A family in Odisha rebuilds their lives after a tragic accident, using community support to start a small shop that restores their livelihood, dignity, and hope.
A Better Tomorrow
Stories, Practices, and Solutions
The pulveriser provides a reliable source of income, and with better access to water, Babulal’s farmland holds new possibilities.
The Ekka family’s income has increased by at least 20 percent since they decided to plant mango saplings, interspersed with seasonal vegetables.
For Saroj Devi, multilayer farming marked a turning point in her farming career, ultimately providing a stable and diverse source of food for her family and the community.
By combining scientific watershed management with local knowledge, WOTR introduced practical solutions to enhance water availability and livelihoods.
In Odisha’s Gajapati and Rayagada districts, where water scarcity and erratic rainfall have long posed challenges, the Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) implemented a transformative climate resilience project, supported by Andheri Hilfe.
This case study highlights the journey of Eta Bai Rathod from Kangti Mandal, in Sangareddy district, exemplifying how targeted interventions can improve livelihoods through sustainable agricultural practices. Eta Bai’s story illustrates the convergence of water management, crop diversification, and institutional support—strategies critical for addressing India’s agrarian challenges.
Suraj Lal turned his carpentry passion into a business, crafting furniture for his village with WOTR and AHB’s support. Similarly, Bir Singh and his team in Dungripara built a successful construction enterprise, creating a path to self-sufficiency.
Sunita Jadhav from Bhandar Kumtha village, once struggling with daily wages, found new hope through goat rearing with support from Wells Fargo and WOTR. This venture provided her family financial stability, allowing her to earn a significant income and construct a shed for the goats’ safety.
In Kherda village, Vijaykumar and Sagarbai Kundgir exemplify resilience, transforming their small farm through vermicomposting to boost yields and earnings, while ensuring their children receive a quality education. Supported by Wells Fargo and WOTR, they increased their soybean yield and profits significantly.
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When unsafe drinking water became a daily health risk, a clean borewell in an Odisha village brought relief, dignity, and a return to healthier lives.
Community-led solar irrigation in Padardi Village boosting crop yields, enhancing household incomes, empowering women, and driving climate-resilient, sustainable rural development in Rajasthan.
A reflection on WOTR’s 32-year journey translating grassroot watershed and climate resilience practice & research into state and national policies.
Monocropping’s long-term impacts on soil, pests, and farmer incomes are explored through insights from Nitin Kumbhar, highlighting sustainable alternatives, diversification strategies, and pathways to climate-resilient agriculture in India.
A family in Odisha rebuilds their lives after a tragic accident, using community support to start a small shop that restores their livelihood, dignity, and hope.
A glimpse into the cultural practices and land-based traditions of tribal communities in WOTR’s project regions.
Drawing from work with smallholder farmers—from Kumbharwadi in Maharashtra to Madaul in Odisha—WOTR has contributed key experiences, insights, and evidence to the Stories of Resilience 2025, a publication launched by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil.
How can smallholders farm fish while safeguarding their local ecosystems? One promising answer lies in farm ponds.