Our Mission
To empower indigenous communities through innovative and sustainable initiatives in livelihood generation, women & youth empowerment, healthcare, education, biodiversity conservation, and cultural preservation. By fostering resilience, self-reliance, and inclusive growth, we aim to catalyze holistic development and elevate the quality of life for indigenous communities across regions.
About us
Established in 2009 by a group of young, educated leaders from marginalized indigenous communities in Nagaland, Founder, Mr. Sethrichem Sangtam and Co-founders, Mrs. Lidingla Namjin & Mr. Tronglichem Sangtam.
With diverse professional backgrounds from Management, Community development, and Finance, they had gained valuable experience working abroad. Despite the success overseas, they remained deeply connected to their roots and united by a shared vision to address the developmental challenges faced by their communities in the region.
- Registered Society
- Section 12A of Income Tax Act 1961
- Section 80G(5)(vi) of Income Tax Act 1961
KEY ACHEIVEMENTS
Transformed Families across Nagaland
Members in 3 FPOs Promoted
Trained in sustainable practices and collective farming
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) created
Our Campaigns
Shodh Yatra Tuensang & Kiphire
Exploring the region's rich biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and challenges faced in the region.
Evironmental Conservation - Blue Planet
Hosted Blue Planet convert on Carnatic Music, having artists like T.M. Khrishna in the midst of the community in the remote village of Angangba, Tuensang, Nagaland.
Our Works
Better Life //
Livelihood
Implementing goat farming, poultry, piggery, mushroom cultivation, and garlic farming projects in Tuensang and Kiphire districts. Benefitting 2,000+ marginal families with credit linkages and subsidies.
Marketing & Value Chain
Supported 3 FPOs with 2,000+ members in Tuensang and Kiphire. Facilitated in marketing. Promotes marketing of kiwi, apples, plums, nectarines, apricot, persimmon, and other native varieties. Strengthened market access, fair pricing, and farmer incomes by promoted sustainable agriculture and collective farming and Enhanced livelihoods in Northeast India.
Cultural Preservation
Digitizing and archiving traditions, languages, customs, and art. Reviving endangered practices through workshops and festivals. Promoting sustainable cultural tourism. Integrating cultural awareness into education & Collaborating with governments and NGOs.
MILESTONE ACHEIVEMENT
Farmer Innovation Centre
Farmer’s Innovation Centre (FIC), a social hub designed to bring together and disseminate innovative ideas and best practices developed by individual farmers. The aim of the FIC is to facilitate knowledge sharing among farmers across the state and in other regions with similar agroclimatic conditions. The Centre was built through a combination of community contributions and crowdfunding support raised via the Ketto platform.
Stories of Change
Thirise Sangtam
Progressive Farmer, Tuensang
Thirise Sangtam from Lirise Village is an example of how the Better Life Foundation (BLF), through its Tribal Development Fund (TDF) project, is transforming lives in Nagaland.
Before joining the TDF project, Thirise’s family relied on jhum (slash-and-burn) cultivation, which proved financially unstable. To make ends meet, he ran a small photocopying shop, struggling to provide for his family.
However, with the support of the TDF project, Thirise transitioned to kiwi plantation, a high-value crop known for its profitability and long-term returns. Today, his orchard generates an impressive annual revenue of 3 to 4 lakhs, providing his family with financial stability and a sustainable source of income.
Hojung
Progressive Farmer, Tuensang
Hojung is a 62-year-old progressive farmer from Lirise village in Longkhim block. Over the years, he has been recognized as one of the best farmers in his district and state, winning prestigious awards such as the Best Farmer Tuensang District 2018 and Best Farmer Nagaland 2019. His expertise has also led him to serve as a trainer for the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA).
Hojung’s journey into agriculture began after nine years of service with the Assam Rifles, where he was posted in Aizawl, Mizoram. In 1988, he voluntarily resigned and returned to his village, initially dividing his time between small-scale farming and hunting. However, in 2009, he chose to dedicate himself fully to farming, recognizing its potential for financial independence and meaningful work.
A major turning point came in 2012, when Hojung participated in an exposure visit to Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, organized by the Better Life Foundation (BLF) with support from NABARD. Inspired by the innovative practices he observed, Hojung began adopting advanced horticulture techniques, including multi-fruit grafting, nursery propagation, and vermicomposting.
Today, Hojung manages a diversified 15-acre farm, integrating a wide variety of crops like tea, pine, rose, tamarillo, stone fruits, apple, and pear, along with beekeeping, poultry, and fisheries. His innovative approach has transformed his income, increasing it from just Rs. 60,000 annually to an impressive Rs. 4.7 lakh per year over the past five years.
IN Partnership with
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