Programme Design Document
Included in the Grant Agreement (To be finalized between the organization and Grant
Manager during the grant proposal conversation)
Name of the Organization: Gramin Bharti Sewa Sanstha
Context
1. Identifying the core issues and vulnerability
Small and marginal farmers in Khunti, Jharkhand, confront considerable economic hurdles due
to low agricultural production, soil erosion, and restricted access to modern farming practices.
Many farmers use traditional agricultural practices, which result in low yields, fluctuating
earnings, and susceptibility to climate change. The lack of diversified economic alternatives
exacerbates rural poverty, leading many farmers to relocate in pursuit of new livelihoods.
To solve these issues, Gramin Bharti Sewa Sanstha (GBSS) is working in Gunguniya village
(Dumargadi Gram Panchayat, Karra block, Khunti district, Jharkhand) to promote sustainable
farming techniques and alternative revenue streams.
a. Baseline Situation and Need for Intervention
According to the pre-baseline survey conducted by our team, the villages of Guguniya
Dumargri, Sahilog and Pahartoli are predominantly inhabited by the Oraon tribe, one of the
prominent tribal communities of Jharkhand. A majority of the population relies on conventional
agriculture and animal husbandry for their livelihood. The average landholding per household is
2.5 acres, with farmers primarily cultivating grains such as paddy, wheat, and maize, along with
vegetables like tomato, potato, garlic, and peas for both consumption and sale in local markets.
However, due to low awareness and limited market linkages, cash crop cultivation is almost
absent, restricting income growth. The annual earnings from agriculture range between ₹12,000
to ₹20,000, which are often insufficient to meet household needs. This shortfall is supplemented
by daily wage labor and seasonal migration to Ranchi and other states during the non-
agriculture period.
The average family size is six members, with poor literacy rates and inadequate healthcare
facilities further impacting socio-economic development. Although Guguniya benefits from wells
and rivers for irrigation and Dumargri from wells and canals, the potential for year-round
vegetable cultivation and livestock rearing, especially backyard poultry, remains largely
untapped. Livestock, particularly Black Bengal goats and desi chickens, serve as an additional
income source, though primarily for subsistence.
Given these conditions, there is a clear need for intervention to diversify livelihoods and
enhance economic stability in the region. By introducing modern agricultural techniques,
improving irrigation use, and strengthening market connections, farmers in Guguniya, Sahilog,
Pahartoli, and Dumargri can significantly increase their productivity and income levels. Targeted
support in these areas can transform traditional farming practices into sustainable, profitable
enterprises, fostering long-term socio-economic development for the Oraon tribal community.
b. N/A
Goal
The goal of the proposed program is to improve the livelihoods of farmers by reaching 50-60
households across 4 villages in the Karra block of Khunti district, Jharkhand. The program aims
to enhance productivity, income, and sustainability while reducing dependence on chemicals
and seasonal migration through targeted interventions and support.
Programme history
1.
Yes.
Gramin Bharti Sewa Sanstha (GBSS) has been actively addressing agricultural challenges in
Gunguniya Village over the past three years, demonstrating a commitment to transforming rural
livelihoods. The organization has implemented a series of strategic interventions aimed at
enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting income diversification. Our approach includes
providing comprehensive training and knowledge transfer, followed by field demonstrations to
ensure practical understanding. After the training, we offer continuous hand-holding support to
farmers, helping them implement the practices effectively and address any challenges they
face. This sustained engagement aims to empower farmers with the skills and confidence
needed for long-term agricultural success.
2. Work done in the proposed geography
● Training and Demonstration: Farmers received comprehensive training in the trellis
method of cultivation, line sowing techniques, and the Package of Practices (POP) for
sustainable agriculture.
● Trellis Method of Cultivation: Vertical farming structures were utilized to grow a variety
of crops, including bitter gourd, millets, bottle gourd, cowpea, snake gourd, sponge
gourd, lima beans, and cucumber (Larang Val), optimizing land use and increasing
yields.
● Ground Crops: Ginger, greens (saag), and coriander were cultivated alongside trellis
farming, adding diversity and nutritional value to farming practices.
● Commercial farming (Vegetables): Farmers were encouraged to engage in high-value
vegetable farming, with crops such as tomato, brinjal, cauliflower, and chili grown
specifically for commercial markets, enhancing household incomes.
● Pesticide and Insecticide Management: Specialized training sessions focused on the
safe and effective use of pest management techniques, helping farmers protect their
crops and reduce losses sustainably.
