Livelihood Programme

Livelihood Promotion

Livestock Based Livelihood Generation

Gram Sathi is working towards strengthening the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers through the promotion and development of collective institutions. The initiative aims to organize farmers into collective institutions, enhance their bargaining power, improve access to markets, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and increase farmers' income.

Under this initiative, Gram Sathi has supported the formation, capacity building, and strengthening of 10 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by mobilizing farmers and providing continuous handholding support for effective functioning and sustainability of these farmer collectives.

Micro Enterprise Development Programme by NABARD — Poultry Farming, Pig Rearing, Goat Rearing, Vermi Compost (2015)

In the FPO, poultry farming within an FPC offers numerous benefits, including enhanced bargaining power, access to finance, risk mitigation, market access, knowledge sharing, economies of scale, policy advocacy, and promotion of sustainable practices, ultimately leading to improved livelihoods for 1,320 poultry farmers.

Key Benefits of Poultry Farming in FPO

  • Enhanced Bargaining Power: Collective marketing improves price realization for farmers.
  • Access to Finance: Linkages with banks, government schemes, and other relevant institutions.
  • Risk Mitigation: Diversification and collective risk management.
  • Market Access: Supporting FPOs in developing market linkages for agricultural produce.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Training programs on improved agricultural practices, crop management, and entrepreneurship development.
  • Economies of Scale: Collective procurement of inputs to reduce production costs.
  • Policy Advocacy: Promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making within FPOs.
  • Sustainable Practices: Promoting climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture practices.

Vermicompost & Sustainable Farming Practices

Practicing vermicomposting is a valuable soil amendment that enhances soil fertility, promotes plant growth, suppresses diseases, and contributes to environmental sustainability. Construction of vermi beds and sheds leads to increased productivity and reduced environmental impact, making it a preferred choice for sustainable farm residue management systems.

Gram Sathi also promotes vermicomposting and environmentally sustainable farming practices to improve soil fertility and encourage the use of organic and locally available resources. By reducing excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, such practices contribute towards healthier soil ecosystems and more sustainable agricultural production.

Pig Rearing — A Rewarding Enterprise for Farmers

Pig rearing offers multiple benefits, including profitability, versatility, efficient feed conversion, quick turnaround, manure management, diversification, job creation, and by-product utilization. In FPO, it is monitored through proper management practices and market-oriented strategies.

In FPO, pig rearing is demanded as a rewarding enterprise for farmers, contributing to food security, economic development, and sustainable agriculture — and also offers futuristic prospects in the FPO model.

Livestock Based Livelihood at Godda District by NABARD — Dairy Farming (2020)

Collectively, the programme aims to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly women, by promoting dairy farming as a sustainable and profitable business while addressing key challenges in the value chain. Regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to assess progress towards these objectives and make necessary adjustments for effective implementation.

The Promotion of Smallholder Farmers for Dairy Farming as a Business through Capacity Building and Demonstration has been a significant endeavour aimed at fostering sustainable development within the targeted community. The project set out with the primary goal to promote sustainable dairy farming as a business among smallholder farmers, seeking to address socio-economic challenges and enhance the overall well-being of community members. Through a multifaceted approach and collaborative efforts, the project achieved commendable success in several key areas.

Our Key Areas of Work

FPO Development & Strengthening

Gram Sathi has supported the formation, capacity building, and strengthening of 10 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

1. Formation and Institutional Strengthening of FPOs

  • Mobilizing small and marginal farmers and encouraging them to become members of Farmer Producer Organizations.
  • Supporting the establishment and strengthening of FPO governance structures.
  • Building the capacity of Board of Directors (BoDs), farmer members, and management teams for effective FPO operations.
  • Promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making within FPOs.

2. Farmer Capacity Building and Training

  • Conducting training programs for farmers on improved agricultural practices, crop management, financial management, and entrepreneurship development.
  • Enhancing farmers' knowledge on modern farming techniques, input management, and value addition.
  • Promoting climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture practices.

3. Market Linkage and Value Chain Development

  • Supporting FPOs in developing market linkages for agricultural produce.
  • Facilitating collective procurement of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and other farming resources to reduce production costs.
  • Promoting collective marketing to improve price realization for farmers.
  • Supporting value addition and better market opportunities for farmer products.

4. Financial and Business Development Support

  • Strengthening FPOs in business planning, financial management, and enterprise development.
  • Supporting linkages with banks, government schemes, and other relevant institutions.
  • Enhancing the capacity of FPOs to become sustainable farmer-owned enterprises.

5. Promotion of Farmer Entrepreneurship

  • Encouraging farmers to adopt entrepreneurship through collective farming and agri-based enterprises.
  • Promoting income enhancement opportunities through diversification, processing, and value addition.
  • Supporting women farmers and vulnerable farmer groups to participate in collective farming initiatives.

6. Sustainable & Climate-Resilient Agriculture

  • Promoting dryland farming, System of Rice Intensification (SRI), vegetable cultivation, millet cultivation, and the use of bio-fertilizers.
  • Reducing dependence on excessive chemical inputs, improving soil health, increasing water-use efficiency, and strengthening agricultural productivity.
  • Encouraging crop diversification — millets, pulses, vegetables, and other suitable crops — to reduce climate-related risks and improve food security, nutrition, and income.

Project Outreach

Through the promotion and strengthening of 10 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Gram Sathi has been working to empower farming communities by improving their access to knowledge, resources, markets, and institutional support.

10 Farmer Producer Organizations
1,320 Poultry Farmers Supported
2015 Micro Enterprise Programme
2020 Dairy Farming Programme
"Organizing Farmers, Strengthening Collectives, Creating Sustainable Livelihoods."
Livestock Programme 1
Livestock Programme 2
Livestock Programme 3
Livestock Programme 4