Agri-Food Supply Chain Networks in Forest Ecosystem An introduction to sustainable Income Generating Activities

Existing or newly formed Self-Help Groups (SHGs) created or identified in each Van Panchayat area would be supported to undertake income generation activities to provide the SHGs an alternative means of earnings thereby leading to better quality of life and the project stability. The project plans to promote activities that will be particularly suitable for poor households (HHs) with small or no-farm land, and according to the locally available resources, skills and interest of the SHG members, along with market demand. The book plans to promote cluster development for selective IGAs and enable formation of a cluster level organization to provide further support to the SHGs. The cluster level organization is expected to facilitate its member SHGs to procure required raw material and services at competitive rates, enhance access to market, link with financial institutions and develop capacities etc. To establish and strengthen the clusters' operations, any government project need to identify potential IGAs, so that the SHGs with similar scope and interests could be identified and brought together to develop clusters for developing into sustainable businesses.