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Category: Agri & Food

  • Ambuja Cements drives transformative nutrition awareness in Bathinda

    Ambuja Cements drives transformative nutrition awareness in Bathinda

    Ambuja Cements, the cement and building materials arm of the Adani Group’s diversified portfolio, is advancing transformative nutrition awareness in rural Bathinda through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

    In villages where wheat-based meals have long been the staple, residents are increasingly turning to maize and millet flour, signalling a marked improvement in dietary patterns driven by the company’s health outreach.

    At a local flour mill, owner Balveer Singh has observed surging demand for maize flour year-round, beyond its traditional winter consumption. This shift stems from heightened nutrition awareness under Ambuja’s CSR health programme, educating villagers on how millet and maize aid in managing blood sugar levels, bolstering heart health and boosting daily energy.

    Adapting to these evolving preferences, Singh has introduced multigrain blends, transforming his mill into a community hub for healthier food options and empowering families to prioritise nutritious staples.

    This grassroots change underscores the impact of combining education with accessible solutions. By engaging local entrepreneurs and championing food-based interventions, Ambuja Cements is fostering a sustainable wellness culture rooted in daily habits.

  • From struggle to success: How Samadhan Project changed Rajasthan farmers’ lives

    From struggle to success: How Samadhan Project changed Rajasthan farmers’ lives

    In the arid landscapes of Rajasthan, where traditional farming often meant meager earnings and uncertainty, Hindustan Zinc’s Samadhan Project is sparking a quiet revolution. This flagship CSR initiative has reached nearly 1.4 lakh farmers, helping them generate over Rs 192 crore in diversified income in just the past year through modern, sustainable practices.

    Take Shankar Lal Dangi from Chota Guda village near Udaipur. Like many, his family once scraped by on Rs 6,000–7,000 a month, limited by old-fashioned methods, scarce water, and unreliable markets. Through the Samadhan Project, Shankar embraced drip irrigation, scientific cropping, and joined a Farmer Producer Organization for better prices, according to the company statement.

    Today, his yields are higher, milk production has doubled, and his income has soared—bringing stability, pride, and a brighter future for his family.

    Close-up of raw milk being poured into container with dairy cows in background


    Similar hope blooms in Sindesar Kalan village, Rajsamand district, with Dinesh Puri Goswami. He shifted from low-yield crops to diverse vegetables and upgraded dairy practices.

    Using raised-bed nurseries and better animal care, Dinesh earned Rs 78,000 from vegetables in four months, plus Rs 12,000 monthly from milk. “It’s reduced our risks and given us steady income,” he shares.

    Women are at the heart of this change too. Gendi Bai from Ganeshpura village turned one bigha of land into a thriving vegetable plot with drip irrigation and mulching, earning ₹90,000 and gaining recognition as a progressive farmer.

    From leading Farmer Interest Groups to running dairy enterprises, women under Samadhan are driving household prosperity and community strength.

    The project’s multi-pronged approach—crop diversification, precision irrigation, livestock improvement, microenterprises, and farmer-owned institutions—has delivered real results: ₹90 crore in livestock assets, 280 lakh litres of milk worth ₹88 crore, and revenues from farmer-led ventures.

    With 510 Farmer Interest Groups and five Producer Organizations involving over 9,300 shareholders, Samadhan covers 2,449 hectares in climate-smart practices like trellis farming and bio-fortified crops. It’s not just boosting incomes; it’s building resilience, nutrition, and agri-entrepreneurship.

    As a Vedanta Group company, Hindustan Zinc extends its impact beyond farming through education, healthcare, and more, touching 23 lakh lives across 2,300 villages—aligning with India’s vision of inclusive growth.

    These stories of Shankar, Dinesh, Gendi Bai, and thousands more show how the Samadhan Project is turning subsistence into sustainability, one farm at a time.

  • Empowering women through Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation

    Empowering women through Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation

    In the sun-baked villages of Chhattisgarh, where the earth cracks under the weight of relentless summers, a quiet revolution is blooming in shades of yellow. For Sunita Yadav, a 38-year-old mother of three, the spice that once dusted her kitchen shelves has become the key to unlocking a future her family never dreamed possible—thanks to the transformative Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation initiative.

    Two years ago, Yadav was among 151 women from 11 remote hamlets, huddled in self-help groups (SHGs) that scraped by on subsistence farming. “We grew what the soil gave us—barely enough to eat,” she recalls, her calloused hands cradling a fistful of vibrant turmeric rhizomes. That changed in 2022-23, when Ambuja Cements—the ninth-largest global building materials giant and a pillar of the Adani Portfolio—launched its groundbreaking Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation program as part of its CSR efforts to bolster rural livelihoods through sustainable agriculture.

