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India

A women’s Self-Help Group meeting in Bharave, Rajasthan India. Women save money together and give loans to group members.

India Partners

Few countries can boast such diversity or so lively a contemporary culture as India. India is the world’s second most populated country with more than a billion people. Indians speak more than 1,500 different mother tongues. 18 of them are official languages.

A fast growing middle class has grabbed the world’s attention. But 40% of the population is too poor to afford enough food for a healthy diet.

Farming in the Desert

IDEX supports rural and desert communities in the state of Rajasthan. Here the barren Thar Desert, home to 23 million people, meets the once resource rich Aravalli Mountains. Both areas are extremely arid and depend on the annual Monsoon.

Water scarcity issues that are expected to unfold around the globe as a result of climate change are occurring now in Rajasthan.

Poverty and illiteracy rates are higher in Rajasthan than the average in India. Overall the state has had less investment than other parts of the country. Many of the poorest communities are tribal populations of the Thar and the Aravalli Mountains. They often own land, but it is usually of poor quality.

In the past, forests of the region ensured renewal of groundwater. The forests helped to maintain soil fertility and provide animal fodder. Since the 1950s, commercial deforestation has intensified. This has lead to desertification of the region and disruption of the livelihoods of rural Rajasthani families. Men have migrated to cities to earn money. Women are left behind to provide for their families, through farming and related agricultural activities.

Girls Fetch Water Instead of Going to School

Water scarcity issues that are expected to unfold around the globe as a result of climate change are occurring now in Rajasthan. Desert families spend upwards of 70% of their income on water. Women play an important role in water management. Women walk for hours each day to collect enough water for the family. This is often the role of girls who are prevented from attending school. The sheer amount of time and energy devoted to water collection has an effect on the entire family’s health, wellbeing and food supply.

Despite huge challenges, India also has a long tradition of social service and social reform. Community and non-governmental organizations are playing an active role in promoting self-reliant communities. Using a model that focuses on Self-Help Groups, IDEX partners focus on improving livelihoods, protecting the soil, creating food security, and on developing water security for the families who live in the region.