Project Aarohan

Impact Goal
To uplift over small and marginal farmers across rural India by 2030 through sustainable agriculture and horticulture practices, access to modern equipment, market linkages, and climate-resilient training — enabling them to lead dignified, self-reliant, and economically secure lives.

Uplifting Marginalized Farmers through Knowledge, Tools, and Sustainable Practices

Project Aarohan is a farmer empowerment initiative by Impact Life Foundation, aimed at the upliftment of marginalized, small, and landless farmers through scientific training, access to modern equipment, and promotion of sustainable agriculture and horticulture practices. The project equips farmers with tools, techniques, and knowledge to improve productivity, diversify crops, reduce input costs, and increase income.

The name “Aarohan”—meaning rise—reflects our vision to elevate the dignity, skills, and sustainability of India’s grassroots farming communities.

Key Features of Project Aarohan:

• Farmer-Centric Training
  Practical training on modern agriculture and horticulture practices, including organic farming, crop rotation, and natural resource management.

• Access to Modern Equipment
  Support for small and marginal farmers through distribution or access to tools like power tillers, drip irrigation systems, and compost units.

• Crop Selection & Diversification
  Guidance on high-yield, climate-resilient, and market-linked crops — including horticulture (fruits, vegetables, floriculture).

• Sustainable Farming Practices
  Focus on eco-friendly, low-cost methods such as vermicomposting, rainwater harvesting, integrated pest management, and soil health improvement.

• Horticulture Promotion
  Special emphasis on horticulture-based livelihoods with training in nursery management, kitchen gardens, and seasonal vegetable cultivation.

• Market Linkage & Value Addition
  Support for forming FPOs/SHGs, training in post-harvest management, packaging, branding, and connecting farmers to local and regional markets.

• Government Scheme Convergence
  Facilitation of access to government subsidies, insurance, and agri-welfare schemes through awareness and handholding support.

• Digital Agri-Advisory
  Use of mobile-based tools and information systems for weather updates, market prices, pest alerts, and best practices.

Why Project Aarohan:

In India, a large number of small and marginal farmers continue to struggle with low productivity, limited access to modern technology, poor market linkages, and climate-related challenges. Despite being the backbone of the rural economy, these farmers often face systemic barriers that prevent them from achieving sustainable and dignified livelihoods.

Empowering Marginalized Farmers through Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood Support

Agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for nearly 50% of India’s population, yet small and marginal farmers—who make up over 85% of the farming community—face chronic challenges that threaten their income, food security, and survival. Low crop productivity, poor access to technology, rising input costs, climate change impacts, and weak market linkages have left millions of farmers trapped in poverty.

According to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) and Agricultural Census 2021, small and marginal farmers own less than 2 hectares of land and earn incomes that are often insufficient to meet even basic needs. Many are forced to take informal loans, migrate for work, or abandon farming altogether. Additionally, the State of Indian Agriculture Report highlights the need for capacity-building and sustainable practices to improve farm resilience in the face of erratic monsoons, soil degradation, and water scarcity.

Project Aarohan—meaning *“rising” or “ascent”—was launched by Impact Life Foundation to support the upliftment of marginalized farmers, especially those in vulnerable and climate-sensitive regions. The project provides technical training, exposure to modern and traditional farming techniques, access to farm equipment, crop planning support, and linkages to markets and government schemes.

It goes beyond productivity to promote sustainable agriculture, horticulture, and natural resource conservation, helping farmers adopt climate-resilient and organic practices that are both eco-friendly and income-generating. Special focus is given to women farmers, tribal cultivators, and landless labourers through inclusive training models and livelihood diversification.

In doing so, Project Aarohan empowers farmers not just as producers, but as stewards of the land—helping them rise toward self-reliance, food security, and economic dignity.

Target Beneficiaries:

• Small and Marginal Farmers
  Individuals owning less than 2 hectares of land, struggling with low income and outdated farming practices.

• Landless Agricultural Labourers
  Those dependent on seasonal or daily-wage farm work, with no landholding of their own.

• Tribal and Indigenous Farmers
  Communities in remote or forested regions engaged in traditional farming with limited market or technical access.

• Women Farmers and Cultivators
  Women actively involved in agriculture, horticulture, and allied activities, often unrecognized and unsupported.

• Youth in Rural and Semi-Rural Areas
  Young men and women seeking skill development in agriculture, farm entrepreneurship, or modern horticulture.

• Climate-Vulnerable Farming Households
  Farmers affected by erratic rainfall, water scarcity, or soil degradation due to climate change.

• Economically Backward Farming Families
  Households living below the poverty line with limited access to government schemes and financial services.