Mission 2 Million
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Areas of Focus
Our commitment through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
We channelise our CSR to address pressing socio-economic and ecological challenges faced by rural communities in India. Axis Bank Ltd. and its subsidiaries (Axis AMC and other eligible Axis Group entities) are collectively committed towards reaching out to rural communities to help them achieve credible paths to stable livelihoods through the Sustainable Livelihoods Programme. The goal of this initiative is to meaningfully impact 2 million rural households by 2027.
Along with Axis Bank Ltd. and its subsidiaries, we are collectively committed towards reaching out to rural communities to help them achieve credible paths to stable livelihoods through the Sustainable Livelihoods Programme implemented by Axis Bank Foundation.
The Programme focuses on diversifying income-generating opportunities, strengthening and increasing farm productivity, improving natural resource management and increasing employability and entrepreneurial skills of rural youth.
This multi-faceted approach towards livelihoods enables rural communities to increase their income, gain access to credit and build their capacities to be agents of change in their own communities. Read more about our efforts here.
Lack of storage facilities coupled with the lack of technologies for value addition to vegetable production was causing grave concerns for the farmers of Nandurbar district, a significant vegetable growing belt in Maharashtra. When market prices were low, farmers would suffer income losses as the perishables had a short shelf-life and would begin to rot if stored in the hope of gaining better prices later.
In order to increase the shelf-life of the produce and steady the income from agriculture, low-cost solar dryers were introduced through the project. This technique involved naturally drying the vegetables, thus preserving the colour, flavour and nutrient value. The project trained women from the community Self-Help Group (SHGs) on processing techniques, methods of dehydration, cutting of vegetables and equipped management. The women began dehydrating onion, methi, and coriander. Post dehydration, the vegetables were packed and sold in nearby markets where they fetched a reasonably high price.
The introduction of solar dryers enabled farmers to earn a stable income from their produce and also provided a source of income to women in the village.
In order to increase the shelf-life of the produce and steady the income from agriculture, low-cost solar dryers were introduced through the project. This technique involved naturally drying the vegetables, thus preserving the colour, flavour and nutrient value. The project trained women from the community Self-Help Group (SHGs) on processing techniques, methods of dehydration, cutting of vegetables and equipped management. The women began dehydrating onion, methi, and coriander. Post dehydration, the vegetables were packed and sold in nearby markets where they fetched a reasonably high price.
The introduction of solar dryers enabled farmers to earn a stable income from their produce and also provided a source of income to women in the village.
Begmati Devi is a progressive farmer in Pokharia village. She began working on her farm after her marriage.
Begmati Devi joined her community Self-Help Group through which she was trained on machaan (trellis) farming. Though the technique was new to her, she was provided all the technical and hand-holding support through the program to establish a machaan. She cultivated bitter gourd, bottle gourd and ridge gourd on the same machaan. Apart from access to seeds and machaan materials, Begmati was also trained on preparing bio-pesticides for cultivation. This significantly reduced her input costs and improved soil health.
Based on her experience, she started a nursery of fruit and timber plants. Through this, she is raising a nursery of 35,000 saplings that will be supplied to Farmer Producers’ Organizations.
Today, Begmati Devi is an entrepreneur with a steady source of income, earning an 80% profit from her produce. She has access to vegetables for her house and has also employed 8-10 people to work with her.
Begmati Devi joined her community Self-Help Group through which she was trained on machaan (trellis) farming. Though the technique was new to her, she was provided all the technical and hand-holding support through the program to establish a machaan. She cultivated bitter gourd, bottle gourd and ridge gourd on the same machaan. Apart from access to seeds and machaan materials, Begmati was also trained on preparing bio-pesticides for cultivation. This significantly reduced her input costs and improved soil health.
Based on her experience, she started a nursery of fruit and timber plants. Through this, she is raising a nursery of 35,000 saplings that will be supplied to Farmer Producers’ Organizations.
Today, Begmati Devi is an entrepreneur with a steady source of income, earning an 80% profit from her produce. She has access to vegetables for her house and has also employed 8-10 people to work with her.
Women in the village were looking for income generation opportunities in order to contribute to their household income. Through the community Self-Help Group, the women were introduced to various livelihood activities. Based on their interest and capability, they decided to start an agro-based enterprise with the support of the project.
