Chilika Waste-to-Value Initiative
Turning Invasive Biomass into Sustainable Livelihoods
The Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC), in partnership with Epsilon Carbon Private Limited, is implementing the Smart Village Livelihood & Socio-Economic Development Programme in Sripura Panchayat, Jharsuguda district, Odisha.
The initiative addresses a unique development paradox in Jharsuguda—rapid industrial growth alongside persistent rural livelihood vulnerabilities. Through an integrated and technology-enabled approach, the program seeks to strengthen agriculture productivity, preventive healthcare, and rural employment opportunities while generating actionable insights for long-term development investments.
The project is designed as a 3-month Phase I deployment and diagnostic initiative, combining real-time community interventions with data-driven assessment to identify scalable development solutions for the district.
Key Impact Highlights
The Development Challenge
Despite Jharsuguda’s rapid industrial growth, many rural communities continue to face structural livelihood challenges, including dependence on agriculture with limited productivity gains, limited access to preventive healthcare diagnostics, youth unemployment due to lack of practical job-ready skills, and weak integration with emerging economic opportunities.
These challenges often create economic vulnerability where health shocks, crop failure, or unemployment significantly impact household resilience. The programme addresses these interconnected issues through an integrated Smart Village model that links agriculture, health, and skills.
Smart Soil Testing & Advisory Programme
This intervention provides plot-level soil intelligence and crop advisory using portable soil testing technology.
- Soil testing for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, pH, EC, and Organic Carbon
- Plot-specific crop and fertiliser recommendations
- Soil Health Score generation
- Demonstration sessions
- Follow-up monitoring
Non-Invasive Community Health Monitoring
The program introduces preventive healthcare using non-invasive diagnostics for early risk detection.
- 1,500–2,000 individuals screened
- Hemoglobin, BP, BMI, ECG
- Digital health records
- Referral linkages
Solar & Mechanical Skilling Programme
The programme equips rural youth with practical solar installation and maintenance skills.
- 150 youth trained
- Hands-on practical training
- Real installation exposure
- Certification & safety training
Evidence for Strategic Development
The programme generates high-quality data across agriculture, health, and skills including soil health data, community health risk profiles, skill demand analysis, and adoption behaviour insights.
Key Knowledge Outputs
- Integrated Project Impact Report
- Village-level datasets
- Youth skill & employment analysis
- CSR monitoring dashboards
- District CSR Vision Document
Future Expansion
Based on Phase I insights, the next phase will scale the Smart Village model across additional Panchayats and Blocks in Jharsuguda.
Future plans include seasonal soil monitoring, expanded health programs, advanced solar training, and women-led livelihood initiatives.