Vrutti - A Centre for Sustainable Livelihoods

Vrutti utilizes sustainable livelihood strategies to empower marginalized groups, including small farmers (130,000 families), vulnerable populations like sex workers, transgender individuals, and MSMs (120,000 individuals), and artisanal marine fisherfolk (21,000). It employs a 3 fold model to enhance prosperity and resilience. Its approach encompasses model design, partner collaboration, technical support, knowledge sharing, and policy advocacy.

Vrutti extends its impact to financial inclusion through Vrutti - Livelihoods Impact Finance Enabler (V-LIFE), collaborating closely with banks and financial entities to facilitate access to financial services and enhance financial literacy for producer organisations, enterprise groups, and communities. Vrutti actively engages in research initiatives, including recent endeavours such as assessing the impact of the National Rural Livelihood Mission and conducting comprehensive literature reviews pertaining to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

Vrutti's primary focus lies in engaging with farming communities, recognizing the pivotal role agriculture plays as the main livelihood source for over half of India's population, especially small-scale farmers. This journey commenced in 2010-2011 with the inception of the "Agriculture Enterprise Facilitation Centre" (AEFC) concept, spanning from two districts in Madhya Pradesh to nine districts across six states, benefiting 42,500 farmers. This model has continually evolved into the current 3 Fold Model, marked by profound engagement with farmers and their organisations. Vrutti's outreach extends to Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, concentrating on rainfed regions within Government-designated districts, providing essential support to socially and economically marginalized communities such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and small-scale farmers.

The primary goal is to uplift the livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities while ensuring the sustainable use of fishing resources. FishMARC originated from the South Indian Federation of Fishermen Societies (SIFFS), a cooperative for Tamil Nadu and Kerala's small-scale fishermen. Established in 2008. Since August 2017, FishMARC has been integrated into Vrutti, benefiting from an expanded team and improved resource mobilization. The Secretary and founder of FishMARC now lead this new Vrutti vertical while retaining the FishMARC label for its historical recognition.