About Us
CMD's
Message
Our organization, a dedicated social enterprise, aims to transform rural economies by fostering rural enterprise and entrepreneurship, focusing particularly on small and marginal farmers, women, and migrant workers. Through our core pillars— Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) promotion and CSR support—we provide essential services, including input facilitation, technology integration, advisory, market linkages, and access to finance.
We currently work with 54 FPOs, supporting over 25,000 farmers who cultivate approximately 37,500 acres. By collaborating with governmental bodies, industry, academia, and international institutions, we deliver training, expos, and exposure visits to build capacity and commercial sustainability, benefiting thousands more in rural communities indirectly. This collective-driven approach creates a robust ecosystem for sustainable rural development.
Sambit Tripathy
CMD, LA
Livelihood is paramount in middle-income countries like India as it directly influences economic stability, social well-being, and overall development. Its significance lies in its contribution to
(i) Economic stability and growth- Through the generation of employment & income and reduction of poverty.
(ii) Social Well-being- By enhancing the quality of life, ensuring social cohesion & empowering the marginalized groups.
(iii) Food Security & Nutrition- By promoting sustainable agricultural practices & improving market access.
(iv) Sustainable Development- Ensuring environmental sustainability & resilience to shocks through the promotion of sustainable livelihoods.
(v) Human Capital Development- Incorporating education and vocational training in livelihood initiatives that help build human capital and improve employability.
Thus, livelihoods are crucial for the economic, social, and environmental fabric of middle-income countries. They form the foundation upon which sustainable development and improved quality of life can be built. It was in this context that Livelihood Alternatives was conceptualized.
Livelihood Alternatives is a social enterprise that seeks to create an enabling ecosystem for the development of rural enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Livelihood Alternative’s Mission is to empower rural collectives by providing livelihood options that are Suitable, Scalable, and Sustainable and its Vision is to reach out to 3 lakh households in Odisha by 2026, making a difference to their life and livelihood by following the principles of 6Cs - Collectivization, Capacity-Building, Collaboration, Convergence, Commercialization and Community Outreach.
In Odisha, the rural landscape is dotted with examples of individual excellence in the agro-development space. However, when it comes to collective efforts at economic transformation, the success has not been very encouraging. Many of the collective ventures have failed on account of a lack of mentorship support beyond a stipulated ‘project period’.
The key, therefore, is to create the capacity and necessary skill sets in the local community for the success and long-term sustainability of the collective ventures. LA’s objective is to inhabit this space and provide managerial, technical, and marketing support to such collectives.
LA seeks to collaborate with like-minded enterprises, academic institutions, tech companies, procurement firms, and agro-support service providers to empower rural collectives. Convergence with government schemes - both at the level of central and state governments will provide the necessary multiplier effect to the transformative efforts.
LA will endeavor to actively contribute to the Indian growth story through its efforts - that is aspirational, equitable, and participative. To begin with, the theatre of such a social experiment will be Odisha and its vast rural hinterland pregnant with possibilities.
PRESENCE
