………., who participated actively in the Farmer Field School, shared how his crop yields improved significantly after adopting the new techniques. “Before, we often faced crop failures during erratic rains, but now, with the new seeds and practices, my farm produces more reliably,” he said. The seed bank became a vital resource, ensuring that quality seeds are accessible locally, reducing dependence on costly external sources.
This initiative not only enhanced food security but also strengthened community solidarity as farmers began collaborating through Farmer Interest Groups. The project’s participatory approach encouraged women and youth to take leadership roles, contributing to social inclusion and empowerment.
These tangible changes highlight the project’s impact on improving livelihoods, preserving biodiversity, and building resilience against climate change — a model that has inspired neighboring communities to adopt similar practices.
One of the most overlooked forms of violence in today’s society is violence against women. Violence against women in the north eastern state of Assam has become a cause for severe concern as like all over India, women in Assam too have been facing violence in the domestic and public spheres. Assam registered second-highest number of incidents of crime against women in the entire country. According to the NCRB report of 2012, Assam tops the rate of cognizable crimes against women in India in 2012 at 89.54%. This high incidence of crime against women is a matter of great concern. The data available with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows that most of the cases are related to kidnapping, rape and cases of domestic violence under section 498 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Despite various legal provisions in the state to protect women against domestic abuse, women are still victims of domestic violence, dowry, rape, kidnapping and other forms of atrocities, both physical and mental.
Disasters like flood and river bank erosion are directly interconnected with food insecurity and vulnerability of livelihood. Floods hazard shatter agricultural, livestock and agriculture assets, inputs and production capacity. They interrupt market access, trade and food supply, reduce income, deplete savings and erode livelihoods. Disasters create poverty traps that increase the prevalence of food insecurity and malnutrition.The vulnerable livelihood programme seeks to improve food security and support livelihood of target communities by providing productive assets for livelihood and building resilience even when they are disrupted by disasters.
In 2011, the literacy rate of Assam was estimated to be 73.18% (78.81% male and 67.27% female).The literacy rate of Assam is slightly below the national average of 74.04%. Although Higher Education has gradually expanded in Assam since independence, issues involving access, equity and quality still continue to present challenges that need to be addressed in the backward, poorest and isolated pockets of the region of the state. Problem of infrastructures, inequality in education, neglect in traditional fields of knowledge, geographic isolation and the remote landscape in many areas are indirectly affecting the school going children. It is observed that the female literacy in still remaining low which is another worrying fact found in most of remote and untouched villages. This is particularly true for middle and high school level environment of formal education system. In fact, in middle and high school drop rate is high for both boys and girls. NEADS found that communication stands as a major problem for the mobility of the school going children. In addition to that, poor socio- economic condition, lack of proper help and guidance at family level and gaps in the awareness have been resulting in the increase of problems such as school drop out, low female literacy rate in the areas. The state Assam is grappling with the issue of quality in education. The average literacy rates in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India have not translated into higher employability or productivity as such. In terms of Access, infrastructure, teachers and educational outcomes, Assam flare poorly in comparison to other states. NEADS is taking up certain thematic areas in its operation in line of access and quality education, education for women and girl child etc.
Some of the broader and core issues that have emerged in children education are :
• There is no understanding and practices to impart quality education
• Increase gap of community ownership to schools and vice-versa participation
• Pedagogical gap – No use of teaching and learning materials
• Irregularity of students and teachers attendance in schools
• Monotonous and stereotype teaching methodologies
• Increase in school drop-out especially in upper primary and high school level resulting into high migration to other places in search of work
• No familial capacity to guide on course curriculum due to illiteracy and ignorance on the part of parents
• Early marriage of girl child due to school drop-out
• There are need for more lower primary and upper primary schools as students have to travel far for attending schools
• Perennial flood and stagnant water creates difficulty for students to access school
• Education is no more a community concern and there is hardly any discourse on education
• Ineffective and irregularity in parents-teachers meet
• No perspective plan of individual schools
• Gap in school infrastructure and lack of human capital and other logistical facilities
• Private schools are increasing and performing better
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
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- Thematic Area of Intervention
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
The main objective of WASH promotion programmes is to reduce the transmission of water borne diseases and exposure to disease-bearing vectors through the promotion of good hygiene practices, the provision of safe drinking water, the reduction of environmental health risks, the conditions that allow people to live with good health, dignity, comfort and security. Simply providing sufficient water and sanitation facilities will not, on its own, ensure their optimal use or impact on public health. In order to achieve the maximum benefit from a disaster response, it is imperative that disaster-affected people have the necessary information, knowledge and understanding to prevent water- and sanitation-related diseases and to mobilize their involvement in the design and maintenance of those facilities.
