The document summarizes a DBI (Decentralized Bulk Irrigation) project implemented by RCDC (an organization focused on community development) to improve livelihoods in rural villages. The project provided irrigation to 180 households across 4 villages, benefiting 293 acres of farmland. Challenges included opposition from influential farmers, political conflicts, legal issues using forest land, and difficult excavation conditions. Through community participation and strong local institutions, the project overcame obstacles to successfully implement irrigation infrastructure. This enhanced agricultural productivity and strengthened livelihoods for marginalized communities in the region.

1. DBI AND
LIVELIHOOD
A BRIEF PRESENTATION

2. OUR ORGANIZATION
• RCDC is engaged as a Facilitator to promote community based
NRM systems and processes since1993.
• Vision: Rights recognized - resources owned - poverty is past.
• Mission: To play a facilitative role in the struggle for rights of the poor
and marginalized over resources, opportunities, institutions and
processes.
• Our focus on action research, policy, advocacy and implementation
of field projects on local self governance, livelihoods, CCA and DRR.
• The Team: The organization has a team of processionals from
different disciplines and also a highly motivated team of
development workers to design and implement the programs and
projects in 1035 villages of 14 Districts with a team of 85 Staff and

3.  Gandhamardan Hill Area
 Treasury of Medicinal Plants and
eceological hotspot
 22 streams
 Total nos of DBI project- 4 ( completed
-3, under progress-1)
 56% tribal communities
 Total command area: 303 Acr
 Total beneficiaries: 180 HH
 Total sanctioned budget:1892000/-
 Community contribution: 240000/-
 Cost per Acre: 6244/-

4. THE PROJECT
PROJECT OBJECTIVE:
• To provide assured source of irrigation to the
un-irrigated uplands of poor and marginalized
farmers.
• To provide irrigation to Kharif crops and
irrigation to Rabi and Summer crops.
• To enhance and strengthen livelihood
portfolios of the local communities through
supporting improvement in farm lands, in-situ
moisture conservation and better agricultural
practices.
• Empowering the farmers, especially the
tribals to enhance their food security, to
increase their income and help in the overall
improvement of their livelihood issues
• Strengthen Institutional capacity of PRI and
Government agencies.
Dudumdarah an eco sensitive area
popular for Dudum Fish & Brahmi
Medicinal Plant

5. INFORMATION AT A GLANCE
Name of the
village
Command
Area
in Acre
Summer in
Acre
Kharif in
Acre
Rabi in
Acre
Families
covered
Total
Project
Cost
Contribution Cost per Acre
without
contribution
Mahulpali 85 30 85 60 23 455,500 240,000 5358.8
Nuapali 78 20 78 40 35 425,500 5455.1
Dudumdarah 80 15 80 30 76 538,000 6725.0
Bhadkibhata 60 - 50 10 46 473,000 7883.3
303 65 293 140 180 1892000 240,000 6244.2

6. PROCESS OF THE
IMPLEMENTATION
Meeting with DFF & GSAC selection of
village
Preliminary Survey
Formation of WUG and net working with
DFF & GSAC
Preparation of Social map, Resource
map, water management plan, crop
plan, Dumpy level survey and GPS map etc
using PRA tool.
Submission of community claim under FRA
Excavation of pipe line and Pipe Fitting
Community members preparing water management
Concept sharing with villagers, Gram
Panchayat, Govt Officials & identification
of different issues & peoples contribution.
Use of water and other activities

7. COMMUNITY INSTITUTIONS AROUND
DBI
 Revival of Gandhamardan Surakhya Action Committee.
 Gujerpali (rotation of traditional weapon) by villagers to
protect the forest and water catchment area.
 Formation of water user group.
 Identification of eco-sensitive zones and development
of management plan to restore the threatened species.
 Revival of Forest Right Committees.
 Community claims submitted under section 3(1) and
3(2) of FRA.
 Monitoring committee formed in three villages.
 Recruitment of volunteers
 Stocks list maintained
 Labour contribution record maintained
 Conflicts are resolved by the committee at village level.

8. AGRICULTURAL
INTERVENTIONS
 Crop plan and Water management plan developed at the community level
 Orientation on SRI, Organic Farming and Natural Pest Management (NPM)
 Demonstration of SRI by 18 of farmers in 22 acres through supply of 2 nos of
SRI tools in each project village ( marker, weeder, sprayer, puddler, winder and
seed kits)
 Gurji cultivated in 20 acres by 15 farmers.
 Sunflower cultivated in 9 acres.
 Mixed farming being adopted by 32 farmers.
 MGNREGA plan developed and approved in Gram Sabha on agriculture
related works like Nadep Composting, Vermin Compost, organic manure and
azolla.
 Linkages with other line departments for agriculture related works.
 Provided five no’s saplings of fruit and vegetable (lemon, mango, papaya,
banana and drum stick) for nutritious intake to 78 families.
 Supported 6 farmers with 2000/- for establishing vermin compost unit.
 To manage pest incidences naturally 15 farmers were supported with 1000/-

9. CHALLENGES FACED
 Big farmers and vested interest groups misguided the marginal and
small farmers.
 Panchayat Election developed political groupism among the villagers.
 Legal issues regarding conversion of forest land in non forestry
activities
 Forest Conservation act 1980
 Forest Conservation rules 2003
 Community Contribution for excavation with the help of contribution of
labourers
 Excavation through the hilly region was extremely difficult and
conditions were perpetuated due hard rock and stones.
 NTFP dependency in the region was a major hindrance during the
excavation as almost all the forest dwelling communities depended on
NTFP for livelihood.
 Heavy rainfall affected the pipe line during excavation.
 Developing the self confidence of villagers was extremely difficult and
they felt hard to believe that without electricity diverting water for
irrigation and even questioned on longevity.

10. LEARNING
 DBI- the new experience for RCDC towards livelihood
enhancement of community
 Strong institution backed with proper mobilisation in regular
interval leaves rumour with no room.
 Regular interaction and participation in Gram Sabha helped to
build up good rapport with PRI members.
 Used FRA and notifications as a potential tool to claim over the
forest land by the community for implementation of DBI project.
 Regular follow up by community (memorandums, interface)
 Display board helped on transparency of the DBI programme
 Constructive engagement with the Forest department enabled
for execution of the project even in the Reserve Forest area.
 Direct involvement of community in all aspects of the execution
of project resulted in confidence building and thus
achievements.
 Community ownership emerged on DBI programme

11. DBI project: The Processes and steps

12. Technical Survey &
Pipe fitting

13. Smile came after the DBI:
Change in Agriculture

14. Thanking
You…
Waiting for Feedback and
recommendations to
serve the community
better