Marathwada, India is a drought-prone area where severe crop failure has affected not only the communities farming industry but the women in the village as well, as they serve as the important yet invisible backbone for agricultural production. Asia Initiatives in partnership with Dilasa Janvikas Pratishthan is significantly contributing toward bringing the economic empowerment of women and sustainable livelihoods through drumstick cultivation (moringa plantation). The moringa tree is drought-resistant, requires minimum cost of water and fertilizers and can sustain itself properly in poor soil. Participants earn SoCCs through composting,extracting neem seeds for natural pesticides, Amrutmitti preparation for improving soil's flora and fauna, and for participating in a moringa recipe competition to  improve women's health.  SoCCs are redeemed for Drumstick seed and trichoderma, micro-nutrients, and bio-fertilizers.

Through this program, women can emerge as farmer leaders, economic actors and change agents for poverty alleviation with the implementation of appropriate technology and capacity building.