₹5.5 crore programme supports farming, dairy, enterprise and financial literacy in Nashik and Raigad districts
MUMBAI (India CSR): Oracle, an enterprise technology company, and Swades Foundation have completed the first year of a Rs. 5.5 crore rural livelihoods programme in Maharashtra, supporting over 900 women farmers and entrepreneurs in Nashik and Raigad districts through enterprise development, livestock support and climate-smart agriculture.
The programme is part of a long-standing partnership between Oracle and Swades Foundation. It focused on sustainable farming, dairy management, financial literacy and market linkages to help women build more stable income sources. Women farmers receive training, market linkages and livelihood support for diversified rural income opportunities.
Rural Livelihoods
The programme introduced Safed Musali cultivation to 525 women farmers. The crop has been described in the release as a high-value and climate-resilient crop. It offers potential annual income of Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 40,000 for participating farmers, the company said.
Another 373 women were supported with high-yield cattle for dairy farming. This intervention is expected to provide regular daily income, with annual earnings of up to Rs. 40,000.
Women Enterprises
The initiative also supported 62 women entrepreneurs with seed capital and equipment. These women are working in micro-enterprises linked to food processing, retail and agriculture-based activities.
Each enterprise is expected to generate additional annual income of Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000. The support is aimed at improving financial independence and strengthening local economic activity in rural communities.
Skills Training
The programme went beyond direct livelihood support. All participating women received training in sustainable farming practices, dairy management and financial decision-making.
Farmers were also connected to local markets. This was intended to help them secure better price realisation and improve the long-term sustainability of their income activities.
Local Story
The release highlighted the journey of Madhura from Igatpuri. She had lost her livelihood during COVID and was also dealing with serious health challenges.
Through the programme, she received exposure to local markets and training. She began producing nutritious snacks and later formalised her venture, Madhura Kitchen Crafts. Oracle provided ₹1 lakh for basic machinery and lab testing. Today, she employs three women from her village and plans to expand into wholesale markets in Nashik.
Community Growth
“At Swades Foundation, we believe in change that is driven by communities and built to last. By combining high-value agriculture, dairy, and entrepreneurship with financial literacy, we’re seeing not just better incomes, but greater confidence and agency. It’s powerful to see these women step forward as drivers of growth in their communities,” said Mangesh Wange, CEO, Swades Foundation.
Scalable Impact
“Our partnership with Swades Foundation reflects our commitment to creating tangible, scalable outcomes in rural communities. By enabling diversified livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and climate-resilient agriculture, we are supporting rural women to move beyond being income earners to becoming entrepreneurs, wealth creators, and, increasingly, employers themselves,” said Neha Khare, Oracle spokesperson.
“As these women build sustainable incomes and financial independence, they are also creating opportunities for others in their communities – demonstrating a model of change that is both scalable and built for long-term impact,” she said.
CSR Relevance
The programme reflects the role of Corporate Social Responsibility in rural economic development. It connects women’s livelihoods with climate-resilient agriculture, dairy income, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The intervention is also relevant for CSR leaders, ESG professionals, development organisations and policymakers working on rural income generation and women’s economic participation.
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