    With hands-on training in scientific methods tailored for Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation, the women chose the hardy Salem variety and sowed 20 quintals of seeds across four acres. Raised-bed planting, organic manuring, and mulching weren’t just techniques; they were lifelines under the Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation framework. The harvest? A staggering 3.7-fold yield surge, netting over Rs 2.66 lakh in their debut season. “It was like the gods smiled on our fields,” Yadav says, eyes lighting up. “For the first time, I had money to send my daughters to school without borrowing—all from embracing Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation.”

    Word spread faster than monsoon rains. By 2023-24, the Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation initiative swelled to 261 SHG women, who tilled eight acres and birthed a community seed bank—a grassroots exchange ensuring quality rhizomes stayed local and affordable. They reaped 10,100 kilograms of turmeric, pocketing a collective Rs 5.05 lakh . “We weren’t just farmers anymore,” adds Rukmini Sahu, a 42-year-old group leader. “We were entrepreneurs, trading our sweat for seeds of tomorrow, powered by Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation.”

    This year, in 2024-25, the Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation tide has crested with 313 women on board, fortified by better organic inputs and expert guidance from Ambuja’s teams. Their coffers now brim with over 3,100 kilograms of seeds—2,100 kilograms earmarked for sale to lure newcomers into the fold, while 7,500 kilograms sustain households through lean times. It’s a self-reinforcing cycle: Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation fueling financial independence, one rhizome at a time.

    Ambuja Cements’ Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation push underscores a broader vow to women-led entrepreneurship in Chhattisgarh, blending continuous training with enterprise development to weave inclusive rural growth into the fabric of Adani’s diversified empire. For these SHG trailblazers, the golden root isn’t just a crop—it’s a testament to resilience, turning parched plots into plots of prosperity through Ambuja Cements turmeric cultivation.

  • Empowering Climate-Resilient Farming: ACC’s Solar Boost

    Empowering Climate-Resilient Farming: ACC’s Solar Boost

    In the hot, dry lands of Chhatatand village in rural India, farmers like Bhagywati Devi used to worry every day about rain. No rain meant no crops, no food, and no money. But now, things are different. ACC, a big company in cement and building materials from the Adani group, is working with the Adani Foundation to bring climate-resilient farming to places like this. They use smart ways to save water and grow food better, even when weather is bad. This helps farmers fight low crop yields and crazy rain patterns through climate-resilient farming practices.

    Bhagywati is 47 years old. She has three kids and a husband who works hard as a daily labourer. Life was tough. School fees piled up, and food was always short. “We waited for rain like kids wait for sweets,” she says. When it didn’t come, her fields turned brown. She had to use diesel pumps for water, but they cost too much money and made dirty smoke. Crops failed often, and her family went hungry.

    In 2024, everything changed for Bhagywati. She was one of 20 farmers picked for the Adani Foundation’s solar irrigation project. ACC helped make it happen. Now, a solar pump sits in her small half-acre field. It uses free sunshine to pull water from the ground and send it straight to her plants. No more waiting for rain or paying for diesel. “It’s like a magic machine from the sky,” Bhagywati laughs, her face lighting up.

    With steady water, her crops grow strong all year. She plants rice and veggies without fear. Yields doubled fast. Before, she earned just enough to scrape by. Now, she makes an extra Rs 6,000 each month. That’s big money here—it pays for better food, fixes the house roof, and saves for her youngest girl’s college dreams. “I used to work sun-up to sun-down just to eat. Now, I have time for my family,” she says. She cooks hot meals, helps kids with homework, and chats with neighbors. Her tired hands still work the soil, but her heart feels lighter.

    ACC didn’t stop at water. They taught her trellis farming too. It’s a simple trick: Grow climbing veggies like beans and gourds on tall frames made from sticks or wire. This saves space on her tiny plot. Plants grow up, not out, so she fits more in. “My land was too small before. Now, veggies climb high like happy kids on a swing,” she jokes. Extra harvest means more to sell at the market. Buyers pay good prices for fresh, clean produce. Her income grew again, and people in the village notice. Once, folks saw her only as a wife helping out. Now, they call her for advice on farming. She speaks up in meetings, proud and strong.

