The Skills Development and Livelihood Programme empower tribal communities to become self-reliant through income-generating activities and community-based enterprises. The initiative promotes sustainable livelihoods in areas such as tailoring and embroidery, cane and bamboo crafts, stone carving, organic kitchen gardening, animal husbandry, and pisciculture while also strengthening market linkages for long-term economic stability.

Tailoring and Embroidery Training

EARDS has conducted Skill Development Trainings on Tailoring and Embroidery across Hooghly, Bankura, Birbhum, and Purba Bardhaman districts. Women participated in these training-cum-workshop sessions, gaining hands-on skills in producing readymade garments and bags - enhancing employability and enabling income generation.

Participants were selected based on strict criteria, enrolling only women aged 18 to 40 after assessing their commitment, aptitude, interest, and family support. The curriculum covered four core components: drafting, designing, cutting, and stitching. Trainees showed strong enthusiasm and many expressed the desire to start individual or group-based enterprises in their communities, promoting both social and economic empowerment.

Pisciculture Development Programme

EARDS has successfully implemented a Community-Based Livelihood Pisciculture Scheme for tribal communities to promote sustainable fish farming and boost income generation. The programme has been implemented in underprivileged trial areas of West Bengal.

Already more than 650 Scheduled Tribe families from over 66 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of West Bengal have benefited. Training and awareness programmes were organized to improve participants’ knowledge of scientific fish farming practices. EARDS also distributed fish fingerlings, fish feed, equipment, and other essential inputs, along with continuous technical support and field monitoring.

With guidance on pond management, water quality, fish health, and disease prevention, participants have successfully adopted fish cultivation as a livelihood option. The programme has significantly increased household income and promoted self-sufficiency among tribal families.

Animal Husbandry and Organic Kitchen Garden Programme

To promote sustainable rural livelihoods, EARDS has implemented an integrated Animal Husbandry and Organic Kitchen Garden Programme. The initiative supports community-based farming systems combining fishery, goat rearing, duck and poultry farming, vegetable cultivation, nursery development, and kitchen gardening with market linkages.

The programme has two main objectives:

• Combat malnutrition by enabling households to grow and consume nutritious food.
• Increase family income through the sale of surplus produce and livestock products.

More than 75 tribal families have benefited, gaining practical knowledge in organic agriculture, livestock rearing, and sustainable land use. The programme has strengthened nutritional security, economic resilience, and ecological balance within the community.

Stone Carving Training Programme

EARDS organizes Skill Development Training-cum-Workshop on Stone Carving. The initiative aimed to nurture the natural artistic abilities of tribal youth while providing a viable livelihood skill rooted in traditional craftsmanship.

Most participants came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including landless and daily-wage labourers with limited access to formal education. Through expert-led, hands-on sessions, trainees learned carving techniques, tool handling, design, and finishing. The programme helped preserve a traditional art form while enabling participants to generate income through skilled craftsmanship.

Cane and Bamboo Utility Product Training Programme

EARDS arranges Skill Development Training on Cane and Bamboo Crafts in tribal – dominated areas of West Bengal. The training aimed to promote indigenous craftsmanship and create sustainable livelihood opportunities. The programme emphasized creativity, technical skill, finishing techniques, and quality control to meet market standards.

Following the training, artisans exhibited and sold their products at handicraft fairs across India, gaining steady income and market exposure. This initiative not only promoted eco-friendly and traditional craftsmanship but also strengthened economic independence within the tribal community.