This project was designed to cater to the needs of the Lodha people in the village of Chemcheta in the Mankadapada Gram Panchayat in India. The community lives mainly from jungle produce, hunting and wood collection, which has become difficult due to pressure from the forest department.

After a meeting at the Anwesana office (CRN's partner organisation), a kitchen garden concept was designed as it takes into account the lifestyle of the Lodha people and is seen as helpful.

The village of Chemcheta has fertile land on which healthy vegetables and fruit can be grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides. This has already been proven by the sweet and delicious aubergines that used to be grown by the low-income inhabitants.

The project, inspired by the Kitchen Garden Project, aims to improve the lives of the Lodha tribal community. By implementing the kitchen garden concept, residents can not only earn an income, but also reduce malnutrition by growing healthy vegetables and fruit. This project makes it possible to utilise the knowledge of vegetable cultivation and its nutritious values.

Support from our local partner organisation, through public meetings, training and the provision of seed kits, has helped the Lodha families to establish successful kitchen gardens.