    Bhagywati’s story shows the power of climate-resilient farming. ACC brings easy tools like solar pumps and trellis setups to far-off villages. These aren’t fancy gadgets—they’re helpers that fit real life. Farmers learn to use less water, grow more food, and earn steady cash through climate-resilient farming methods. No more chasing rain or burning fuel. Instead, they build safe futures.

    Take Bhagywati’s family: The extra money bought new clothes for festivals. Her middle son dreams of being a teacher, not a labourer. The little girl studies without worry. “ACC gave us more than tools. They gave us hope,” Bhagywati says, watching her kids play under the green vines.

    Across India, thousands like her face the same fights—hotter days, less rain from climate change. But with ACC and Adani Foundation’s work, rural spots like Chhatatand are turning green again. One farmer, one field at a time, they’re proving small changes make big waves. Solar power waters the land. Smart farming lifts spirits. And stories like Bhagywati’s spread, inspiring others to try climate-resilient farming.

    In the end, it’s not just about crops. It’s about families thriving, kids learning, and villages growing strong. ACC builds more than cement—they build lives that last, rain or shine.

  • Cisco India unleashes Krishi Mangal 3.0 for AgriTech startups

    Cisco India unleashes Krishi Mangal 3.0 for AgriTech startups

    Cisco India CSR and Social Alpha unveiled Krishi Mangal 3.0 on Wednesday, selecting seven agritech startups deploying artificial intelligence and IoT solutions to boost farmer productivity and address climate challenges in Indian agriculture.

    Krishi Mangal 3.0, the third edition of the accelerator program, provides up to Rs 50 lakh ($60,000) in non-dilutive funding per startup, with potential access to additional funding of up to Rs 2 crore through Social Alpha’s network.

    The program focuses on climate resilience and income security for farmers through technology-driven solutions.

    Selected startups will deploy their innovations across multiple states, potentially reaching over 200,000 farmers and 150 farmer producer organizations.

    Krishi Mangal 3.0 targets critical agricultural challenges including soil degradation, water management, farm mechanization, post-harvest losses and supply chain inefficiencies.

    “This initiative is not just about agricultural innovation; it is a direct contribution to the vision of Viksit Bharat,” said Harish Krishnan, managing director and chief policy officer at Cisco India & ASEAN, referring to India’s development goals.

    “By empowering our farmers with cutting-edge technology, we are boosting rural incomes, fostering economic resilience, and ensuring food security.”

    The seven startups represent diverse technological approaches to agricultural challenges. Ekosight Technologies operates Soil Doctor Clinic, providing AI-powered soil testing that analyzes 16 parameters with over 95% accuracy, generating instant digital reports and tracking crop health through satellite imagery.

    ArkaShine Innovations offers AI-enabled portable devices assessing physical, chemical and biological soil properties, delivering fertilizer and crop recommendations tailored to soil health and microclimatic conditions through an integrated digital dashboard.

    Terracroft Agritech developed KrishiBOT, a battery-operated farm robot designed for gender-neutral operation that reduces physical strain for women and elderly farmers while supporting line sowing and intercropping with minimal soil compaction.

    Surobhi Agro Industries‘ Farmology platform combines patented organic inputs with AI-powered agronomy, integrating IoT-based soil testing and crop health monitoring with 95% accuracy to help farmers make timely decisions on water, pest and nutrient management.

    Agribotic Systems built a 90% indigenous agricultural drone ecosystem with compact, foldable units enabling affordable precision farming through real-time spraying, obstacle avoidance and IoT-based fleet management.

    Bhairaj Organics developed Desigo, a milk supply chain solution using alternative energy to eliminate cold storage needs and middlemen, ensuring zero spoilage with FSSAI-compliant traceability while empowering women entrepreneurs.

    Rudra Solar Energy offers high-efficiency solar cabinet dryers that reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality, with direct market linkages providing farmers fair prices and increased income.

    “Smallholder farmers are navigating a complex web of systemic issues—from erratic monsoons and degrading soil health to rising input costs, limited infrastructure, and shrinking access to credit,” said Ganesh Neelam, co-founder of Social Alpha, India’s venture development platform for science and technology startups.

    Previous Krishi Mangal editions have demonstrated significant impact. The first edition supported five startups deploying solutions in seven states, directly impacting over 17,000 farmers and collectively raising Rs 34.8 crore in follow-on funding. The second edition enabled seven startups to deploy in six states, benefiting more than 32,000 farmers and achieving a cumulative 14.9% increase in farmer incomes.

    India climbed to 39th position in the Global Innovation Index in 2024 from 81st in 2015, according to Deepak Bagla, mission director at Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. “The growth of the nation is tied to the growth of agriculture, the primary sector in India,” Bagla stated.

