COVID-19: Support India's Farmers & Weavers In Their Fight Against It

*Ketto is waving off its fee for this fundraiser.

Nearly 70% of India's population is rural whose primary source of livelihood is agriculture which contributes to about 50% of India's GDP. We, Chitrika Foundation, are a part of the Access Livelihoods Group. Over the last 15 years, we have been supporting these communities to establish and run their businesses in agriculture, dairy, poultry, and handlooms. The current national lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak has disproportionately affected the livelihood of these rural communities.

Drastic reductions in sales in the local markets and travel & transport restrictions have had a terrible impact on the livelihoods of these primary producers. Milk prices have crashed by Rs. 15 a litre, weavers’ orders have been cancelled, and poultry sales have plummeted by a massive 80%. At the same time, they have been facing difficulty in accessing and increasing the costs of inputs.

We work with 17,389 farmers, artisans, and tribals in remote areas of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Odisha. With a helping hand from you, Access Livelihoods Group can provide them with a basket of essentials customized according to their needs for the coming months. The basket will include essentials like dry ration, vegetables, other household necessities, agriculture inputs, cattle and poultry feed, and some medical assistance in cash and kind. Together, we can help them sustain themselves in these tough times.

We require ₹3.47 crores per month to provide sustenance and livelihood support to all the 17,389 families of farmers and weavers we work with. Apart from this campaign, we are also looking for institutional grants, loans, and government aid to fund this effort. Depending on the amount raised, the essentials will be provided for free or at a subsidized rate, to ensure that the maximum number of people benefit from your contribution.

Most of these households do not have much savings and their livelihood activities are at a halt due to the lockdown.

Let us all come together and help them in this time of crisis. Donate generously and help us support these producers, who are the backbone of our country.

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