● Organic manure: Farmers were trained to prepare organic liquid manure like
Jeevamrutha, Panchagavya, Beejamrutha, and few more.
● Mushroom production: Various training programmes were conducted with small and
marginal farmers in oyster mushroom production. Raw materials during the initial phase
were also distributed among the farmers to encourage them to start the production.
This hands-on, continuous engagement has yielded positive results, significantly improving both
agricultural productivity and economic stability for the farming community. The proven success
of these initiatives provides a strong foundation for scaling up and replicating similar livelihood
enhancement programs in Guguniya, Dumargri, and beyond.
Why We Want to Continue Working There
Our continued work in Gunguniya and Dumargri is driven by the tangible impact we have
already achieved. During our intervention, we successfully helped farmers increase their annual
income by approximately ₹30,000 through the adoption of Machan Kheti and commercial
vegetable cultivation, supported by the proper implementation of the Package of Practices
(POP). Additionally, we observed that farmers who engaged in early or late-season vegetable
production experienced a noticeable boost in earnings due to higher market prices during off-
peak seasons.
This success has inspired us to extend our support to a larger number of farmers, with the aim
of replicating and amplifying these income gains. By expanding our reach, we seek to create a
sustainable ecosystem of agricultural growth, ensuring that more farming households can
benefit from modern techniques, improved market access, and year-round livelihood
opportunities.
The Difference We Aim to Create Now
Building on our past successes, we now aim to create a more transformative and lasting impact
by shifting from isolated pilot interventions to a comprehensive, community-led model of
agricultural development. Our goal is to empower farmers not just to adopt modern techniques,
but to become champions of sustainable agriculture and rural entrepreneurship.
Through this initiative, GBSS aims to:
● Scale up modern agricultural techniques – Expanding the adoption of Trellis Method
(Machaan Vidhi), mulching, intercropping, and drip irrigation to enhance productivity,
optimize land use, and improve water efficiency, making farming more climate-resilient
and profitable.
● Strengthen non-farm livelihood opportunities – Focusing on mushroom cultivation and
food processing to create alternative income sources beyond traditional agriculture,
particularly benefiting women and rural youth.
● Enhance market linkages – Establishing direct connections with institutional buyers,
farmer collectives, and local markets to help farmers access fair prices, reduce
dependency on middlemen, and increase profitability.
● Provide structured training programs and ongoing mentorship – Moving beyond one-time
training to implement a continuous learning and mentorship model, ensuring farmers
receive hands-on support, technical guidance, and exposure to best practices for long-
term skill development and adoption.
Sl Indicator Description Expected Output
No.
1. Technology Proportion of farmers applying newly 55 - 60 %
Adoption Rate introduced farming techniques such as Farmer will expected to
trellis method (Machaan Vidhi), mulching, adopt new technology
intercropping, drip irrigation, etc. to based farming practices
enhance productivity, optimize land use,
and improve water efficiency, making
farming more climate-resilient and
profitable.
2. Farm Productivity Change in farm output per acre after 28 - 30 % yield is
Index training expected to increase
from hitherto statistics.
3. Income Change Increase in farm income due to various 30- 40 % increase in
per Farmer livelihood interventions annual income of
farmers are expected to
be improved.
4 Gender Percentage of women farmers trained and 30 - 35 % of women are
Inclusivity in adopting new techniques. expected to adopt new
Training techniques.
5 Seasonal Reducing seasonal migration by ensuring 20 % decrease in
migration year round income. seasonal migration rate
of the proposed area of
work.
Moreover, we seek to strengthen climate resilience by integrating water-efficient farming
practices, promoting soil health management, and encouraging crop diversification. Through
continuous training, mentorship, and market linkages, we intend to build a self-sustaining
agricultural economy that increases food security, and improves the overall quality of life for
farming communities in Gunguniya, Dumargari, and beyond.
In addition, by promoting year-round farming through efficient irrigation systems, crop rotation,
and sustainable soil management practices, we aim to reduce seasonal migration, allowing
families to secure a stable livelihood without needing to leave their villages in search of work.
This holistic approach will create long-term socio-economic transformation, positioning
Gunguniya, Dumargri. Sahilong and Pahar Toli as thriving examples of rural prosperity.
