Institute of Livelihood Research and Training

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Institute of Livelihood Research and Training

ILRT is an academic institution for knowledge management on challenges relating to livelihood.

The Institute of Livelihood Research and Training (ILRT) is an academic institution, engaged in knowledge management on livelihood-related issues in India and abroad. The Institute is established with the objective of impacting the livelihoods of millions of poor and other disadvantaged sections of society, especially in developing economies, in a sustainable and equitable manner, by building know

ledge about the processes, methods, and principles of livelihood promotion and disseminating it to enhance the capacities of practitioners, whose work affects the livelihoods of a large number. ILRT is a founding member of the VCB-Network and one of its Centers of Excellence (CoE). MANDATE

To build up a scientific knowledge base on livelihoods and disseminate the same to livelihood practitioners. VISION

“Knowledge and practice build on each other promoting dignified livelihoods for all”

MISSION

“Institute of Livelihood Research and Training shall strive to create an enabling environment for promoting dignified livelihoods for all and become a leading praxis institution in the field of livelihood promotion”

Strategy

Knowledge building and dissemination through livelihood research and training including in partnership with development and academic organizations with a focus on vulnerable segments of the society

Key Geographies

Pockets of poverty’ in India with developmental problems related to livelihoods.

15/08/2026

Celebrating the Spirit of Independence 🇮🇳

On this Independence Day, we celebrate the spirit of freedom, unity, and collective progress that continues to shape our nation.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Independence Day!

11/08/2026

A five-day Capacity Building Programme on Business Model Development and Marketing Planning & Management was successfully conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Chhindwara under the Prabhat Kisan Sashaktikaran Project of Hindustan Unilever Ltd, bringing together 32 Board of Directors and staff members from 10 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across Chhindwara district.

The programme focused on strengthening FPOs in the areas of business planning, governance, entrepreneurship, value chain development, market linkages, business model design, branding, climate-resilient agriculture, value addition, and institutional convergence, enabling them to build sustainable and market-oriented farmer-owned enterprises.

The inaugural session was graced by Dr. R. K. Jhade, Senior Scientist & Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Chhindwara, along with Dr. Sarita Singh and the KVK scientific team. Mr. Vaibhav Adhau, National Seed Corporation, shared insights on government initiatives and opportunities in quality seed production and marketing for FPOs.

Over the five days, participants attended interactive technical sessions facilitated by the ILRT team comprising Dr. Rajendra Singh Gautam, Dr. NV Ramana, Mr. Shashank Singh, Mr. Vinay Verma, Mr. Sreenivasulu, and Mr. Sarvesh Kumar Sharma.

The programme was further enriched by expert sessions from Mr. Pawan Bhojne, Senior Territory Manager, Shrikar Seeds, on maize seed technologies and package of practices; Mr. Deeraj Kumar Thakur, Project Director, ATMA, on product and organic certification; Mr. Morish Nath, Deputy Director of Agriculture, and Mr. Neelkanth, SADO, on departmental schemes, subsidies, and convergence opportunities for FPOs; Dr. R. K. Jhade, Scientist (Horticulture), KVK Chhindwara, on climate-resilient agriculture, natural farming, and KVK initiatives; Mr. Jagdish Pawar, a local trader, on branding, quality, and local market strategies; Mr. Dipendra Singh, BISA, on climate-resilient agricultural practices; and Mr. Rajkumar Singh Rajpoot, KIREAP on output market trading, digital market linkages, and the farmer-to-company trading process.

The programme was conducted in collaboration with Hindustan Unilever India Ltd. (HUL), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Chhindwara, National Seeds Corporation Limited, Shrikar Seeds, AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (ATMA), the Department of Agriculture, BISA | Borlaug Institute for South Asia, and KIREAP, reflecting a strong multi-stakeholder effort towards strengthening FPOs through knowledge, innovation, and market-oriented business development.

04/08/2026

📢 Applications Extended | Greenovation Agri Mechanization Challenge 2026

Good news for agri-innovators and startups! The application deadline for the Greenovation Agri Mechanization Challenge 2026 has been extended to 16 August 2026, providing additional time to refine your ideas and submit your applications.

