India’s rural development journey has been shaped by decades of innovation, adaptation, and community-led action. From the Community Development Programme of the 1950s to the emergence of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the 1990s, successive initiatives have aimed to empower rural households, strengthen their livelihoods, and drive financial inclusion. The World Bank estimates that 63% of the Indian population still resides in rural areas, primarily dependent on agriculture, livestock rearing, and other primary activities for their livelihoods. The launch of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) in 2011 marked a major milestone, bringing together social mobilization, financial access, livelihood promotion, and convergence into one mission.
The mission also aimed to build human and social capital by developing leaders—Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and Community Paraprofessionals—to promote livelihoods. The CRPs are handpicked from SHG networks to uplift their peers and facilitate skill development in critical areas such as agriculture, livestock management and other areas of livelihood promotion. These trusted advisors and resource persons are redefining how rural women contribute to creating pathways for sustainable livelihoods, stronger communities, and inclusive growth.
Emergence of ‘Krishi’ and ‘Pashu’ Sakhis
Blending the concepts of convergence and the development of human and social capital through the promotion of CRPs and farm-based livelihood initiatives, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, GoI, launched the Krishi Sakhi Convergence Programme (KSCP) under the DAY-NRLM. Its goal is to train rural women from SHGs in modern and sustainable farming techniques and later serve as community agricultural advisors, known as Krishi Sakhis. The KSCP offers a wide range of benefits for women farmers, rural communities, and the Indian agricultural sector. They coach fellow SHG members on crop diversification, organic farming, pest management, and the use of high-yield seed varieties.
Further, considering the growing demand for livestock products both in the domestic and international markets, and their potential as high-value options for landless and marginal households in the rural economy, a similar approach was also adopted in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). This approach promotes Pashu Sakhis, or livestock friends, to provide a range of support services for the animal and husbandry sector, including inputs, advisory support for productivity (breeding, feeding, and animal health), farmer training, market linkage, and risk mitigation.
During our recent field visit, we had a chance to interact with women in Jharkhand, central India, about the support they have received from these advisors.
Guided by Krishi Sakhis, farmers are embracing organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and high-yield seeds. This ensures food security at home and surplus sales in local markets, strengthening income and nutrition.
“With healthier livestock, families now rely on goats for milk, nutrition, and income, supporting school fees, healthcare, and overall stability.
Women leading the charge
At the heart of this change is the empowerment of women. The CRP model transforms them from aid recipients into community leaders who are:
- Gaining respect as skilled contributors.
- Strengthening SHGs as drivers of prosperity.
- Advancing gender equality and cohesion.
The impact goes beyond income. CRP-supported households show resilience and are better equipped to adapt and thrive in changing times. Krishi and Pashu Sakhis embody the power of grassroots leadership and the spirit of rural women. Their journey demonstrates that when communities come together, they can overcome barriers and cultivate a future of empowerment, resilience, and hope.
