For many Adivasi families in Karsud village, Vikramgad (Palghar district, Maharashtra), daily wage labour is the only source of livelihood. However, with uncertain employment opportunities and limited access to nutritious food, ensuring food security remains a persistent challenge.
As part of Goonj’s Cloth For Work initiative, the community took charge of their nourishment by developing a community kitchen garden—a sustainable effort to secure fresh, homegrown produce for their families.
Turning Wasteland into a Source of Nutrition
The initiative in numbers:
- 26 families participated in setting up the 46m x 25m kitchen garden.
- 3 days of collective effort transformed unused land into a productive food source.
- Seasonal vegetables like ladyfinger, sponge gourd, tomatoes, and cucumber were sown.
By utilising local resources, traditional knowledge, and collective effort, the community took ownership of their food security, ensuring that nutritious food would be available for one harvest and seasons to come.
Addressing Nutritional Gaps Through Collective Action
Why is this significant?
- Tribal communities in Maharashtra often face food insecurity due to seasonal employment and low income.
- Social taboos restrict dietary choices, especially for women during menstruation.
- The pandemic worsened nutritional deficiencies, making access to fresh food even more urgent.
Through discussions with Team Goonj, local women recognised the importance of proper nutrition and came together to grow fresh vegetables for their families.
Chandrakant Mahale, a Karsud resident, shared:
“We are doing this for our children because they need healthy food for a healthy life. Getting even one serving of vegetables a day was once a dream, but these kitchen gardens have given us hope!”
Recognising Community Efforts with Family Kits
In keeping with Goonj’s “Cloth for Work” ethos, the efforts of these 26 families were acknowledged through Family Kits—containing essential items to look after their daily lives.
This initiative is more than just farming—it is about empowering communities to take charge of their well-being while fostering self-reliance, sustainability, and dignity.
Join Us in Strengthening Food Security
Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
#Goonj #ClothForWork #FoodSecurity #SustainableFarming #CommunityLedChange #KitchenGardens #TribalCommunities #NutritionForAll
