Annual Report

2020-2021

FACING THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Contents

Building Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

 Integrated Farming 04
 Managing Natural Resources 13
 Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) 14
 Community level Institutions 16
 Van DhanVikas Kendra (VDVK) 16

Fostering Inclusive Governance 17

 Strengthening Volunteers and PRI Functionaries to 18
facilitate Social Security Entitlement during
COVID-19 Pandemic. 23
24
 Strengthening Social Protection for Vulnerable 26
Groups and Migrants

 Strengthening Citizen Led Accountability
in Delivery of Health Services

 Protection of Child Rights
 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Building Responsive State 28

 Making State Budget Inclusive and Participatory

Skilling & Youth Engagement 34
35
 Skills for Life 36
 Women on Wheels (WoW) 37
 Skilling-for-Livelihoods
 Agri-Allied Livelihoods and Food Security

Disaster Mitigation and Climate Change Action

 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic: The Biological Disaster Response 38

 Village Disaster Management Plan 50

 School Safety Plan (SSP) 51

 Odisha Floods 2020 51

 Harnessing Natural Resources 53

Odisha Vikash Conclave 54

 Release of Odisha Development Report

Organisational Process 57
60
 Research, Evaluation and Monitoring 63
 Programme Results and Outcomes 65
 Governance
 Financial Summary

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 01

Vision Mission Core Values

An equitable society where To enable marginalized  Transparency
women and men can freely women, men and children to  Accountability
realize their full potential, fulfil improve their quality of life.  Integrity
their rights and responsibilities CYSD uses issue based  Gender Equity
and lead their life with dignity research to influence policies  Participatory Action
and self-respect. from a pro-poor and rights
based perspective. It also
works to ensure transparent,
gender sensitive, accountable
and democratic governance
by building the capacities of
people and organizations
through participatory
planning.

Our Reach

Centre for Youth MAYURBHANJ 11 Districts of Odisha
and Social Development
KEONJHAR Koraput | Malkanagiri
BALANGIRI Nabarangpur | Rayagada
JAJPUR Mayurbhanj | Keonjhar
NABARANGPUR CUTTACK Bolangiri |
RAYAGADA KHURDA Puri | Khurda
Cuttack | Jajpur
KORAPUT PURI
MALKANAGIRI 33 Blocks
225 Gram Panchayats
857 Villages
72,350 House holds
5.5 Lakh Population

02

Preface

The Financial Year 2020-21 will be remembered in the history of humankind for the unprecedented
COVID-19 pandemic; the biological disaster's devastating impact across the globe in socio-
economic and health terms, endangering the lives and livelihoods of people throwing complex
challenges.
This extraordinarily difficult hour indeed put our resilience to tests beyond what we could have
imagined! Along with grave consequences, the pandemic exacerbated the stark inequalities that
persist in our society. Like many other organizations and institutions, CYSD was acutely impacted
by the pandemic, forcing the organization to alter its strategies and approaches for the year
towards realizing our objectives.
Along with the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, an impulsive amendment in the FCRA laws broke
the financial backbone of most civil society organizations including CYSD and dragged them into
uncertainty and unfamiliar darkness, resulting in severe financial crunch and premature closure of
years-old projects, followed by unusually high staff attrition.
Despite all such pains and gains, CYSD continued its relentless efforts focussing on the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) which provide a coherent, holistic framework for addressing the
challenges enumerated in the Agenda-2030 and their interconnections. Being the aspirational
milestones, SDGs offer significant roles to multiple stakeholders in achieving the Agenda – leaving
no one behind, especially the tribal population in the aspirational districts of Odisha.
It gives us immense pleasure to share with our range of stakeholders a glimpse of CYSD's
programmes and activities implemented during the FY 2020-21. We express our deep
appreciation to a large number of people's organisations, CBOs, the Government, and the media
who imposed their trust and confidence in us. Our earnest gratitude to all our well-wishers,
supporters, partner organisations for helping us in coping with the financial crisis and making our
programmatic journey fruitful and meaningful.

Member Secretary

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 03

Building Sustainable
Rural Livelihoods

Alleviation of hunger and all forms of thrust of the Organisation. Partnering with
malnutrition and achievement of a two-fold communities in the operational areas,
increase in agricultural productivity is satisfactory results have been achieved in
envisioned by the Sustainable Development improving the livelihood status of farmers
Goals (SDGs). Despite the impact of Covid-19 through an integrated approach, reducing the
pandemic, CYSD in its efforts has been cost of cultivation along with adoption of
persistently focussing on ensuring climate resilient models with a shift from the
household level round-the-year food and existing farming to market oriented farming
nutrition security and conservation of model.
natural resources and enhancement of During the year, the interventions of CYSD in 4
income opportunities for the poor tribals in tribal districts (Koraput, Malakangiri, Rayagada,
a prudent manner. and Nabarangapur) of South Odisha and 2 tribal
Augmentation of the livelihoods of the tribal districts (Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj) of North
poor, without triggering any stress and strain to Odisha, have effectively reached out to a total
the natural resources available, is one of the of 98318 populations from 24560 households,
fundamental strategies of CYSD while belonging to 721 villages in 113 Gram
implementing its livelihood programme. Panchayats (GPs) of 17 development Blocks.
Engaging major stakeholders like communities,
Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Integrated Farming
Society Organizations (CSOs), the various line
Departments, the Integrated Tribal Integrated Farming System (IFS) is a farming
Development Agencies (ITDAs), the Panchayati system which biologically integrates natural
Raj Institutions (PRIs), and other like-minded resources and regulation mechanisms into
support agencies/ donors in a collective farming activities to achieve maximum
manner, and working for synergetic replacement of off-farm inputs. It secures
improvement in outreach has been the major sustainable production of high quality food and

04

Promotion of Nutri-cereals

other products through ecologically preferred Nutritional security of rural tribal areas is
technologies, sustained farm income, primarily ensured through cereals. CYSD has
eliminating or reducing the sources of present thus been focusing on promotion of cereals like
environment pollutions generated by millets (Finger millets, Little millets, Foxtail
agriculture and sustains the multiple function of millet), maize and local varieties of paddy
agriculture. considering the tribal farm culture and tradition.
The year achieved commendable rise in
Integrated farming comprises diverse and production by promotion of improved
improved production techniques which agronomic practices, institutional building,
strengthen both ecological and economic value addition, enhancement of consumption,
systems. Suitable methods of agronomic adopting cluster approach, market linkage and
practice, horticulture intervention and allied realisation of Minimum Support Price (MSP).
agriculture, enterprise and value addition The intervention could mobilise 7673 farmers to
support are harmonized with site-specific micro take up millet cultivation in 2902 hectors from
approaches. Minimal use of chemicals and 349 villages in 69 GPs of 8 Blocks in South
fertilisers and application of sustainable farming Odisha in partnership with the Agriculture
techniques are core strategies of our integrated Department (Odisha Millet Mission) and ST&SC
intervention. Promotion of cereals, vegetables, Development Department (FADP and OTELP
oilseeds, pulses and high value crops are some plus).
of the initiatives that form a part of CYSD's Outcome :
approach in this direction. During the reporting Despite a lot of apprehensions, productivity of
period, the organisation facilitated promotion of cereals increased almost two-fold in the tribal
nutri-cereals, vegetable crops, oilseeds areas, almost a double from the traditional
production and herbal production as high value broadcasting practice. During the year, a total
crops in its operational areas following the of 7673 farmers adopted improved agronomic
integrated farming approach. While placing practices in CYSD's tribal operational area. 2294
emphasis on promoting the adoption of the tribal farmers were linked with formal markets
integrated farming system among the potential which enabled them to gain an additional
tribal farmers, especially women groups, the realisation of Rs.7000 - Rs.8000 per family on
cluster approach to agriculture production was account of a yield of 23037 quintals of cereals
widely adopted. (finger millet and maize). Similarly, another 605
tribal farmers were linked with markets through
traders which helped farmers gain an additional
income of Rs.5000 - Rs.6000 per family on
account of a yield of 3634 quintals of cereals
(maize).
 The programme has invariably been

contributing towards behavioural changes
and greater interest in improved agronomic
methods and NPM practices.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 05

Maize Cultivation in Cluster Approach
brings new lease of life
for Prallad Bhatra

Maize is the only multi-use cereal The Integrated Tribal Development One of the farmers, Mr. Prallad

which can be used as human food, Agency (ITDA) under its Mission Bhatra of Aunli cultivated one acre

animal feed and a source of large Jeevika initiative supported the of land, irrigating it with water

number of industrial products. farmers with improved variety of from a nearby river. “After

Traditionally, maize has been a maize seed (CP333) @ 8 Kgs per harvesting and selling maize to the

Kharif crop in Odisha, even though acre. The farmers were properly trader, I got a substantial amount

it can be cultivated in Rabi and oriented on the scientific practices of Rs. 30000/- which I never
spring seasons too under assured
irrigation. Maize “Queen of of maize where management of predicted. I am now confident that
Cereals”, is rich in essential
nutrients and is being popularized water, nutrient and plant maize will bring a new lease of life
in southern Odisha, with Koraput
emerging as a new convenient protection were the important for my family”, said Prallad
location.
facets of POP. cheerfully. “I am planning to buy
Owing to the Covid pandemic
situation and movement Dedicated efforts of the farmers high yield variety of maize seeds
restrictions, the tribal farmers of
Aunli village of Boriguma Block in with technical knowhow from ITDA during the next Kharif season and
Koraput were motivated to
cultivate Maize as a commercial and CYSD, in December 2020, the invest some amount of money for
crop. As many as 45 households
evinced interest to undertake maize cultivation resulted in Rabi vegetable growing”, he
maize cultivation in 45 acres of
land as Rabi crop. healthy crop growth and farmers added.

realized considerable yield to the

tune of 20 quintals average per Invariably, a small strategic change

acre. Total yield in the Aunli cluster in crop selection and changing in

amounted to about 900 quintals cropping pattern can lead to

which was unexpected by the realization of cropping intensity of

farmers. The maize farmers got a more than 200% which is a great

price of Rs. 1500 per quintal which achievement for Prallad and other

adequately compensated their maize farmers of Aunli cluster as

costs of investment. well.

06

Technology Adoption in Agriculture
Production Cluster Boosts the Livelihood

of Smallholder Farmers.

Introducing innovations in Though, leaving traditional each member was able to earn Rs.
farming, cultivation and marketing methods of agriculture and 38,000/- on an average from trellis
and helping smallholder women adopting Trellis method was a within three-month's time.
farmers to double their annual herculean task for the facilitating The trellis intervention was highly
income is no more a wonder now. Project team, but gradually people appreciated by various
Promotion of the Trellis method of agreed to accept the method. Departments of the district and

cultivation in the cluster approach Farmers were trained in the encouraged the women group to

during the Covid-19 Pandemic was methods, models, ways of undertake vegetable crop

a blessing to the Producers Group. cultivation including land cultivation round the year. This

A number of migrants returned to preparation, etc. Intensive model has been replicated in other

their natives without any job in handholding and regular extension clusters by women farmers

hands. They had no option but to support to women farmers helped through exposures to the model

seek succour in agriculture for them adopt this new technology in with package of practice training

earning their bread and butter. their fields. and government subsidy.

