This project enables livelihood for women in rural Gujarat through Sakhi Sangathan, a women's collective, which grows, buys and sells its own farm produce at profit in a male dominated market.
Vikalp works with Sakhi Sangathan (SS), comprised of poor women from 22 villages, in Tilakwada, one of the least-developed areas of Gujarat. Lack of gainful employment compounds poverty and hunger. Illiteracy restricts employability. Women learn farming methods; livelihood is possible if farming skills are conjoined with marketing. With revolving funds, SS can buy cotton and grain and sell products for a profit, which can then be shared among the women and reinvested into the collective.
Provide capital to 500 women in tribal group to buy and store cotton and grain, then sell these at profit. Support women with trainings on farming, driving, banking and management. Include more women with time to raise profit and income.
This project creates sustainable livelihoods for 500 women - and many more as the project progresses -by increasing their incomes, business skills, and social awareness. This will benefit the women individually, their families, and their community.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
