Tara Devi beams with pride as she tends to her goat rearing business, a venture she now owns thanks to Caritas India’s Saksham program. Goat rearing has become a reliable source of income for women in this region, transforming their lives and providing financial stability.

The Saksham program by Caritas India has made significant strides in providing sustainable livelihood options to marginalized communities in Madhya Pradesh. Specifically, 105 women from the villages of Barbai, Madhiya, and Dhamod in Vidisha District have benefitted from this initiative. Additionally, 35 men from Khirya Jagir village have also started their small businesses under this program.

“Livelihood security in Vidisha district is primarily ensured through goat rearing by the local community and linking beneficiaries to government schemes,” says Sanjay Tiwari, Program Coordinator of the Saksham Program. “Under the Saksham program, we’ve selected 15 villages, including Madhiya, Dhamod, Barbai, and Norja Khiriya Jagir Panchayat, for a transformative initiative focused on good governance and sustainable agriculture,” he added.

The Saksham program operates on two core components;
1. Governance for Food and Nutrition: This component emphasizes community empowerment, food and nutrition security, livelihood security, and the protection of developmental rights.
2. Sustainable Agriculture: This component focuses on promoting sustainable farming practices, agriculture-based livelihoods, and enhanced food and nutrition availability.

One of the key strategies of the Saksham program is linking beneficiaries to government schemes, providing additional income options for the villagers. The program’s success is evident in the empowerment of women through self-employment training facilitated by the State Bank of India. For those unable to attend livestock management training off-site, the program brought training sessions to the villages, ensuring the entire community benefits.

Mr. Sanjay Tiwari emphasized the Saksham team’s efforts, saying, “We represent a fraternity to support the poor community in achieving livelihood sustainability through small business setups, aligned with government agencies. We coordinated with the State Bank of India to gather all necessary documents and organized a 10-day training for these women. After completing the training, each woman received a loan of Rs. 30,000 to start their own business. Many chose goat rearing, a sustainable livelihood option that provides both milk and livestock for sale.”

Mrs. Sunita Ahirwar, a beneficiary, shares the practical benefits: “The goat training is necessary for our area. The villages are in forested and mountainous regions suitable for goat fodder. Goats don’t need a lot of space and are easy to rear. Around 80 percent of the trained people have gone into goat rearing, while others have started vegetable businesses or farming. With Rs. 30,000, four to five goats can be bought, depending on the variety.”

Reflecting on the achievements, Mr. Sanjay Tiwari said, “Through these efforts, Saksham has successfully linked many poor communities with government support, empowering them to start and sustain their own businesses. By connecting women with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) through the State Bank of India, the program has provided diverse training opportunities to help women establish various income-generating activities.”

Today, the women of Barbai, Norja, Madhiya, and Dhamod have successfully set up their own income generation programs, exemplifying the Saksham program’s goal of community self-sufficiency through effective utilization of government schemes. The training program has equipped the selected participants with the skills to strengthen their businesses and multiply their income.

“Our team tirelessly identifies eligible candidates for the right schemes, facilitating the process to alleviate the hardships of poor people in times of need,” said Mrs. Swati, a program coordinator. Her hopeful words, “Now the change will take place in the village,” resonate with the community’s newfound optimism.

Caritas India’s Saksham program in Madhya Pradesh is empowering women and marginalized communities through sustainable livelihood options. By linking beneficiaries to government schemes and providing necessary training and financial support, the program ensures long-term economic stability and self-sufficiency.