“We are planning to develop our

Observing the need of people and During the Rabi season, 50 land for best use and initiate

with a view to maximizing the members of Akhapalan Producers' multilayer farming, which will

utilization of land, the Horticulture Group of Thakurmunda block offer us high return on our

Department introduced the Trellis introduced the durable Trellis investment”, said one of the

method in APC areas providing model in twenty-five decimals of members of the Akhapalan

some financial support to the land for creepers crop farming. Producers' Group.

farmers to adopt this new The members grew crops, like

profitable technology as special Cowpea, Beans, Bitter Gourd in

Covid-19 scheme. trellis with technical support from

the APC Progrmme team. Finally,

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 07

Vegetable Cultivation brings back
Confidence on Tribal Farmers

The impact of the COVID-19 joint intervention of ITDA and spacing, seed treatment, seed
Pandemic had led the tribal CYSD in his farmland. sowing, growth period
farmers to acute misery and severe After initial land verification in management, irrigation
distress. While the tribal livelihood Ghatabaghra and Nuaguda management, and intercultural
system has been usually Villages, 100 Tribal HHs were operations to harvesting of Okra
characterized by subsistence of selected to initiate summer 'Okra' (crop POPS) was monitored by the
livelihoods without much cultivation adopting a cluster CYSD team. Further, the CYSD team
aspiration and expectation of gain, approach in 50 acres of land. The built the capacity of the farmers in
the unprecedented biological community was new to large scale the cluster approach and oriented
pandemic situation divested their Okra cultivation and had no them about the benefits of natural
backbone as most of them were understanding of the cluster farming, usage of sustainable
unprepared to cope with the newly approach, greatly benefited from nutrients, pest management and
emerging complications. the technical handhold provided the use of bio-fertilizers for
by the CYSD team. integrated nutrient management.
Amidst the stress and uncertainty
caused due to the lockdown, To this effect, the potential The concentrated efforts resulted
concerted initiatives by the beneficiaries were identified in production of 1200 quintals of
government, efforts from civil followed by intensive mobilization Okra amid lock-down. This boosted
society organizations paved way for collectivizing farmers to adopt the morale and self-confidence of
for some tribal farmers to adopt a the production cluster approach. farmers.
new market-led agriculture The farmers understood the
approach, which offered new sense benefits of this kind of farm Instead of selling the products
of motivation to the community at approach. The ITDA, Jeypore, came individually, farmers came together
large to adopting integrated forward with support in the form as collectives and were linked to
agriculture practices, thereby of improved variety of Okra seeds. buyers who supported the farmers
shifting the approach of The entire chain comprising in bulk procurement from farm
subsistence to substantial farming processes starting from land field and the subsequent lifting by
preparation, maintenance of traders from the Jeypore town. As
Bijaya Bhatra, a tribal man from many as 100 farmers realized a
Nuaguda Village of Kaliagaon GP business turnover of Rs. 20,00,000
in Jeypore block, has 50 cent (0.5 in the lockdown situation which
acres) of undulated land. Bijaya enhanced the confidence and
keeps himself engaged in Kharif pride of each household involved
cultivation adopting traditional in the cluster approach.
crops like paddy or millets. Higher
cost involvement had been “I was unaware that my field can
restricting him from initiating high produce crops other than rice and
yield vegetable crop cultivation. millets. I cultivated Okra in 50 cent
Despite the availability of water of land. I have already sold 12
sources nearby, Bijaya was unable quintals of Okra and earned Rs.
to harness its potential and to take 24000 in addition to my Kharif crop
risk thereof. It was a day-dream for which is a substantial support for
him to realize the potential of his me in managing my family”, said
land and get promising cultivation Bijaya Bhatra. I am planning for
during the summer season till the better yield in next crop, he added.

08

 The intervention resulted in better Herb production in Cluster
adaptability of cereals such as millets and Approach
maize and sustained engagement of the
tribal farmers with the crops. Lemon grass is a potential source of income
through cultivation and extraction of aromatic
 Vegetable cultivation not only helped people oil. During the reporting year, cultivation of
to address nutrition security and income lemon grass in the cluster approach was
generation but also arrested seasonal promoted in 200 acres of land involving 70
migration. farmers from 7 villages of 3 GPs in South Odisha
in close collaboration with the ST&SC
Vegetable Production in Cluster Development Department under MGNREGS and
Approach SCA to TSS schemes.
Outcome: Promotion of lemon grass resulted in
Vegetable production carries the potential of higher agricultural income, helped develop
emerging as a remunerative source of income cultivable west land, and created hitherto
generation source while also providing unexplored employment opportunities under
supplementary diet to the rural farmer force. MGNREGS.
Being one of the components of farm activities,
vegetable acts a key role in diversification Adoption of Cluster Approach in
strategies. In the tribal intervention area, the Oilseed Production
farmers have been cultivating winter crops like,
Okra, Brinjal, sweet corn, tomato, coriander, Being cash crops, oil seed crops like groundnut,
cabbage, etc. adopting the cluster approach, Niger and sunflower carry huge potential in
mixed cropping and NPM practices etc. The terms of enhancing incomes as well as
year witnessed, 8996 producers/farmers providing nutritional value to the diet. Adopting
cultivating vegetable in 296 acres of land in 151 the cluster approach, CYSD this year promoted
villages of 52 GPs with the partnership support oilseed crops (groundnut, sunflower, and Niger)
of BRLF and Government of Odisha.Through in 1126 acres of land engaging 1760 farmers in
this start-up, the canvas of the farming 137 villages of 25 GPs in collaboration with the
landscape is changing gradually. Agriculture and ST&SC Departments under the
Rastriya Krusi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission
Outcome: Vegetable cultivation has opened up Jeevika programme.
a new and substantial self-engagement
opportunity for the poor tribal farmers. It has
introduced varied new options in the food plate
of the tribal households for enhancing their
nutritional security. The women farmers have
now a stronghold in the market and are able to
increase their income by Rs. 15000/- to 20000/-
each. Moreover, their participation in the supply
chain has improved bargain power, helping
them realise better incomes with more active
engagement in solicitor groups.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 09

Groundnut Cultivation Brings Transformation
in Damburudhar's Livelihood

Groundnut is one of the important organic manure, field preparation agricultural activities and invested
a portion of his profit money in
oilseed crops and one of the through 2-3 times ploughing, Kharif paddy cultivation. “I have
been planning to undertake
cheapest sources of protein. creating pits at a distance of 8-10 groundnut cultivation in 3 acres of

Though the state is endowed with cm and intercultural operation -

high rainfall and other agro- weeding at the flowering stage

climatic conditions suitable for

groundnut cultivation both in

Kharif and Rabi seasons, it is highly

inconspicuous in the tribal regions

like Koraput.

With a view to promoting the
production cluster approach in
groundnut cultivation in the tribal
pockets various awareness and
capacity building programs were
conducted for the tribal farmers.
Gradually, the villages became
inclined towards growing
groundnut crop following the
package of practices.

Damburudhar Pujari is a tribal and water management. He land in the coming season, but at
farmer who hails from the
Limbaguda village of Pujariguda irrigated the land fetching water the same time am a little hesitant,
Panchayat in Boipariguda block.
He owns 5 acres of land. from a nearby river; utilized the as I have to depend on the river
Damburudhar started groundnut
cultivation after a gap of 3 years input support seeking technical water for irrigation, which will
with the support of CYSD and
ITDA, Jeypore. Earlier, he was support from the CYSD team. require additional men power and
cultivating groundnut without
using high yield variety of seeds Surprisingly, he harvested 16 time. I am indeed thankful to
and fertilizer. In 2020, with the
input support of CYSD and ITDA quintals of processed groundnut CYSD for their technical support
like 50 kg of groundnut seed, 2 kg
of Nectar, and 1 litre of Neem oil per acre and earned Rs. 72,000 @ and guidance throughout and
for 1 acre of land, Damburudhar
started cultivation of groundnut in Rs. 4500 per quintal. completely transforming my life
the Rabi season following the
package of practice, like use of This unexpected profit boosted the and livelihoods”, shared
self-confidence of Damburudhar. Dambarudhar.

He bought a pair of bullocks to get

engaged more intensively in

10

Outcome: Adoption of cash crop by the tribal rearing practices of livestock. In this sector,
farmers has paved the way for enhancement in CYSD was involved with 6188 households from
agricultural income to the tune of Rs.10000- 216 villages of 29 GPs on improved rearing
15000 per household. This has further resulted practices, facilitating input provision and
in greater exposure to better market facility and technical handholding, like periodic vaccination,
availability of pure cooking oil for household sanitisation, flock management, insurance,
consumption. improved housing, feed management and
marketing. During the year, a total of 291
Allied Sector poorest of the poor tribal households from 23
villages of 7 GPs were engaged in backyard
In integrated farming system, allied agriculture poultry and low cost goat rearing model with
sector is considered as an imperative segment, input provision and technical handholding. In
especially in the tribal dominated area, where addition to this, fishery was initiated in 3 farm
people are already familiar with indigenous

Poultry Rearing Becomes an
Alternative Livelihood Option for Musha Sirika

Under the allied agriculture sector water cane, Jeevika and CYSD for supporting
progamme 'Mission Jeevika', the feeder and feeds me in my effort. I am planning to
ITDA of Koraput has been amounting Rs. restart the backyard poultry
supporting the poor tribal families 7,700/-. Further, rearing by procuring some country
of the district for making their he was supplied birds which can ensure a
livelihoods sustainable through with 30 one- sustainable livelihood to my
promotion of backward poultry, month old chicks family”, shared Musha confidently.
goat rearing and fish cultivation in of 'Vanraj' variety He is also encouraging other
cluster approach. by the ITDA from households of his cluster to initiate
the Regional country bird rearing out of the
Musha Sirika from Dangapai Poultry Farm benefits earned from “backyard
Village of Tentulipadar Panchayat under CDVO, poultry”.
in Narayanpatna Block of Koraput Koraput. Out of
district was one among the 16 the 30 birds, 28
households in the Dangapai birds survived and grew well. Like
cluster who were supported to blessings in disguise, during the
undertake backyard poultry. Being COVID-19 pandemic, Musha could
economically poor and observing earn better income by selling
his interest for rearing of backyard those grown up birds in the range
poultry to supplement his family of Rs. 800 to 1000. With the
income, Musha was identified as a earned money he thought of
potential beneficiary under the supplementing his backyard
Mission Jeevika programme. As poultry initiative, and bought a
per the scheme, he was supported she-goat investing Rs. 7,000. Now
with funds for construction of the she-goat has given birth to
night shelter, procurement of two kids. “Thanks to Mission

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 11

ponds of three operational villages. The practices, improved farm practices, adoption of
intervention was carried out in collaboration NPM, value addition to agro commodity, recipe
with BRLF, Agriculture Department (OLM), SC preparation, awareness on better consumption
&ST Development Department under of nutri-cereals, sustainable natural resources
MGNREGS. usage, digital training on mobile application, PG
leadership, livestock rearing and package of
Outcome: CYSD's intervention in the allied practices, etc.
agriculture sector has impacted the cash- Around 152 training programmes in different
income and nutritional security fronts of the components of livelihoods were organised for
rural tribal poor in a significant manner. The 6472 stakeholders enlisting the participation of
poor tribals are able to realise better incomes 6268 women and 204 men. CYSD made efforts
without any increment in input cost. The tribals to strengthen the capacities of community
are now aware of the importance of the based producer groups in adoption of improved
diversified farming approach and shifting agronomic practices in millets, vegetables,
towards technically sound allied agriculture, nutritional importance of millets, and provided
clearly realizing that it will have a positive orientation on the importance of NPM. Urban
impact on their lives and livelihoods. . and semi urban population along with the tribal
households were sensitized on the importance
Capacity Building of millets for sustainable ecological balance,
improved and variety of consumption way
The reporting year witnessed a series of through food festivals, awareness drive and
capacity building programmes and awareness alternate recipe promotion etc.
campaigns for various stakeholders like key During the reporting period, different projects
farmers, producers, CBOs leaders, community organised around 186 awareness programmes,
resource persons in multiple areas like festivals and consultations on a wide range of
'producer group governance', agronomic subjects including marketing, minimum support
price, wage employment and consumption in
377 villages with the active participation of 7018
stakeholders.