Humanitarian Response & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
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- Thematic Area of Intervention
- Humanitarian Response & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
The eastern part of Brahmaputra river basin represents a severe floodplain area in the state of Assam. The southern valley is highly prone to water induced hazards such as flood, flash flood, river bank erosion and land degradation. The districts of Upper Assam region represents many severe flood-prone areas where river Brahmaputra and its tributary rivers are comparatively high and have deep channels right from the upper hills of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Due to heavy downpour and dynamic rainfall in the catchment area, the river get charged with enormous quantity of silt and in their run off the river alter the condition of flow and sometime changes the river courses causing untold miseries to the people living in the downstream riverine areas. Flood and river bank erosion affect all aspects of the land, lives, and livelihood of the communities living in the region to a significant degree, rendering them homeless and displaced, destroying crops, damaging public property, and worsening development infrastructure. Moreover, annual cycles of flooding cripple people’s resilience and intensify the poverty spiral. The floodplain pockets are most backward, poorest and almost entirely isolated and inhabited by different people groups including the Assamese, Mising (Tribals), Fisherman community etc.
CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION AS NGO ADHERES TO THE MINIMUM NORMS PRESCRIBED FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION
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- CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION AS NGO ADHERES TO THE MINIMUM NORMS PRESCRIBED FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION
Balika Zindabad (Girls Forward) Abhiyan and Forthrightly Campaign on Violence Against Women (VAW)
Every year the Balika Zindabad (Girls Forward) Abhiyan and Forthrightly Campaign on Violence Against Women (VAW) campaign is structured with the aim to defeat patriarchy and bring about social justice for women and girls, who are forced to bear the brunt of this unjust system and to challenge the patriarchal institutions which, legitimizes discrimination and elimination of girl children. The campaign was designed with a special target to the women and adolescent girls, parents, Panchayat members, school students, teachers, community collectives. NEADS reach out to grassroot association of women, Self Help Groups, Community Based Institution, rural community members, young people, academia and students in this appeal to make gender equality a lived reality.
| Sl. No | Programme / Project Title | Targeted Geographic Reach (Districts) | Area of Intervention | Year of Intervention | Financial Support / Donor Agency |
| 1 | Brahmaputra River Basin Resilience Building Programme | Jorhat, Golaghat, Majuli | Disaster Risk Reduction | 2011-2017 | Oxfam India |
| 2 | Community Development Programme at Sadiya | Tinsukia | Education, Children, Livelihood, Gender | 2006-2016 | Action Aid Association |
| 3 | Access & Ensuring Quality Education among the Children of Mishing Tribal Community | Golaghat | Quality Education and Children | 2009 – 2017 | Aide-et Action |
| 4 | Capacity Building on Climate Change and International Humanitarian Law | Jorhat, Majuli, Golaghat, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia & Dhemaji | DRR, Climate Change Adaptation, Gender, International Humanitarian Law | 2014-2017 | Centre for Social Development (CSD) |
| 5 | Child Protection & Nutrition Initiatives in Socially Excluded & Vulnerable Tea Garden Communities | Dibrugarh & Tinsukia | Health & Nutrition | 2012 – 2017 | UNICEF Assam |
| 6 | Demonstration Garden for Organic Agriculture and Seed Conservation | Jorhat | Organic agriculture | 2015 – 2016 | Fertile Ground, Canada |
| 7 | Humanitarian Assistance to the flood Affected People of Assam.
