Access Livelihoods Foundation

Andhra Pradesh holds a significant position in dairy development, contributing 8.4 per cent of the national dairy animal population and producing 7.6 per cent of the country's milk. The state's milk production mainly comes from farms with less than 2 hectares of land and 1 to 4 dairy animals. A Dairy Feasibility Study was conducted in Andhra Pradesh to assess the viability of dairy activities, determine operational areas, identify potential villages and milk routes, select an ideal plant location, analyze the cost-benefit aspect of establishing dairy processing units, develop a business plan, and prepare an expansion plan for three years. The study involved studying 800 farmers across 40 villages in the East Godavari district, with a sample size of 20 farmers per village.

This programme aimed to analyze the impact population, their locations, and specific needs in line with CARE's programs and principles. It involved identifying the most impoverished and marginalized populations, addressing their issues, and identifying districts and urban slums with a significant presence of these populations. The project also focused on identifying successful models and best practices for replication. CARE's national programme analysis highlighted education, health, and livelihoods as key sectors, with risk reduction as a cross-cutting priority, guided by principles such as inclusion, gender equity, governance, and vulnerability reduction.

The study targeted inhabitants residing in villages surrounding the Keezhakarai area within the Thirupullani block of Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu. It was conducted in two phases. Phase I focused on assessing the overall needs of products and services, while Phase II involved developing a perspective plan for selected products and services. The study examined household income sources and participation through individual household surveys. Twelve options were identified across three categories: product, services, and infrastructure support, including fishing nets, seaweed, palmyra products, coconut coir, seafood, microfinance, employment generation, land development, housing, and drinking water.

ALC India assisted Jeevandhara Women's Community Trust (JWCT) in developing a business plan through the CLRC capacity programme. JWCT focuses on the overall development of marginalized communities in the Kalahandi district, including Dalits, tribals, rural artisans, and small-scale farmers. The plan aimed to benefit 20,850 beneficiaries by providing training in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, SHG management, women's rights, and government schemes. It encompassed strategic elements such as finance, marketing, HR, institution development, risk management, and monitoring and evaluation.

ALC India's Community Services encompass the design and delivery of comprehensive service packages tailored to specific communities such as Farmers, Weavers, Livestock Holders, Forest Produce Gatherers (primarily Tribals), and Vulnerable Communities. These services are designed to meet the livelihood needs of the community, facilitating their engagement in enterprise creation through producer companies and collectives. ALC India has partnered with government agencies like SFAC, NABARD, and SERP to promote 14 producer companies in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Under the Beehive model, ALC India collaborates with Small and Marginal Farmers, Weavers, and Forest Produce Gatherers to help them realize the benefits of an integrated transformation model. It also has specific programmes focused on Farmers, Livestock, Artisans, and Tribals, implemented through strategic partnerships.

ALC India's Partner Services cater to the specific needs of various organisations, including Government agencies, NGOs, corporates, and foundations. These services cover domains such as Livelihoods Mapping, Business Design, HR, Value Chain Analysis, and Skill Development. ALC India offers a diverse range of services in Business Design, Financial Management, Project Management, Institution Building, HR, and Communication to producer enterprises, funding agencies, private sectors, and academic institutions. It assists in designing and organising enterprises, empowering producers to participate effectively in markets and address market-related challenges such as market understanding, marketing capabilities, and creating market linkages.