Outcome: A total of 6472 CBOs leaders / key
farmers were capacitated in integrated farming
practices and how to reduce the cost of
cultivation by adoption of improved agronomic
practices, and reaching out to the formal
market.

12

Managing Natural Resources thus one of the important components of NRM
activity. Under the micro-irrigation approach,
Aiming at reducing environmental risks and CYSD has facilitated irrigation for 880 acres of
increasing the resilience of societies and the land by creating 19 individual dug wells, 15
environment as a whole, UN Environment action MRLPs, 09 CRLPs, 67 drips, 15 diesel pumps and
emphasises the environmental dimension of 08 Farm Ponds project in convergence with
sustainable development. All along, alleviation MGNREGS, Jalanidhi-II and RKVY, SCA to TSS in
of hunger and all forms of malnutrition, and its tribal operational blocks. Through these
doubling of agricultural productivity is approaches, a total of 682 beneficiaries have
envisaged by the Sustainable Development got assured round-the-year irrigation to their
Goals (SDGs). Pursuant to this, CYSD has been agriculture fields bringing additional areas
constantly focusing on ensuring household under cultivation.
level round-the-year food and nutrition security
and conservation of natural resources and Outcome: CYSD's interventions to promote
expansion of income opportunities for the rural improved and diverse agriculture practices
/ tribal poor in a judicious manner. focused on plantation, field bonding and
creation of irrigation potential. The tribal
Land and Water Management households were linked to different mainstream
programmes exploring nutrient rich winter
Around 1787 acres of cultivable waste land were cropping and long term livelihoods asset
converted into cultivable land through creation in the operational area which led to
plantation, field bonding and land levelling, income augmentation.
where 432 acres coming within the purview of
FRA forest land entitlement, 186 acres of The programme witnessed women's significant
common land area were developed through engagement with the producer group and
staggered trench, seed dibbling, plantation in cluster farming approach. Women played
slope area for soil water and water frontline roles in the intervention areas
conservation. During the reporting period, a breaching the stereotypes of male-dominated
total of 6609 acres of land were covered under livelihood activities. Enhanced participation of
different flagship programmes like NPM, women in capacity building, training
biological farming, integrated nutrient programme and producer group was one of the
management, top soil management, irrigation accomplishments in women centric action.
etc., leveraging sources under focus area
development programme (FADP), Agriculture
Production Cluster, with an aim to improve the
life and livelihoods of the tribals

Micro Irrigation

Micro irrigation (MI) is a modern method of
irrigation by which water is irrigated through
various means on the surface of the land.
Irrigation potential creation and utilization of
groundwater and various water resources is

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 13

Farmers Producer Organisations Producer Company Ltd. in Kundura Block,
Sabujima Producer Company Ltd in
(FPOs) Boipariguda, Jagarana Farmers Producers
Company Ltd. in Laxmipur Block, and
With a view to strengthening the farmers' Banaprabha Producer Company in
producer groups, CYSD have been working Bandhugaon Block. A total of 2560
closely with producer groups and enterprise- stakeholders from 259 villages of 23
oriented self-help groups and their apex GP are actively involved in these five
institutions of NTFPs collectors, agriculture and Farmers' Producer Companies.
horticulture. CYSD's attempt has been to foster Efforts have been on to link these
an environment where producers have a stake companies with organisations
in the future of their product based on the like Digital Green, E-Kutir, Trade
principles of business ethics and practice. Craft India, Better Life
Women have been playing a pivotal role in the Alliance, B to B Market and
livelihood sector and especially at the enterprise ATMA Koraput.
level in the collection and aggregation of both
agricultural produce and NTFPs, and the
subsequent processes of value addition and
market linkages. The key facilitating roles played
by CYSD includes mobilisation of farmers
through organizing meetings and creation of
awareness and supply of packaging and
processing machinery. To this effect, the
growing social enterprises including producer
groups and Self Help Groups have changed the
rural livelihood landscape, particularly in regard
to the women force.

A total of five Farmers' Producer Companies
have started working on strengthening 10
promising value chains of NTFPs, agriculture
and horticulture products. Apart from value
chain development, the companies also work to
provide critical services on creating an eco-
system of micro enterprise promotion at
different stages. Moreover, the wide range of
services provided by producer companies
includes agriculture and horticulture input
supply, market linkage and small credit support
to the producers. During the year, one new
producer company namely, the Dangarani
Farmers Producer Company Ltd. was formed in
Dasmantpur Block. Another four producer
companies formed earlier, namely, Maulima

14

‘Sabujima’
Unlocks Market Linkages for Tamarind

during the Covid Pandemic

The Covid-19 lock down unsettled agency of Odisha Government experiences rain every alternate
the tribal lives and livelihoods established to procure minor forest day. Hence retaining the quality of
significantly. During the period, produces with Minimum Support product intact became a challenge
NTFP collection and harvesting of Price (MSP), failed to reinstate their for the company and the buyers
crops were two major emerging system in this crisis period. The too set a condition for taking good
challenges before the poor tribals SPCL Board of Directors along with products only”, added Mani.
of Koraput. NTFP collectors failed Corona warriors and the frontline
to sell their products resulting in community volunteers of CYSD In spite of all hurdles, the company
huge adverse impacts on the were in regular touch with each procured seedless tamarind in a
household income. other to find out possible solutions. phased manner from the producers
and reworked on the quality
Sabujima Producer Company Ltd In a monthly Board of Directors parameter and standard packaging
(SPCL), Boipariguda works on the meeting, a decision was taken to at the central go-down. Meantime,
aggregation of and value addition procure seedless tamarind from its one of the final buyers denied to
to forest and agro produces grown members to give the producers procure the produce from Koraput
by its members. Produces get additional labour engagement and region showing transportation
added value in different forms and minimise the risk of distress sale of issues. These products were
sizes depending upon the market the produce. Following this supposed to be delivered in Mundra
requirements. Produces like, decision certain select regular and port of Ahmedabad for export.
Tamarind, wild Honey, Amla, reliable buyers were contacted by “Tension continued for a few days
Turmeric and Millets are taken into the company for sale of seedless and finally, we were able to deliver
the second and third level of value tamarind but their response was 10 tons of seedless tamarind to the
addition. The practice of value very frustrating who expressed second buyer, 'Safe Harvest
addition is undertaken mostly at their inability citing the reason of Company Pvt Ltd' in Hyderabad Go-
the household level by the lockdown and market slow-down. down at ex-godown price of
members and the remaining at the They too started bargaining with Rs.100.60 per kg. We paid Rs. 80 per
central processing unit setup by the company in terms of price and kg to the primary producers, which
the company. quality. Finally, two buyers showed was 20% above of the price against
interest to procure the produce in MSP. The remaining amount was
Tamarind is a Non-timber Forest good price agreeing to the terms shared as dividend, keeping some
Produce largely collected from and condition of the Company. operational cost, at end of this
forest areas by the Collectives as financial year,” says Trinath, CEO of
the maximum shareholders. During “Huge challenges cropped up SPCL.
the pandemic lockdown, huge before us when the ground-level
volumes of Tamarind produce producers demanded net cash for This endeavour of SPCL directly
collected from the forest required their products. The company had benefited 223 producers. Besides,
urgent market linkage. As villages very limited working capital to the producers restored their faith
were disconnected from the procure all products at a time. and trust in the Company for
mainstream market, the traders Besides, the storage capacity was unlocking market linkages to sell
were unwilling to lift the products another issue where we struggled a their precious products and
from villages. Even, the Tribal lot”, shared Mani Majhi, standing behind them during this
Development Cooperative Chairperson of SPCL. great crisis.
Corporation (TDCC), a marketing
“During summer, Koraput usually Annual Report 2020-2021 | 15

Community level Institutions: Self Help Groups of 275 to 300 tribal gatherers
is constituted. The establishment of VDVK is for
As part of its sustainable enterprise model to providing skill upgradation and capacity
address the socio economic growth issues at building training and setting up of primary
hand, CYSD has been working closely with processing and value addition facility.
enterprise-oriented Producer Groups at the Subsequently they are trained and provided
village level for production, aggregation and with working capital to add value to the product
value addition of agriculture, horticulture and they collect from forest. In collaboration with
forest based products to reach higher economic ITDA of Koraput and Jeypore, VDVK programme
altitudes of business. has been initiated.

CYSD has been strengthening community level During the reporting period, CYSD has given
institutions, such as village development enormous time towards mobilizing community,
associations, self-help groups, producer groups, Self Help Groups and other stakeholders for
labour solidarity groups for identifying the real formation and strengthening VDVKs in Koraput
needs of people and including those in District. As a result 11 numbers of VDVKs were
mainstream programmes through actively formed and 9 VDVKs strengthened, involving as
participating in Palli Sabha, Gram Sabha and many as 6190 women NTFP collectors from 163
other appropriate forums and getting involved villages of 23 GPs. The process comprised steps
in programme planning, implementation and like facilitation of Members profile, Hata bazaar
monitoring. There are total 833 community level and warehouse information collation and
institutions comprising 704 SHGs, 09 Village uploading in apps. During the reporting period,
Development Associations, 114 Farmers 3240 members' profiles were uploaded
Producer Groups, 6 labour solidarity groups including 6 hata-bazaars and 2 warehouses. The
consisting of 15261 members. programme also helped develop a three-year
perspective cum road and business
Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) development plan for four VDVKs with three
VDVKs getting linked with ITDA Koraput for
Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojana is a value addition of products.
composite program, intended for forest-based
tribes. It aims to elevate the minimum support Outcome: The producer companies developed
price (MSP) for NTFPs to the next level through the capacity of the farmers around sustainable
value addition by tribal SHGs. The idea is to agriculture and identified the important climate
optimize the tribal income at the local level smart value chains. Subsequently, a detailed
using NTFPs. This is to be done through business plan was developed at each producer
establishment of common-use-facilities for company level to capitalize the market
value addition, to be called Van DhanVikas opportunities in the value chains and create
Kendras. The objectives of VDVKs include the space for the farmers to meaningfully engage in
goals of inclusive development; women's sustainable agriculture and NTFP value addition.
empowerment; tribal aspiration and More importantly, a resilient livelihood system
development; forest conservation; livelihood between the producer companies and VDVKs
promotion skill development for value addition has been developed in the operational areas.
to NTFP. Under Van DhanVikas Kendra, 20 to 30

16

Fostering
Inclusive Governance

With a view to making the dream of inclusive based on a proper perception of people's needs
governance a reality corresponding to the and priorities. The process helps the GPs to
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), CYSD address the structural causes of poverty, the
endeavours to strengthen the people's voice universal need for development that works for
through its community-led social watch process. all people and helps strengthen the GPs emerge
This process includes a package of community as the focal development institution.
based monitoring actions for ensuring timely
access to quality public services. Energizing Strengthening Volunteers and PRI
local governance institutions with the tools of Functionaries to Facilitate Social
people-centric planning and prioritization; Security Entitlement during
institutionalising citizen led monitoring and COVID 19 Pandemic:
advocacy processes for greater inclusion in
public services; ensuring community rights over CYSD imparted training to frontline workers, PRI
food, natural resources and information; Functionaries and volunteers on COVID-19
empowering communities to properly access related preventive measures, different
their entitlements from the state development government support schemes / programmes
actors and agencies and promoting a gender- and the role of the local government in
balanced approach to development remain key ensuring social protection measures for the
strategies in this domain. needy in Koraput, Keonjhar, Malkangiri and
Rayagada districts. In addition, they were
The SDGs have regional and local implications oriented on the Citizen Support Centre (CSC) of
requiring interventions that complement the CYSD (toll free number- 8880 592), in providing
universal goals. The Gram Panchayat Development COVID-19 information as well as information
Plan provides greater opportunities to develop about entitlements, health related advices and
different local models and innovations that extending psycho social counselling services.
would be locally appropriate and would be

