Sustaining Nutrition and Livelihoods through Backyard Nutrition Gardens in Koida, CSR initiative funded by MGM Minerals Ltd
The project titled “Sustaining Nutrition and Livelihoods through Backyard Nutrition Gardens for Poor Vulnerable Households in Periphery Villages of Koida, MGM Mines, Sundargarh District, Odisha” is a community-based CSR initiative funded by MGM Minerals Ltd. and implemented by Institute of Rural Development and Management Studies (IRDMS). The programme aims to enhance household
nutrition security, promote sustainable livelihoods, and improve the socio-economic resilience of poor and vulnerable families residing in mining-affected peripheral villages of Koida Block. Under the initiative, 300 households will be supported with backyard nutrition gardens, low-cost vermicomposting units, quality vegetable seedlings, and capacity-building on nutrition-sensitive agriculture, organic farming, composting, and sustainable waste management practices.The project places special emphasis on women’s participation through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), strengthening their role in household nutrition, climate-resilient agriculture, and income generation. Through establishment of SHG-managed vegetable nurseries, promotion of organic inputs, and awareness on balanced diets and food diversity, the programme is expected to improve access to fresh and nutritious vegetables, reduce household expenditure on food, enhance soil health, and create opportunities for supplementary livelihoods. The intervention is aligned with CSR, ESG, and sustainable development priorities, contributing towards improved community health, environmental sustainability, and long-term rural resilience in the mining-affected areas of Sundargarh district.
Skill Development Training Programmes
To complement livelihood enhancement efforts, IRDMS conducts specialized skill development training in Deogarh district, targeting youth and the rural workforce. Key training modules include:
• Power Tiller Operator Training
This programme equips participants with practical skills to operate and maintain power tillers, facilitating the adoption of mechanized agriculture and expanding employment opportunities in rural areas.
Funded by the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha (NUA) under the Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA), these training initiatives are designed to build market-relevant capacities that enable trainees to pursue self-employment or wage employment. This approach supports the diversification of rural livelihoods and strengthens economic resilience within the community.