Deogarh
NGO in Deogarh
Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme (OPELIP)
In Deogarh district, IRDMS has implemented the Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme (OPELIP) with a focus on enhancing the livelihoods and well-being of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The programme emphasizes an integrated approach covering sustainable agriculture, livestock promotion, nutritional security, community infrastructure development, and capacity building of grassroots institutions such as Village Development Committees (VDCs). Collective marketing and micro-enterprise development are also key components, aimed at creating sustainable income streams and reducing economic vulnerability among PVTG households.
REWARD Watershed Project
IRDMS has played a key role in implementing the REWARD (Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development) project in Deogarh district. Supported by the World Bank and implemented under the aegis of the Directorate of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development, Government of Odisha, this initiative primarily functions as a capacity-building programme for watershed stakeholders. The project focuses on strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of local watershed committees, Water User Associations (WUAs), and Pani Panchayats to promote participatory irrigation management and sustainable natural resource governance. Through targeted training, awareness generation, and skill enhancement, the programme seeks to empower these stakeholders to effectively manage soil and water conservation activities—including contour bunding, check dams, farm ponds, and afforestation—in their respective watershed areas. By enhancing the capabilities of community institutions, the REWARD project aims to foster equitable and efficient water distribution, support the restoration of degraded natural resources, and contribute to increased agricultural productivity and climate resilience among rural communities in Deogarh.
Skill Development Training Programmes
To complement livelihood enhancement efforts, IRDMS conducts specialized skill development training in Deogarh district, targeting youth and the rural workforce. Key training modules include:
• Power Tiller Operator Training
This programme equips participants with practical skills to operate and maintain power tillers, facilitating the adoption of mechanized agriculture and expanding employment opportunities in rural areas.
Funded by the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA) under the Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA), these training initiatives are designed to build market-relevant capacities that enable trainees to pursue self-employment or wage employment. This approach supports the diversification of rural livelihoods and strengthens economic resilience within the community.