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 17

Strengthening Social Protection for
Vulnerable Groups and Migrants

Khara Sowing Hope this Diwali
to Restore Livelihoods

Baikuntha Khara recalls his journey vividly when he pandemic. Within a few weeks, Khara had exhausted
started walking back from Gubeda in Andhra all his savings and struggled to make his both ends
Pradesh all the way to Koraput on a hot summer day meet. Neither Khara nor his companions who had
earlier this year, together with 19 other people. “We returned to their village in Koraput, had their job
used to work at a brick kiln in Gubeda and earned cards, so finding any work under the Government
around Rs.9,000 every month. But after a few days schemes was also not possible. In early May, Centre
of the announcement of the Covid lockdown in for Youth and Social Development (CYSD) and the
March, the brick kiln owner asked us to move out. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
We had no option but to walk back to our village,” started working together with the panchayats to
shares Khara as he remembers the long arduous help informal workers like Khara. Khara and his
journey through the unbearable heat. Khara is one companions got back their MGNREGS job cards and
of the millions of informal workers who returned to were employed for 24 days under the scheme,
their villages once the national lockdown was earning enough to tide over the difficult times.
announced to curb the spread of the COVID-19 Within a span of five months, about 400 households

Awareness on Entitlements, Social A handbook enumerating the welfare packages
Protection Schemes & Prevention i.e., information on preventive measures during
Practices of COVID19 the COVID 19 pandemic, the social schemes and
entitlements, MGNREGS and role of volunteers
CYSD reached out to 39546 populations with was developed and circulated amongst the
information on the various government volunteers for reference as well as for awareness
entitlements announced during the COVID 19 generation among the community.
period, the different social protection schemes
and prevention practices of COVID-19 in KEONJHAR
Koraput, Malkangiri, Keonjhar and Rayagada
districts of Odisha. RAYAGADA
KORAPUT
In Keonjhar, 129 frontline workers including MALKANAGIRI
ASHAs, ANMs, AWWs, and Community Resource
Persons (CRPs), were provided with protective
measures for undertaking door-to-door
surveillance reaching out to 6000 plus families.

18

in Koraput were provided with vegetable seeds
under the Nutrition Garden Programme and were
linked with MGNREGS so that they could earn wages
for 34 days to develop a garden of about 1,200 sq ft.
Once the land was ready, the farmers were provided
with 13 varieties of vegetable seeds.

“The vegetable seeds helped us to grow they are rebuilding their lives and livelihoods, all
vegetables and to feed our families and we they need is a little hope and support from actors
and agencies like CYSD so that they know they
could sell the surplus vegetables to buy are not alone. All are in it together. This festive
other household utilities. If we can work season, with the support, Khara along with others
here in our village and get to live close to sowing hopes to rebuild their life better and
our families, why will we go anywhere else stronger. If there is one thing that this pandemic
has taught us, it is how interconnected all our
to search for a job?”, Khara shared. lives are. We have learnt that we can be safe only
when everyone is safe. We can only grow when
Hope glistened in his eyes as he made a new we grow together.
beginning in his life with his family, surrounded
by the garden he and his companion had
developed tirelessly. Khara's story is a story of
hope, a testimony of how with a little help,
people can restore their livelihoods, their dignity
and make a fresh start. While Khara has found a
way back, there are many who still need a little
support. Almost 90 per cent of the workforce in
India belongs to the informal sector, and most of
whom have lost jobs during this pandemic. While

Entitlement Monitoring of COVID
19 Relief Package & Social
Protection Schemes:

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and
the subsequent lockdown led to significant
distress among citizens due to employment
loss, wage cuts, transportation and food supply
disruption, and other issues that increased the
dependence of people on social protection
schemes. The pandemic underscored the
necessity of building safety nets. It also
brought to surface the various gaps that have
continued to impede the delivery of many
welfare interventions. A plethora of challenges
was faced by beneficiaries attempting to access

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 19

their entitlements. These challenges became assessment of the COVID 19 relief package,
more daunting to resolve in the absence of social protection schemes of returnee migrants,
robust grievance redress mechanisms, causing etc.
widespread exclusion. CYSD attempted a rapid

Skill Mapping of Returnee Migrants migrants in the destination places, the amount
and linking with appropriate of wage and the period of payment, status of
Services the existing skills of migrants, the interest of
migrants to return back to their previous work
A database of 1289 migrant returnees of 117 places and the reasons, areas requiring further
villages of Koraput, Rayagada and Malkangiri skill building, etc. The survey managed to reach
districts was created. The database helped the out to 925 migrants from 15 GPs in 6 blocks of
panchayats to ascertain the relief package the three targeted districts of Koraput,
announced by government for the returnees. Malkanagiri and Rayagada. The highest
The returnee migrants were oriented on COVID- percentage (68.0%) of migrants came under the
19 related information like the importance of age category of 18-34 years, followed by 21.0%
hand washing and physical distancing, Covid for 35-59 years and 9.0% for less than 18 years.
tests, home Isolation, COVID 19 related relief
schemes, Mo Bagicha, plantation, Agri-input Similarly, in Keonjhar 1188 returnee migrants'
supports, MGNREGS, etc. entitlement realization was undertaken, skill
mapping of 1017 returnee migrants conducted
Further, a detailed skill mapping exercise of followed by skills training of 449 (114 Female +
these migrant workers was conducted through 335 Male) people on mushroom cultivation,
a comprehensive survey. The major areas spawn production and para-veterinary services.
covered under the survey included the primary The programme not only helped the migrants
reasons of migration, difficulties faced by the with survival kits but also skilled them to go for

20

alternative livelihood options. This helped the connecting to Social Protection Programs. The
migrants in securing their livelihoods through migrant workers and other excluded groups
their new ventures. were linked with getting job cards under
MGNREGS and facilitated convergence under
In Saharapada block of Keonjhar district, a quick different schemes like MO UPAKARI BOGICHA,
impact assessment of the migrant returnees was Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub
undertaken covering 400 vulnerable Scheme (TSS), Agriculture depts. and
households. This was done in association with Horticulture Dept. for seeds and with MGNREGS
the RCRC Network to know the impact of the for works, Old age pension, and seed support
Covid pandemic on the migrant workers, small for Nutrition garden under RKVY.
and marginal farmers, tribal communities and
the vulnerable households. Establishing Migration Support
Service Centre (MSSC)
A series of virtual orientation programmes on
psycho-social support was organized for 56 In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Community Resource Persons (CRP) and during the year 2020, migration support service
Programme Coordinators of RCRC Odisha centres were set up in twenty Gram Panchayats
partner organizations including Gram Vikas, (GPs) of two blocks in two tribal districts of
CYSD, Shristi and Harsha Trust. The orientation south Odisha (Kolnara block of Rayagada and
programmes were facilitated by professional Mathili block of Malkanagiri), to support the
psycho-social counsellors. Resource materials migrants and other vulnerable and marginalized
on psycho-social support were developed in groups in joint partnership of UNICEF and CYSD.
Odia language and shared with the CRPs to
help them augment their understanding and The intervention aimed to link the eligible-but-
reference. Four short videos relating to mental left-out population with relevant schemes and
health were developed and shared with the programmes and enumeration of migrant
CRPs and others concerned. workers, to a large extent.

Linking Returnee Migrants to Social Record keeping of basic information of migrants
Protection schemes and their families; mapping their eligibility and
enrolling them in different social protection
CYSD worked closely with the Government schemes, while assisting the GPs and Blocks to
System to give them concurrent feedback on monitor their inclusion and access to benefits
approaches having a greater potential to were the key activities.
enhance the delivery of the programs. Through
a technology based app named GEET, GIS The PRIs, PEOs and frontline workers, such as
enabled training system, people who had the ASHAs, AWWs, GRSs were oriented on the
remained excluded from social protection seasonal migration cycle, the risk implications of
schemes were identified. GEET provides a migration for children and women, the
single-window platform that helps rural significance of maintaining detailed record of
communities to access various government migrants at the GP level, and effective planning
schemes and programmes. With the partnership and monitoring of social security entitlements
support of UNDP, CYSD helped 15279 people in and safe migration.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 21

The intervention of the pilot resulted in creating returnees got new Job cards, 109 BOCW
a disaggregated database of 2752 returnee applications were processed; and 82 potential
migrants (2062 male and 690 female) from migrant returnees were provided with skill
Malkangiri and Rayagada covering 20 GPs and training.
sharing the data with district administrations.
CYSD facilitated the registration of the workers Besides these people, another set of 243 PRI
under the Building and Other Construction functionaries, 187 frontline workers and 808
Works (BOCW), MGNREGS and other returnee migrants was oriented on the needs of
entitlements. Under MGNREGS, 698 migrant migrants, safe migration, emergency contact
institutions, social entitlement etc.

Nedi owns ‘Labour Card’:
A Way to Survive

Nedi Padmabati, a 45-year-old widow
from Darabada village in Kolnara block of
Rayagada district says, “I am grateful to
have received a 'Labour Card' with the
support of the MSSC set up by CYSD. Being
a widow, it was very worrisome for me to
survive amidst the Covid-19 pandemic
with the burden of nurturing two children
of mine”.
Nedi got to know that owning the labour
card would make her eligible to obtain a
wide range of government benefits like
assistance in case of any accident, death
benefit, pension, medical expenses for
treatment, financial assistance for skill up-
gradation, education for children, etc.

22

Strengthening Citizen Led continuously putting efforts to strengthen
Accountability in Delivery of people's voice. This process includes a basket of
Health Services community based monitoring actions relating
to public services. Invigorating local
As already stated, through community-led governance institutions with the tools of
social watch process, CYSD has been people-centric planning and prioritization;

Community Vigilance Ensures
Pre-school Education of Gunduliaguda Village

A community monitoring process out that, the

was conducted at Gunduliaguda Anganwadi

village of Doraguda Gram Worker neither

Panchayat under Boipariguda attends AWC

block of Koraput district. Pre- nor is involved

school education comes within the in any kind of

basket of ICDS which aims to pre-school

provide an all-round development activity. The

of children under six years of age AWW

including their mothers. It was confessed that

revealed during the monitoring she attends the

process that due to non-functional AWC at Monitoring team holding interaction with service users of AWC

of Gunduliaguda Anganwadi irregular

Center, the pre-school education intervals as she concerned AWW and even they

was practically inactive and remains busy in other official discussed with the Sarpanch of

nutritional aspect of children was works and traveling to different Doraguda panchayat. After two

grossly neglected. The issue was places, like sector office, block rounds of discussions with the

further enquired and surprisingly it office and doing personal AWW, finally she was able to

was found that the Anganwadi household chores. The mothers of realize her responsibility and role

Worker neither did attend the pre-school children voiced out as a front line service provider and

AWC nor she got involved in any their concerns that their children agreed to resume the work
of such pre-school activities. are being deprived of the pre-
enthusiastically at the Anganwadi
school activities, like singing, oration, Centre on regular basis.
As part of the community drawing and playing which ensure

monitoring process, an interaction children's cognitive development in As a result of this community
was carried out between the
the first five years of their life. vigilance process, the pre-school
service users and service providers
activity and nutrition services of
to open up the services provided However, this issue was taken very Gunduliaguda village were
for maternal and child health, seriously by the Ward Member and resumed and regularized. The

supplementary nutrition along other members of the village. A children, at the receiving end, are

with pre-school education. During robust plan of action was drawn by too elated and their mothers are
the interaction with the service the villagers of Gunduliaguda
forever grateful to the CYSD for
users, especially pregnant women against the existing problem. As a helping out to regularize the AWC.
and lactating mothers, it was came result, first they consulted with the

