Land & Livelihood Development

Land & Livelihood Development

Reviving Land. Securing Livelihoods. Creating New Hope.

In the drought-prone and flood-affected regions of Maharashtra, climate change has deeply impacted small and marginal farmers, women, and rural communities. In drought-affected areas like Solapur, water scarcity, degraded land, and uncertain agricultural conditions lead to distress migration and indebtedness. On the other hand, flood-affected regions face crop losses, soil erosion, damage to agricultural assets, and severe disruptions to livelihoods due to excessive rainfall and flooding.

Dr. Ambedkar Sheti Vikas Va Sanshodhan Sanstha (ASVSS) has been working with disaster-affected and vulnerable communities for over four decades, focusing on the conservation of land, water, and natural resources while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.

In drought-affected areas, ASVSS supports farmers through watershed development, land restoration, orchard development, natural farming, and collective farming initiatives to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience. In flood-affected areas, the organization works towards emergency response, agricultural rehabilitation, restoration of livelihood assets, support to affected families, and strengthening community preparedness to face future disasters.

Through active community participation, ASVSS promotes soil and water conservation measures, shared irrigation systems, plantation drives, sustainable agricultural practices, and locally driven livelihood models. These efforts not only restore agricultural ecosystems but also improve the economic security of rural families, reduce distress migration, and strengthen communities’ ability to adapt to climate change.

Our Impact

• 500+ acres of land brought under cultivation through collective farming initiatives.

• 2,000+ families supported to reduce distress migration through sustainable livelihood opportunities.

• 100,000+ trees planted, contributing to biodiversity conservation and environmental protection.

• 500+ women empowered through kitchen gardens, strengthening household nutrition security.

• Climate-resilient and eco-friendly farming practices promoted across 50+ villages.

Land and Livelihood Development Program

From Degraded Land to Prosperous Farms… From Vulnerability to Sustainable Livelihoods

In the drought-prone regions of Maharashtra, climate change, water scarcity, declining soil fertility, and increasing uncertainty in agriculture have severely affected the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. Many rural families are forced to migrate in search of employment, while women and children bear the social and economic consequences of this instability.

To address these challenges, Dr. Ambedkar Agricultural Development and Research Institute (ASVSS) works closely with rural communities to promote sustainable and environmentally responsible agriculture. The programme aims not only to increase agricultural productivity but also to conserve natural resources, enhance rural incomes, empower women, and create secure and dignified livelihood opportunities.

ASVSS implements integrated interventions including collective farming, watershed development, orchard development, Krushi Panchayats (Farmer Councils), biodiversity conservation, natural farming, agroforestry, and women-led farm-based livelihood initiatives to strengthen climate-resilient rural communities.

Our Key Interventions

Collective Farming

ASVSS promotes collective farming by bringing together small and marginal farmers to cultivate land collaboratively. Through collective planning, efficient resource utilization, climate-smart farming practices, and improved market access, farmers are able to increase both productivity and income.

Watershed Development

A model watershed development project has been established in Dongargaon. Soil and water conservation measures, groundwater recharge, and sustainable water management have improved water availability for agriculture, enabling previously uncultivated land to become productive.

Land Restoration

ASVSS has successfully restored 90 acres of Mahar Watan land in Dongargaon, transforming degraded land into productive farmland. The site now includes mixed fruit orchards, memorial forests, agroforestry plantations, fodder cultivation, and vegetable production, demonstrating an integrated and sustainable farming model.

Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Farming

The organization works with 50 farmers in Sangola Taluka to promote biodiversity conservation and natural farming. The programme encourages the conservation of indigenous seed varieties, organic cultivation, natural inputs, and environmentally sustainable farming practices that improve resilience to climate change.

Our Impact

The programme has created significant positive change in agriculture, environmental conservation, and rural livelihoods.

• Restored and made productive 90 acres of degraded Mahar Watan land in Dongargaon.

• Established Collective Farming Models in 10 villages.

• Promoted Natural and Environment-Friendly Agriculture in 50 villages.

• Developed a Model Watershed Project in Dongargaon.

• Planted more than 100,000 trees, contributing to biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration.

• Reduced seasonal migration for more than 2,000 people by creating sustainable local livelihood opportunities.

• Strengthened food and nutrition security for 500 women through Kitchen Garden initiatives.

Our Vision

We envision rural communities where every farmer has access to productive land, sufficient water, climate-resilient agriculture, and secure, dignified livelihoods. Through conservation of natural resources, community participation, and women’s leadership, ASVSS is committed to building resilient and sustainable rural communities.

Programme Objectives

• Restore degraded and uncultivated land to productive use.

• Improve the income and food security of small and marginal farmers.

• Promote climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable farming practices.

• Increase water availability through watershed development and water conservation.

• Conserve biodiversity and protect natural resources.

• Empower women through agriculture and allied livelihood activities.

• Reduce seasonal migration by creating sustainable local employment opportunities.

• Strengthen farmer-led institutions and local agricultural governance.

Our Approach

ASVSS follows a community-driven development approach, where local people actively participate in planning, implementation, and monitoring. Every intervention is designed according to local needs, available resources, and community leadership.

Our approach includes:

• Natural resource assessment and management

• Strengthening farmer groups, Krushi Panchayats, and Women’s Self-Help Groups

• Farmer training, demonstrations, and capacity building

• Integrating indigenous knowledge with modern agricultural practices

• Linking farmers with government schemes and services

• Continuous mentoring, monitoring, and impact assessment

Key Interventions

• Collective Farming

• Watershed Development

• Land Restoration

• Biodiversity Conservation

• Natural Farming

• Agroforestry and Memorial Forests

• Mixed Fruit Orchard Development

• Fodder Development

• Kitchen Gardens

• Poultry Farming for Women

• Krushi Panchayats (Farmer Councils)

• Climate-Resilient Agriculture

• Farmer Capacity Building and Training

Programme Outcomes

• 90 acres of degraded Mahar Watan land restored.

• Collective farming established across 10 villages.

• Natural farming promoted in 50 villages.

• A model watershed development initiative established in Dongargaon.

• More than 100,000 trees planted.

• Seasonal migration reduced for over 2,000 people.

• Food and nutrition security strengthened for 500 women through kitchen gardens.

• Increased livelihood opportunities for women through farm-based enterprises.

• Improved groundwater levels and agricultural productivity.

• Greater adoption of climate-resilient farming practices.

Success Stories

The programme has transformed the lives of many farming families and women’s groups. Featured stories include:

• Reviving Dongargaon’s Mahar Watan Land: From barren land to productive farming.

• Women’s Poultry Enterprise: Building sustainable incomes through Self-Help Groups.

Programs & Projects

Memorial Forest (Smruti Van) Initiative

An innovative initiative that preserves the memories of ancestors, social reformers, and inspiring individuals while promoting environmental conservation and biodiversity. Developed on a 5-acre site within ASVSS’s demonstration farm at Dongargaon, the Memorial Forest encourages community participation and nurtures a culture of honouring loved ones through tree plantation instead of traditional memorials, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

Impact: Memorial Forest established on a 5-acre demonstration site • 500 Banyan and Peepal trees planted • Community-supported tree sponsorship and memorial donation initiative • ₹100,000 contributed towards irrigation and long-term maintenance.