The challenge seeks innovative solutions across Farm Mechanization & Equipment, Dairy & Livestock Systems, Natural Resource Management, Water Resource Management, and Post-Harvest & Value Chain Systems to advance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in Indian agriculture.

As an Ecosystem Partner, the Institute of Livelihood Research and Training (ILRT) is pleased to support this initiative and encourage innovators, entrepreneurs, and agri-tech startups to seize this opportunity.

Selected participants will have the opportunity to benefit from:
🌱 A prize pool of up to ₹20 Lakhs
🌱 Residential bootcamp and capacity-building support
🌱 Mentorship from leading industry experts
🌱 Potential funding support of up to ₹1 Crore through EarthON Gurukul
🌱 Pilot opportunities with farmer institutions
🌱 Access to investors, ecosystem partners, and policymakers

🗓️ Application Deadline: 16 August 2026

🔗 Apply Now: https://www.f6s.com/agri-mechanization-challenge/apply

If you're building solutions that can strengthen the future of agriculture, we encourage you to apply and share this opportunity with your network.

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28/07/2026

Agricultural mechanisation is no longer just about access to machinery it is about building sustainable service models that enable smallholder farmers to improve productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen resilience.

The Institute of Livelihood Research and Training (ILRT) is pleased to be an Ecosystem Partner for the Greenovation Agri Mechanization Challenge 2026, an initiative led by EarthON Foundation USA in collaboration with BAIF Council for Advancement in Rural Entrepreneurship and Sustainability. The challenge aims to identify and support innovative solutions that can enhance farm productivity, improve resource efficiency, and strengthen climate resilience across agricultural value chains.

To kick-start the conversation, join the upcoming webinar:
Shared Machinery, Stronger FPCs: Building Mechanisation Services for Members
📅 31 July 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM IST

The session will explore how Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) can develop viable and member-centric mechanisation services, address common challenges in custom hiring models, and create long-term value for farming communities.

The Greenovation Agri Mechanization Challenge 2026 is seeking innovative solutions across:
• Farm Mechanization & Equipment
• Dairy & Livestock Systems
• Natural Resource Management
• Water Resource Management
• Post-Harvest & Value Chain Systems

Selected innovators will gain access to mentorship, capacity-building support, pilot opportunities, ecosystem networks, and a prize pool of up to ₹20 lakhs, along with opportunities for further incubation and funding support.

🔗 Register for the webinar: https://luma.com/7bphw35w

We encourage FPCs, agri-startups, rural enterprises, service providers, and ecosystem stakeholders to participate and explore opportunities to accelerate sustainable agricultural innovation.

20/07/2026

🌱 The Future of Restoration Begins with Collective Action

Some investments create returns. Others create impact that lasts for generations.

By supporting this initiative, you are contributing to healthier soils, empowered women leaders, and a model of restoration that communities can carry forward themselves. Every contribution strengthens the movement toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

📲 Join us in making community-led regeneration possible scan the QR code in the flyer or contribute through the campaign link.
https://maearth.com/institute-of-liveliho-32cf7533/f782d42e

Because meaningful change begins when people choose to act together.

12/07/2026

🌿 Invest in a Future Where Nature Gives Back

What if restoring degraded soils could also create livelihoods, strengthen rural communities, and contribute to climate action?

In Udaisa village, Sidhi (Madhya Pradesh), a community-led initiative is transforming locally available bamboo and invasive Lantana into biochar—turning underutilised biomass into an opportunity for healthier soils and resilient farming. Through the Ma Earth Campaign, this effort is bringing together environmental restoration, women's leadership, and sustainable rural development.

Your contribution, no matter the amount, can help this initiative grow and create lasting impact where it matters most.

📲 Scan the QR code in the flyer or visit the campaign page through below link to contribute
https://maearth.com/institute-of-liveliho-32cf7533/f782d42e

Together, let's invest in people, nature, and lasting impact.