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 23

institutionalizing citizen-led monitoring and Village level Child Protection Committees
advocacy process for greater inclusion in public (VLCPC)
services; ensuring community rights over food,
natural resources information, empowering CYSD in collaboration with the District Child
communities to properly access their Protection Unit (DCPU) has strategically initiated
entitlements from State development actors formation and promotion of village level Child
and agencies; and promoting a gender- Protection Committees (VLCPC) in the four tribal
balanced approach to development play key dominated districts of Malkanagiri and
roles in the governance domain. The whole Rayagada, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. Though
intention is to ensure responsive, inclusive, the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)
participatory and representative decision has been functional for some years, it has been
making by developing effective, accountable only on paper; the principles remain silent for
and transparent institutions at all level. the community initiatives as the formation of
Committees by ICPS is limited up to Gram
Community Score Card Exercise in Tribal Panchayat level. Hence, the incidences of child
Districts abuse happening at village level remain
unresolved in the absence of any mechanism at
During the reporting year, the community score community level.
card exercise was continued in 50 villages of
Mayurbhanj and Koraput districts. The action By the end of the reporting year, a total of 266
plans that were made during FY 2018-19 and VLCPCs stood formed and strengthened in the 4
2019-20 were discussed among the tribal districts (Malkangiri-54, Rayagada-18,
beneficiaries and service providers with a Mayurbhanj-102 and Keonjhar-92) to take care
targeted time line to address each issue and keep vigilant eyes on the children's
revolving around maternal and child health. The suffering and abuse. As a result, a sense of
action plans were further linked with the action strong accountability has been fixed on the
agenda of the SHGs and Youth Clubs of VLCPC to identify the incidence of child
respective villages for further steps. vulnerability and helplessness. During the
reporting year, a total of 41 potential cases like
Protection of Child Rights early marriage, child abuse, trafficking, child
labour, etc. were tabled at the CWC/DCPU level
Children worldwide suffer from varied violence, for redressal; and 51 Adolescent Groups and 20
exploitations and abuses. Especially in tribal Youth Clubs were engaged to extend supportive
dominated areas, violence against children hands to the VLCPCs in providing advance
knows no boundaries. In most cases, children information on early marriage and their
experience violence by the people they trust. So temporary movements in the targeted areas.
children need protection at their homes, schools
and among playmates in terms of physical,
socio-emotional or sexual. Girls are subjected
to child marriage and female genital mutilation
despite various rights and laws to protect them
from violence, exploitation and abuse. Child
protection systems help children access vital
social services and fair justice systems – starting
from birth.

24

VLCPC -
An Effective Grassroots Mechanism

to Arrest Early Child Marriage

Safeguarding the children of its G. Rengalpadu is a tribal dominated police station. With the
operational areas through
formation and strengthening of village situated about 5 km away intervention of the Police and the
Village Child Protection
Committees (VLCPC), is one of the from Kolnara GP and the block Child Marriage Prohibition Officer,
strategies of CYSD. In 2019, around
10 VLCPCs were formed under 2 headquarter of Rayagada. In April the children's marriage plan was
Gram Panchayats of Kolnara block
in Rayagada district. These 2020, a boy of 19 years fled away stopped. The girl has been sent to
committees have been actively
engaged in ensuring child rights one girl of 16 years to his home CCI for temporary shelter as her
and protection in respective
villages. While ensuring the rights and asked his parents to organise parents denied to take her back to

their marriage. His parents also home. Also, the CWC has ordered

agreed to bind them in marriage. to enrol the girl in a residential

Getting this information, the VLCPC school for study and continue till

members counselled both the she completes 18 years, the legal

children and their parents to refrain age of marriage. This incident has

from doing this illicit act. But the created a great impact in the

Counselling by Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, Childline and BLCPC Members

of children and their protection, boy and girl threatened to commit locality. The efforts of CYSD
towards formation and
two major issues have been taken suicide if their marriage would not strengthening of VLCPC, as an
effective mechanism at the
up by the VLCPCs for community happen. So, the VLCPC informed to community level to arrest child
marriage and child labour, have
resilient i.e. Child Marriage and the ChildLine to handle the case. been appreciated and recognised
by the District and Block
Child Labour. During the Corona The officials from the ChildLine Administrations.
pandemic lockdown, the
intervention of VLCPC of G. tried to counsel both the children Annual Report 2020-2021 | 25
Rengalpadu village in arresting an and the parents, but failed to
early marriage case caught the persuade. Meanwhile, the VLCPC
attention of the local people as well got to know about the children's
plan to elope elsewhere, so the
as the Block and District
Administrations. committee took the issue to the

Sexual and Reproductive Health The core intervention of Samvad centres around
and Rights scaling-up its participatory video-based
approach targeted to women's groups;
Since most of the adolescent girls were staying leveraging the use of other ICT-platforms
in their residences during the Covid pandemic including community radio and mobile
lockdown, CYSD's CDW came forward and platforms; and partnering with State
provided support in counselling around 340 Government programmes to deliver locally
adolescent girls and young women on sexual feasible solutions at scale.
and reproductive health and informed about the
provisioning of Sanitary Napkin (Khushi Scheme) Outcome:
through the relevant ASHAs and ANMs.  50 frontline workers were groomed on the

Besides, 276 VHND sessions were facilitated at use of technology to improve interpersonal
the village level with the support of the relevant counselling covering 23231 women.
Community Development Workers. 532 Ante  An ICT platform was set up to generate
natal mothers, 483 postnatal mothers and their awareness among pregnant and lactating
under three years' children were covered mothers on health and Nutrition.
through VHND sessions in Saharapada and  18 cost effective health and nutrition based
Thakurmunda blocks. video documentaries were developed within
a short time.
Community Engagement in Digital Platforms  A video-enabled approach based on mother
Improves Family Planning, Maternal Child child health and nutrition was scaled up
Health and Nutrition effectively.
 Around 10000 pregnant and lactating
In its third year of technology based extension women were covered through Village Health
programme intervention, CYSD through its & Nutrition Day (VHND).
'Samvad' programme with special emphasis on  Use of toilets and hand wash practices have
creating digital community engagement become an integral part of life at the
platforms, continued to help improve the family household level
planning, maternal child health and nutrition  Mothers' Committees and GKSs at the
outcomes with behaviour changes in 23,231 community level were activated and
women of 174 villages in three blocks of conducting meetings on a regular basis.
Keonjhar (Saharapada) and Mayurbhanj
(Thakurmunda and Jashipur) districts of Odisha.

District Blocks No of No of No of No of No of No of No of Video
GP
Village Hhs SHG VWG Anganwadi Dissemination

points

Keonjhar Saharapada 10 38 6210 441 41 34 239

Mayurbhanj Thakurmunda 11 116 14468 1166 103 112 539

Jashipur 4 20 2553 207 17 16 114

Total 3 25 174 23231 1814 161 162 892

26

Jyoshna a successful mother
of seven-months child

Jyoshna Anukulia belongs to disallowed my family to take care of for the growth of her baby in womb
Scheduled Tribe community from a her baby and refused to provide and herself. She made periodic visit
remote village of Jambani, inside medical treatment keeping me to hospital for check-ups and took
the Similipal biosphere of under home quarantine. Adoption IFA regularly.

Thakurmunda Block in Mayurbhanja of local herbal medicine from quack This time she gave birth a baby girl
of 3kg plus. Now her family
district of Odisha. Luckily, she has a was the only preventive measure. members feel happy seeing the
healthy child. The baby girl is seven
seven-month girl child and she does Gradually, the baby's condition months old and Jyoshna has started
feeding her with other foods.
not wish to lose her any more like became worst and finally child got
“I would have not a successful
the first child. “I had a difficult time died”, shared Jyoshna with tearful mother without the support of
Samvad, which brought
during first child birth. Due to eyes. transformation in my behaviour in
terms MCH and Nutrition outcomes.
ignorance, I never visited doctor for But, during second pregnancy My thanks are due to the Samvad
health advice and used any iron- period, she came in close contact Team. I must share this experience
folic acid tablets. Vomiting was the with a CSP of Samvad programme with other community members
main issue which deteriorated my who advised her to seek the using VDO”, said cheerful Jyoshna.
health condition. Hardly I preferred support of Asha, watch the VDO of
to take sufficient nutritious food. Samvad and obey all the Annual Report 2020-2021 | 27
Because of ill health I gave birth a instructions of 1000 days of child
low weighted baby who suffered bearing. With the support of her
from Jaundice too. Besides, the husband, she took nutritious food
prevalence of social stigma

Building a
Responsive State

Efforts continued to make the State responsive COVID pandemic. The significant issues brought
to the inclusive agenda during the year. Despite out by the working paper are:
the Covid-19 pandemic situation, a great deal of
emphasis was placed on scaling up of the good  In order to spend the budgeted amount
practices, creating a large segment of 1,50,000 crore of 2020-21 FY, the state will
promoters asking for state finance and budget have to borrow 35,391 crores which will be
reforms and putting the priorities of the poor 7.6 per cent of the GSDP;
first, capacity building of the state actors, and
building alliances across the civil society sector,  The State will record 10941 crore revenue
government and the corporates. deficit in 2020-21;

The budget watch process initiated by the  The state will have very little scope to curtail
Odisha Budget and Accountability Centre the committed expenditures which includes,
(OBAC) long back continued to focus on policy the salary, pension and debt servicing
and budget research in the reporting year. (interest payments and repayment of loans);

Making State Budget Inclusive  Since the enactment of FRBM Act 2005, for
and Participatory the first time, the state will record revenue
deficit, etc.
COVID-19 and Fiscal Management of Odisha
A working paper on “COVID-19 and the Fiscal The paper summarises that due to comfortable
Management of Odisha” was developed during fiscal situation, the State should not hesitate to
the year which provides an intensive analysis of borrow and should rather give top priority to
the fiscal situation of the State during the providing free health care to both COVID-19 and
non-COVID patients, food security and livelihood
security to the most vulnerable groups.

28

Strengthening implementation of targets set Anganwadi Centers and to explore the quality
under SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation of services provided by the centers with specific
reference to pregnant women, lactating
A community-led tracking and monitoring of mothers and pre-school children. The study
sanitation services including clean water was revolves around five basic aspects (human
undertaken in the Ward No. 63 of Bhubaneswar resource, infrastructure, furniture and
Municipal Corporation. In this Ward, six equipment, food and nutrition and direct
settlements were chosen and all the households finance) without which it is nearly impossible for
of these settlements were interviewed. an Anganwadi Center to function. Along with
Moreover, the assessment sheltered around this, the role of community institutions and PRI
three targets of SDG 6, two targets of SDG 3 members in ensuring proper functioning of the
and one target of SDG 11. As some targets of centers was also explored.
SDG 3 and 11 are interrelated with SDG 6, they
have been included while designing the Health System in Odisha: Challenges and
monitoring framework on water and sanitation. Opportunities

The community led tracking focused on the Policy brief on “Health system in Odisha” an
equitable access to safe and affordable drinking analysis of health sector scenario in Odisha: The
water by the households of Ward No. 63 along basic objective of this research was to bring out
with access to adequate and equitable the prevailing challenges and to put forth the
sanitation and hygiene. It also covered some future prospects of health system for the State
aspects of de-sluddging, household waste of Odisha. With the advent of the COVID-19
management and drainage management. Most pandemic, the dependence of people on public
importantly, the participation of local health centers increased manifold. At the same
communities in improving water and sanitation time, in Odisha the healthcare infrastructure is
issues of their own neighbourhood was focused at a sub-par level and is greatly inadequate to
as well. cope with the necessity. Against this
background, an analysis was done by taking 3
Anganwadi Services in Odisha: Scenario, aspects into account i.e., health care financing,
Challenges and Way Forward expenditure pattern and health system
management. Also, the said piece of research
A study of Anganwadi Centers in 4 districts of proposed some state specific recommendations
Odisha was undertaken in 362 Anganwadi as the state was at crossroads in addressing the
centres. The objectives of the analysis were to hitherto un-experienced health needs. The
explore the availability of basic facilities and explicit takeaways included: more investment on
infrastructure to impart the services of public health system, revisiting of expenditure
pattern (expenditure on health should be 2.5
percent of GSDP), accordingly more focus on
primary health care system and region specific

