An Introduction to Livelihood Promotion

This publication shows how it is possible to promote livelihoods as a means for poverty reduction. It provides a brief conceptual framework of livelihood interventions based on India's experience. The document answers the following:

• What is livelihood?
• Why promote livelihoods?
• What is a livelihood intervention?

The document summarizes the Indian experience of promoting livelihoods and evolution of livelihood promotion efforts in India:

• Human and institutional development, through integrated sectoral strategies (such as the Green Revolution);
• Strategies focused on the vulnerable segments of the population;
• Minimalist credit;
• The contingency approach to livelihood promotion.

Further, the paper details how the interventions can be applied by four different approaches:

• Spatial approach: Promoting livelihoods in a specified geographical area, such as a region, sub-region, command area or a watershed;
• Segmental approach: Promoting livelihoods for a vulnerable segment of the population, such as landless households, tribals, women and the disabled;
• Sectoral approach: Promoting livelihoods along a sector of the economy such as agriculture, or a sub-sector such as cotton;
• Holistic approaches: Promoting livelihoods through Microfinance Services (MFS), Livelihood Promotion Services (LPS) and Institutional Development Services (IDS).

The paper concludes with livelihood promotion at the household level through:

• Enhancing income from the main livelihood activity;
• Increasing incomes in Diversified Portfolio of Subsistence Livelihoods (DPSL);
• Reducing avoidable/wasteful expenditure.