Livelihoods are "ways of keeping oneself meaningfully occupied by using one's human or material endowments to generate adequate resources that will meet the requirements of the household in a sustainable manner". Livelihood Interventions may be defined as "conscious efforts by an agency or an organisation to promote and support livelihood opportunities for a large number of people. Such interventions and programmes help to increase incomes, food security and the money that circulates within the local community".
The Kanakanala Watershed Project area is situated in the northern dry agroclimatic region of Karnataka. Repeated droughts and long gaps between rain showers render the poor farmer completely dependent on the vagaries of nature. Moreover, there are no industrial activities or alternative employment options so agriculture remains the only occupation in the area. When crops fail, many families are forced to migrate to other villages to work as wage labourers. Others get trapped in the viscious clutches of moneylenders.
SAMUHA strives to provide these villagers with alternative sources of income.
So far, the farmers have implemented in their farms. This will minimise the impact of crop loss on farmers and help them earn a sustainable income through horticulture plants. SAMUHA provides them with saplings of hardy and drought-resistant fruit trees such as tamarind, mango, sapota and lemon. Community borewells or streams are water sources during summer. These trees can withstand the harsh climate of the region and assure the farmer of a supplemental income.
Creating community economic assets also play a key role in helping the villagers develop a sense of self reliance. These serve as income sources when others, like agriculture, have been exhausted. SAMUHA provides members of the community with grants to so that they can acquire economic assets. For exmaple, the community has already bought a thresher and a machine that pounds chilly. Milk is another source of income and SAMUHA is currently exploring methods of utilising this asset. Dairying could be the next livelihood option in these villages.
Increasing food security is also part of the livelihood programme. A grain bank to store bajra and jowar is in the pipeline. The grain will be made available to the poorest of the poor during times of drought. While the village committee will decide who gets grain, SAMUHA will also maintain statistics of the people in the village, their income and family structure.
We are also exploring the possibility of growing medicinal plants. A company called Gram Mulgai Company has agreed to analyse the Kanakanala area in terms of soil quality and water availability, and tell us what medicinal plants can be grown. The Company will also liaise with medical companies who may buy these medicinal plants.
