In 2003, a study revealed that in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, a growing number of adivasi farmers, for want of plough bullocks, were leaving their land fallow or leasing it out to others. The credit schemes had failed, as the farmers were unable to rebuild their replacement stock of bullocks and repay their loans. The declining livestock population had resulted in a decline in the use of manure in agriculture and increased dependency on chemical fertilizers. According to the study, goats-including the local highly prolific dwarf breed called Kanchu Mekha-- and poultry were vital sources of additional income to the family.

In March 2004, the Adivasi Food Security project began in East Godavari, with a view to improve adivasi livelihoods and create food sovereignty. ANTHRA has been working consistently on food security issues and on conserving local food crops, local breeds of cattle, goats and poultry, people's knowledge systems and cultural practices related to livelihoods. In close collaboration with Yakshi, a resource group that works with Adivasi communities, we have in the past year made substantial contribution to communities practicing traditional forms of bio diversity-based agriculture and livestock rearing.

Objectives:

Although the aim of this programme is to ensure food security for adivasi communities with perennially threatened livelihoods, the broader agenda is to work towards a better and sustainable quality of living for them. The intervention therefore attempts to:
* Increase production levels both in agriculture and livestock systems
* Build people's health, stamina and capacities
* Develop strategies to break the vicious circle of debt
* Promote independent marketing of forest and agricultural produce without fear of the local moneylender,
* Organise women into strong women collectives that will at once anchor the work on building food sovereignty in the village as also develop their leadership.