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 29

planning to address the unequal health status The key findings of the assessment are:
of the state were the need of the hour.  The cash benefit schemes suffered from

3R Approach to Agriculture (Reclaim, effective implementation as the findings
restructure and reinvest): Strengthening lives show that about three-fourth of the PDS
and livelihoods beneficiaries did not receive the cash
assistance. Similarly, about 24% eligible
Policy brief on 3R Approach to agriculture women beneficiaries did not receive cash in
(Reclaim, restructure and reinvest): Strengthe- Jandhan bank account.
ning lives and livelihoods requires proper  The quantity of rice offered under PDS is not
focusing basically on alternative livelihood enough for Scheduled Tribe HHs.
creation so as to not just help in strengthening  Certain number of beneficiaries in all six
the livelihoods but also to serve as a roadmap districts is left out from the social security
for entrepreneurial development for the years pension schemes such as Widow Pension
to come. Moreover, the policy brief tried to and Old Age Pension.
propose reclamation of dimension to  Most of the returnee migrants (70.9%) did
agriculture, restructuration of agricultural not have any employment opportunity in
framework and reinvestment through their respective villages or GPs to earn the
alternative agriculture budget. Additionally, it livelihood. In absence of work opportunity,
threw some light on the missed priorities which they are becoming more vulnerable.
can be thought of to give a boost to the  Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the frontline
agriculture sector of Odisha. workers were too overburdened to discharge
the routine responsibilities
Assessment of Social Protection Schemes in
Odisha during COVID 19 Policy Brief: Implications of Finance
Commission Devolution on Panchayats in
In Odisha, a plethora of government schemes Odisha
and programmes are in force to safeguard the
livelihood and other vulnerabilities of poor and In Odisha, the resource base of Panchayats is
marginalised people. In view of COVID-19, the more or less controlled by the transfers from
central government and state government the State Finance Commission (SFC) and Central
announced various special packages to mitigate Finance Commission (CFC). The 14th Central
the social and economic impacts of the COVID- Finance Commission (FoFC) has awarded Rs
19 pandemic situation in the state. In this 8850.31 Crore to the Gram Panchayats (GP) in
background, an assessment was undertaken to the period 2015-20, with Rs 7965.28 Crore (90
understand the extent to which the various %) as basic grant and Rs 885.03 Crore (10%) as
social protection schemes and COVID-19 performance grant. Similarly, the 4th SFC
related packages of the central government and (2015-20) has recommended a total transfer of
state government helped to address the Rs 2468.85 Crore to the Gram Panchayats (GP)
immediate risks and vulnerabilities of people, in the form of devolution, assignment of taxes
impacted by the pandemic. Based on district and grant-in-aid.
level poverty head count ratio, two districts
from each revenue division (total three revenue A stock taking exercise was undertaken to
divisions) were selected. understand the fiscal management of the GPs in
terms of funds received, utilization of fund,
30

receipt of performance grants, type of Webinars
expenditure done by the panchayats,
mobilisation of resources from own sources, During the year, a series of webinars were
and the bottlenecks that stood in the way of conducted keeping in mind the backdrop of
managing local development agenda in Odisha. COVID-19 pandemic and related protocols.

Rapid survey on COVID-19 and its impact on Impact of COVID-19 on Women and Girls in
Women and Girls in Odisha Odisha

In order to understand the impact of Covid-19 Webinar on “Impact of COVID-19 on Women
on women and adolescent girls, CYSD and Girls in Odisha” was held on August 8,
conducted four rapid surveys between 29 July 2020. In this regard, a rapid survey was
to 4 August 2020 covering 702 women and conducted and the findings were presented to
adolescent girls and 228 school going children set the background of webinar followed by a
spread over six districts (Koraput, Mayurbhanja, panel discussion. The webinar focused on three
Keonjhar, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Khurdha) of key discussion points:
which five are tribal dominated districts. The  To assess the impact of restrictions imposed
areas covered under independent surveys
include, Response on Adolescent Health, Impact owing to Covid-19 on women's livelihood,
on livelihood of women, Girl's Education and health, social status and economic condition.
Violence on Women.  To understand the constraints faced by girl
children in perusing their education.
Budget priorities during difficult times: An  To assess the effects of lockdown on women
Analysis of State Budget 2021-22 and girls in accessing essential reproductive
health services.

The significant takeaways

Analysis of state budget 2021-22 was done by  Analysis of policies, provisions and
OBAC to look at the priorities of the State budget from gender lens is the pressing
Budget in the key social sectors – health, need of the hour.
education, drinking water & sanitation, key
social sector schemes and the vulnerable  Labour economic policy needs to be
population like women and STs during the reviewed from the gender lens.
difficult time and offer a framework for
informed public discussion on policy priorities.  Identification of discrimination against
women and wider awareness campaign
on women economic rights both in
informal and formal sectors needs to be
in place.

 A strong solidarity and mutual trust
between the stakeholders (community,
police and community leader) is of
utmost important.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 31

Child Marriage free Odisha webinar basically focused on the prioritised
sectors of State budget 2021-22 FY, being a
CYSD organised a webinar on “Child Marriage challenging year for the State Economy due to
free Odisha” on 11th November 2020 through unprecedented move of COVID 19 pandemic.
which a coordinated action between the
governments, civil society, local government, Key discussion points
along with communities was engrossed.
Basically, the webinar tried to create a platform  The slowdown in economic activities due to
to discuss on critical deficits, explore possible crisis will affect resource realization.
collaborations and design forward planning
towards achievement of child marriage free  The need for budget allocation in the areas
Odisha. of social sectors, such as health, education,
WASH and food & nutrition security
Key questions that were addressed: including agriculture has emerged as priority
 What are the key reasons behind child areas than ever before.

marriage?  The state of Odisha needs to carve out the
 Effectiveness of Marriage registration at prioritized aspects where budgetary focus
needs more attention.
Panchayat level to stop child marriage?
 The Role of the Task Forces in terms of their The significant takeaways

function and coordination to end child  The state should invest more on
marriages? primary health care
 Innovative practices or collaborative efforts
adopted to stop child marriage?  More investment on resources in filling
up vacancies and creating infrastructure
The significant takeaways for online teaching and learning
 Rules and systems are in place but a processes

mass movement is need of the hour. A  Due to low wage rate (Rs 207 against
collaborative approach of Government the minimum wage rate of an unskilled
functionaries, CSOs and other Private worker of Rs 286.30), many workers
Organisations can bring positive including migrants are not interested to
changes. work under MGNREGS. Adequate steps
 Gender discrimination has been need to be taken to increase the wage
identified as one of the root causes of rate which can encourage people to
child marriage. work under MGNREGS.
 Our programmatic approach, policy,
action plan and budget need to be  The ground reality shows that the social
reframed or alternated. security measures are not reaching all
the eligible beneficiaries. Hence, a real
Pre Budget Consultation: Budget priorities time budget allocation for Social
during difficult time Security benefits needs more budget
allocation
Webinar on “Budget priorities during difficult
time” was organised on 12th January 2021. This  There is a need to bring a specific
mission for natural farming aligned with
all the regenerative services.

32

 A data base of migrant workers needs thought of to avoid the high financial
to be available at the public domain. crisis of the country in general and
Odisha in particular.
 The National Disaster Relief Fund  Digital Platforms should be made
should be made at the GP level which available to all school and college going
requires more budget provisioning. children.
 District specific funds such as CAMPA &
COVID-19: Emerging needs and the fiscal DMF should not be diverted towards
management of Odisha general expenditure of the state rather
spending for the social and welfare
Webinar on “COVID 19 and the Fiscal activity of the mining affected
Management of Odisha” was organised by community of the same district.
CYSD on 18th July, 2020. Based on the  The state should make demand before
presentation of findings of the working paper the Central Government to release the
the discussion was initiated. The working paper pending fund.
provides an intensive analysis about the fiscal
situation of the state during COVID-19 Post Budget Consultation 2020-21:
pandemic. Analysis of state budget 2021-22 was done by
OBAC of CYSD and the prioritised sectors were
Key discussion points presented in a webinar “Budget priorities in
difficult times” organised on 25th February
 How does the State Fiscal Management 2021.
respond to the rising demand for
employment, livelihoods and social sector Key discussion points:
needs?  The COVID 29 pandemic & economic crisis
 Unemployment, hunger and malnutrition
 What sources (existing potential / innovative)  Under-resourced social sector
other than the present can help financing the  Negative growth for agricultural sector
budget?

The significant takeaways

 Decision on Budget censored should be
judiciously taken by the Government of
Odisha

 A close knit scrutiny is need of the hour
to come up with a clear picture
regarding need and urgency of human
resources at every sector of the state.

 The ongoing development projects and
the already declared vacancies should
not be taped up. Unlike other states, in
Odisha, an expert committee should be
set-up to decide about the sectoral
priority.

 Revenue loss is becoming rampant:
Alternative perspective needs to be

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 33

Skilling and
Youth Engagement

Skills and knowledge development are the efficiency of the informal sector work force. The
driving forces behind the financial growth and programme helped to increase the business
community development of a State. Skills are skills and the income of underemployed and
powerful tools that empower individuals and enhance the sector-wise knowledge of the
improve their social acceptance. At the same unemployed youths. It also helped the urban
time, skills need to be complemented by youths to expand their knowledge base and the
economic growth and employment women of the urban slum got a chance to relate
opportunities to be able to meet the rising with the outer world and empower themselves
aspirations of youth. The challenge lies not only and their community members as well.
in a huge quantitative expansion of facilities
for skills training, but also in raising their quality. During the training, apart from the domain and
sector-based learning, a great deal of focus was
CYSD envisages skills training as fundamental to placed on different life skills. Even on-job-
gainful employment and quality life of youth trainings were conducted in different outlets to
force. Keeping this in view, CYSD carries out a make the trainees understand the eco-system
broad spectrum of activities that are designed of the retail sector. Focus on lab-based training
to bridge the gap in the primary skilling and lab charts helped them to realize the work
landscape with a strong focus on the rural and culture.
urban youth.
As part of its skilling commitment, CYSD's “Skills
Skills for Life for Life” programme benefited a sizeable
number of unemployed slum youth by skilling
CYSD continued its 'Skills for Life' training and facilitating their engagement as tele-retail
programme in partnership with the Swades associates. The programme has skilled 300
Foundation with an aim to improve the youths like Pratyasa, who are now a great
productivity and production and enhance the strength of support to their families.

34

Women on Wheels (WoW)

While working to widen the livelihood options
for the poor and vulnerable, CYSD facilitated
the mainstreaming of urban poor women
through “Women on Wheels” – an initiative to
transform women as professional drivers to
claim their stake in the male dominated
commute system.

