The activities of DA are considerable, but its mission is – to create a

Stiching bags for the local market

 large number of sustainable livelihoods for the teeming millions subsisting below the poverty line. The team of professionals at DA is constantly innovating new methodologies and technologies that could be converted into trades and novel processes that could be turned into professions for the marginalised and unemployed – to turn them into entrepreneurs running micro-enterprises and creating more and more employment for more and more people. The idea is to utilize the local resources, whether material or human, for large-scale production by the masses rather than mass production. The organization has been addressing the various aspects of livelihoods like social, economical, environmental, financial and technological through a large number of interventions carried out so far.

Field initiatives in Niwari

In Niwari block of Tikamgarh district in Madhya Pradesh, teams have been working intensively on preparing livelihood management packages to promote and strengthen community-based livelihoods. The methodology followed in Niwari is to mobilize the community into local institutions, and increase self-help amongst the common interest groups in order to strengthen social cohesiveness. In 90 villages of Niwari block, 200 SHGs have been formed in order to enhance social cohesion and economic support. Through the principle of self help, the groups of marginal farmers have been motivated to strengthen the existing on-farm micro-enterprises, primarily agriculture.

SGH selling products at village haat

Yield from the land has been improved by introducing nitrogen-fixing crops like Dhaincha (Sesbania bispinosa). Dhaincha was introduced to demonstrate its utility and impact as a green manure in 55 acres of land in 18 villages of Niwari block to be replicated next season. The existing agriculture practices have been diversified by introducing agro-forestry practices e.g. agro-horticulture, new cropping patterns like cultivating medicinal oil plants like Mentha, Palmrosa grass, Lemon grass, etc. Through networking with small scale processing units, the income of farmers has been enhanced by adding value to their agro-products for e.g. converting medicinal plants harvest into medicinal oils. Groups of existing private entrepreneurs are being supported through capacity building and facilitating marketing linkages to increase the income levels. The local traditional enterprises like rug and carpet-making, pottery, furniture-making, animal husbandry, etc. are a few that are progressing towards sustainability. In addition, new initiatives such as poultry, building material production, detergent-making, printing presses, spices, agarbatti making, bag making, food processing, etc have been launched. The new entrepreneurs, primarily women from landless families, have been supported by building their skills through several training programmes and facilitating marketing of products in local markets, as well as networking with other big markets. So far, 70 units of 14 enterprises are being promoted towards sustainability. The enterprises that become non-viable due to financial crunch are being facilitated to take soft loans from rural banks through various micro credit initiatives. The enterprises have been promoted through micro-credit, networking and optimum utilisation of local resources. In order to improve the living conditions in the village, development initiatives for improving the sanitation and health are also being carried out by converging it with government programmes. The team has also facilitated construction of 120 smokeless chulhas and six Biogas plants with active participation of the families.