Archive · 15 Jun 2025
World Bank-Backed JOHAR Project Achieved Rural Livelihood Success
Imagine a project called JOHAR that helped people in rural areas of India.
With money from the World Bank and the government, it taught farmers new skills and helped them sell their products.
The project ended in June 2024, but it helped many people make more money and join farmer groups.
These groups worked together to sell their crops and other goods.
The project also helped farmers use better ways to water their crops and grow special plants.
JOHAR was recognized for its good work and is now being shown around the world in a movie.
The Jharkhand Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Growth (JOHAR) project concluded in June 2024.
The project, funded by the World Bank and the state government, aimed to integrate rural households into value chains.
JOHAR saw a 35% increase in average annual income and brought over 2 lakh farmers into structured collectives.
The project formed thousands of Producer Groups and linked them to Farmer Producer Organisations, generating significant turnover.
JOHAR received the World Bank South Asia Vice President’s Award 2025 and an FAO documentary highlighted its model.
- Who
- The JOHAR project, supported by the World Bank and the Jharkhand government, benefited rural households.
- What
- The Jharkhand Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Growth (JOHAR) project concluded, focusing on rural livelihood improvement.
- When
- The project concluded in June 2024 after seven years.
- Where
- Implemented across 68 blocks in 17 districts of Jharkhand, India.
- Why
- To integrate rural households into formal value chains and market ecosystems, increasing their income.
- Project Name
- JOHAR
- Funding Source
- World Bank and Jharkhand Government
- Total Outlay
- ₹833.34 crore
- Beneficiary Households
- Approximately 2.25 lakh
- Income Increase
- 35%
- Producer Groups Formed
- 3,922
- FPO Turnover
- ₹205 crore