DDS has helped achieve food sovereignty and security for several thousand families, as also empower these women towards autonomy

“From housewives, they have become farmers, entrepreneurs and decision makers of their company.”

"The herbs that go into herbal concoctions used as as insect repellents and for veterinary purposes come from our own herbal gardens."

"Tribals have an enormous storehouse of knowledge on food gathering, shifting hill cultivation, pastoralism, labour and handicrafts,”

While promoting ecotourism, the villagers try to maintain a balance between conservation, livelihood and convenience

"We, the women of Balarampur, are determined not to let anybody touch our trees" says Chaturi Sahu of Balarampur village, Dhenkanal

Being forest guides comes organically to the women as they have been born and bred in the same forest.

Consumers support farmers upfront at the beginning of a farming season. In return, at the time of harvest, consumers are directly given farm products

Women are the custodians of seed diversity, including millets. Seed selection, an important part of the process, is also mostly done by women.