Pratyasa, a 19 year old girl lives in Saliasahi, the The 32 years Manorama stays in Patharabandha
biggest slum of the state, with her single slum of Bhubaneswar shouldering the earning
mother- who is a daily laborer and the only responsibilities for her family of six members.
earning person in her family- and a younger Her husband seldom has any income.
brother who studies in a local school. Pratyasa
had to say good-bye to her studies after her “I still remember the day, we defaulted in
higher secondary education due to the financial paying the rent, the house-owner warned us
crisis. However, she had always dreamt of seeing to leave the house” says Manorama with her
her brother pursuing higher studies. Now, the
skilled Pratyasha is a customer relationship grounded voice.
executive in TATWA Technologies with a decent
income of 10000 rupees per month. With this Women on Wheels is an initiative started in
income she is now shouldering her family association with Azad Foundation in Delhi to
responsibility. empower the resource-poor women and
transform them as professional drivers.
“I always wanted to be a support for my
family and this skill which I acquired has The skilled, trained and recognized Manorama
fulfilled my dream. Now I am living with has completed a year of her professional career.
dignity”, says Pratyasha with a sparkle in her She claimed ownership of the rented house
investing 50000 rupees – an amount she had
eyes. saved from her income. Her only aspiration is to
give quality life to her daughters. She has been
the inspiration for hundreds of such women who
have made up their minds to choose this non-
traditional livelihood.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 35

Being a unique programe, WoW was Laxmipriya Das, living in Balichandrapur of Jajpur
implemented with an aim to groom the district, has been an example in her locality.
resource-poor women and girls as professional After the completion of her intermediate degree,
chauffeurs and provide them with a sustainable she started working in a retail outlet. Life was
means of livelihood. good!! Unfortunately, like millions, COVID took-
away her employment and pushed her to a crisis
As a unique and well-designed programme, where she could not find a way-out for restoring
WoW is equipped with technical (On Road normalcy in her life and livelihoods.
Practice) and non-technical modules like
gender, VAW, spoken English, first aid and self- The skilled and trained Laxmipriya, now has 35
defense, etc. beds of paddy straw mushroom in a 7 days'
cycle.
This year, “Women on Wheels” helped build the
skills of 35 resource-poor women and girls like “I harvest nearly 20 Kg mushroom per week
Manorama, who is now a proud employee which gives me 2400 rupees. Last month I
driving a sanitation truck in Bhubaneswar
Municipal Corporation that forms a part of the earned 11000 rupees as profit. I wish I had at
flagship program “Mu Safeiwala” - the complete least 100 beds. I will make it happen !!”,
sanitation drive.
says Laxmipriya with a certain degree of pride in
The WoW programme helped break the gender her voice.
stereotypes and paved the way for a new era of
the resource poor women and girls of urban Laxmipriya is now a master trainer; she has
communities; increased the mobility of trained another 20 women of her village in
erstwhile shy women. Moreover, the community mushroom cultivation, and is widely known as
people are now open to allow their girls to go the Chattu Didi in her locality.
for non-technical job options.

Skilling-for-Livelihoods

Skilling-for-Livelihoods, a special
programme, was initiated by CYSD for the
Covid-19 impacted returnee migrants and
unemployed youth with the support of
Give India. The programme has skilled
around 2000 returnee migrants, like
Laxmipriya Das and Sushant Singh who
now earn their livelihoods in their villages;
the programme has in turn focused on
arresting distress migration.

36

Agri-Allied Livelihoods and Food Tikina Jena, a landless single mother, lost her
Security only source of income – a small beetle shop –
during the 2020 floods. It was getting hard to
CYSD's action has not only helped 2000 feed her only son of 8 years. The programme
returnee migrants to find alternate helped her discuss with the Panchayat and lease
livelihoods, but also helped the Jajpur a piece of cultivable waste land. With the input
flood victims to survive and fight back support she cultivated vegetables and harvested
their lost economy - through an 2 quintals fetching 5600 rupees.
emergency intervention - “Agri-allied
Livelihoods and Food Security Programme. “I can now speak to my sister who
This program helped 1468 farmers with is living in Surat. I bought a
input support, who lost their cultivation
and food stock during the devastating mobile of Rs. 1200 and invested
floods in Bari Block. the remaining amount on

The Agri-allied Livelihoods and Food rebuilding my shop again. I am
Security Programme in Bari Block of Jajpur now planning to take that land on
reached out to 13 panchayats bringing a lease for another 5 years so that
smile on more than 7000 faces.
I can matriculate my son,”
says aspiring Tikina

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 37

Disaster Mitigation
and Climate Change

Action

Starting from the Super Cyclone in 1999 until COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic:
the biological disaster of COVID-19 in 2020, all The Biological Disaster Response
through these years, CYSD has been persistently
making enormous endeavours to deal with After the cyclonic storms of Super Cyclone
emergencies of all kinds. As part of its varied 1999, Phailin in 2013 and FANI in 2019, the
efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic, the deadly biological
climate change, CYSD has been promoting the disaster, ever since in the history caused
practice of climate resilient models in gigantic loss to the humans in terms of lives
agriculture, adaption of SRI and SMI and livelihoods not only in India but also across
approaches, application of efficient water the globe.
conservation techniques in its tribal dominated
operational districts of South Odisha - Koraput, By the end of December 2020, COVID-
Malkanagiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur and 19 had infected over 82 million people
north Odisha - Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. The and killed more than 1.8 million
process also includes steps to train and develop worldwide. But preliminary estimates
community youth as 'Climate Change Warriors” suggest that the total number of global
who can stay alert and respond to any kind of “excess deaths” directly and indirectly
disaster situation. A great deal of emphasis attributable to COVID-19 in 2020
placed on helping people deal with the post- amounted to at least 3 million - about
disaster situations. 1.2 million higher than the official
figures reported by countries to WHO.

The unpredicted spread of the Covid-19 (first
wave) and the subsequent lockdown of the
entire country declared by the Central

38

Government and the Government of Odisha to Issues and Challenges Emerging
control its further outbreak created an out of the Covid-19 Pandemic
economic disorder in the lives of millions who
are part of the informal sector – not just daily During the early days of outbreak of the
wagers, but also the big economy workers. As Coronavirus, certain key issues and challenges
Odisha entered into the 4th phase of lockdown were identified both in tribal operational
after 17th May 2020, the socio-physical districts, like Koraput, Malkanagiri, Raygada,
isolation coupled with safe hygiene practices Nabarangpur, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj as well
seemed to be the only effective deterrent as in coastal districts through an initial
against the spread of the novel corona virus. assessment engaging community resource
persons / volunteers having access to their
Corona virus pandemic affected people's communities.
physical, emotional and financial health ever
since India recorded the first case on 30 January
2020. The livelihoods of wage earners, daily
labourers, smallholding farmers, construction
workers, migrant workers, domestic works,
service providers, rag pickers/scarp collectors,
street vendors, slum dwellers, differently-abled
persons, auto-rickshaw drivers, etc. in both rural
and urban areas were severely affected. People
became jobless due to strict adherence to the
Standard Operating Procedure during the
lockdown. Many of them were unpaid of their
dues and there was little hope that they could
earn anything for the next few weeks. These
vulnerable population groups found it very
difficult to cope with such an unusual crisis.
Each passing day people lived with little food or
without food while the news of sharp increases
in positive cases and deaths contributed to
further anxiety.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 39

 Daily wage labourers and migrant workers Key Strategies Adopted
returned in huge numbers to their native
places from different states thus adding Extensive awareness and support
pressure to the existing situation. through partners and other
Civil Society Organizations.
 A large segment of socio-economically poor
and distressed households in the operational Moderate coverage
areas including migrant labourers, physically with selective
challenged persons and households who had
remained left out from different government preventive measures.
schemes/ programmes, landless and women
headed households, and agricultural wage Intensive Coverage
labourers were likely to suffer a lot. with comprehensive and
sustainable interventions.
 Earning of day-to-day livelihood from NTFP
(Tamarind, Sal and Siali leaf, honey, hill grass, Guiding Principles
gums, etc.) collection, harvesting of summer To deal with the pandemic situation, CYSD
crops, and waged labour came to a grinding strategized and defined a set of guiding
halt. principles to ensure that:
 Local Governments (Gram Panchayat/ Urban
 People inhabiting the last mile were facing
lot of difficulties in accessing their daily Local Bodies) proactively respond to the
requirements and inputs relating to farm crisis;
activities, availing other services including  Community institutions including CBOs
the banking services. demonstrate collective leadership in
responding to the crisis;
 Seemingly, unending self-isolation was resulting  People are informed about their entitlements
in traumatic stress, confusion and anger. and easy access to those;
 No one is left behind - principles of
During the initial stage of the pandemic, similar transparency, equity and inclusion are
trends were noticed in the coastal districts of maintained;
Odisha, like Khurda, Cuttack, Jajpur, Kendrapara,  Livelihood of the tribal and rural poor is
and Puri. It was anticipated that the livelihoods protected and promoted;
of wage earners, daily labourers, construction  Advisories issued by the Government from
workers, migrant workers, domestic service time to time are adhered in all its actions.
providers, rag pickers/scarp collectors, street
vendors, slum dwellers, auto-rickshaw drivers,
transgender, etc. would be greatly affected. It
would be pertinent to mention here that
Khordha district was identified as the most
vulnerable district as Bhubaneswar city turned
into a Covid-19 hotspot with more than 46
positive cases then.

At this critical juncture, CYSD was determined to
play its role in supplementing the government
initiatives to fight the epidemic in all its
operational areas in Odisha State.
40

Reach out in Odisha Intensive Interventions

NABARANGPUR MAYURBHANJ With the government imposing stringent
KEONJHAR lockdown measures like restriction on physical
RAYAGADA movements and congregation to contain the
CUTACK deadly virus, as a short-term arrangement, it
KORAPUT KHURDA became essential to reach the poorest and
vulnerable sections to address their immediate
PURI livelihood requirements through a basket of
relief measures.
9 Districts
107 Gram Panchayats Survival Kits Support to Vulnerable
656 Villages Households:
274978 People
MALKANAGIRI

The responses of CYSD to the Covid-19 Survival kits containing dry food items and
pandemic were both intensive and extensive. other consumables were distributed to 5730
The intensive interventions included distribution vulnerable households including migrant
of survival kits (dry food items and other labourers, families dependent on NTFP
consumables); direct cash assistance; hygiene collection and socio-economically distressed
and health kits; and learning kits to children; households in six tribal districts of Odisha, like
facilitation of job demand under MGNREGS; Koraput, Rayagada, Malkanagiri, Nabarangpur,
establishment of market linkages to the Mayurbhanj and Kenonjhar.
smallholder farmers; setting up of virtual Citizen
Support Centres, dissemination of information Besides, 3700 most vulnerable slum dwellers
including advisories & entitlement packages; including domestic workers, dibyangas, rag
and organization of awareness generation pickers, rickshaw pullers and auto drivers living
campaigns with demonstrations and under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation
mobilization of community volunteers to supported with survival kits.
prevent the Coronavirus from further spreading
in their communities.

On the other hand, the extensive interventions
encompassed drone-based disinfection,
programme streamlining, entitlement
monitoring, establishing coordination with
neighborhood / resident welfare associations,
coordination with Civil Society Organizations
and sharing of grassroots feedback with the
Government.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 41

“I was working as an auto-rickshaw driver-cum- “There is no one to look after me in my family. I
electrician to earn the livelihoods of my family am alone. I came to know that the government
having 4 members. But, an electric shock relief of Rs. 2000/- had been transferred to my
accident 3 years back changed my life for Bank Account, but due to lockdown I could not
forever. During the Corona lock-down period, I go to the Bank to withdraw money. In this crisis,
was completely disheartened, as I had absolutely people from CYSD came to me with the relief kit
no source of income. containing rice, sugar, oil, suji, dal, soya bean,
etc. I can never forget their help and support.
I wonder, what would have happened if people They were really a saviour for me”, says Ira Jani
from CYSD had not lent me this much-needed from Kumbharguda village of Lima Gram
support in terms of food and hygiene kits. Now Panchayat in Kundura Block of Koraput.
this timely support has restored my belief in
humanity”, shared Debendra Chaudhury from class-VIII, 572 girls of Class-IX and 551 girls of
Patharband Slum of Bhubaneswar BMC area. Class-X) in Saharapada block (Keonjhar district)
and Takurmunda block (Mayurbhanj district) to
Learning Kits support to School Children: continue their secondary education in the
context of COVID-19. School teachers, PRI
Educational kits consisting of note books, members extended their support in the
drawing sheets, blank paper, pen, pencil, eraser, distribution process.
sketch pen, crayon, geometry box, story books,
etc. were distributed to 3556 children for
keeping them engaged in various learning
activities during the lockdown. More than 300
creative arts developed by the children have
been shared through WhatsApp with Mo Prativa
Programme jointly launched by Government of
Odisha and UNICEF.

