CARE India’s sustainable livelihood programmes are aiming to empower women from marginalised communities by enabling them to move from traditional agro-based occupations. Approximately, 36,625 women and 956 men have benefited through 9 projects across Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

In projects implemented in Kalahandi and Kandhamal districts of Odisha, there is an increase in mean monthly per capita farm income from Rs 83 to Rs 128. In both male and female-headed households, income jumped three times to 85% and 82%, respectively. In Nabrangpur Odisha, 493 women farmers increased their income by 103% through improved agricultural productivity.

About 15 Agri-Kiosks, providing soil testing, seed selection, pesticide, herbicide and fungicide services and latest agricultural equipment on rent in Kalahandi and Kandhamal districts are serving more than 8000 women farmers.

Approximately, 3,000 tribal women and their families were positively impacted through a project “Where the Rain Falls” as they were trained on water storage methods in their agriculture fields.
 
CARE India is directly working with 10,000 women farmers from SC/ST households in 72 villages across five blocks in two districts towards improved access, affordability and consumption of quality diets.

Market engagement, entrepreneurship, business literacy, financial literacy as well as clean cooking energy, household air pollution and water harvesting are some key issues we are working on in all our livelihood programmes for a holistic impact, said Bharti Joshi, technical director, economic development, CARE India.