Floods continue to be one of the most persistent threats to rural life in Assam, particularly in areas such as Morigaon, where periodic flooding impairs agriculture, income, and food supply. Strengthening livelihood systems in such areas requires approaches that are resilient, diversified, and community-led. The Samartha Programme was designed to respond to this reality by enabling flood-prone communities to build stable and sustainable income pathways.

Programme Overview

The Samartha Programme – Deepening Livelihoods in Assam’s Flood-Prone Morigaon District aims to improve rural livelihoods through livestock-based interventions and institutional development.

The second phase of the initiative (Grant 2) was implemented between December 2022 to November 2025, with a specific emphasis on:

• Scaling livestock-based livelihoods.
• Strengthening community institutions, especially the Farmer Producer Company (FPC)
• Enhancing market access and income stability.

With the successful completion of Grant 2, the initiative has moved on to Grant 3, which began in December 2025 and will run until November 2028.

Livelihood Challenges in Flood-Affected Communities 

In flood-prone regions like Morigaon, rural households face recurring livelihood disruptions, high livestock mortality, limited veterinary access, and weak market linkages. These challenges limit income growth and increase vulnerability, particularly among small and marginal farmers. Without strong institutions and diversified livelihood options, households remain exposed to repeated economic shocks.

The Approach 

The Samartha Programme adopts a livelihood-deepening approach, focusing on:

• Livestock-based income generation as a flood-resilient livelihood option
  
• The Pashusakhi model to deliver decentralised, doorstep para-veterinary services
  
• Institutional strengthening of the Farmer Producer Company (FPC) to ensure aggregation, value addition, and market access
  

This integrated strategy links household-level livelihood improvement with strong community institutions.

Key Interventions

Scaling Up Goatery-Based Livelihoods

• Goat populations across participating households nearly doubled
  
• Livestock mortality rates declined sharply from 34% to 4.4%
  
• Improved veterinary access and better shed infrastructure enhanced animal health
  

Expansion of Poultry (Duck/Hen) Rearing

• 78 households piloted structured poultry rearing models
  
• Net income gains ranged between ₹5,000–₹10,000 per household
  
• The intervention demonstrated strong potential for income diversification in flood-affected areas
  

Pashusakhi-Led Para-Veterinary Services

• Trained Pashusakhis delivered doorstep veterinary care
  
• Vaccination coverage and preventive healthcare improved significantly
  

Who Benefited

Under Grant 2, hundreds of households across flood-prone villages in Morigaon district benefited from improved livestock productivity, diversified income sources, and access to institutional support through the FPC. Women played a key role as Pashusakhis, contributing to both service delivery and household income.

Outcomes & Impact

• Goatery interventions significantly improved herd strength and survival rates
  
• Poultry rearing provided supplementary income during flood-prone periods
  
• The Farmer Producer Company achieved a turnover of ₹55 lakh in FY 2024–25
  
• Governance and operational capacity improved through regular board trainings, shareholder engagement, and structured business planning
  
• New enterprises such as vermicompost, mustard oil processing, and seed aggregation were successfully initiated
  

The Bigger Picture

The Samartha Programme demonstrates how livestock-based livelihoods and strong producer institutions can enhance resilience in climate-vulnerable regions. By combining household-level interventions with institutional strengthening, the programme contributes to long-term economic stability and reduced vulnerability to climate shocks.

The Road Ahead 

Building on the outcomes of Grant 2, Grant 3 has expanded both scale and scope:

• Seven new villages added, bringing coverage to 25 villages across Bhurbandha and Mayong blocks
  
• The programme now targets 4,000 households, including existing and newly onboarded families
  
• Household-level livelihood planning is currently underway across all intervention villages
  

The focus moving forward is on consolidation, scale, and long-term sustainability.

Resilient livelihoods are the foundation of resilient communities.
Learn how the Samartha Programme is strengthening flood-resilient livelihoods in Morigaon district.