Livelihood & Market Access

Livelihoods of Adivasis in India are intrinsically forest based. Across the country, barring a few exceptions, engaging with land, forests, water and available labour are the major options people have. In an effort to look at livelihood holistically, the options that emerge are:

• NTFP Collection – commercial & subsistence of both plant and animal species
• Marginal or subsistence traditional agriculture
• Wage labour – often provided in forests, adjacent farms, infrastructure in the area, mainly roads
• Pastoralism – involves use of large commons/pastures, sale of livestock, etc

Though a holistic approach is necessary, this network concentrates on the NTFP aspects. Specifically the following aspects need emphasis

1. Subsistence use for improving quality of life and maintain adivasi culture
2. Improved terms of trade for NTFPs which are marketed
3. Strengthening and analyzing village institutions for NTFP trade, often set up by government schemes
4.   Introduce new technologies and training for better harvesting, processing and packaging of NTFP
5. Build market information, fair trade practices and a common brand
6. Introduce concept of NTFP certification for application with Forest Department and NTFP markets
7. Build capacities of adivasis for improved livelihood