Dec 5, 2022: World Soil Day was celebrated in various operational areas of BAIF.  In Maharashtra, the occasion was celebrated at Dudhmala village under the Tribal Utthan Project being implemented at Dhanora with the distribution of kitchen garden seed kit to 150 families in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Gadchiroli and ATMA.  The event was also celebrated at Umberkheda village in Jawhar cluster of Palghar district under the Hinduja Foundation Project.  35 women farmers attended the event which highlighted various soil conservation measures by the Project Leader Darshan Bhoye, demonstration of soil samples and awareness on soil management techniques including crop rotation and promotion of organic farming measures such as Jeevanmrut, vermiwash, composting and Dashparnaik.

In Rajasthan, the event was celebrated under various projects and programmes. At Rausar village in Bikaner, an awareness programme on value of soil and its management was organized under the ITC Mission Sunehra Kal Natural Resource Management Programme to strengthen arid farming system for sustainable development. 60 farmers participated in this programme. The pro-soil approach of BAIF was highlighted through information on smart soil and water management practices adopted by BAIF which have enhanced soil carbon content, increased the crop yield and reduced the use of external inputs. It was also celebrated at Barmer under the Unnati Project in coordination with KVK Gudhamalani to create awareness on soil management among school children and farmers. Under the Hindustan Zinc Ltd. SAMADHAN Project, the event was celebrated at Chanderiya, Chittorgarh, with the active participation of the participant families including women and information on sustainable soil health management was emphasized upon.

In Karnataka, under the NABARD-JK Tyre Billikere Watershed Project, students and teachers of the local primary school at Halebeedu in Hunsur, Mysuru district, actively participated in an awareness campaign on soil conservation.

Nov 30, 2022: The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India notified and released BAIF-evolved fodder crop variety – Pearl millet (BAIF Bajra-7) as suitable for cultivation in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka vide their Notification of November 30, 2022.

Nov 26, 2022: Shri. Gopal Rana, the Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) under the BAIF Livelihoods Odisha Livestock Development Programme in the aspirational district of Balangir in Odisha, received the prestigious “Gopal Ratna Award” of the Government of India under the category of “Best AI Technician” today – November 26, 2022 in Bengaluru on the occasion of “National Milk Day”.  The award was conferred on him by Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Hon’ble Minister of State – Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and Shri. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, Government of India in the presence of dignitaries from the Central Government, Government of Karnataka, NDDB, Karnataka Milk Federation and Veterinary College among others. Shri. Rana was accompanied by Dr. Lokanath Behera, CEO, Odisha Livestock Resources Development Society and Shri. Vivek Singh, Additional Chief Programme Executive, BAIF Livelihoods Odisha. A certificate, memento and a cheque of Rs. 5 lakhs was handed over to Shri. Rana by the Hon’ble Minister and Secretary.  The ceremony was held at the Dr. Babu Rajendra Prasad International Convention Centre.

Compliments to Shri. Rana for this commendable recognition! The support received by BAIF from the Government of Odisha, which has contributed to the dairy sector of the State and empowered the youth to excel in doorstep livestock development services, is gratefully acknowledged. We also take this opportunity to thank the Government of India for recognising and encouraging grassroots efforts in nation building.

Nov 24, 2022: Shri. Gopal Rana, an Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT) under the BAIF Livelihoods Odisha Livestock Development Programme in the aspirational district of Balangir in Odisha, was adjudged the “Best AI Technician”, having secured the First Rank under this category for the prestigious “Gopal Ratna Award” instituted by the Government of India for the year 2022.  The award includes a certificate of merit, a memento and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs.

National Gopal Ratna Award, one of the highest National Awards in the Livestock and Dairy Sector, aims at recognising and encouraging farmers rearing indigenous animals, AI Technicians, Dairy Cooperative Societies, Milk Producer Company and Dairy Farmers Producers Organizations. Gopal had to pass through various evaluation parameters as part of the selection process. He will receive the award on November 26, 2022 in Bengaluru on the occasion of “National Milk Day”.

This unassuming field technician has well demonstrated that there is no shortcut to success and is now a hero of sorts among AI technicians who are quietly providing efficient doorstep services to small farmers in various parts of the country and contributing to the growth of the livestock and dairy sector in the country.

