The CHIRAG Project—an initiative under the Global Research Translation Award (GRTA)—tackles food and nutrition insecurity in Odisha, particularly among rural and indigenous communities. With women and children disproportionately affected, CHIRAG adopts a multi-dimensional approach that integrates community-led innovation, gender-sensitive research, and evidence-based advocacy to create lasting impact.
In many tribal regions of Odisha, access to nutritious food and health services is limited, leading to persistent malnutrition and food insecurity. Through its innovative interventions, CHIRAG bridges the gap between indigenous knowledge and modern solutions, while empowering youth and communities to take charge of their food security and health outcomes.
CHIRAG addresses this by:
Building proof-of-concept models for upscaling community-led knowledge and innovation.
Ensuring gender-sensitive, reciprocal knowledge production that respects traditional practices.
Driving evidence-based advocacy to influence policy and institutional frameworks for sustainable food systems.
CHIRAG’s activities span across education, health, livelihoods, and climate-sensitive nutrition practices, with a strong focus on youth empowerment.
22 tribal youth were trained in filmmaking to document community food practices, forest produce, and cultural traditions.
Over six short films were produced, covering topics from eucalyptus plantations to pandemic market scenarios.
Filmmaking became a tool for intergenerational knowledge sharing, connecting youth with elders.
20 trained youth (10 each from Koraput and Kandhamal) acted as digital facilitators, promoting the IVRS and assisting community members.
Volunteers overcame barriers to technology adoption, especially among women.
Project learnings presented to Ministry of Tribal Affairs and NITI Aayog’s SDG division.
Discussions initiated with MSSRF for integrating IVRS into their systems.
Collaboration with global and national partners strengthened knowledge exchange and scaling opportunities.
A toll-free, low-tech information platform implemented via Onion Dev Technologies.
Content delivered in Odia, Kui, and Desiya dialects on nutrition, agriculture, education, government schemes, and COVID-19 updates.
Users could record queries and receive follow-up responses, making it a two-way learning system.
Both studio-generated content (SGC) and user-generated content (UGC) enriched the platform.
An Android-based repository housing IVRS content, films, photos, and videos—designed for tribal youth with smartphones.
Insights from CHIRAG shaped academic courses at KISS-DU, including:
Contributed to a MOOC on the IGNOU SWAYAM platform, focusing on creative communication and sustainable community development.
IVRS listeners reached across 60+ villages in Koraput and Kandhamal
policy briefs, 6 participant films, 4 animation films, and 5 blogs created.
local youth trained (22 in participant filming, 20 in IVRS moderation).
studio-generated and 5000+ user-generated audio content disseminated on food, health, government schemes, and COVID-19.
The project combined research, community engagement, and capacity building to uncover patterns in food security and livelihoods.
— Tribal Youth Volunteer, Koraput
Through CHIRAG, I learned to use technology to document our food practices and share our stories with the world. Earlier, I never thought I could operate a camera or moderate an audio platform. Now, our voices are being heard.”
— Community Member, Kandhamal
IVRS gave us information in our own language. For the first time, women in our village could call and ask questions without hesitation.”
CHIRAG demonstrates how community knowledge, technology, and youth leadership can work together to create sustainable solutions for food security and gender equality in tribal areas.