11/07/2026

🌱 Every Contribution Counts. Every Support Matters.

Healthy soils, stronger livelihoods, and climate-resilient communities begin with collective action. By supporting our community-led biochar initiative, you are contributing to a sustainable future where local resources create lasting environmental and social impact.

📲 Scan the QR code in the flyer or visit the campaign link to contribute. Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to restoring landscapes and empowering tribal women farmers.

https://maearth.com/institute-of-liveliho-32cf7533/f782d42e

Support the campaign before 21 July.

10/07/2026

🌱 Real climate solutions begin with local communities.

What if agricultural waste and invasive plants could become a solution for healthier soils, stronger livelihoods, and climate action?

Through a partnership between ILRT and ASDC Naturophilia Agrotech Pvt. Ltd., locally available biomass like bamboo and Lantana camara is being converted into biochar—a powerful nature-based solution that:

🌿 Improves soil fertility
🌍 Stores carbon for the long term
💚 Builds climate-resilient farming systems
👩‍🌾 Creates sustainable rural livelihoods

This initiative proves that when communities are empowered with the right knowledge and technology, they can lead meaningful environmental change.

✨ We're proud to share that this project has been selected under the Ma Earth Campaign.

Now, you can be a part of this journey. Every contribution big or small helps expand this community-led model to more villages and supports a greener, more resilient future.

📅 Support the campaign before 21 July

09/07/2026

The future of climate resilience lies in solutions that communities can build and sustain themselves.

When we talk about climate action, we often think of large-scale technologies and global solutions. Yet, some of the most effective solutions already exist within rural landscapes they simply need the right support to thrive.

Across forest-fringe farming communities, locally available biomass such as bamboo and invasive Lantana camara is often overlooked or treated as waste. Through a partnership between ILRT and ASDC Naturophilia Agrotech Pvt. Ltd., these resources are being transformed into biochar a nature-based solution that restores soil health, enhances farm resilience, creates green livelihoods, and stores carbon in the soil for the long term.

This initiative reflects a simple but powerful idea: local resources, local leadership, and local knowledge can drive lasting environmental change.

Our project has been selected under the Ma Earth Campaign, and we are now inviting individuals who believe in community-led regeneration to become part of this journey. Every contribution, regardless of the amount, supports a model that can be replicated across many more rural communities.

📲 Support the campaign before 21 July by scanning the QR code or visiting the campaign page: https://maearth.com/institute-of-liveliho-32cf7533/f782d42e

Together, we can invest in healthier soils, resilient livelihoods, and a more sustainable future.

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08/07/2026

🌱 What if healthier soils, stronger livelihoods, and climate action could start with resources already available in a village?

In Udaisa village, Sidhi (Madhya Pradesh), 15 tribal women farmers are turning underutilised bamboo and invasive Lantana into biochar—a natural soil enhancer that improves soil health, retains moisture, reduces dependence on chemical fertilisers, and captures carbon for the long term.
With support from ILRT and Naturophilia, these women are building a community-owned biochar enterprise that will restore degraded soils, create local livelihoods, and train more than 50 farmers in regenerative agriculture practices.

Our project has been selected under the Ma Earth Campaign – Round 3, where every donor helps unlock additional matching funds for nature-based community initiatives.

Your donation makes this real. Here's what it means on the ground:

🌱 $5 — trains one woman farmer in Kon-Tiki biochar production
🌱 $10 — funds soil testing on one demonstration plot (before & after biochar)
🌱 $25 — sequesters approximately 1 tonne of CO₂ in Udaisa's soils
🌱 $50 — procures one month of bamboo and Lantana raw material for the unit
🌱 $100 — covers activation and packaging of 100 kg of biochar for local sale
Every donation counts—and so does every donor.
🔗 Support the campaign before 21 July: https://maearth.com/institute-of-liveliho-32cf7533/f782d42e

Address

3rd Floor, Surabhi Arcade, Troop Bazar, Bank Street, Koti
Hyderabad
500001

Website

https://ilrtindia.org/

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