Nari Shakti Greenway: Empowering Rural Women for Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in Karnataka

Introduction

Since its inception in 2003, MANUVIKASA has been at the forefront of sustainable development, community empowerment, and environmental conservation in Karnataka. Through the generous support of the EdelGive Foundation, we have launched one of our most impactful initiatives—“Nari Shakti Greenway: Nurturing Rural Women for Climate-Resilient Livelihoods in Karnataka.” This project spans three critical districts—Uttara Kannada, Dharwad, and Haveri—and aims to uplift over 20,520 rural women by 2027 through a comprehensive and integrated livelihood development model.

Project Vision and Objectives

The overarching goal of this project is to improve the climate-resilient livelihoods of marginalized women by enhancing access to natural resources, facilitating financial inclusion, promoting skill development, supporting entrepreneurship, and creating employment opportunities—particularly under MGNREGA.

Key objectives include:

• Supporting women through microfinance, SHG strengthening, and financial literacy
• Organizing skill-building programs across tailoring, dairy, agriculture, and digital trades
• Promoting producer collectives such as FPOs for sustainable market access
• Reviving ecological resources through lake rejuvenation, farm ponds, and forest conservation
• Enabling women to access entitlements and social protection schemes
• Creating youth-focused vocational training centers and advanced skilling hubs

Geographical Outreach

The program covers 24 taluks across the three districts. This includes Sirsi, Siddapur, Yellapur, Mundgod, Ankola, Kumta, Haliyal, and Joida in Uttara Kannada; Kalaghatagi, Hubballi, Alnavar in Dharwad; and Hangal, Hirekerur, Shiggaon, and Haveri in Haveri district. These areas represent the Western Ghats, coastal, and semi-arid landscapes of Karnataka—each with distinct social, agricultural, and ecological challenges.

1. Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship

• 1,403 women accessed loans worth ₹7.04 crores through banks and SHG federations
• 968 women reported income improvement due to entrepreneurial and livelihood activities
• Loans facilitated through Sanghamitra Rural Financial Services were critical for SHG growth

2. Skill Development

• 1,554 women received formal vocational training in:
  • Tailoring (242)
  • Catering (129)
  • Dairy Development (297)
  • Sustainable Agriculture (686)
  • Accounts, Video Editing, Shopkeeping & Digital Literacy (200+)
• Launch of Advanced Tailoring Centers and Continuing Learning Centre for youth training in fashion design, marketing, and eco-friendly practices

3. Livelihood Creation through MGNREGA

• 1,726 rural laborers (including 922 women) received wage employment
• 32,184 man-days of labor created with INR.9460187 disbursed
• Development of community infrastructure assets and creation of water retention structures

4. SHG Formation and Institutional Strengthening

• Promoted 367 new SHGs with 4,024 members
• Organized 41 federation meetings, enabling peer learning and leadership building
• Women’s conventions held in Sirsi and Siddapur witnessed participation from over 1,777 women

5. Access to Government Schemes

• 647 women secured benefits such as E-Shram cards, Job Cards, and Jan Dhan accounts
• Focus on leveraging schemes for nutrition, insurance, and maternity benefits

Lake and Farm Pond Development

• 5 large lakes rejuvenated in Uttara Kannada and Haveri districts benefiting 167 farmers
• 30 farm ponds developed, enhancing water security over 35 hectares

Water Harvesting and Community Forests

• 4,000 water harvesting pits constructed in forest areas, ensuring improved biodiversity and groundwater recharge
• Promotion of sustainable farming through SRI paddy cultivation (24 hectares) and seed banking

Organic Agriculture and Kitchen Gardens

• Over 150 women farmers adopted organic agricultural practices
• Kitchen gardens supported for 150 families with training, seeds, and organic manure, improving nutrition and reducing household expenses

Poultry and Beekeeping

• Distributed 4,830 chicks to 311 SHG women
• Distributed 104 honeybee boxes to selected households, providing additional income streams

FPO and Cooperative Strengthening

• Developed 3 functional FPOs for vegetables, fisheries, and areca processing
• SHG women linked to Pragatimitra FPO for value addition in areca nut and marketing
• Business planning support extended with NABKISAN and NABARD assistance

Innovation, Technology & Capacity Building

• CRP Network (Community Resource Persons) actively supported SHGs in record-keeping, social mobilization, and financial tracking
• Training on digital literacy, bookkeeping, and mobile-based enterprise tools provided
• Developed a model for climate-resilient income diversification through integrated interventions

The project has transformed communities in more ways than one. From Noorjahan’s bustling eatery “Baby Sumayya Fast Food” in Hirehalli, built on catering training, to the self-reliant SHGs now running profitable grocery businesses under cooperatives during COVID-19—every woman empowered is a beacon of community transformation.

Women now not only access credit but also claim rights over common lands, lead federations, run businesses, and participate in local governance. Alcoholism has been curbed in some villages, and children’s school dropouts have reduced due to improved household incomes.

