June 20, 2023

By Deepak D. & Laxminarayan
Technical Coordinators – Livelihoods (Community Well-being)

Each year since 2017, the Livelihoods team supports a large cohort of selected farmers with seeds and saplings of millets and spices along with logistical support. Sponsored by HDFC, the team has initiated this year’s project, beginning with aiding 344 farmers in cleaning their lands to prepare for planting millets, as the monsoons become heavier. A budget of INR 1,600 is allotted to each farmer for cleaning their lands.

A total of 652 farmers will benefit from seed and sapling distribution to be done by us in July-August. The number of farmers being supported by us has grown every year, with many new farmers joining the project.

The farmers who require aid most severely are chosen the village panchayat. Currently, we are preparing to distribute millet saplings to 75 farmers in Aracode, 62 in Konnavakarai, 70 in Coonoor and 137 in Sigur. Pepper saplings will also be distributed to 105 farmers in Aracode, 104 in Konnavakarai, 92 in Coonoor and 7 in Sigur.

While the panchayat selects more farmers to receive aid from us every planting season, the team is yet to complete an impact assessment of support given in the past. Case studies are currently being compiled, with testimonials of how farmers may have been benefitted, if at all, from the aid.