RANCHI, 16 June 2025: In a transformative step for Jharkhand's rural economy, the World Bank-backed Jharkhand Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Growth (JOHAR) project has concluded successfully in June 2024, delivering wide-ranging agricultural and livelihood benefits to over 2.25 lakh women-led households across 17 districts.

With 70% funding from the World Bank’s IBRD and 30% contribution from the Government of Jharkhand, JOHAR was implemented by JSLPS under the Rural Development Department. The ₹833.34 crore initiative focused on enhancing and diversifying incomes in select farm and allied sectors.

The project covered 68 blocks (excluding Garhwa, Chatra, Koderma, Jamtara, Deoghar, Godda, and Sahebganj) and achieved nearly 98% fund utilization.

Inclusive Growth and Tangible Results

3922 Producer Groups (PGs) were formed, onboarding 2,24,286 households engaged in high-value agriculture, livestock, fishery, and non-timber forest produce (NTFP).

21 FPOs with business revenues touching ₹205 crore since inception, supported by 35 Rural Business Hubs and 28 Livestock Service Centers.

Rs. 14 crore raised as share capital and ₹3.5 crore in credit lines linked with banks, adopting digital payment practices.

Infrastructure and Innovation

39 blocks operationalized Custom Hiring Centres, generating ₹1.4 crore through 14,000 equipment rentals.

1,131 Solar Lift Irrigation schemes irrigated 6,648 hectares; an additional 1,309 solar 1HP movable pumps covered 2,618 hectares.

554 Poly House Nurseries supplied 2.5 crore soil-less seedlings.

Diversification in Practice

17 Reservoir Pen Culture units and 8,729 water bodies developed under fishery, alongside commercial broiler farming and layer poultry producing 1 lakh eggs daily.

Lac cultivation among 48,401 households generated ₹15 crore, and lemon grass farming on 2,632 acres yielded ₹10.4 crore.

Value-added interventions included mango branding, tamarind products, and the introduction of rice transplanters.

As per the World Bank’s final assessment, 90% of the FPOs were financially viable, and a strong community base of 16,775 trained local cadres is now in place to sustain and expand the project's outcomes.

The JOHAR project has positioned Jharkhand as a model of inclusive, climate-resilient, and women-driven rural development, setting a new benchmark for agri-based livelihood programs in India.