Cohesion has undertaken a series of measures for Livelihood Restoration in rural areas, in view of the dependence of the local populace on Nature, for sustenance. The Village Institutions, facilitated by Cohesion, procure agricultural inputs such as quality seeds, tools and gypsum, and channels them to the poorest, hardest-hit farmers. The better quality of these inputs leads to better crop yields, and these positive experiences have ushered in positive changes in the conventional practices of farming in the respective regions.

We have been promoting sustainable agriculture practices through promotion of various greener methods of nutrient and pest management for growing crops. Many of these initiatives have been women led and they have received recognition at state and national level. Cohesion promotes women farmer groups for collective action where women are first trained on various practices and then involved in farm based demonstrations. This has helped women in identifying themselves as farmers and increase their decision making related to agriculture activities

Livelihoods derived from non-farm activities act as shock absorber for many families who primarily depend upon agriculture. Also in case of landless these activities provide multiple opportunities to engage in income generating activities. We involve communities especially women to identify opportunities in their surroundings from wide range of options such as self-employment, micro-, small- or medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and trade activities including agro-processing, setting-up a small business in trading or direct selling and interest based occupation such as tailoring.

Cohesion has organized socially or economically vulnerable women into Self Help Groups, or Mahila Vikas Mandals, who hold periodic discussions on issues related to the socio-economic development of group members and the village in general.

Cohesion has facilitated many such women Self Help Groups (SHG) in past also. It helps members of these SHGs to undertake various income-generating activities, market their outputs and attain Sustainable Livelihoods. The profit thus earned is shared by the members, and a part of it is re-invested as capital to increase the production. Apart from profit, which is a varying factor, the members earn steady labour wages from these activities and commit themselves to saving a pre-determined amount of money every month, which is later on used for extending credit among group members. These groups promote the self-help potential of poor and marginalized rural women and provide them a platform to voice their social needs and issues. Subsequently, they are integrated with various developmental activities aimed at improving their living conditions and quality.