Unemployment/underemployment and poverty, being among the main problems of the rural poor, have been addressed effectively. In planned participatory development in Naugarh Project, special attention has been paid to these problems, with considerable success. Alongside employment generation and poverty reduction through schemes/projects such as MGNREGA and BRGF, there has been considerable progress and multiplier effect in agriculture/horticulture, livestock development and secondary and tertiary sectors. Besides, as mentioned earlier, 147 youth (86 girls and 61 boys) have been trained in emerging vocations such as computer applications, Ayurvedic medicines production, driving, motor mechanics, electricians, plumbers, improved tailoring, Anganwadi Workers, ASHAs, improved poultry, snack making/hawking, bearers and salespersons to make them employable. Cultivation of medicinal herbs and plants such as Ashwagandha has been introduced in Naugarh block to generate employment and income apart from local arrangements for its buy back and processing. Nurseries through women’s SHGs for local production and supply of seedlings of improved vegetables and seedlings and grafts (local grafting) of improved fruits such as mango, guava, Ber, Bel, Shahjan, etc deserve special mention. Not the least, a number of schemes of poverty reduction, minor irrigation and small industrial units have been catalyzed to generate considerable employment and income instantaneously and in near future, while contributing to the process of development in the area.
