Agriculture is frequently impacted by Climate Change. A significant decline is observed in agricultural production caused by the climate emergency, leading to an increase in food prices over the past ten years.

Chhattisgarh, where 1/3 of its population living below the poverty line, is an example of a low-income state affected by the climate crisis. The state’s economy is characterised by low investment, low productivity, insufficient irrigation facilities, and small and marginal land holdings. Unirrigated land accounts for 92% of total cultivated land. The state’s cultivable land resources have a high potential for increased production.

The dream of socio–economic empowerment of women will not be complete without empowering those who are living at the last periphery. Women in India start their day before sunrise and continue after sunset. These are the women whose voices are often unheard owing to their gender, and who are struggling to establish their identity at a grassroots level due to patriarchal traditions and gender socialization. Women’s work in agriculture is in addition to her role as a wife, daughter-in-law and mother.

Caritas India Gram Nirman Programme has taken efforts to empower these women by collectivising to improve their socio-economic status. Supported by Caritas Australia in 11 districts across Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh in response to a perceived need in the agricultural sector. The programme works toward strengthening local rural economies through small-scale integrated farming systems, Agri-markets, and income generation.

Monica SHG from Bagicha block of Jashpur district was engaged with the programme since 2021. They were limited to their own family premises until they began participating in Gram Nirman meetings and training programs organized in their village ‘Ubka’. They now actively participate in all training and meetings organized by the Gram Nirman programme.

Not a lot, but it was surprising what these women members achieved together. They are now selling their vegetables in the local market and saving profit. The SHG have a bank account which has reduced their dependency on money lenders. The member of the SHG is saving more than what they used to do earlier. They feel great that with all knowledge they acquired, they are now collectively growing vegetables on their own land and have ensured the nutrition of their own children and family members.

 The satisfaction and happiness on these faces prove that real development is happening in real places. The SHG also operate a small rice mill enterprise which was supported with a weighing machine, containers, and sacks for carrying and storing by Gram Nirman. This added value to their small village-level enterprise, and they hope to get more orders from people and increase their income. They save their profit in their common bank account. The members of Monica SHG experience financial & social independence and have gained dignity in their community which inspires other SHG groups. They are now in the process to raise a community nursery with support from Caritas India