Sustainable livelihood and food security

SOVA is committed to ensuring that all people can live in dignity while at the same time preserving the natural foundations of life in the long term, whether social, economic, or ecological. It aims to end hunger in its region and achieve sustainable livelihood and food security. Achieving sustainable success requires agriculture and its related system transformation and innovative approaches to both immediate intervention and long-term development, particularly concerning sustainable and resilient agriculture systems. In the agricultural sector, SOVA creates jobs and develops site-specific strategies for sustainable and efficient agriculture with the local communities.

In the challenging socio-economic environment of southern Odisha, where SOVA works, it has taken a holistic approach to combat poverty and empower communities. In doing so, it pursues three primary goals: Food security for the communities, increased income, and the protection of natural resources. The key strategies SOVA follows are promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture practices,on and off-farm-based enterprises, establishing market linkages, and developing skills of communities especially the youths for employability. It is also involved in community advocacy for accessibility of land rights, ensuring the Legislative measures and implementation of welfare Schemes and programs, including ensuring employment under MGNREGA, Minimum Wages Act, Old age Pension, Widow Pension, Maternity Benefits for women workers, Registration in E-Shram Card, ensuring Safe Migration, accessibility of staple food grains under Public Distribution Scheme (PDS), Health Insurance, skill development and enterprise development. Through the programmes, it ensures that all people can live in dignity while at the same time preserving the natural foundations of life in the long term, whether social, economic, or ecological.