In association with Himmotthan Society and Leh Nutrition Project, the multi-year initiative aims to enhance incomes through farm and non-farm activities, directly impacting 7,500 families across three clusters in the region. It spans across 60 villages in the Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh to support 7,500 rural families.

SRINAGAR: Axis Bank Foundation (ABF) launched a multi-year project under its Sustainable Livelihood Programme in Leh & Kargil, in collaboration with Himmotthan Society and Leh Nutrition Project (LNP), on October 10, 2024. This marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time ABF has extended its livelihood initiatives to the Ladakh region. The project aims to support rural communities by enhancing incomes through a combination of farm-based and non-farm-based activities.

In Ladakh, the 5-year initiative (April 2024 – March 2029) will be implemented by Himmotthan Society and Leh Nutrition Project. This project, under the Sustainable Livelihood Programme of Axis Bank Foundation, is designed to support households in rural hill communities by facilitating income growth and improving their standard of living through various farm and non-farm livelihood interventions.

Overall, the project will directly benefit 7,500 tribal families in three clusters—Sham Valley in the west, Changthang in the east, and Kharu & Rong Valley in the central—covering 14 blocks across two districts of Ladakh.

One of the key objectives of the project is the value chain development of apricots and high-value crops such as vegetables, horticultural orchards/nurseries, woolen handicrafts, and dairy, with backward and forward integration. The project will also experiment with and demonstrate the use of innovative ideas in the fields of (a) Agriculture/horticulture: buckwheat, rajma, kerzey local pea, local white onion, apple, and apricot, (b) Livestock development: yak/goat cheese, churpey (dry cheese), (c) IT sector: graphic design, web design, and animation, (d) Handicrafts: woolen-based products, (e) Skill-based activities: plumbing, electrical work, tailoring, and (f) Food crafts: local bakery, pickle making.

This comprehensive programme aims to address the long-term challenges of climate change and geographical isolation by introducing tailored solutions to meet the region’s unique needs. It will not only enhance seasonal incomes but also build ecosystem resilience for Ladakh’s communities, ensuring a more sustainable and secure future.

Dr. Yashpal Bisht, Executive Director, Himmotthan Society & Regional Manager, Tata Trusts, said: “For the past two decades, Himmotthan Society has been working toward creating sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor, particularly in the state of Uttarakhand, with Women Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organisations at the center of project design and implementation. The successful livelihood models were gradually extended to Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh in 2018. The effects of climate change are more severe in the high-altitude Himalayas, and this project will assist farmers in developing adaptive strategies to cope with such changes. Tata Trusts and Himmotthan Society are in a strong position to manage development interventions in Ladakh, with an understanding of local challenges and a strong project team. This is a wonderful opportunity for Himmotthan Society and Tata Trusts to collaborate with the Axis Bank Foundation and government departments to deepen the impact.”

Chotak Gyatso, Executive Director, Leh Nutrition Project, added:  “Axis Bank Foundation is committed to enhancing livelihoods in the Ladakh region. Together with LNP, we are implementing a sustainable livelihood project that includes farm-based and non-farm-based initiatives to empower local communities and foster economic growth.”

Mr. Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Leh, said:  “I appreciate the initiative of Axis Bank Foundation, which is being implemented by Himmotthan Society and Leh Nutrition Project. The Union Territory and District Administration are currently focusing on five key aspects of sustainable livelihoods: skilling the youth, promoting seabuckthorn, pashmina, and apricot as major products for trade and commerce, and greenhouse technology for off-season vegetable production. I encourage government officials to work closely with the implementing agencies to make this programme a success, while avoiding duplication of efforts.”

Dhruvi Shah, Executive Trustee and CEO of Axis Bank Foundation, said:  “This partnership marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time ABF is expanding its Sustainable Livelihood Programme to Ladakh. This region holds immense potential, and the introduction of this programme is both timely and critical. Ladakh’s unique geography, along with its climate-related challenges, calls for a tailored, grassroots approach. Enabling communities through improved farming practices, value chain development, and local entrepreneurship will unlock new opportunities, paving the way for lasting change. The partnership aims to secure stable livelihoods while fostering resilience and environmental balance in one of India’s most ecologically sensitive regions.”

The launch event in Leh brought together key stakeholders and decision-makers to discuss collaboration and partnership opportunities. Mr. Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Leh, was the Chief Guest of the event. He was joined by the Director of Horticulture & Floriculture, Tsewang Phunchok, as the Guest of Honour, along with representatives from government departments (Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Handicraft, and Handloom), research institutes (DIHAR, KVK, SAST), FPOs, SHGs, and NGO partners (LNP and Himmotthan Society), and representatives from Axis Bank and ABF. A total of 60 participants attended the event.

The prominent government stakeholders and personalities who participated in the Project Launch Event include Dr. Ali Raza, Chief Horticulture Officer, Leh; Dr. Stanzin Rabgais, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Leh; Mr. Shakeel Ur Rehman, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Leh; Mr. Tsewang Dorjey, President, Sham Valley Apricot Producer Cooperative Limited; Mr. Tsewang Namgail, President, Ladakh Vegetable Producer Cooperative Limited; Mr. Chewang Norphel, Advisor, LNP; Mr. Karma Sonam, Project Manager, NCF; and Dr. Jigmat Yangchen, Chief Scientist, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

About Himmotthan Society: 

In 2001, Tata Trusts initiated Himmotthan Pariyojana to address the causes of rural poverty in the central Himalayan regions of India. It focused on enhancing livelihoods through farm, non-farm, and forest-based activities, market development, sustainable water availability and use, sanitation, and natural resource management. In 2007, Himmotthan Society was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It is an associate organization of Tata Trusts for Central and Western Himalaya, covering two states (Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh) and one Union Territory (Ladakh).

For further information on Himmotthan Society, visit: https://www.himmotthan.org/

About Leh Nutrition Project (LNP): 

Founded in 1978, LNP has long shaped the health and nutrition landscape in the region. Over the years, LNP has evolved into a holistic organization focused on sustainable development, mindful of its environment, local people, and culture, driven by proactive participation from the community.

For further information on Leh Nutrition Project (LNP), visit: https://lnp.org.in/

About Axis Bank Foundation: 

Axis Bank Foundation is committed to driving Axis Bank’s legacy of inclusive growth and enduring change in rural India. Established to have a focused and strategic approach to philanthropy, ABF fosters meaningful and sustainable change in society. Through the Sustainable Livelihood Programme instituted in 2011, ABF works with partners, community institutions, and government departments to create income-generating pathways for economically vulnerable communities, including small and marginal farmers, landless rural citizens, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), micro-entrepreneurs, artisans, fisherfolk, migrants, youth, and people with disabilities. By 2025, the programme aims to support 2 million rural families across 28 states in India.

For further information on Axis Bank Foundation, visit: https://www.axisbankfoundation.org/

About Axis Bank: 

Axis Bank is one of the largest private sector banks in India, offering a wide range of services to customer segments, including Large and Mid-Corporates, SMEs, Agriculture, and Retail Businesses. As of June 30, 2024, Axis Bank has 5,427 domestic branches (including extension counters) and 15,014 ATMs across the country. Axis Group includes Axis Mutual Fund, Axis Securities Ltd., Axis Finance, Axis Trustee, Axis Capital, A.TReDS Ltd., Freecharge, Axis Pension Fund, and Axis Bank Foundation.

For further information on Axis Bank, visit: https://axisbank.com

KR Desk