During the financial year 2025–26, MANUVIKASA, in partnership with EdelGive Foundation, continued to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and community resilience under the Nari-Shakti Green Way project. The year witnessed significant progress across financial inclusion, skill development, livelihood promotion, and community development initiatives.

Financial Inclusion and Livelihood Enhancement

A major focus of the project was improving access to financial services for women. During the year, a total of 976 women members accessed loans through banks and financial institutions, with a cumulative loan amount of INR 5,69,64,968. Additionally, 510 women members received loans amounting to INR 2,87,80,000 through Sanghamithra Rural Financial Services.

These efforts led to measurable livelihood improvements, with 697 women reporting increased income levels after loan linkage. Women demonstrated enhanced confidence in financial planning and utilization, with many diversifying into non-agricultural livelihoods such as small businesses, tailoring, and food processing. Improved attendance in group meetings and more open discussions on loan usage and repayment reflected stronger engagement. Financial literacy initiatives further enabled women to better understand loan management and digital banking, contributing to a more informed and confident SHG ecosystem.

Skill Development and Employment Opportunities

Skill development remained a cornerstone of the project, with 1,429 women trained across various trades. The training methodology emphasized interactive sessions, practical demonstrations, and peer learning. These efforts resulted in immediate outcomes, with several participants securing catering and tailoring orders, while others found employment in private companies.

Tailoring and Advanced Tailoring

A total of 8 basic tailoring trainings were conducted, benefiting 236 women, alongside 3 advanced tailoring trainings covering 65 women. Participants acquired practical skills that enabled them to start home-based tailoring units and contribute to household income. These trainings also boosted confidence, creativity, and peer learning among SHG members.

Catering Training

Through 4 catering training programs, 112 women gained hands-on experience in food preparation, hygiene, and presentation. Some participants initiated small catering businesses or home-based food enterprises, while others applied their skills in community events, enhancing both income and social visibility.

Sustainable Agriculture

The project organized 15 batches of sustainable agriculture training, reaching 735 women. These sessions focused on eco-friendly farming practices, soil health management, and cost reduction. Participants actively engaged in discussions and demonstrated increased awareness of organic inputs and sustainable crop practices, laying the foundation for improved productivity and long-term resilience.

Dairy and Allied Activities

A total of 141 women were trained through 3 dairy training programs, enhancing their knowledge of livestock management and dairy-based income generation. Additionally, 112 women received seeds and organic manure to support agricultural productivity.

Youth and Livelihood-Oriented Trainings

The project also expanded opportunities for youth and SHG members through diversified skill-building initiatives:

• Video Editing Training: 73 youth trained
• Accounts and Office Maintenance: 52 members trained
• Shopkeeping and Retail Marketing: 53 members trained
• Photography and Videography: 25 members trained
• Plumbing and Electrical Training: 54 members trained

These trainings equipped participants with employable skills and opened pathways for self-employment and wage-based opportunities.

Strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

Institutional strengthening was a key priority during the year. A total of 192 SHGs were promoted, enrolling 2,140 members. Additionally, 10 SHG concept training programs were conducted, reaching 462 members, enhancing their understanding of group dynamics, financial management, and collective decision-making.

To further encourage community participation and solidarity, two large Women Conventions were organized in Kumata (Uttara Kannada District) and Kalaghatagi (Dharwad District), bringing together 1,355 women members. These conventions provided platforms for experience sharing, awareness building, and collective empowerment.

Employment Generation through MGNREGA

The project facilitated access to wage employment under the MGNREGA scheme, benefiting 776 laborers, including 423 women. A total of 20,429 person-days of work were generated, with INR 75,58,730 disbursed as wages. This intervention contributed to income security and livelihood stability for rural households.

Natural Resource Management and Environmental Initiatives

Sustainable environmental practices were integrated into the project’s activities. During the year:

• 16 farm ponds were developed, benefiting 18 hectares of land, improving water availability for agriculture
• 2,000 water retention units were created in community forests, enhancing groundwater recharge and ecological balance

These initiatives contributed to improved agricultural productivity and long-term environmental sustainability.

Access to Government Schemes

The project also facilitated access to social protection and welfare schemes. A total of 1,087 members benefited from various government schemes, including job cards, E-Shram cards, and other entitlements. This support enhanced social security and reduced vulnerability among marginalized communities.

Conclusion

The year 2025–26 marked a significant step forward in advancing women’s empowerment and sustainable livelihoods under the Nari-Shakti Green Way project. Through integrated efforts in financial inclusion, skill development, institutional strengthening, and environmental sustainability, the project fostered greater confidence, economic independence, and community resilience among women and their families.

The outcomes reflect a strong foundation for continued growth, with empowered women emerging as active contributors to household income, community development, and local economies.

As the project progresses, MANUVIKASA will:

• Extend farm pond and lake development to unreached villages
• Scale vocational training to 5,000 women and youth
• Strengthen SHG-FPO linkages for sustainable agri-business ecosystems
• Conserve an additional 60 million liters of water and protect 160 acres of community forest
• Drive climate adaptation through kitchen gardens, indigenous seed conservation, and organic farming