Empowerment

Mahashakti Foundation is committed to fostering sustainable development across key thematic areas – Environment, Empowerment, Education, and Health & Nutrition. In the environmental space, we promote climate-resilient agriculture, water conservation, and agroforestry to enhance biodiversity and combat soil erosion. Our empowerment initiatives focus on women, youth, and marginalized communities through financial literacy, micro-enterprise development, and vocational training programs. By forming Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), we strengthen farmers’ market linkages and bargaining power. In education, we bridge learning gaps for rural children and empower adults through functional and digital literacy programs. Health and nutrition interventions address malnutrition and healthcare access challenges through health camps, millet-based dietary promotion, and sanitation drives. Partnering with communities and stakeholders, Mahashakti ensures sustainable growth and inclusive development.

In India, various government and non-government initiatives aim to promote empowerment by promoting Self-Help Groups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and skill development programs. Mahashakti Foundation is actively working in these areas through multiple projects, including the Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBO), Crop Diversification Program under the Mega Lift Irrigation Program (CDP MLIP), Tribal Development Fund – Wasteland Development through Agroforestry Intervention (TDF Wadi). As an implementing agency for the Odisha Millet Mission, it has assisted over 750 farmers in cultivating millets across 700 hectares, ensuring better incomes and food security. Through this initiative, Mahashakti has helped increase millet production and consumption to enhance farmers’ incomes and integrate millets into government nutrition programs.

Other initiatives like Sampurna focus on integrating small farmers into value chains, leading to improved market access and price realization for their produce. Under this program, three FPOs have been formed, benefiting over 1,000 small and marginal farmers. The Sakhi, Adikala, Samriddhi, and the skill building program on applique craft has successfully empowered women by providing the necessary skills as well as the raw materials and livelihood support, enabling them to start micro-businesses and gain economic independence. Similarly, the TDF Wadi project has transformed 200 acres of barren land into productive horticultural farms, directly benefiting tribal communities. Through these efforts, Mahashakti Foundation has not only strengthened rural livelihoods but also promoted sustainable agriculture, increased farmers’ bargaining power, and improved community resilience.