    Agriculture remains a critical economic sector in India, employing nearly half the country’s workforce and serving as the foundation for rural livelihoods across the nation.

    Startups in Krishi Mangal 3.0 also receive tailored business planning support and access to Social Alpha Labs for product design, prototyping and manufacturing assistance, along with potential seed investment opportunities subject to due diligence.

  • Empowering Indian women farmers: Walmart-backed FPCs boost incomes 51%, plan expansion

    Empowering Indian women farmers: Walmart-backed FPCs boost incomes 51%, plan expansion

    Maya Ghosh rises before dawn each day to oversee a network of collection centers that have transformed how women farmers in rural India sell their crops, cutting out middlemen who long controlled prices and profits.

    “We used to sell our produce to middlemen who would decide the price. We had no voice, no choice,” said Ghosh, a director at Ken Betwa Mahila Farmer Producer Company Limited.

    “Today, through our network of 34 collection centers, we’ve procured 448 metric tonnes directly from women farmers.” Ghosh is among thousands of women farmers whose livelihoods have improved through farmer producer companies (FPCs) – agricultural collectives that pool resources, share knowledge, and negotiate better prices for members.

    The initiative, run by non-profit SRIJAN with funding from the Walmart Foundation, expanded its shareholder base nearly fourfold to 24,328 women farmers between November 2022 and November 2024, with women comprising 88% of members.

    Average annual incomes for shareholders rose by 30,000 rupees (USD357), a 51% increase, while collective turnover across 12 FPCs grew more than 190% during the two-year period, SRIJAN said.

    BREAKING BARRIERS

    In villages where women farmers traditionally had limited say in agricultural decisions, they now occupy leadership positions and negotiate directly with buyers.

    “The first time I stood up in a meeting to speak, my hands were shaking,” said Savitri Yadav, who serves on the management committee of her FPC in the eastern state of Bihar. “Today, when traders come, they negotiate with us on our terms.”

    The model has proven particularly effective in eliminating intermediaries. Some 88% of shareholders now purchase farming inputs through their FPCs, while 39% sell produce directly through the collectives, according to project data.

    For Kamla Devi, a smallholder farmer in Uttar Pradesh state who joined her local FPC in 2023, the benefits were immediate. “My children can now go to school without me worrying about fees,” Devi said.

    “I bought quality seeds through our FPC and learned new farming techniques. My yield doubled, and I got a fair price when I sold through our collective.”

    WALMART FOUNDATION EXPANDS SUPPORT

    Building on initial success, SRIJAN is launching a second phase with new grant support from the Walmart Foundation that will expand the program to 38,000 women farmers across 19 FPCs.

    “We are committed to fostering a more inclusive, efficient, and profitable FPC ecosystem – one centered around agricultural production and greater participation of women farmers in the value chain,” said Prasanna Khemariya, chief executive officer of SRIJAN.

    The expansion focuses on ensuring FPCs can operate independently without external support, with all 19 companies expected to achieve self-sufficiency. Training programs aim to help 70% of participating women farmers adopt improved crop management practices.

    “Empowering women farmers is central to building resilient agricultural economies,” said Nishant Gupta, social and environmental impact advisor to Walmart.org, the Walmart Foundation’s philanthropic arm.

    “We are pleased to support SRIJAN’s efforts to enhance market access, boost capacity building, and increase women farmers’ participation in the agri-value chain.”

    CHANGING PERCEPTIONS

    The program’s impact extends beyond economics, reshaping how younger generations view agriculture as a career. Priya Sharma, 23, recently completed her university degree and returned to her village to join her mother’s FPC rather than seeking urban employment – a decision that would have been unusual just years earlier.

    “I saw what my mother achieved – the respect she earned, the income she generated,” Sharma said. “Agriculture doesn’t mean poverty anymore. It means opportunity.”

    At Ghosh’s collection center in Madhya Pradesh state, younger women farmers now weigh produce, negotiate prices, and manage accounts on tablets – tasks that were once dominated entirely by men and middlemen.

    “We’re not just growing crops,” Ghosh said. “We’re growing confidence. We’re growing communities. We’re growing a future where our daughters won’t have to leave their villages to find dignity and success.”

    India has approximately 146 million farmers, with women farmers comprising a significant portion of the agricultural workforce though often lacking formal recognition or direct market access, according to government data.

