Livelihoods

Rural India is home of the original gig-economy worker. Enterprising villagers hop from tilling fields to tending shops, to door-to-door selling each day. Read the latest trends in micro-enterprises, rural start-ups and the shifting livelihoods of India’s villagers.

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Kadar tribes face repeated displacement for hydel power projects

For more than a century, Kerala’s forest-dwelling tribes have been repeatedly evicted for power projects. Faced with another displacement, the tribes refuse to give up their rights

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Women weavers start successful eateries after job loss

When weaving became unsustainable, two enterprising women started selling idlis to patients and convalescents. Many women followed their footsteps, developing the area into a popular outsource hub

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Farmers of Palghar protest against farm laws

In solidarity with protesting farmers in Delhi, men and women farmers of Maharashtra staged road blockades, demanding withdrawal of farm laws, and placed a charter of demands

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Restoration of ponds leads to revival of agriculture

Despite good rainfall, lack of water retention led to farmers’ migration. Deepening of ponds to store rainwater has stopped migration and helped farmers grow crops across seasons

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Students help revive traditional metal craft

Students with a passion for social entrepreneurship have helped traditional metal craftsmen to adapt to changing times with new designs, and explore new markets within the country and beyond

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Women farmers leverage collective power to form producer company

Despite carrying out many farming activities, women lacked recognition. Coming together as a self-help group, they have found confidence to progress and use collective bargaining power to their advantage

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Women continue to roll beedis despite low wages, health risks

Due to lack of education and alternate sustainable employment avenues, millions of workers, especially women, endure beedi rolling. Familiarity and fear prevent them from switching jobs

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Dairy cooperative creates a closed-loop replicable system

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The lockdown made many dairy cooperatives lose business. However, a village cooperative in Anand has created a sustainable financial and ecological model, building synergy among farmers

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Farmers still under cloud of Cyclone Gaja and storm surge

Coastal farmers suffered a double whammy when Cyclone Gaja brought a storm surge in its wake. Two years later, they are yet to recover, but remain hopeful