Arshabharath Bahujana Bodhavalkarana Grama Vikasana Samithy

This program promotes sustainable agricultural practices, including organic/natural farming, homestead food crop cultivation, and the conservation of farm biodiversity. It emphasises using organic methods in Watershed Development Projects, resulting in an increasing number of farmers adopting these techniques. In response to food insecurity in Wayanad, ARSHABHARATH initiated a campaign in 2012-2013, involving over 700 small and marginal farmers who cultivated food crops across more than 200 acres in Meppadi and Mupainad. These crops included tubers, vegetables, and bananas. Additionally, the organisation is dedicated to forming and strengthening farmer collectives, such as self-help groups (SHGs), joint liability groups (JLGs), and federations, to engage in activities like group farming, livestock management, and agro-processing.

The program emphasises Natural Resource Management and community involvement for sustainable rural development. The organisation has completed 12 watershed development projects, partnering with governmental agencies and employing a wide range of strategies. These projects encompass the revival of water sources, soil and water conservation efforts, horticulture development, livelihood support for needy families, supplementary activities including community empowerment and women's development, roof water harvesting to augment drinking water supply, and assistance in preparing Detailed Project Reports for Integrated Watershed Management Programs (IWMP), amounting to approximately 31 Crores funded by the government.

The organisation prioritise gender equity and women's empowerment in their awareness-building programs, offering special training to enhance women's life and leadership skills, enabling them to enter traditionally male-dominated fields. For instance, women in Ambalavayal Panchayat were trained in tile cutting and fixing, leading to regular income generation. Additionally, ARSHABHARATH operates a Family Counselling Centre, providing support to individuals and families with psycho-social issues, and a Service Provider Centre under the Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, intervening in cases of women's rights violations. They also run a short-stay home to shelter victims of domestic violence who cannot remain in their homes while promoting women's initiatives through groups and micro-enterprises with skill development, financial mediation, and marketing support.

Since 2013, ARSHABHARATH has been involved in the implementation of the Jalanidhi Project led by the Pozhuthana Grama Panchayat, with support from the Kerala Government and financing from the World Bank. ARSHABHARATH plays a crucial role as the Technical Support Organization in this endeavour. The project's primary objective is to provide safe drinking water to around 1,500 families, primarily from the Scheduled Tribe category. The project comprises 17 schemes involving well sinking, tank construction, distribution, and filtration systems. It has also established 32 Beneficiary Groups responsible for operating and maintaining the water supply systems. In this special tribal project, the local Panchayat contributes 15% of the project cost, while the people share 10%, with the remaining 75% being covered by World Bank funding.

In partnership with Ambalavayal Panchayat, ARSHABHARATH implemented an afforestation project titled ‘Vazhiyora Vanam’. Under the project, more than 10,000 saplings of varieties of bamboo were planted on the sides of the road adjacent to the Karapuzha Dam. Most of the trees have survived and have grown big.

'Suraksha Project' is an HIV/AIDS prevention and women empowerment program implemented in Adimali, Kattappana, Idukki, and Nedumkandam areas of Idukki district. Since 2007, the project has been involved in various activities, such as HIV/AIDS prevention, STI/STD counselling and treatment, condom promotion, behavioural change programs, and community organization, benefiting 1037 female sex workers. This project not only contributes to controlling the spread of sexual diseases, including HIV/AIDS, among a highly vulnerable population but has also led to the overall empowerment of participating women. Some of them have even gone on to become elected people's representatives in local governments and members of political parties and civil society organisations, showcasing the program's broader impact on women's lives.