'6C' of
Livelihood Alternatives
Capacity Building
Capacity Building plays a vital role in empowering rural collectives by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed for sustainable growth. It helps improve productivity, enhance produce quality, diversify cropping patterns, strengthen market linkages, and ultimately increase income.
LA undertakes capacity development in collaboration with academic and research institutions through training programs and exposure visits. It also designs context-specific training for the FPO ecosystem, combining theoretical and practical learning methods. Specialized modules are conducted for CEOs, Accountants, and Board of Directors (BODs) on corporate management and compliance. In partnership with SOA University, regular training sessions on good agricultural practices for various crops are also organized for the farming community.
Convergence
Government schemes and sectors work in silos. Convergence ensures the various players in the eco-system work in tandem and in a well-coordinated manner. Rural collectives become the platforms on which initiatives relating to convergence can be tried and experimented. Whether it be sectoral areas like Self-Help Groups or organizations like KVIC/ TRIFED/KVKs or flagship programmes like Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), it is important that there is an approach that brings together the beneficiaries on a common platform, so as to create necessary traction in policy implementation and also, make larger impact.
Collectivisation
Marketability of their produce. To address this challenge, the Government’s 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) scheme aims to organize farmers and their produce through FPOs across every block of the state.
In this effort, Livelihood Alternatives (LA), in collaboration with Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SoA) University and Siddha Development Research and Consultancy (SDRC), is working to transform the rural landscape by strengthening collective farming initiatives. Currently, LA is associated with 54 FPOs involving over 40,500 farmers and covering nearly 37,500 acres under cultivation.
Commercialisation
Market linkage is a critical factor in improving the profitability of farming communities. LA focuses on connecting rural collectives with potential market players by sharing information on the quality and quantity of available commodities.
LA conducts market research to identify demand trends, pricing structures, and potential buyers, while facilitating partnerships with major retailers and online platforms. Collaborations with companies like Mother Dairy and Big Basket have created new market opportunities for partner FPOs. LA also supports FPOs in developing product brands and effective marketing strategies to enhance visibility.
Additionally, LA facilitates Price Support Scheme (PSS) activities through its promoted FPOs. Currently, 14 partner FPOs across Cuttack, Deogarh, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Nayagarh, and Puri are engaged in PSS procurement activities after being selected by the District Level Procurement Committee (DLPC).
Through support in input facilitation, technology adoption, advisory services, market linkage, and access to finance, LA helps rural collectives become commercially viable and sustainable entities.
Collaboration
Livelihood Alternatives employs an eco-system approach that brings together various players working in the rural livelihood space on a common platform, creating necessary synergy to the initiatives. We collaborate with institutions such as government bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, research institutions, input companies, international research organizations, start-ups and private sector companies - to provide necessary impetus for creating value for all stakeholders in the value-chain.
Community Outreach
Our community outreach programs have helped establish trust and rapport with our partner rural collectives which are essential for a successful collaboration.
In this endeavour, LA collaborates closely with its sister organization, the PACE Foundation, which has spearheaded several community initiatives aimed at fostering social welfare and development.