Besides this, Education and Hygiene Kits were
supported to 1715 adolescent girls (592 girls of

42

Direct Cash Assistance to Daily Wage Earners Market Linkage Established for Producer
Groups:
Though not a great amount, an interim cash
assistance of Rs 5000/- per family was provided
to 139 daily labourers, fishermen, etc. through
bank transfer in Brahmagiri and Krushnaprasad
blocks of Puri district and Bhubaneswar Urban
Slums.

“The lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic had Initiatives were taken to create market linkages,
brought untold miseries in our lives. Even we in collaboration with Odisha Rural Development
were not allowed to go outside in search of daily and Marketing Society (ORMAS) and Odisha
wage earning. Last year the FANI had flown away Livelihood Mission (OLM), for 6025 members
everything. Now, before the Corona infects my (small and marginal farmers) of Producer
family, we would have died in starvation. But, Groups (PGs) in Koraput district resulting in a
CYSD's cash support of Rs. 5000/- to us through business turnover of INR 24, 55, 685/-.
bank transfer has given a ray of hope for survival
at this critical situation. Now we can have food Establishing Citizen Support Centre
materials to eat. Our sincere thanks to CYSD for
helping us to surpass this difficult time and A Citizen Support Centre (Jana Sahayata
survive till the situation improves”, says Kendra) set up in association with Health Bot,
Jyoshnabala Samal from Khati Sahi village of Aaina and Human Context, helped 942 affected
Krushnaprasad Block in Puri district. people by providing them with information
related to Covid-19, access to entitlements and
providing psychosocial counselling.

Health and Hygiene Kits distribution: While experienced professionals were providing
appropriate Covid-19 pandemic related
Sanitization Kits (soap, mask and sanitizer) have information, psychiatrists extended the
been supported to 14367 households both in counselling support.
rural and urban habitations - 6 tribal districts
and Bhubaneswar urban slums.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 43

Community Sensitization and Information girls from CYSD operational areas reached out
Dissemination: to the people through dissemination of
community videos developed by the girls'
The trained hygiene promoters, community mentors and IEC messages circulated among
volunteers and child club leaders, especially their peers, families and relatives for preventing
girls' mentors, working in the operational areas the outbreak of Coronavirus adopting a Child-
of CYSD stepped out of their homes and put to-Child approach. The child mentors used the
their best efforts towards preventing the spread social media platform like WhatsApp
of Corona virus in their community. They extensively.
created massive awareness among their group
members, peers, family and community Information including advisories on the
members and the relatives to combat the entitlement packages and other welfare
spread of the virus using digital platforms. packages declared by the Government were
Around 18000 children including 5000 young disseminated to 2,74,978 people through 2286
Gram Saathinis creating 6989 WhatsApp Groups
across 13 districts.

Awareness Programmes:

In order to supplement the activities of the
District and Block administrations of Koraput,
Nabarangpur, Malkangiri & Rayagada districts
in South Odisha and Mayurbhanj & Keonjhar in
North Odisha, around 720 community
awareness generation campaigns along with
demonstrations were organized focusing on the
significance of maintaining social distancing,
avoidance of public gatherings, hand wash
practice, use of face mask and the Do's and
Don'ts relating to Covid–19.

“We have developed small videos on how to
take precautionary measures and also explained
how to maintain social distancing, avoid public
gathering, stay at home, keep safe distance from
other people, catch up with friends and relatives
virtually instead of in person; using mobile
phone”, said 15 years old Sonali Suchismita, the
mentor of Rugudibeda Child Club,
Thakurmunda, Mayurbhanj.

44

'Laxmi'
a Silent Solider of Corona

Laxmi Mohanta, a 28 years old attitude through series of training the All India Radio, Cuttack and the
Directorate of Health and Family
community health worker put her programs that are now helping me Welfare, Government of Odisha.

best efforts to prevent the spread to deliver a wide range of services “I convey my sincere gratitude to
CYSD for building my capacity in
of the Coronavirus in the tribal as an active frontline soldier. As a terms of the skills and knowledge
required to facilitate the healthcare
village of Taramara in Thakurmunda community health worker (ASHA), I services, like adolescent health
care, social education, child health
Block, the operational area of CYSD have been doing a string of care, pregnancy care, administering
safe delivery, care of lactating
in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha. demanding jobs and have been mother, growth monitoring, public

Taramara being her own village, addressing the comprehensive

she was able to gather detailed health care needs of 202 families

information about people who with a population strength of

were home quarantined in the 1058.” The incidence of child and

village and others who could be maternal death in her village has

vulnerable to this deadly virus. reduced to zero. She has

The villagers say, “Laxmi has been significantly brought improvement health counselling, etc. I am now
with us as a pillar of strength and
great support for the 38 socio- in the health situation of the able to perform my duties in a
economically poor and distressed
families of our village; thanks for children, mothers, and adolescent more effective and impactful
the food kits and medicines she
supplied to us; our lives were girls in her village through intensive manner ensuring the safety and
saved”. During this pandemic, she
has been continuously conducting door-to-door awareness drives. security of the people of my
awareness programmes, educating
people especially the mothers and Laxmi has been recognised by the village”, says Laxmi proudly.
youth group members in the
community on social (physical) District Administration as the best Laxmi has been a great source of
distancing, washing of hands with
soap frequently and wearing of ASHA worker. Besides, she was inspiration for other health workers
facemasks while stepping out.
Besides, she was also engaged in awarded with a trophy and cash in the locality.
distribution of three months ration
to families, facilitation of prize of Rs. 2000/- for her
community kitchen, management
of the quarantine centres, and outstanding health service related
tracking of the migrant returnees
with the active support and knowledge in a State level Quiz
guidance of the Block
Administration and the Gram Competition organised jointly by
Panchayat.

Laxmi reflects, CYSD has inspired
and empowered me with
appropriate knowledge, skills and

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 45

Heroic Efforts of
Corona Fighter 'Kailash'

The sudden outbreak of Corona been able to purchase the food forward to help and worked in

made the world suffer in many items from the local market or haat. close association with the

ways; Odisha was no exception. The But, because of you, I could receive Panchayat functionaries,

pandemic made the lower strata of the much needed immediate Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and

the society particularly most support at my door step; this ASHA members in the said two

vulnerable. The poor people's food ensured my survival. God may bless Panchayats to finalize the

security completely turned haywire. you, my son!” beneficiaries list, venue and date of

In Koraput district, Kailash Patra, a In the middle of April CYSD distribution.

30 years young Community decided to distribute some survival “Since the outbreak of Corona, with

Resource Person, while delivering kits to the most vulnerable and the support and guidance of the

the relief materials (food items and socio-economically poor families in CYSD team, I have organized a

other essential commodities) to the 2 Gram Panchayats of Kundura number of awareness campaigns

and sensitized people through

demonstrations to practice hand

wash frequently, maintain social

(physical) distancing in public

places, like PDS distribution

centres, water fetching points,

MGNREGS work sites, community

kitchen centres, farm fields, etc.,

and to stay at home more often,

catch up with friends virtually

instead of in person”, says a proud

Kaliash.

poor and distressed families of block. However, identifying 100 Kailash, having matriculation
Kumbharguda village under 'poorest of the poor' families to education, was associated with
Kundura block, jointly supported whom it could provide the survival CYSD as an education volunteer
by CYSD & Ford Foundation, came kits was too difficult and full of initially for 3 years. And later since
across an old woman who with the challenges as there existed 20 2005 he has been involved as the
relief packet in hand and tears in hamlets with 8000 households, and Community Resource Person (CRP)
her eyes told him, CYSD had very limited physical in the Integrated Farming System
presence of staff members. (IFS) programme.
“I have received 3 months'
advance pension from the The heroic efforts put by hundreds
government under the old age of community resource persons like
pension scheme, but I have not Kailash helped in fighting the
Corona virus at the ground in a
more effective manner.

At this critical juncture, Kailash from
Jantaput village of Massigaon
Panchayat of Kundra Block came

46

Mobilization of Volunteers: In Koraput district, humanitarian support in the
form of survival kits were distributed by CYSD to
A total of 220 Community Volunteers were 2400 aspirational MGNREGS workers from eight
mobilized who closely worked with the operational blocks. Among those who received
Gram Panchayat in managing community the kits were many vulnerable migrant returnees.
kitchens, quarantine centres, PDS Laxmi Saunta from Kundura Block, a returnee
distribution points, and in creating job migrant, too received a dry food kit. While
demands for daily wage earners under the receiving the kit, she got to know that her
MGNREGS, identifying the poorest and Panchayat Office would be providing job
most-distressed households and opportunity to all valid job card holders under
distributing survival kits and hygiene kits the MGNREGS.
to them and learning kits to children.
“Being a job cardholder, immediately I applied
Job to Job Seekers under MGNREGS for labour work under MGNRGES at the
Panchayat Office. The food kit I received helped
The process to identify all potential me survive for seven days. In the meantime, I
jobseekers under MGNREGS included got job opening under MGNREGS to overcome
steps like community mobilization, distress till normalcy returned”, shared Laxmi
creation of job demand, and regular delightfully.
follow-up with the GP, Block and District
administrations. While about1400
potential job seekers were supported with
dry ratio kit, as many as 1826 job
cardholders were supported to raise job
demand under MGNREGA in 20
panchayats. Distribution of dry ration kits
in villages was done adhering to the strict
guidelines of the government and closely
involving the Block level Officials, PRI
members, Frontline Workers, CBOs, etc. in
the process.

Annual Report 2020-2021 | 47

MGNREGS could bring
a Ray of Hope for Job Seekers

amid Covid Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on the various projected works display of transparency board at
significantly impacted the life and
livelihood of Taramara villagers. In under MGNREGS and other the work site. Due emphasis was
the absence of job opportunity
people's basic needs, especially provisions available at work site. placed on the maintenance of
food, remained grossly unmet.
Taramara forms a part of the The orientation programmes also physical distancing, use of mask
Thakurmunda Block of Mayurbhanj
district wherein most of the dealt with the processes involved in and non-use of tobacco at the
households belong to tribal and
marginalized sections. the transfer of wage through banks. workplace. Besides, hand washing

Food relief apart, the Government An MGNREGS project started from with soap was ensured during the
of Odisha also declared unfolding the 4th of May 2020 for the food breaks and leisure times.

construction of the PWD road in In the first phase, just after the

Mankadia Basa of Taramara GP with completion of the project work, all

revised wage rates enhanced from job cardholders availed 12 days'

Rs.188 to Rs.207. All 130 job wages on time through bank

cardholders got work within 24 transfer and remaining 12 days'

of job opportunities to job card- days. So a total of 3120 man-days wage was processed in second

holders / returnee migrants were generated with expenditure of phase. “We are happy that we got

ensuring double human-days Rs. 645840. job opportunities at our door step

under MGNREGS. During the execution of work, CYSD and quite satisfied with the wage
programme team closely delivery process. The wage through
Around 130 job cardholders of monitored the process with help of MGNREGS work has brought a ray
Taramara demanded job under local CDWs, youth volunteers and of hope for the survival of our
MGNREGS with the facilitation project monitoring committee. The family during this crisis period,”
support of field volunteers and
Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS of team also ensured the availability shared Shanti Hansada, one of the
Taramara Panchayat. Also, the facilities like, drinking water, rest- job cardholders from Taramara.

community members were oriented shed, crèche for children and

48