Farmours – Indigenous Farming & Livelihood

Meer Foundation's Indigenous Farming Systems (FARMOURS) transforms traditional village-based farming into a structured, community-owned livelihood model across Chhattisgarh.

Women-Led Agricultural Enterprise

Dhamtari Makhana Initiative

Implemented by Meer Foundation in the Nagri forest region of Dhamtari district, this initiative introduces makhana (fox nut) cultivation as a high-value, sustainable livelihood leveraging the region's favourable agro-climatic conditions and perennial water bodies.

100 acres identified; 25 acres in active cultivation (Phase 1)
Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) mobilised and trained as primary decision-makers
Demonstration pilot plots and market linkages established
Integration with existing rural livelihood systems to reduce income dependency on a single crop
Structured training on water management, crop care & post-harvest handling

100Acres Identified

25Acres Phase 1

54+SHGs Formed

216+Women Entrepreneurs

The FARMOURS Framework

🌱 Community Institution Building — Women-led SHGs drive financial management
📚 Capacity Building — Structured training programs and demonstration plots
🔗 Livelihood Convergence — Crop diversification to reduce risk
📊 IKS Research — Academic documentation via IJMEER Journal

Impact Across Districts

Vegetable Farming & Crop Diversification

As the implementing agency for CSR partners, Meer Foundation has deployed the FARMOURS model across 12 villages, promoting millet agriculture, organic compost, and market-oriented crop clusters.

Medicinal Plant Cultivation

200 farmers trained in Kanker-Narayanpur on growing Tulsi, Kalmegh, Bringraj, and Brahmi across 200 acres, creating a premium herbal value chain.

Lac & Forest Livelihoods

Reviving traditional lac and imli (tamarind) production in forest-dependent communities, creating direct incomes for tribal households.

Agriculture Production Clusters

Male and female farmers organised into Agriculture Production Clusters (APCs) with detailed training on market-demand-aligned farming practices.

"We organised women and farmers at the village level. We trained them to practice farming that aligns with market demands. Today these communities earn sustainably."

Implementing Agency Coordinator