Livelihood Enhancement

Livelihood Enhancement Program

Empowering communities through sustainable livelihood initiatives and skill development programs.

Skill Development Training

Hands-on training to enhance the skills for better income-generating opportunaty.

Community Support Initiatives

Programs designed to support Sabar communities in achieving economic sustainability.

Sustainable Practices

Promoting environmentally friendly practices for long-term livelihood enhancement.

Handicrafts

Kasi grass grows everywhere in Purulia and Bankura districts. This grass is quite tall, strong and flexible. The new leaves of date palm and kasi grass are soaked in hot water and then woven with special skill. The Sabar tribes make baskets with this grass and date leaves. They use these baskets for storing and transporting paddy, rice, vegetables etc. In the early eighties, Paschim Banga Kheria Sabar Kalyan Samity was inspired by Sabars’ craft and conceived a plan to transform it into a profession. Training camps commenced from 1983. They were taught to make interesting products like bags, hats, coasters, bowls, vases, trays, table mats, jewellery boxes etc. The project was a great success, after the training program the Sabars acquired technical skills. Today, Sabar Handicraft is one among the prominent handicrafts in West Bengal. This art continues to carry the identity and creativity of this primitive tribe. The Samiti is always striving for the development and commercialization of this art and artisans. Handicraft Items are displayed during the Sabar Mela. We also have a Handicraft center at our Rajnowagargh office, providing a dedicated space for the artisans to create their handicrafts and receive support and guidance. This center serves as a hub for fostering creativity, enhancing skills, and exploring new design ideas. The samity purchases the products from willing artisans and pays them upfront. These products are sold with help of well-wishers.

Pushti Bagan or Nutritional Kitchen Garden

Pusti Bagan, also known as the Nutritional Kitchen Garden, is an initiative undertaken by Paschim Banga Kheria Sabar Kalyan Samity (PBKSKS) to promote food diversity and improve the nutritional status of the Sabar community. This program focuses on the cultivation of fresh, organic vegetables in kitchen gardens established at Sabar hamlets, the Community Learning Centers (CLCs) and Anganwadi centers. The primary objective of Pusti Bagan is to ensure a diverse and nutritious diet for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young children. This not only improves the dietary diversity of the community but also contributes to better maternal and child health outcomes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the Sabar community was also affected from everywhere. They lost their job and returned home by walking on the road from many corners of India. Then with the support of APPI, we approached those migrant labours for kitchen gardens as a livelihood option during the pandemic 2020 there are 738 sabar families engaged with kitchen garden projects from the 6 blocks of Purulia district. Eggplant, tomato, chilli, ladies finger, beans, sim, barbati, cabbage etc. were grown. Besides, some fruit trees have been planted in every house. Saplings of mango, drumsticks growing throughout the year, papaya etc. have been provided. We got massive results from the marginal tribals. We also got an opportunity this year in 2021 and engaged 900 Sabar families in this project. Nevertheless, with the tireless and sincere efforts of all, we have passed this first step. The Sabor families involved in the project have also sold surplus vegetables in addition to meeting their needs. The work of making them interested in agriculture has been completed with training in the Kitchen Garden project. Sustainable Farming techniques in organic farming can push them toward a better way of livelihood.

Irrigation

Purulia is a most draught-prone district. The geological setup of the district has a great contribution in water scarcity as it constrains the ground water development. Second, the region gets erratic rainfall. The monsoon reaches late, it remains mostly dry in the summer season. On the other hand, late monsoon creates havoc. The climatic risks affect the water sources badly. The Samity has been trying its best to get at least one source of irrigation water in each village. Ponds were dug in several villages. We need more open wells, check dams, solar pumps etc. wherever feasible. 15 portable pumps deployed in each cluster as part of Kitchen Garden Project 2020 served most of the Sabar hamlets. A water committee was formed to oversee efficient use of the water pumps. Each cluster has been given a pump-set under supervision of the CRP member of that cluster. The villages got the pump in turn and irrigation in each village has been made possible. However, the villages having no water body could not take the advantage. The lack of irrigation forced several families to back out from the project.

Fishery

Sabar Samiti provides training regarding fishery for the commercial purpose to the group of people from the implementation villages. The objective of the fishery-livelihood enhancement project is to build capacities of Sabar tribe communities regarding diverse livelihood opportunities near their vicinity to improve household income and prevent migration as well as plight associated with it.

Animal husbandry

During the transition phase of civilization from absolute Nomadic life style, Sabar tribe community has been keeping livestock. However, it was meant for the domestic purpose. Sabar Samiti envisaged the commercial value of animal husbandry and initiated Goat farming at several villages for Sabar community to improve the household income. A group of people from Sabar community is trained in advanced low-cost goat forming techniques. Community is also made aware about the existing schemes and programs implemented by state government. Goat farming is also supplementary to the agricultural activities. Thus, spreading awareness, hand holding with public system and encouraging community participation found to be effective to enhance livelihood opportunities and thereby economic development of Sabar community.

Bamboo Broom making

Sabar Samity is implementing the rural income projects to generate income for the Sabars. One of those is bamboo broom making. 415 families benefited with the help of "Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiative" in 2021. We are looking for a sponsor to sustain this project.

Handicrafts Training: 1984

Pigery at Churkindi (Sargo): 2002

River lift irrigation at Boro: 2001

Akarbaid Check-dam: 2002

Broom products

Goat Farming