Poverty in Rain-Dependent Regions

Roll-over/click a region below to highlight

• rain-dependent region
• irrigated region
• area of concentrated poverty
• no data

Source: Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

In 2005, the Indian government passes the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), historic legislation that guarantees 100 days of paid work to all rural households.

A coalition of 72 civil society groups forms with support from Ford and other funders. Its purpose: to ensure NREGA is implemented in ways that build the productive resources of communities.

The 72 NREGA partners help develop and implement projects that employ poor rural residents and advance sustainable agriculture through soil and water improvements.

So far, the NREGA coalition has worked with 130,000 families on projects totaling $30 million. By year’s end, coalition-sponsored projects will reach 200,000 families, or 1 million people.

Lessons from the coalition’s work are becoming institutionalized, with the potential to move millions of families out of poverty, especially in India’s rain-dependent regions.