1 About the proposed project The proposed project ‘Integrated Livelihoods Development Programme, aims to promote the livelihood in Kharpud villages, Khed block of Pune district. The proposed project aims to make agriculture more productive, environment friendly and sustainable, remunerative at the same time water and input use-efficient, and climate resilient by promoting location specific integrated farming systems with water resource development, crop diversification, soil and moisture conservation and management practices with management of small ruminants . The core approach of the project focuses on water resource development, agriculture development, livestock development and capacity building of the community. 2. Background Economy of Kharpud is predominantly agrarian, with more than 80% of the total work force engaged either directly or indirectly in agriculture. However, agriculture still remains under- developed and the traditional method of crop cultivation predominates. Both production and productivity are relatively low. The Integrated Lively hoods Development programme is thus planned to be demonstrated in two villages. The systematic and scientific management based on the principles of sustainable agriculture, use improves agriculture production thereby raising the income of resource poor families and whose livelihood is dependent on agriculture. Integration of Agriculture, crop diversification with efficient water use and livestock can act as a growth engine to rain fed areas by making dependents aware about the importance of water conservation, agriculture development and better livestock management. Integrated agriculture development approach in partnership with villagers has been successful together in applying the knowledge and ideas with social understanding and technical base. It also supports enrichment of environment. 3. Statement of problem Kharpud villages are underlain by Deccan Trap Basalt and major parts of the villages adjoining the hilly areas as well as the entire northern, south western and south eastern parts have low ground water development potential. Majority of the land falls under class-II to class-IV category of land use capability, requiring appropriate soil management practices for intensive crop production. The Average annual rainfall of the villages is around 1870 mm approx. There is plenty of rainfall in a concentrated period of four months, leaving rest of the months relatively dry and water scarce. Villages has primarily sand-loamy and clay-loamy soil less in organic carbon and moderately rich in available potash. Due to high rainfall during June to September, soil is acidic to neutral ranging from 6.0 .7.5 pH. The temperature during summer season varies from 32°C to 40°C and during the winter season varies from 7°C to 18°C. In villages, due to un-availability of irrigation, agriculture is entirely dependent on the rainwater from the driving monsoon downpours. The principal crops are Paddy, Nagli and Wari etc. After harvest in the month of October, the land is left uncultivated. Traditional agriculture cultivation practices, lowering productivity and production thus rendering uneconomical, low productivity, resulting in poor income for the farmers. There is a need to address these challenges of the people so that we can increase their income and livelihood. The majority of the population in the villages belongs to Mahadev koli tribes (ST).It is one of the most backward areas of the district. The project with duration of three years is proposed to be implemented in 2 villages, Khed block of Pune district. The proposed budgetary outlay of the project is INR 32.49 Lakhs. 3 Objectives • To improve water availability in the villages through site specific water resource development measures • To enable the farmers to cultivate second crop • To promote improved technologies and practices in agriculture and livestock development • Make them aware of the Good Management Practices (GMP) s in agriculture and livestock • To demonstrate bamboo nursery • To provide them additional livelihood options. • To build capacity of village community (both men and women) for management of village resources and promotion of sustainable livelihoods 4 Project Approach Integrated livelihood development approach will combine gender, scientific knowledge with local action to help farmers to produce more food sustainably and conservation of local resources, while increasing resilience to climate change. To boost up the economic growth in these tough times, farmer centric approach is indispensable. Understanding these challenges , we propose to develop Integrated livelihood development approach by focusing water resource development, sustainable cultivation practices, water use efficiency measures and conservation of local resources specially forest trees. The comprehensive package of different scientific methodologies solving the problems of demand and supply side of the agriculture will solve the multiple problems farmers are going through. 5.2.1 Description of Village Kharpud The total geographical area of village is 1432 hectares. Kharpud has a total population of 605 people. There are about 110 houses in Kharpud village. Kharpud is a medium size village located in Khed Taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra with total 110 families residing. The Kharpud village has population of 605 of which 306 are males while 299 are females as per Population Census 2011. In Kharpud village population of children with age 0-6 is 103 which makes up 17.02 % of total population of village. Average Sex Ratio of Kharpud village is 977 which is higher than Maharashtra state average of 929. Child Sex Ratio for the Kharpud as per census is 1060, higher than Maharashtra average of 894. Population of Kharpud Total Population Male Population Female Population 605 306 299 Caste Factor In Kharpud village, most of the village population is from Schedule Tribe (ST). Schedule Tribe (ST) constitutes 87.44 % while Schedule Caste (SC) were 3.80 % of total population in Kharpud village. Work Profile In Kharpud village out of total population, 342 were engaged in work activities. 79.53 % of workers describe their work as Main Work (Employment or Earning more than 6 Months) while 20.47 % were involved in Marginal activity providing livelihood for less than 6 months. Of 342 workers engaged in Main Work, 250 were cultivators (owner or co-owner) while 17 were Agricultural labourer.