Special features of the organization
1. Rural Livelihood Promotion - AFARM is engaged in 1) Developing and Managing livelihoods and 2) Rural Enterprise Development for more than 30,000 poor households. Large numbers of them belong to SC, ST, Landless labourers, Rural women, Small and marginal farmers and Farmers under distress. , The theme of AFARMs initiative is to contribute to development of resilient production, sustainable and diversified households, on and off farm livelihoods allowing households to face production and market risk without falling back unto poverty and distress. , The purpose of initiatives to improve the income of poor households through resilient organic and low-input farming, involvement of farmers in primary processing, quality enhancement, marketing, empowering women, landless households through micro-finance and micro-enterprises. , 2. Watershed Management - Project Planning , AFARM had prepared 60 Integrated Watershed development action plans for NGOs, Government Organizations covering about 40, 000 ha geographical area of 135 villages. These projects were financially supported by KFW Germany- NABARD, CAPART, Govt. of Maharashtra (Jalsandharan, Adarsh Gaon Yojana, Vasundhara - State Level Nodal Agency), European Union through Christian Aid U.K. Corporate Agencies, Foreign Funding Agencies. , Project Implementation , Over the years, AFARM has facilitated implementation of watershed projects on 13,800 ha area covering 39 villages benefiting 4,473 rural poor households. , , 3. Training and Capacity Building - Training and Capacity Building of stakeholders engaged in rural development is always being a core of AFARM work. Consistent support to such stakeholders through training has enabled AFARM to develop capacity of broad spectrum from NGO staff, leaders of CBOs, Staff of Govt. line agencies, SHGs, Producer Groups to PRI members in the areas of Organizational Development of small NGOs, Watershed Development, Sustainable Agriculture, Livelihoods Development, Strengthening Capabilities of Community Institutions etc. , 4. Networking and Advocacy Initiatives - Networking being a spirit of Organization, promoted issue based State and Regional level networks of NGOS advocating pro poor policies and ensuring its effective implementation. AFARM through its networking of NGOs across Maharashtra works as a powerful forum of NGOs and includes more than 300 organizations, with 86 organizations as institutional members and 244 as associates. , 5. Consultancy Services - AFARM, being a service support organization, plays a vital role in providing Project Management Services to the NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, Govt. Department, Corporate Sector for variety of rural development projects. , 2015-16 - AFARMs work in Rural Livelihoods, Sustainable Agriculture sector has been recognized as Good Practice in Rural Development by Ministry of Rural Development, , 2014-15 AFARM was Awarded for Best Innovation impacting Rural Livelihoods for invaluable contribution in Improving the Lives of Rural Poor by the Department of Rural Development, State Govt. of Maharashtra Govt. of India
