Building Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in Rural Assam
Proven, scalable models in agriculture, clean energy, and women-led enterprises.
Deep Dive into Programs
Women’s Empowerment through Mushroom Cultivation
SANJOG initiated a community development project in Barpeta, Assam, training four underprivileged women in scientific mushroom farming. The program provided initial raw materials, technical support, and follow-up guidance.
🎯 Program Goal:
- To create sustainable income opportunities for women in flood-prone rural areas.
âś… Program Objective:
- Train women in low-cost, climate-resilient mushroom cultivation
- Enable supplementary income generation
- Foster self-reliance and community leadership among women
đź“Š Impact:
Starting with just 20 cylinders, the women now manage over 100 on their own. Within a
month, they sold 42 kg of mushrooms, earning â‚ą9,000 with a profit margin of â‚ą3,000. The
project sparked village-wide interest, inspired other women, and promoted resilience,
economic independence, and collective growth.
Promoting Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) for Sustainable Rice Cultivation
SANJOG implemented the FCF technique to promote sustainable rice farming in Assam’s Nalbari and Barpeta districts.
🎯 Program Goal:
- To reduce methane emissions and irrigation costs in rice cultivation while maintaining or improving yield.
âś… Program Objective:
- Introduce AWD as a climate-friendly alternative to traditional rice farming
- Train and support farmers in adopting the practice
- Build awareness about climate change and sustainable agriculture
đź“Š Impact:
966 farmers adopted AWD across 627 hectares, saving 30% of water and reducing methane emissions by 48%. Irrigation costs dropped by ₹200–₹300 per bigha, and yield increased by 40–60 kg per bigha or remained stable—without any reported yield loss. The program empowered farmers to transition to climate-smart farming practices.
Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Sustainable Livelihoods
SANJOG, in collaboration with SELCO Foundation, supports marginalized individuals—especially Persons with Disabilities (PwD)—by enabling sustainable, energy-efficient livelihood solutions.
🎯 Program Goal:
- To empower PwD individuals with reliable tools and support, enabling them to become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
âś… Program Objective:
- Provide tailored resources like solar-powered equipment
- Reduce dependency on unreliable electricity
- Foster financial independence and confidence
- Promote inclusive, accessible development
đź“Š Impact:
Alpana Baishya, a physically challenged woman from rural Assam, received a solar-powered sewing machine and improved working conditions. Her monthly income rose to ₹7,000–₹8,000, helping her achieve financial independence and inspiring others in her village.
Empowering Rural Entrepreneurs with DRE solutions
SANJOG, in collaboration with SELCO Foundation, initiated a program to provide subsidized solar power systems to marginalized individuals, especially Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), enabling them to start or sustain micro-enterprises.
🎯 Program Goal:
- Promote clean energy adoption
- Support financial independence for PwDs
- Enhance rural entrepreneurship
âś… Program Objective:
- Install affordable solar systems for eligible beneficiaries
- Reduce reliance on unreliable grid electricity
- Lower operational costs for rural businesses
đź“Š Impact:
Tifil Tirkey, a 24-year-old PwD from Uttarapara, set up his own printing shop with a subsidized 210-watt solar system. His income rose by 50–60%, boosting financial stability and business efficiency. The initiative improved his livelihood, reduced environmental impact, and empowered him as a self-reliant entrepreneur—proving the replicability of this model for other rural communities.
Financial Inclusion through Digital Empowerment
SANJOG launched a financial literacy initiative across rural Assam, aiming to bridge the digital divide and bring essential banking services closer to underserved communities. The program introduced UPI-based transactions, trained women and youth in digital finance, and facilitated linkages with banks, NBFCs, and postal services.
🎯 Program Goal:
- To promote inclusive, accessible, and secure financial practices among rural populations.
âś… Program Objective:
- Increase digital literacy and adoption of UPI for everyday transactions
- Deliver community-based financial literacy sessions, especially for women and farmers
- Enable access to credit, insurance, and savings via doorstep banking services
đź“Š Impact:
Over 50+ villagers, including 120 women, now actively use UPI for transactions ranging from grocery payments to utility bills. 75 individuals opened new bank accounts during village-level camps facilitated by SANJOG. The initiative fostered trust in digital finance, reduced dependency on cash, and empowered community members to make informed financial decisions, paving the way for long-term economic inclusion and resilience.
Convergence for Inclusive Development
SANJOG has initiated an ecosystem-building approach that brings together diverse development stakeholders, including tax service providers, social enterprises, financial institutions, grassroots bodies, and government departments, on a unified platform to foster collaboration and amplify local impact.
🎯 Program Goal:
- To enable integrated, multi-stakeholder solutions for sustainable rural development.
âś… Program Objective:
- Facilitate dialogue and partnerships among key development actors
- Build synergy between grassroots institutions and formal systems
- Strengthen coordination for service delivery in livelihood, finance, governance, and welfare
đź“Š Impact:
Through block-level convergence meetings and sectoral workshops, SANJOG has connected over 25 stakeholders across Barpeta, Baksa, Tamulpur, Kamrup and Nalbari. Outcomes include joint training programs, doorstep tax-filing support for rural entrepreneurs, integrated service camps, and stronger rural outreach by financial and government institutions. The initiative has laid the groundwork for a collaborative ecosystem rooted in trust, accessibility, and shared goals.
Success Stories
Alpana Baishya, a woman with a disability from Kadamtala village in Assam, overcame financial and physical barriers to start her own tailoring business. With support from Sanjog and the Selco Foundation, she received a solar-powered sewing machine and essential equipment. This intervention enabled her to earn ₹7,000–₹8,000 per month, gain financial independence, and inspire others in her community. Her story highlights how targeted, inclusive, and sustainable solutions can empower marginalized individuals to achieve self-reliance.
Alpana Baishya
Four women from Barpeta, Assam—Papori Deka, Renu Bodo, Arati Bodo, and Phanja Bodo—transformed their lives by starting a mushroom farm with training and support from the NGO SANJOG. Despite hardships like poverty and floods, they built a sustainable livelihood, expanding from 20 to over 100 mushroom cylinders and earning profits. Their success inspired others in the village and demonstrated the power of resilience, community support, and women’s empowerment.
Papori Deka, Renu Bodo, Arati Bodo, and Phanja Bodo
Tifil Tirkey, a 24-year-old from Uttarapara village with a disability, transformed his life with support from SANJOG and SELCO Foundation. With a heavily subsidized 210-watt solar power system, he started his own printing and DTP shop, breaking free from low-wage work and power outages. His income rose by over 50%, boosting financial stability and independence. The initiative not only improved his livelihood but also promoted clean energy, reduced costs, and built entrepreneurial skills—showcasing a replicable model for sustainable, inclusive development
Tifil Tirkey
Why Our Models Work
✅ Replicable – Designed for scale.
✅ Climate-Smart – Rain shelters, solar energy.
✅ Gender-Inclusive – 90% women beneficiaries.