|
Sivasagar | Emergency Humanitarian Response | 2012 – 13 | Action Aid India |
| 8 | Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project (AACP) | Golaghat, Jorhat, Sivsagar, Dibrugarh & Tinsukia | Agriculture, Fishery, Veterinary, Diary & Forestry | 2005 – 2015 | ARISP Society, Govt. of Assam |
| 9 | Community Based Monitoring under NRHM
|
Jorhat | Community Health | 2012-13 | Voluntary Health Association of Assam (VHAA) |
| 10 | Financial literacy awareness camp
|
Jorhat, Golaghat and Nagaon | Financial Inclusion | 2012-13 | NABARD |
| 11 | Diary Development Programme | Jorhat & Golaghat | Diary | 2012-13 | Amalgamated Plantation Pvt. Ltd (APPL) |
| 12 | Reproductive Child Health (RCH) | Jorhat, Golaghat | Women and Child Health | 2010-11 | NRHM |
| 13 | Tobacco Control programme | Jorhat | Community Health | 2010-11 | World Health Organisation (WHO) |
| 14 | Strengthening Collective Effort in North-East India (SCENEI) | Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia & Dhemaji | Human Rights | 2006 – 2014 | Centre for Social Development (CSD) |
| 15 | Kitchen Garden Development Programme in school | Dibrugarh | Nutrition | 2009 – 2010 | UNICEF Assam |
| 16 | Mother NGO RCH Programme | Jorhat, Golaghat | Women & Child Health | 2010 | NRHM |
| 17 | Baseline Assessment on Income Generating Activities | Golaghat | Research / Study | 2009 | NRL Assam |
| 18 | FNGO RCH – Phase II | Jorhat, Golaghat | Women and Child Health | 2009 | NRHM |
| 19 | Potters Development Programme | Majuli | Livelihood | DRDA | |
| 20 | Disaster Perspective Development Planning | Jorhat | Disaster Preparedness | 2005 | CAPART |
| 21 | Oxfam Flood Relief Programme | Jorhat, Golaghat | Emergency Response | 2004 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 22 | River Literacy Programme through publication of Plavan | — | Water Management | 2004 | International River Network, USA |
| 23 | Financial Assistance to flood affected people | Jorhat & Golaghat | Emergency Response | 2003 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 24 | Financial support to sponsored programme | Jorhat | Emergency Response | 2002-2003 | Centre for Social Development (CSD) |
| 25 | Prevention and control of Malaria epidemic in Assam | Jorhat, Golaghat | Emergency Response | 2002-2003 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 26 | Capacity building for flood preparedness in Brahmaputra valley | Jorhat | Disaster Preparedness | 2002-2003 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 27
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Assistance to flood affected people | Jorhat | Emergency Response | 2003 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 28 | Flood vulnerability in Assam – An integrated approach | Jorhat, Golaghat | Disaster Preparedness | 2002 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 29 | Effective emergency preparedness programme | Jorhat, Golaghat | Disaster Preparedness | 2002 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 30 | Assistance to flood affected people | Jorhat, Golaghat | Emergency Response | 2000-2001 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 31 | Emergency flood response programme for displaced poor families | Jorhat, Golaghat | Emergency Response | 1990-2000 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 32 | Emergency support to Malaria affected area in Assam | Jorhat, Golaghat | Emergency Response | 2000-2001 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 33 | Integrated Resource Management and Coping Mechanism for flood prone area | Jorhat | Emergency Response & Disaster Preparedness | 1999 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 34 | Awareness generation programme on Panchayati Raj Institution | Jorhat | Local Governance & Advocacy | 1999 | Royal Netherland Embassy, New Delhi |
| 35 | Assistance to flood affected people | Jorhat | Emergency Response | 1998 | India Development Service, Chikago, USA |
| 36 | Emergency support programme to flood affected people of Jhanjimukh, Jorhat | Jorhat | Emergency Response | 1998 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 37 | Emergency response to the flood affected area in Majuli island | Jorhat | Emergency Response | 1998 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 38 | On and Off Farm livelihood in floodprone villages | Jorhat | Emergency Response & Early Recovery | 1997 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 39 | Emergency relief to the flood affected people, provision of seeds for paddy cultivation | Jorhat | Emergency Response | 1996 | Oxfam (India) Trust |
| 40 | Livelihood Promotion through Diary Farming | Jorhat | Diary / Livelihood | 1990 – 1995 | RGVN |
Gurukul Jatiya Vidyalaya’ is a community based school promoted by NEADS with support from the community to provide access to quality education for underprivileged children of Nursery, Lower Primary and Upper Primary level at the remote Ambikapur area. The vicinity of the school is near to the border of Assam & Arunachal Pradesh. Gurukul Jatiya Vidyalaya is being established in spaces arranged by the local community of Pub Ambikapur village under Ambikapur G.P. of Sadiya block, in the district of Tinsukia.
Year Established – 2009
Address – Pub Ambikapur Gaon, Sadiya, Tinsukia Dist.
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