Victor Vashum
As I reflect to the developmental programs in Ukhrul district my thoughts were captivated and centered to the developmental programs that has and are going on through the International fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) project. IFAD, what I know, is under the ministry of DONERS, implementing through the NEC under North East Regional Community Resources Management Society (NeRCRMS) headed by the secretary of the NEC in three states of the north east. They are Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur and selecting two districts each from the state which is implemented through each District Community Resources Management Society (DCRMS) headed by the concern Deputy commissioner as Chairman, Board of Management. And each DCRMS has a District Support Team (DST) for execution of the project, which is funded by (IFAD)
UKHRUL DIST is one amongst the selected dist in the state of Manipur. The other one being SENAPATI DIST. IFAD/UDCRMS (International Fund for Agriculture Development/ Ukhrul District Community Resources Management Society) inception was taken up in the year 1999 however the actual implementation begun in the mid of 2001. Since then people are slowly sensing the real concept of development. Their approach is not just for development but rather it is a holistic approach where every individual is given a participatory role and empower the people through the common collective platform’s decision.
Multi sectors approaches in development has brought drastic changes right from social sector, infra structure sector and livelihood/farming sector. Make life livelier through the work implementation as it involves individual empowerment and the community. Projects such as farming, MI (minor irrigation), IVR (inter village Road), SHG (Self help group), Revolving Fund, and so forth which Are under taken in accordance/ or suitability of the particular clusters. There are ten clusters, consisting of 10 -16 villages. Each cluster or areas undertakes different project looking into climatic suitability. Through the IVR (inter village road), most of the interior villages are gradually connecting, bringing closer to the main accessible market for the harvested values. With all necessary support from the DST projects are directly executed by the community.
Tusom village comes under Cluster-I which focus on Rice as the main targeted project. Besides, there are many projects that are under going. At the initial stage the people were absolutely confused and knew not what to do. However, with some of the villagers further intervention the community responded positively to go ahead with the projects. Since then, it is optimistically progressing.
The glory of the age old tradition of social community life was absolutely based on community interest, sense of belongings, cohesiveness with norms and mores and sanctions. It strictly adhered to the community’s collective interest recently; this was basically owing to the late inception of the Christianity. However, slowly these were changing towards transition trend with various agents unconsciously or consciously trying to cope with the fast changing world creating lots of cultural lag. The traditional values were gradually fading, giving way to individualism. Change is universal yet it has to be value added change, conducive and upholding the human integrity. At this juncture, the coming of IFAD/UDCRMS Project has vast impact in the socio economy. The kind of multi approaches in various sectors instinctively felt lots of positive affects. For instance, The MI which absolutely is the collective community interest itself empowered the people. The kind of work that involved, active participation from the whole community significantly reflects the age old traditional values, work ethics and mechanical solidarity, sensing oneness in the midst of survival. The common shared values which is automatically an economy oriented pushes the mindset in the same channel crossing the barrier of the individual differences. Socially oriented decision amounts to the social peaceful and harmony in the life of community.
The project productivity is estimated approximately to 35,000 Tins which is equivalent to 5950 quintals therefore, cross profit 5950x1000=Rs.2975000/-p/annum approximately which will definitely stabilize the economy of the community. Through community empowerment the individuals are given a space to participate and share the responsibility. It has indeed sensitized and incited the sustainable policy to the community and the individual.
The homestead garden whereby every household was given a meager amount to begin and subsequent implementation had made the community realize the importance of the nutrition. The project for farming like any suitability- medicinal value plants etc had indirectly joined the elite farming of the world where the vast uncultivated can be purposefully used and cultivated.
The introduction of SHG for womenfolk speaks volumes for the gender equity and empowerment of women. Through the technical guidance of the DST the community was made to understand the revolving fund to be positively utilized, learnt about basic accounting which is a must in this world of computing. Hence, it has also helped with transparency to capacitate in organizing participatory events.
The low cost latrine in every house hold had taught the community the importance of sanitation to keep base with the changing society.
In addition to that power/electricity being the essence of this present World, the need to develop and produce is extremely vital, which is still far reaching for the people of these neglected areas. The area comprising more than 50 villages are yet to see the light and even the electrified villages, the dist Hq. Ukhrul is often black out not to mention other villages, the reason best known by the concern dept. and the state government. The hydrology of the perennial Tusom River will be viable to generate from 5 – 10 mw. Therefore, if IFAD/UDCRMS or for that matter any competent firms can take up the small hydro project, this will not amount to any ecological and environmental affect. But definitely meet the need of these areas and help the community.
The IFAD/UDCRMS projects have also enhanced the people’s collective rights from individual to community through the implementation of the projects. The rich cultural heritage, strong social fabric had revived. It has empowered and ignited the community to redress the age old traditional values, ethics and ethos, oriented socialization and the need of a role of individual’s responsibility towards the functioning of as a community, thereby prevail a firm social stability. The critical discourse within community begun to initiate, that the developmental programs are to be taken up in accordance of the community oriented values rather then trenching the natural resources of the people in the name of development. Empowering the community to manage their own natural resources is the need of the indigenous people if not could be devastated by the vested interest peoples who would come in the pretext of development.
To day, what the state has failed to achieve and do for the last so many years, The IFAD/UDCRMS, in the short span of four years has accomplished tremendously. Had any kind of developmental programs in the rural areas were taken up in the way and the ethics of the IFAD without any politicians, bureaucrats interest, life in rural would have been a big difference. IFAD/UDCRM is an example not only for the route to oriented positive development but direct positive intervention, informal and participatory role for the community empowerment and capacitate in managing for their sustainable resources.
Through this I wish the Teams of the UDCRMS for their continuous concerted endeavor.
