Livelihood
Intervention by NMCT through its livelihood programmes in the last few decades has had a significant positive impact on the lives of the rural and tribal population. Focusing on capacity building, fostering community links and promoting of small business are some few ways to build sustainable livelihood options for them. Inclusion of women in economic activities and encouraging women-owned entrepreneurial ventures in rural India have proved to be successful in eradicating issues related to the livelihood of rural people.
As farming and other agricultural activities continue to dominate the rural economy, NGOs are making several efforts to benefit from this economic activity. Initiatives focused on gender integration in agricultural practices and equipping the rural community with the latest technological trends in farming have helped them to resolve issues related to livelihood.
Projects
The tribal development project, “Integrated Sustainable Livelihood Development for Tribes” implemented by NMCT with the support of NABARD. As part of the project, NMCT enabled the tribal communities to undertake the ‘WADI’ model of horticultural crops plantation, soil conservation activities, water resources development, animal husbandry and micro enterprises. The project extended support to 250 families in planting ‘WADI’ model of orchard crops with Coconut, Mango and Cashew. Under the soil conservation activities the project had taken up formation of soil bunds, boulder bunds, staggered bunds, and gully plugs etc. Further, the project supports tribal families for taking up animal husbandry such as Sheep, Calf, Cow rearing and poultry.
An area-based approach through spatial targeting of the most vulnerable urban neighbor- hoods in a comprehensive way, which simultaneously supports local micro enterprises, improves access to water supply, sanitation and shelter; and provides skill training, can go a long way in reducing vulnerabilities of the poor, generate jobs and spur bottom-up entrepreneurship. NMCT implemented training program with the support of BOSCH under its Corporate Social Responsibilities on handcrafted soap making to 400 rural women in S.S. Kulam block of Coimbatore District.
The project was implemented in S.S.Kulam Block, Coimbatore district. The key purpose was to address the problems of poor women, specifically widows, in this region, who face problems due to lack of livelihood options and income, resulting in difficulty to support the family and increased risk practices and behaviors. Goat rearing was identified as a possible option for these women to earn an income.
The main objective was to enhance the livelihood opportunities among the widows from marginalized communities in the project area.
- The key activities implemented:
- - A pre-project baseline study to collect family data and identify potential beneficiaries
- - Provision of goats to the 50 shortlisted widows
- - Insuring the goats
- - Training to the beneficiaries on goat rearing, with external resource persons
- - Veterinary camps for vaccination and early identification of diseases
- - Exposure visit to KVK / Agricultural University/ Veterinary resource center
- - A post-project end line survey to assess impacts and plan follow up