Nov 14, 2022: Dr. Manibhai Desai – the Founder of BAIF and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, strongly believed in the traditional wisdom of rural and tribal families living in remote villages across India. Based on this belief, he launched various poverty-alleviation programmes in adverse situations with overwhelming support from these families. These programmes are now addressing various climate change issues encountered by vulnerable families through terrain-specific climate change adaptation and mitigation approaches across 12 states in the country. On his 29th death anniversary – November 14, 2022, the BAIF family pledges its continued mission of rural prosperity.

Nov. 03, 2022: National Women Farmer’s Day (Mahila Kisan Diwas) 2022 – a day which celebrates the feminisation of Indian agriculture through the emergence of champion women farmers, was observed under the “Sathi” Project at Kone village in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik district of Maharashtra on November 3, 2022.

This project aims at catalysing sustainable ecosystem and economic well-being of 405 rural women from six project villages of Trimbakeshwar region. It is being implemented by BAIF / BAIF Livelihoods Maharashtra with the support of Mukul Madhav Foundation (Finolex Industries Ltd.).

Nearly 100 women from six villages and 20 men farmers attended the programme which included series of talks on the role of women at home and in agriculture, importance of nutrition and nutrition sensitive-agriculture through kitchen gardens, health benefits from traditional crops such as millets and value addition of agricultural produce apart from providing valuable information on various Government schemes and how women farmers can avail from such schemes. Those present on the occasion included Mr. Pawan Chandratre, CSR, Finolex, Mr Sharad Thete, Agriculture Supervisor, Mr. Dattu Udhar, Sarpanch and Mr. Sachin Chaudhary, Panchayat Samiti Member and Ms. Ashlesha Deo, Mr. Tushar Jagtap and Ms. Meena Gangurde and project team members from BAIF. The vote of thanks was delivered by the Sarpanch of Kone village.   The women expressed their satisfaction with the knowledge gained and felt that this enhanced knowledge would enable them to contribute significantly to community development.

Oct. 21-22, 2022: Livestock Development Programme supported by Adani Foundation and implemented by BAIF Livelihoods Chhattisgarh, was launched in Chhattisgarh with the inauguration of the Cattle Development Centre at Chicholi, Tilda, Raipur district by Mr. Chandrasekhar Gowda, COO. This centre will cater to 800 households from 15 villages. Those present on the occasion were Mr. Thakur Ram Madhriya, Raj Pradhan, Mr. Birendra Kumar Nimbalkar, Sarpanch, Chicholi, Mr. Deepak Kumar Singh, Unit CSR Head, Adani Foundation (REL) and Mr. Himadri, Adani Foundation.

The Cattle Development Centre at Chhote Bhandar in Pusor,Raigarh district was inaugurated by Mr. Gowda and Ms. Satraupa Chauhan, Sarpanch, Chicholi Gram Panchayat on October 22. Mr. Purnendu Kumar, Unit CSR Head, Adani Foundation (REGL) and Mr. Vivek Pandey, CSR Coordinator, Adani Foundation, were present on this occasion. This centre will cater to 1500 households from 15 villages.

Mr. Gowda emphasized on the role of dairy husbandry in improving the income of rural households and expressed hope that these Centres will improve milk production with improved progenies and ensure better living standards for the dairy farmers. Mr. G.P. Sahu, Additional Chief Programme Executive, BAIF, highlighted the benefit of sex-sorted semen, fodder programme and utilisation of milk. Dr. Prafulla Nayak, BAIF, provided tips on good management practices. Dr. Chandra Sekhar Patel,  Veterinary Officer, Pusor, provided facilitation support.

Oct. 16, 2022: World Food Day is observed by BAIF through the implementation of its innovative agri-horti-forestry and climate-resilient programmes in diverse agro-climate conditions which have ensured food and nutritional security to distressed families including women and children, thereby combating malnutrition and safeguarding them from other health hazards.

Oct. 15, 2022: Women play important role in nurturing the family and contributing for family income in agrarian rural Indian communities by participating in labour-intensive agricultural processes and conservation of indigenous crops, dairy and livestock management and fodder cultivation especially in Andhra Pradesh. BAIF Development Research Foundation celebrated their contribution in developing rural livelihoods on the occasion of Mahila Kisan Diwas and international day of Rural Women.

In Andhra Pradesh, Mahila Kisan Diwas and international day of Rural Women was celebrated at Chimalivarigudem village, Buttayigudem Mandal, Eluru District under ITC MSK ABC-80 project and Vemulapadu village, Owk Mandal, Nandyal District under Tata power project. Women self-help groups were invited in programmes. The SHGs have developed an internal credits and savings system to strengthen the financial freedom of participants. Sustainable Agricultural Practices in paddy crop especially green manuring, vermicompost usage in paddy and follow Direct Seeded Rice were successfully demonstrated during the events. These techniques help to reduce water usage and cost of cultivation. The SHG groups were also given training in vermicompost production and Ram lamb rearing to generate income in short duration.

In Lakheri, Rajasthan, the celebrations took place in the presence of ACC Ahead President, Mrs. Shobha Dubey. Padmashri Mrs. Rahibai Popere was also present as chief guest. Guests spoke about organic farming, its benefits and elaborated on the role women play in developing rural economy. 125 women were present for the event. Other CSR officials from ACC Cement were also present for the function.

At BISLD Prayagraj, under WLP project, interaction with women took place. Similar programmes were organised at many literacy centres in Bundelkhand. A dialogue with women encouraged them to discuss their experiences with peer groups.