Accelerating Circular Rural Economy (ACRE)

LSF recognizes the inherent challenges faced by rural communities, particularly in regions prone to fluctuations in water availability, weather patterns, and market conditions. 

To address these challenges and promote sustainable livelihoods, LSF has implemented a comprehensive program titled "Accelerating Circular Rural Economy" (ACRE).

The journey began with a series of intensive workshops designed to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge necessary to become entrepreneurs. Over fifteen suchworkshops, conducted between 2020 and 2023, equipped 43 farmers with the confidence and expertise to launch their own farm-related enterprises. These endeavorsspanned diverse sectors, including goatery, dairy, poultry, organic inputs, and value addition of food produce.

To support these budding entrepreneurs, LSF provided carefully selected farmers with seed grants to establish their microenterprises. This selection process, a collaborative effort between LSF and the villagers, ensured that resources were allocated to those who needed them most, particularly small and marginal farmers facing economic hardship.

Three members of LSF are Bäuerliche Unternehmer Schulungen (BUS) certified trainers with the expertise to guide farmers effectively in agriculture allied entrepreneurship. BUS is an internationally recognized training programme conducted by Andreas Hermes Akadamie (Germany), a cornerstone of German agricultural training and proven effective across numerous countries.

Leveraging the expertise of certified trainers in Bäuerliche Unternehmer Schulungen (BUS) – Agribusiness Training, LSF led knowledge exchange initiatives that addressed critical agricultural challenges.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by rural women, LSF implemented a 60-day sewing training session in the remote village of Mharola in mid 2022. This intervention, alifeline for young women lacking access to vocational training due to the village's remoteness and lack of public transport, equipped them with invaluable skills for selfreliance.

Another such intervention focused on the reduction of dependence on chemical inputs. By training over 150 farmers in Aurangabad district on organic fertilizer production, LSF helped them cut their chemical input costs significantly.

Additionally, some farmers received Vermibeds and support for production of biodynamic composts, enabling them to produce vermicompost not only for their farms but also as a potential source of income. 

In November 2022, LSF joined forces with the Rainmatter Foundation, sharing a common vision for promoting green economies and tackling climate change. This partnershipgave rise to a project assessing the “basket of needs” for over 2000 households in five gram panchayats of Aurangabad district. 

Through a participatory process, the project identified "imported" goods and services, highlighting the potential for local production and entrepreneurship. This realization isexpected to drive the creation of local enterprises by aspiring youth, providing alternative livelihoods and strengthening the local economy. 

Examples from villages like Lohgaon and Tondoli illustrate the vast potential for local production. 

• Lohgaon households, spending an average of ₹36,543 annually on processed foods, discovered that most of their village's ₹1,46,17,565 yearly expenditure on such products leaves the village, indicating a significant opportunity for local production.
• Similarly, in Tondoli, where the total expenditure on fertilizers stands at a staggering ₹1,13,15,560 per year, the current local production of organic fertilizers stands at only ₹3,39,466, highlighting immense potential for local production of organic fertilizers.

LSF now actively partners with aspiring rural entrepreneurs, guiding them in the development and launch of enterprises that address identified gaps in demand. A 3-daytraining session provides these entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance necessary to develop comprehensive business plans. LSF's team continues to mentor these individuals, ensuring the successful fruition of their ventures.