The pursuit of better livelihood, and employment, with financial constraints, has adversely affected the rural socio-economic landscape. Beyond agricultural practices, the lack of diverse earning approaches has altered the concept of employment, influencing the mindset, especially of the youth. 

Rural areas play a vital role in maintaining the country's economy, yet these regions continue to scuffle with significant challenges, particularly in terms of economic progression and attaining sustainable livelihood. 

The primary issue tormenting rural areas is their heavy reliance on agriculture for their financial needs. While it remains vital and the skills rural people carry in agricultural practices are beyond par, the current scenario changes concerning climate, urbanization, lack of natural resources, etc., leave these regions vulnerable. 

Although several rural regions depend upon agricultural products for their economic well-being, the changing rainfall patterns, shifting monsoons, and long dry weather have adversely affected the amount and the quality of harvest being produced.  The lack of diverse options for financial stability further escalates the problem of economic growth and life stability. 

Another critical aspect that hinders rural livelihood is the lack of adequate infrastructure. Although many villages are now being embraced with productive infrastructure, some regions still lack essential amenities, proper transport networks, and multi-disciplinary frameworks. 

Their absence hampers productivity leading to underdeveloped aspects outside of agriculture. Lack of communication leads to a lack of ideas. A single frame of mind, though productive, focuses in only one direction, thus fostering multiple opportunities becomes an uphill battle leading to underdevelopment, and stifling economic growth.

The Initiative: Ambuja Cement's stride towards economic progress through sustainable livelihood

Lakhampur is a village located in the Chandrapur district of the state of Maharashtra. A leading cement company of the Adani group, Ambuja Cements, is constantly working to balance the socio-economic landscape of the village, by establishing agri-allied livelihoods, empowering sustainability and the economy. As a part of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), over quite a few years Ambuja Cements has been promoting entrepreneurship and skill development by training the locals in business and finance. 

Under the women's empowerment programme, the company has established training centres with proper technical guidance to train these women in various skills and set up small businesses and ventures in the village. The women of Lakhampur, with utmost enthusiasm, have embraced the opportunities, and the results are astonishing. 

A key achievement of this initiative was to provide efficient training to self-help groups (SHGs) on goat rearing and emphasise its potential to be a viable and sustainable business. Goat rearing has emerged as a lucrative venture for rural communities. With low investments and diverse, considerable locations, the business reaps numerous economic and livelihood benefits that prosper individual and community development. 

The eventual advantage of the goat-rearing venture is the multiple income streams. Apart from meat production, goats produce milk, which in turn produces a variety of dairy products. These products, and especially the goat dairy have a good market value when compared to dairy products obtained from cow's milk. 

Goats can survive in harsh environments and are prominent breeders, achieving sexual maturity at 10 or 12. This can leave the rearer with the advantage of plenty. With fewer requirements and high productivity, goat rearing can enhance financial resilience and reduce dependency solely on agriculture.

Impact Created

The women of Lakhampur, after acquiring adequate skill sets have now established a chain of ventures that includes grocery stores, beauty salons, garment outlets, and tailoring services.  

A noteworthy success story of Ambuja Cement's transformative project is the goat-rearing venture. Women's recognition of this business to have potential has unlocked the doors of development and financial balance, ultimately leading to a sustainable livelihood. 

Kalpana and many other women residents of Lakhampur have put their steps ahead to participate in the training program by the company and emerge as a Pashu Swasthya Sevika (PSS), volunteers who are trained and equipped to ensure the health and provide treatments to the goats of the village.

Not only women, but men also are now actively participating in goat-rearing ventures. According to current statistics, 180 families have adopted and acknowledged goat rearing as a beneficial venture in addition to agriculture. A lump sum of 50 to 60 thousand per year is the earnings of the included families. 

The initiative aims to establish a marketing unit in the village premises, for progressive profit via goat sales. The company now aims to set up facilities in the vicinity to make effective use of goat waste materials. The quality of manure is very effective for agricultural soil. It increases the soil quantity, eventually leading to productive harvests, thus promoting a healthier environment.

Conclusion

Many rural communities lack the means of economic growth, which hinders sustainable living. This challenge requires immediate action and mitigation from big ventures, policymakers, and stakeholders. 

By delving into and addressing the root causes like insufficient employment options, inadequate infrastructure, or a lack of required skills, these rural communities can be advanced in such a substantial manner that they can soon acquire economic stability and sustainable living by looking beyond agriculture and signing up for various beneficial ventures.

Ambuja Cement's CSR initiative stood out as a key to opening various horizons and carving different paths in such a way that the rural communities that were solely agriculture-dependent are now discovering various ways to obtain financial stability. 

Goat rearing has immense potential to be an economically viable business that can promote sustainable livelihoods. With low investments and diverse earning options, the profit margins from this business can address issues of underdevelopment and poverty. 

With efficient skill training and implementation, goat rearing can achieve economic balance, and sustainable livelihood, and build a recognition that inspires other rural communities to engage, explore, and delve into this venture, promoting sustainability. 

Such efforts need to be implemented on a large scale so that every individual or community, regardless of their background has an opportunity to learn, thrive, and prosper to secure a sustainable and economically balanced future.