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.