  • Coffee Board Seeks Feedback on Sustainability Scheme to Boost Recognition for Indian Producers

    Coffee Board Seeks Feedback on Sustainability Scheme to Boost Recognition for Indian Producers

    The Coffee Board has invited public consultation on its draft sustainability certification framework, aiming to address a critical gap in recognition for India’s coffee sector despite the country’s adherence to sustainable practices across over 400,000 small and marginal holdings.

    The Indian Coffee Board Sustainability Certification Scheme (INDICOFS), developed by a Core Technical Committee comprising domain experts, introduces a voluntary three-tier compliance system designed to progressively align Indian coffee producers with international sustainability standards.

    Bridging the Recognition Gap

    The sector is integral to the livelihoods of approximately two million individuals, with farms situated in high biodiversity regions, notably the Western and Eastern Ghats. These regions provide essential ecosystem services and are home to numerous major rivers, underscoring the critical role that coffee cultivation plays in environmental stewardship.

    Despite adherence to sustainable agricultural practices integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions, the Indian coffee industry has not achieved recognition commensurate with its quality and production methods. While global demand for sustainably certified coffee has increased, only approximately 15% of India’s total coffee output is currently certified under sustainable certification criteria.

    INDICOFS Framework

    In response to the need for a coherent sustainability framework, the Coffee Board has developed INDICOFS—a set of sustainability standards tailored to the Indian context. The standards acknowledge best practices implemented by Indian coffee farms and facilitate a structured approach for continual improvement, ensuring sustainability across the coffee value chain.

    The scheme covers two phases. The first phase addresses “Sustainability Standards for Indian Coffee Plantations,” while the second phase focuses on “Chain of Custody Standards.” The framework encompasses sustainability standards, inspection procedures and certification protocols.

    The certification system defines three compliance levels:

    Level 1 (Basic/Self-Assessment): Provides foundational requirements for growers to evaluate practices and identify improvement opportunities, overseen by Coffee Board inspections

    Level 2 (Aspiring/Auditing): Outlines criteria for third-party verification, ensuring compliance and facilitating progression beyond basic practices

    Level 3 (Benchmarked Best Practices): Delineates advanced sustainability benchmarks assessed by recognized auditing bodies, signifying alignment with international standards

    Implementation and Oversight

    Implementation of INDICOFS will be managed by the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI), functioning under the administrative control of Coffee Board of India, recognized as one of the oldest public coffee research institutions globally.

    The standards are designed to address the evolving landscape of coffee production, including critical issues related to trade, environmental sustainability and preservation of traditional farming practices. A key innovation is INDICOFS’ holistic integration of responsible production methodologies with practices that enhance climate adaptation and minimize ecological footprints.

    The standard addresses critical Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects essential for sustainable coffee farming and incorporates general disclosure requirements aimed at providing stakeholders with transparent, relevant and comparable information about production operations.

    Public Consultation Invited

    The Coffee Board has posted the draft INDICOFS scheme along with an overview note on its website for wider consultation. Stakeholders and members of the public are invited to review the documents and share their views, comments and suggestions.

    Comments must be submitted in the prescribed format (Annexure-I) by email to dirresh@gmail.com with a copy to drccri2022@gmail.com on or before October 24, 2025.

    “The Coffee Board values your feedback and cooperation in this important national initiative to position Indian Coffee as a global benchmark for sustainability,” the board stated.

    By adopting this standard, coffee producers can demonstrate compliance with recognized sustainability benchmarks, enhance their marketability and contribute to the global movement toward sustainable agricultural practices. The initiative is expected to foster collaboration among coffee producers and stakeholders to promote a resilient and sustainable Indian coffee industry while improving the long-term viability of coffee farming and quality of life for communities involved in the supply chain.

  • Schneider Electric India Foundation Launches Climate Smart Village in Jharkhand

    Schneider Electric India Foundation Launches Climate Smart Village in Jharkhand

    Schneider Electric India Foundation (SEIF), the social impact arm of Schneider Electric, inaugurated a Climate Smart Village in Kocha, Khunti, an aspirational district in Jharkhand, in partnership with NGO PRADAN, the company announced on Monday.

    This marks SEIF’s third such initiative in the state, following projects in Gumla district, aimed at bolstering food security and fostering self-reliant rural communities through sustainable energy access.

    The launch was led by Jharkhand’s Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Dipika Pandey Singh, alongside Khunti MP Kali Charan Munda, Torpa MLA Sudeep Gudhiya, and Schneider Electric’s Vice President for Strategy, M&A, and CSR, Damini Chaudhari.