Effects
The proposed livelihood enhancement programme by Gramin Bharti Sewa Sanstha (GBSS) will
bring tangible improvements in the lives of small and marginal farmers in Gunguniya,
Dumargari, Sahilong and Pahar Toli villages of Karra block, Khunti district, Jharkhand. The
programme will increase agricultural productivity, improve income stability, and promote non-
farm livelihood opportunities, ensuring sustainable economic resilience for farming households.
Key Outcomes and What will be achieved? How will it be
Expected measured?
Achievements
Improved Agricultural ● Adoption of ● Pre- and post-
Productivity and Yield scientific farming program yield
Enhancement techniques like the assessments
Trellis Method (increased
(Machaan Vidhi), production per
line sowing, acre).
mulching, and ● Number of farmers
intercropping to trained and
optimize land use. adopting
● Increased crop sustainable
yields by at least techniques.
28-30% through ● Percentage
better resource reduction in
utilization and soil dependence on
management. chemical
● Improved soil fertilizers.
fertility through
judicious use of
chemical
fertilizers, organic
manure production
and composting
practices.
Increased Farmer ● Diversified income ● Annual income
Incomes and Economic sources through tracking of
Stability mushroom beneficiary
cultivation, food households.
processing, and ● Number of farmers
value-addition engaged in farm
activities. and non-farm
● Increased income-generating
household activities.
incomes by 30- ● Reduction in
40% by improving seasonal migration
agricultural patterns among
returns, diverse farmers by
livelihood, and analyzing the year-
other non-farm round engagement
income of the farmers.
opportunities.
● Reduced farmer
migration by
ensuring stable
local employment
and business
opportunities.
Enhanced Knowledge ● Farmers trained in ● Number of training
and Capacity of Farmers modern sessions and
agricultural workshops
methods and conducted.
business ● Number of farmers
management successfully
skills. adopting new
● Creation of self- techniques.
sustaining farmer ● Formation of
groups for active farmer
collective farming groups or
and better market cooperatives.
access.
● Strengthening
local farmer
networks for peer-
to-peer learning
and resource
sharing.
Strengthened Market ● Better market ● Number of farmers
Access and Value Chain linkages for farm directly selling to
Development produce, reducing buyers at better
dependency on prices.
middlemen. ● Increase in market
● Improved pricing price realization for
for farmers key agricultural
through direct products.
access to ● Reduction in post-
wholesale buyers harvest losses
and food through better crop
processing management and
industries. handling.
Long-Term ● Farmers become ● Number of farmers
Sustainability and self-reliant and continuing
Community independent in sustainable
Empowerment managing their practices after
agricultural project completion.
enterprises. ● Increase in women
● Reduction in and youth
climate participation in
vulnerability farming and allied
through activities.
sustainable ● Community-led
farming methods. expansion of
● Women and youth livelihood
engagement in interventions
income-generating beyond the initial
activities like villages.
mushroom farming
and food
processing.
Key Interventions
key interventions proposed in the program
1. Improvement of Agriculture and ● Selection of farmers for project
Horticulture Practices: intervention.
● Conducting Baseline, Midline, and
Endline Surveys.
● Analyzing season-wise production and
income data for each farmer.
● Developing a comprehensive, season-
wise agriculture development plan for
selected farmers.
2. Farmer Training and Capacity ● Providing training on improved
Building: farming practices.
● Organizing exposure visits for farmers
to learn from best practices.
● Creating demonstration plots with at
least 20% of participating farmers.
● Demonstrating key models, such as
nursery management, line sowing,
mulching, and trellis preparation.
3. Access to Resources and Support: ● Linking farmers with suppliers of high-
quality agricultural inputs.
● Offering marketing linkage support to
facilitate better access to markets.
● Providing technical guidance to
farmers for successful production.
4. Promoting Sustainable Farming ● Conducting training sessions on
Practices: mixed cropping techniques to
enhance farm productivity and
sustainability.
People Involved
[Link] Position No. of Position Responsibility Reporting to
Project Manager 1 Overall Incharge Secretary of the
of the Project Organization
will be
responsible for
Project planning,
Quality
implementation
of the project,
reporting,
documentation
and
Administrative
work. Share
report other
document
preparation to
full fill the
Project.
2. Accountant 1 Responsible for Project Manager
accounting,
Documentation
of bill, Brochure,
Document
Finance related
document ,
Documentation
of expenses
including
intervention
expenses, Office
& Administrative
expenses , All
type of
document
related to the
Project
Intervention
3. Field Coordinator 4 Responsible for Project Manager
all types of work
at Field level ,
Including
Demonstration,
Hand Holding
Support and
Monitoring of
field level work.
