In order to increase the agriculture productivity and thereby improve income of tribal farmers, many initiatives are undertaken under Agriculture Diversification Project. The farmers are provided with high quality seeds and fertilizers along with training in modern agricultural practices. The funding provision is made through the Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Plan (SCA to TSP) and minimal contribution by the beneficiaries. The project is implemented through Agriculture Service Provider (ASP), and the administrative support and monitoring is done by D-SAG and Project Administrators in the field.
Crops covered under ADP include Maize, Bitter Gourd, Bottle gourd, Okra, Tomato & Brinjal. Under the project, kit comprising of seed & fertilizer are provided to the participating beneficiary farmers. Training regarding farming practices is also provided to the beneficiaries.
More than 11 Lakh beneficiaries have benefitted under the scheme. In 2021-22, more than 1.26. Lakh beneficiaries were provided with relevant assistance in cultivating maize and vegetables. As a result of these initiatives, vegetable production in South Gujarat and maize production in Central Gujarat has increased considerably. It has significantly improved the socio-economic condition of tribal population of Gujarat.
1.2 Wadi Development
Wadi project combines horticulture trees and woody trees, so as to produce agriculture crops, fuel and wood. The ‘Wadi’ system essentially covers managing fruit tree grown in the agriculture holding of the farmer. This is done along with maintaining forest trees as border planting and agriculture crops intercropped between two fruit trees.
The Wadi program is an initiative to make productive use of small holdings, and has proved to be very successful. The program has not only led to manifold increase in income from fruits, flowers and vegetables in tribal areas, but has also provided food security and reduce the drudgery of collecting fuel wood.
2. Emphasis on Quality Education & Higher Education
The literacy gap between the State and ST population reduced from 21.4% in 2001 to 15.5% in 2011 Census
The drop out rate of ST students (Std. 1-5) reduced from 3.24% in 2006-07 to 2.00% in 2013-14; and of Std. 1-7 from 10.29% to 6.91%
3. Gujarat Tribal Education Society/Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Society has been actively leading various initiatives for Tribal education :
8 EMRS Schools have scored 100% result in SSC board while 4 have scored 100 % results in HSC Board
EMRS Schools students opted professional course like Medical and Engineering - 4 students choose MBBS, 23 Engineering, 1 BHMS, 4 B. Pharm, 1 Air Hostess etc.
1 Students form EMRS School, Ahwa was selected to visit NASA, USA
In Sports event organized by Govt. of Gujarat EMRS students selected in different event, i.e. Khokho, Vollyboll, Judo, Archery etc at National Level as well as State level
Focussing on Nutrition among students, new concept of Kitchen Garden has been introduced in 21 Schools
4. Economic Development
Accelerated Economic Development of tribal areas, Proper Market and Value Addition to the traditional products. Rurban Growth Centre, APMC, Cold Storages, Eastern HighwayDevelopment of Eco Tourism Centres, Establishment of Haat bazars, MFPH
5. Health
As with other basic services, access to quality health facilities, too have eluded tribal communities due to their distant, difficult and sparsely populated terrain. The State Government, with the 10-Point Programme has identified three key areas through which it aims to make significant difference in the health standards of the ST Population. These areas are related to accessibility of medical services, combating endemic diseases and reduction in the level of malnutrition.
6. Housing
With a vision of housing provision for all the tribal communities, more than 4.48 lakh tribal persons were assisted under various Central and State level Housing Scheme like Indira Aawas Yojana, Sardar Awas Yojana, individual housing, etc. The housing development initiative is undertaken in collaboration of Tribal Development Department, Rural Development Department and Panchayat Department
7. Drinking Water
Providing water supply at the door step of every tribal household is essential in to improve the quality of life. Most of the tribal areas are characterised by hilly terrain, rocky sub strata and presence of forest on large chunks which makes the problem of supplying safe drinking water difficult. Water Supply and Sanitation Department through various water supply schemes viz, Individual or group piped water supply schemes, Hand Pumps are constructed to provide drinking water supply facility in tribal areas. Community Managed in-village water supply schemes , Roof Rain Water Harvesting and house hold connectivity are taken in rural areas of tribal by Water and Sanitation Management Organization (WASMO). More than Eight lakhs Fifty Thousand beneficiaries have been provided tap drinking water facilities to their household. It has significantly improved the quality of life of the tribal people.
Major part of tribal population is living scattered and hand pump is the only solution to provide water to tribal as per the requirement. Mini pipe water supply schemes comprising of installation of single phase power pump on 165 mm dia bore, storage tank of 10,000 litres and distribution of water on stand post are taken up.
The Water Supply Department is implementing Mini Water Supply Scheme in tribal districts. The mini pipeline schemes are developed habitation wise. The highest point is selected for the storage tank and water is directly pumped into tank from the source which is further supplied to the household through gravity. Entire habitation is connected with household tap facility.
Mini pipe water supply schemes has already covered more than 1200 villages and more than 10,000 electric power based connections have been made and around 440 solar power based connections have been installed in the tribal areas.
8. Irrigation
Most of the Tribal population are engaged in agricultural for livelihood, therefore, improvement in irrigation facilities act as a special booster for them. Greater focus on group wells and lift irrigation based check dams is needed in order to support agriculture in tribal areas and reduce dependence on monsoon for irrigation. Irrigation related interventions undertaken include development of Canal, Check Dams, Ponds, and Lift Irrigation. Improved irrigation facilities have significantly improved the economic condition of tribal farmers of Gujarat through improvement in the agriculture produce.
In tribal areas lift irrigation is the most appropriate technology due to the undulating topography of the region. Water Resource Department is actively working for promoting Lift Irrigation System in tribal areas At present, the Water Resource Department has installed more than 900 Lift Irrigation covering an area of approx. 40,000 Ha. It has significantly improved the economic condition of tribal population of Gujarat.
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