Our Engagements
'6C's of
Livelihood Alternatives
Collectivization
Majority of farmers in Odisha can be categorized as small and marginal, given the size of their farmlands. This serves as an impediment when it comes scalability, aggregation and marketability of their agro-produce. With a view to overcoming this limitation, under the 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) scheme, the government intends to aggregate farmers and their produce. Each block in the state will have an FPO to cater to such objectives.
Livelihood Alternatives (LA), in association with Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SoA) University and Siddha Development Research and Consultancy (SDRC), is engaged in the process of transforming the rural landscape through leveraging the power of the collectives. In this context, LA is associated with 54 FPOs, involving more than 25,000 farmers, having a total acreage under cultivation, amounting to approximately 37,500 acres.
Capacity Development
Capacity development is a crucial aspect of empowering rural collectives, ensuring they have the necessary skill-set, knowledge, and resources to operate effectively and sustainably. By focusing on capacity development, rural collectives can improve productivity, enhance quality of their produce, ensure diversification of their cropping pattern and create better market-linkage so as to improve their income.
Capacity development is undertaken in association with academia, research institutions and by way of exposure visits. LA has also tailored context-specific training programs that address the unique challenges of the FPO eco-system. LA employs a combination of theoretical and practical training methods that enhances learning and application. There are modules that train officials (CEOs and Accountants) as well as the Board of Directors (BODs) of the FPOs, on corporate management and compliance requirements. For the agrarian community, in association with SOA University, regular sessions on good agricultural practices on various crops are undertaken.
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.
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.
Commercialization
It is a critical link that is crucial to the profitability of the farming community. Facilitating such connection is the primary focus of the intervention. This includes reaching out to potential market players with data and information about the availability of various commodities, including quality and quantity.
LA also conducts market research to identify demand trends, pricing structures, and potential buyers for collective products. We facilitate partnerships with major retailers and online platforms to secure stable and lucrative markets for collective produce. For instance, LA has helped in establishing market linkages and promoting fair trade practices for its partner FPOs. Our collaboration with private sector companies like Mother Dairy and Big Basket have opened up new market opportunities for our rural collectives.
Additionally, we assist our partner FPOs in developing unique brands for collective products and implementing effective marketing strategies to enhance market visibility.
Livelihood Alternatives is also involved in PSS activities through its promoted FPOs. A total of 13 of our partner FPOs have fulfilled all the eligibility criteria (as per PSS guidelines) required for opening a Mandi. Livelihood Alternatives acts as the facilitating agency for these FPOs who have been selected by the District Level Procurement Committee (DLPC) for operation of a Mandi under the auspices of the Price Support Scheme (PSS). As on date, we have 13 FPOs, spread over 5 districts- Cuttack, Deogarh, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, Nayagarh & Puri - who are engaged in PSS procurement activities.
Handholding rural collectives through input facilitation, technology induction, advisory services, marketing linkage, and access to finance is vital for their transformation into commercially viable entities. By providing comprehensive support, we enable these collectives to overcome challenges, enhance productivity, and achieve sustainable growth.
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.