Livelihood

Overview
Local Resource Development
Shelter
Microfinance
Employment

While Koraput is rich in natural resources, tribals are exploited by their landlords and buried in debt from high interest loans.

We build community organizations in 72 villages so tribals can work together to maximize the potential of their natural resources and reduce the dependency on their landlords. All activities are planned and implemented with complete participation of the villagers to ensure their success and sustainability.

Goatery Programs

We supply goats to the poorest of the poor villagers, identified by their village development committees. The livestock has helped cultivate more land, reduce the number of migrant workers, and provide additional income. Read a success story.

Mushroom Cultivation

Our mushroom cultivation program provides additional income to farmers. We started the program by constructing mushroom sheds, selling fairly priced seeds and training 30 individual beneficiaries. The high yield of mushrooms resulted in significant profits for the farmers, who deposited a portion of them into a group savings account to sustain the program. We are now extending the program beyond the individual level to community Self Help Groups.

Grain & Seed Banks

Our grain & seed banks help farmers cope with the lean periods when they have no food to eat. We are helping Village Development Committees store surplus grains and seeds and borrow from each other, rather than their landlords. Not only do the 9 villages where we piloted grain banks now have grain year round, but 23 other villages witnessed the success and have independently instituted their own.

Vermin Compost

Our vermin compost units are an organic alternative to chemical fertilizers. In 2007, we created 100 low cost units in 9 villages and trained the farmers. The units are income generators, allowing them to sell the fertilizer and the earthworms they rear. They also benefit the farmers' own gardens. Read a success story.

Land Development

In our land development projects, we train farmers on land-leveling and bonding, water conservation and planning sustainable agriculture strategies.