While working proactively in the microfinance and credit plus segment, Bandhan realized that it could focus on a completely new space for generating livelihood. It was horticulture. Horticultural crops not just aid in income generation but also provide essential human nutrition and support in rectifying ecological imbalance.

Hence, in 2008, Bandhan took the initiative of generating livelihood of poor women while focusing on contributing towards an ecologically balanced greener world by venturing into horticultural domain through its Bandhan Livelihood Program. The program is in its pilot stage at Shantiniketan, West Bengal.

The Program aims to reach out to economically constrained women who are capable of nurturing a nursery of saplings and grow natural fertilizers which will later generate income.

• To develop a cost-effective and sustainable horticulture model
• To generate livelihood opportunities in the poor community
• To contribute towards ecological balance and environmental protection

The livelihood program is a unique initiative of Bandhan which aims to attain twin objectives of generating livelihood as well as contributing towards environmental conservation and protection.

At present Bandhan is not just processing the production and growth of saplings consisting of timber, fruits and vegetables, but is also taking a dynamic initiative in natural compost culturing.

Later, the program would be implemented across 100 branches, targeting at least one beneficiary in each branch. Each beneficiary will be encouraged to grow 50,000 saplings in her nursery by providing all kinds of necessary support. Therefore, Bandhan Livelihood Program - Horticulture will support plantation of at least 50,00,000 plants.

• Awareness building
• Growth of saplings
• Production of Vermicompost
• Azolla Cultivation