Through the project, they were taken for exposure visits and subsequently trained in producing different types of curry masala, nutrition and coffee powders. The women initially processed 5 kgs per day. Today, they have grown in efficiency and can process 100 kgs daily. To support farmers in the community, they procure raw materials from them. This ensures quality as well as reduces their transportation costs. The unit doubles up as a flour mill that grinds rice, wheat, chilly, etc. for a stipulated time every day.
The group has managed to get all licenses including a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license. They are working towards expanding their products and selling the produce at retail outlets. They are also currently in the process of purchasing the land that they have leased to establish the mill.
Through the project, they were taken for exposure visits and subsequently trained in producing different types of curry masala, nutrition and coffee powders. The women initially processed 5 kgs per day. Today, they have grown in efficiency and can process 100 kgs daily. To support farmers in the community, they procure raw materials from them. This ensures quality as well as reduces their transportation costs. The unit doubles up as a flour mill that grinds rice, wheat, chilly, etc. for a stipulated time every day.
The group has managed to get all licenses including a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license. They are working towards expanding their products and selling the produce at retail outlets. They are also currently in the process of purchasing the land that they have leased to establish the mill.
Kushal is a marginal farmer who supports his wife and three children. His income from farm-based activities was insufficient to meet the family’s needs. To supplement his income, Kushal migrated to nearby cities to make a living.
In Dhikniya village, a watershed project was launched which increased water availability. This allowed Kushal to increase his cropping intensity beyond the monsoon season which resulted in a steady source of income. Additionally, Khusal began livestock rearing to enhance his basket of livelihoods. Through the project, he was trained on livestock management and gained access to healthcare services such as deworming and vaccination. Kushal was motivated to become a livestock advisor to other villagers. Through the project, he received the necessary training and began to encourage fellow villagers to adopt goat rearing as an additional stream of income.
Having established a stable livelihood, Kushal’s family was able to make substantial changes in their day-to-day life. He enrolled his youngest son in private school as he could now afford the fees. He further encouraged his daughter to take up a teacher training course in a nearby town.
In Dhikniya village, a watershed project was launched which increased water availability. This allowed Kushal to increase his cropping intensity beyond the monsoon season which resulted in a steady source of income. Additionally, Khusal began livestock rearing to enhance his basket of livelihoods. Through the project, he was trained on livestock management and gained access to healthcare services such as deworming and vaccination. Kushal was motivated to become a livestock advisor to other villagers. Through the project, he received the necessary training and began to encourage fellow villagers to adopt goat rearing as an additional stream of income.
Having established a stable livelihood, Kushal’s family was able to make substantial changes in their day-to-day life. He enrolled his youngest son in private school as he could now afford the fees. He further encouraged his daughter to take up a teacher training course in a nearby town.
Tijuben Khatu, from Magarda Khatelasath in Rajasthan, was forced to migrate regularly to earn a living. Due to constant migration, she lived without a permanent roof over her head and often in unsanitary conditions. Her children were unable to attend school since they were frequently on the move. Due to the living challenges that accompanied migration, Tijuben decided to return to her village and practice agriculture to sustain her family.
She joined the community Self-Help Group and became an active participant in the agricultural training courses that promoted high-value crops. Adopting the learnings from these courses, Tijuben began to cultivate a staple crop to meet the food requirements of the family. She also diversified into growing vegetables as they have shorter harvesting cycle and she would be able to earn an income round-the-year.
Tijuben moved from being a migrant in search of work to a farmer with a steady source of income. She earned a sufficient profit with which she was able to provide her children access to good education. Her daughter has completed her B.Sc. and is currently enrolled in a nursing programme.
She joined the community Self-Help Group and became an active participant in the agricultural training courses that promoted high-value crops. Adopting the learnings from these courses, Tijuben began to cultivate a staple crop to meet the food requirements of the family. She also diversified into growing vegetables as they have shorter harvesting cycle and she would be able to earn an income round-the-year.
Tijuben moved from being a migrant in search of work to a farmer with a steady source of income. She earned a sufficient profit with which she was able to provide her children access to good education. Her daughter has completed her B.Sc. and is currently enrolled in a nursing programme.