    In Kocha, a 40 kW solar-powered mini-grid with smart energy management now powers irrigation pumps, agro-processing units, households, streetlights, a Primary Health Center, and an e-vehicle.

    Previously reliant on a single rain-fed crop, farmers are transitioning to multi-crop cultivation, processing produce locally, and marketing through a women-led Farmer Producer Organization, Torpa Mahila Krishi Bhagwani Saykari Swalambhi Samiti. This shift is boosting agricultural productivity, local value addition, and community livelihoods.

    “Access to sustainable livelihood is the first step towards empowering communities,” said Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India and MD & CEO of Schneider Electric India.

    “The Kocha initiative shows how renewable energy, combined with digital technologies and local entrepreneurship, can transform rural economies, fostering resilient, self-reliant communities.”

    Kocha previously faced low farm productivity, limited livelihood options, and reliance on monsoon rains, restricting farmers to one crop cycle annually. The lack of three-phase power prevented agro-processing, while absent streetlights compromised safety, and migration was common due to insufficient local jobs.

    “The Climate Smart Village in Kocha demonstrates how decentralized energy models can unlock long-term rural prosperity,” said Damini Chaudhari.

    “By integrating solar power with digital technologies, we’re addressing energy gaps and creating a sustainable platform for entrepreneurship and community well-being.”

    SEIF’s initiative aligns with Schneider Electric’s broader commitment to scalable models for energy equity and inclusive growth, supporting India’s vision of Viksit Bharat.

  • India’s bioenergy initiatives can play role in land restoration: Tomar

    India’s bioenergy initiatives can play role in land restoration: Tomar

    More than 2 billion hectares of land are degraded worldwide, nearly the size of India and Russia combined, impacting global food and water supplies.

    India’s bioenergy initiatives can play a crucial role in achieving land restoration, halting desertification and building drought resilience by providing sustainable energy solutions, Madhya Pradesh state assembly speaker Narendra Singh Tomar said on Wednesday.

    Tomar said more than 2 billion hectares of land are degraded worldwide, nearly the size of India and Russia combined, impacting global food and water supplies.

    “One of the key challenges of land restoration is the effective utilization of biomass, which significantly impacts the flora and biodiversity of the region,” Tomar said at an event organised by Confederation of NGOs of Rural India.

    He said India’s consumption of energy and electricity is less than one-third of the global average despite having about 17% of the world’s population.

    The government has implemented various schemes to promote bioenergy including the National Bioenergy Programme, the Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation scheme, and the GOBAR Dhan scheme, Tomar said.

    Global Cooperation Economic Forum Chairman Dileep Shanghani said the cooperative economic framework has a major role in tackling climate change and bio-economy can provide livelihood solutions.

      India is taking a leading role through campaigns like LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) that encourages responsible living in harmony with nature, said Binod Anand, secretary general of the NGO confederation.

      Land degradation affects about 3.2 billion people worldwide and could reduce global food productivity by 12% by 2040, leading to food price hikes of up to 30%, according to speakers at the event.

  • USD 2 mln Rotary project to boost farmers’ income, fight climate woes

    USD 2 mln Rotary project to boost farmers’ income, fight climate woes

    Rotary members will collaborate with government agencies, experts and NGO partners to train farmers in modern techniques like rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

    In a major boost to Indian agriculture and the fight against climate change impacts, Rotary clubs have launched an ambitious USD 2 million project to improve water management and farming practices across four drought-prone states.

    The ‘Partners for Water Access and Better Harvests in India’ initiative, led by the Rotary Club of Delhi Premier, aims to make farming more resilient and lucrative for around 60,000 farmers in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra,an official statement said.

    The key goals of the project, which has received a USD 2 million (Rs 16 crore) grant from Rotary International, include:

    1. Increasing groundwater tables by 10-15% each year through water conservation measures
    2. Extending cultivable area by 20-30% by enhancing water availability for irrigation
    3. Boosting the incomes of participating farmers by an estimated 25-30%
    4. Implementing drip irrigation across 4,113 hectares and promoting plantation of native trees/crops to reduce soil erosion

    Rotary members will collaborate with government agencies, experts and NGO partners to train farmers in modern techniques like rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

    “With over half of India’s farmers dependent on rainfall, this project can be a panacea by securing water for irrigation and boosting crop yields,” said Sudhanshu Pachisia, president of the sponsoring Rotary Club of Delhi Premier.

    The mega initiative reinforces Rotary’s work of over a century in executing sustainable community projects globally worth USD 5.5 billion through its charitable foundation.