By diversifying activities and creating a strong cohesion among community members, a village has proved that food scarcity cannot be a threat.

Food availability represented a big challenge in Chaglakuri, a small tribal village in Birbhum district of West Bengal. Indeed more than half of the 46 families suffered from food insecurity during the lean period (August to September). On top of this, endemic diseases such as diarrhoea and scabies were common as also addiction to homemade liquor. The high illiteracy rate as well as superstitions and misconceptions aggravated the situation. Before LWSI intervention, the villagers' only alternative for survival had been the local mahajans (moneylenders).

Supported by LWSI the people united in 2001 by creating a Community Based Organization to launch development programmes and 25 families generated a 1,680 kg grain bank in order to help them survive during the lean period. Today all the families are taking part in this initiative. With the introduction of improved cropping practices and reliable water sources with support from both LWSI and the government, crop yield has doubled. In the high lands, soil conservation measures have also enabled the people to grow alternative crops. In addition, women are now starting nutrition gardens to grow vegetables. Four women Self Help Groups have been formed and bank linkages established for micro credit operations.

Being freed from the mahajans and having reached self-sufficiency, the community's dignity and confidence is at an all time high.