Watershed Support Services And Activities Network(WASSAN)

As a partner with the Government of Odisha, WASSAN is actively engaged in the special programme for the promotion of millets in Tribal areas. This initiative is being carried out across 76 blocks in 14 districts of Odisha. The primary objective of the programme is to enhance millet production by promoting organic and sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, the project focuses on establishing processing units, facilitating market linkages through farmer collectives, and incorporating millets into state nutrition programmes.

WASSAN's "jiwi daah hasa" programme focuses on enhancing the capacity of Gram Panchayats in planning and implementing MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) with a holistic approach to ecosystem restoration based on watershed development principles. The programme aims to leverage MGNREGA's wage entitlements to support comprehensive revival efforts within the Gram Panchayat. This includes promoting effective convergence of various schemes, doubling community income, diversifying and intensifying production, and regenerating the ecosystem.

WASSAN, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and AP State Seed Development Corporation (APSSDC), implements the community managed seeds system (CMSS) programme. This initiative involves 62 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and focuses on the production, certification, and supply of high-quality seeds. The programme specifically operates in Anantapur and Chittoor districts, aiming to support the subsidized distribution of Government-approved seeds.

WASSAN plays a pivotal role as a lead Resource Support Organisation in the Andhra Pradesh Community Management Natural Farming Programme (APCNF) initiated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and implemented by Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS). WASSAN's involvement spans 25 clusters, engaging with approximately 4,000 families residing in tribal areas and drylands. Its primary focus is to enhance the scope of Natural Farming at a landscape level and introduce innovative approaches to agricultural practices.

In collaboration with the Tribal Welfare Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, WASSAN implements the Giri Kodi programme, which focuses on revitalizing backyard poultry with indigenous breeds in 15,000 households residing in Tribal Areas of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. WASSAN's role includes providing programme design, technical assistance, and capacity-building support to the Tribal communities, as well as offering monitoring assistance to the Department.

Derived from the comprehensive pilots of the RRA Network, the Integrated Farming Systems Programme is undertaken by the Government of Odisha to holistically revive rainfed production systems. Implemented by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the district, this programme specifically focuses on thousands of families residing in the remote Malkangiri district of Odisha. WASSAN plays a vital role in supporting this initiative as the Programme Secretariat.