Axis Bank foundation launches sustainable livelihood Prog

Ladakh, Oct 11: Axis Bank Foundation (ABF) launched a multi-year project under its Sustainable Livelihood Programme, in Leh & Kargil, along 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, aiming to support rural communities by enhancing the 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 the Himmotthan Society and the Leh Nutrition Project. This project under the umbrella of the Sustainable Livelihood Programme of Axis Bank Foundation is being implemented to support households in rural hill communities by facilitating an increase in income 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, Kharu & Rong valley in the central) covering 14 blocks across two districts of Ladakh. One of the key objectives of the project is value chain development of apricots, high value crops -vegetables, horticulture orchards / nurseries, woolen handicraft and dairy with backward and forward integration. The project will also experiment and demonstrate use of innovative ideas in the field of (a) Agriculture/horticulture sector – 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 – woollen based products, (e) Skill-based activities – plumber, electrician, tailoring), (f) Food crafts – local bakery, pickle making).
“For the past two decades, Himmotthan Society has been working towards creating a sustainable livelihood of the rural poor, particularly in the state of Uttarakhand, with Women Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organisations at the centre of project design and implementation. The successful livelihood models are gradually extended in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh in 2018. The effects of changing climate are more severe in the high- altitude Himalayas. Thus, this project will assist the farmers in developing adaptive strategies for coping with such changes. Tata Trusts and Himmotthan Society are in a strong position to manage development interventions in Ladakh with the understanding of local challenging situations and with the presence of strong project team.
Chotak Gyatso, Executive Director, Leh Nutrition Project said, “I appreciate the initiative of Axis Bank Foundation that is being implemented by Himmotthan Society and Leh Nutrition Project. The UT and District Administration is currently focusing on five key aspects of sustainable livelihoods and these are skilling of the youths, promotion of seabuckthorn, pashmina and apricot as major products for trade and commerce and greenhouse technology for off-seasonal vegetable production.
He has encouraged the government officials to work in close coordination and collaboration with implementing agencies to make it a successful programme, while avoiding duplication of efforts.” – Mr. Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Leh Commemorating the project launch, 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 here 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 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), and FPOs and SHGs and NGO partners (LNP and Himmotthan Society and representatives from Axis Bank and ABF. A total of 60 participants attended the launch event. The event was attended by Mr. Abhinav Sen, Vice President Ms. Isha Ayyer, Senior Manager, form Axis Bank Foundation, Mr. Gowher Sheikh, Vice President, Cluster Head, Axis Bank Kashmir and Ladakh, Mr. Rinku Gupta, State Head, Government Business, Axis Bank, Mr. Samiullah Lasu, Assistant Vice President, Axis Bank, Leh, Mr. Chotak Gyatso, Executive Director, LNP, Dr. Rajendra Singh Koshyari, Area Manager, Tata Trusts and Himmotthan, Mr. Samten Chophel, Team Leader Himmotthan, Ladakh, Mr. Bipin Rawat, SLP project Lead, Mr. Nazeer, Tsewang Norboo, etc.
The prominent Govt stakeholders and personalities who participated the Project Launch Event are: 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, Tsewang Namgail, President, Ladakh Vegetable Producer Cooperative Limited, Chewang Norphel, Advisor, LNP and Karma Sonam, Project Manager, NCF and Dr. Jigmat Yangchen, Chief Scientist, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
Started in 1978, LNP has long shaped the health and nutrition canvas in the region. With economic development and shifting socio-cultural demographics, LNP over the years has evolved into a more holistic organization that delivers effective change on the ground. With a focus on creating enablers, at LNP we aim to promote a model of sustainable development, conscious of its environment, local people, culture and driven by people’s proactive participation.
About Axis Bank Foundation:
Axis Bank Foundation is committed to drive forward Axis Bank’s legacy of inclusive growth and enduring change in rural India. Established to have a focused and strategic approach to philanthropy and drive the social development agenda of one of India’s leading financial institutions, ABF fosters meaningful and sustainable change in society through community-centricity that aims to uplift livelihood security for underserved rural families across India.