Every alternate year, farmers of Dulkhi village in the Nayagram C.D. block of Jhargram District, West Bengal lose their crops either due to heavy rainfall, hailstorms, or drought.

Most households depend on small-scale farming or foraging for firewood and Sal tree leaves from the forest. With less than an acre of agricultural land per household, the villagers struggle to secure their daily food needs. The cultivation of cereals, their primary crop, has been declining due to inadequate irrigation, terrace track erosion, and rugged topography.

Faced with the dire need to sustain their farms without reliable water sources, the U3 program on Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Food Sovereignty stepped in. Facilitating a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercise, the program helped the villagers collect crucial data about local resources. During the PRA, the community identified an old water channel that, though initially dug to divert forest water, had potential for irrigation.

A unanimous decision was taken to form an action group to check the feasibility of restoring and channelling this water for irrigation. Immediately fourteen villagers including men, women, and youth volunteered to restore this water channel for the village. The women members belong to the SHG group restrengthened under the U3 program. Equipped with tools and unwavering determination, they worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the channel. Their relentless efforts paid off when water began flowing freely, bringing life back to the fields. This revitalized water source enabled the cultivation of paddy on five acres of land, significantly boosting local food security.

The community’s volunteering commitment surpassed expectations. Guided by the Community Educator, the farmers pledged to abandon chemical fertilizers and pesticides, opting instead for organic manure and biopesticide methods. Recognizing the need for climate resilience, they selected traditional paddy varieties like Kali Champa and Mayur Pankhi, well-suited to the local environment. The restored water supply transformed 1.3 acres of barren land into thriving paddy fields.

For the first time, the village celebrated a communal harvest ceremony, marking a milestone of unity and shared prosperity. This initiative not only secured their livelihoods but also ensured a stable food supply for their families. The farmers frequently express their heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and the Community Educator, whose guidance and support have been instrumental in this transformation.

The success of this initiative stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration. The restored water channel has become a lifeline for 14 local farmers, enhancing their agricultural output and fostering a sense of unity. The U3 program’s emphasis on volunteering and community engagement has brought forth significant improvements in the livelihood of Dulkhi’s residents, steering them towards self-sustenance and resilience.

Caritas India’s U3 program aligns seamlessly with the organization’s Key Strategic Pillars: Empowering the community, improving community-led dialogues, mobilizing resources, and engaging volunteers to bring qualitative change for community sustenance. By integrating these pillars, the program has effectively built a foundation for sustainable change. The focus on climate-resilient agriculture ensures long-term food security, while community-driven initiatives foster resilience against environmental challenges. Moreover, the spirit of volunteerism cultivated within the community empowers individuals to take ownership of their development, creating a model of self-sustenance that can be replicated in other regions.

Dulkhi’s story is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community unites for a common cause. Through the U3 program, Caritas India is not only promoting climate-resilient agriculture but also building stronger, self-sustaining communities.