This Award is also a testimony of the efficacy of the robust model pioneered by BAIF, integrating quality doorstep livestock development services with skilled local self-employment and a proud moment too as there are only three ranks in this category at the All-India level.

The support received by BAIF from the Government of Odisha, which has contributed to the dairy sector of the State and empowered the youth to excel in doorstep livestock development services, is gratefully acknowledged. We also take this opportunity to thank the Government of India for recognising and encouraging grassroots efforts in nation building.

Nov 15, 2022:: Jal Sahara Project, implemented by BAIF Development Research Foundation and supported by Schaeffler India Limited, was recognised for its excellent outcomes and success by being awarded the CSR Box Award 2022 under “Rural Development” category.

The project has been formulated with the major objectives of providing water security through watershed management principles, improved agricultural practices, crop diversification and livelihood enhancement for the inhabitants of Tadawale village in Satara district of Maharashtra. Systematic and scientific management of the watersheds was based on the principles of watershed, improved agricultural production of treated landscapes, water availability and enhanced income. Digital Ecosystem of learning was adopted for the schools thereby replacing the traditional learning ecosystem which enhanced the quality of teaching and the working environment.

Construction of toilet blocks has resulted in excellent health and sanitation facilities for the students. Income of the poor families dependent on agriculture, has also increased after implementation while generating livelihood opportunities. 98 landless households have been provided support for small enterprise development through livelihood promotion activities which enhanced their income.

BAIF Development Research Foundation congratulates the project implementation team and CSR partner Schaeffler India Limited for winning CSR Box Award 2022!

Nov 15, 2022: BAIF Development Research Foundation/BAIF Livelihoods is implementing the Programme “Training of Youths & Scaling up Bovine Breeding Services through Establishment of 1,500 Multipurpose AI Technicians in Rural India (MAITRI)” with support from Odisha Livestock Resources Development Society (OLRDS). Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Naveen Patnaik presided over the MoU signing of this initiative in June 2022. Training of the 1st batch of 100 youth commenced at the Orissa State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Ltd. (OMFED)’s Training & Demonstration Centre (OMTDC), in Khurda, an accredited AI Training Institute in the State, on 15th November 2022. The inaugural session was graced by Shri. Ashish Chandra Sinha, Managing Director, OMFED and Dr. Lokanath Behera, Chief Executive Officer, OLRDS, as Guests of Honour.

The esteemed guests impressed upon the youth, the importance of this training in providing quality bovine breeding and allied services to dairy farmers while ensuring gainful skilled self-employment. Shri. G.P. Sahu, Additional Chief Programme Executive, BAIF, elaborated the Programme objectives towards developing the dairy sector in the State.

Dr. J.K. Patnaik, DGM, OMFED, Dr. Biswaranjan Tripathy, Nodal Officer, OMTDC, Dr. Harapriya Das, Manager, OMTDC, Dr. Prasanta Das (Retd. Joint Director), Dr. B.N. Sahoo (Retd. CDVO), Dr. Santosh Kumar, Associate Programme Manager, BAIF and Shri. Ramakrushna Sahoo, District Programme Officer, BAIF were present on this occasion. Ms. Manisha Sahu, Senior HR Associate, BAIF, welcomed the dignitaries and the participants.

Nov 15, 2022

BAIF has developed need-based and region-specific tribal development models in the country taking into consideration the deprivations faced by tribal communities due to geographical isolation, under-developed areas, economic backwardness with dependence on subsistence livelihoods, primitive technologies and poor assets. 

To prevent seasonal distress migration of families living on the edge of the forests of the tribal belt of Vansda in South Gujarat, BAIF had launched a unique model of agri-horti-forestry-based farming system (known as “wadi” in tribal dialect) with the participation of 42 families in 1982. This model was scaled up to reach out to 0.21 million families, transform more than 86,000 ha degraded lands into productive orchards, ensure green cover, carbon sink, food security and economic prosperity to poor ST households. The model also impacted the lives of more than 0.5 million families in 25 states through NABARD-supported Tribal Development Fund.

BAIF has built a digital ecosystem of financial, utility and governance services with 150 E-dosts in remote tribal villages such as Pathardi in Palghar district of Maharashtra, fostering preservation of local knowledge and culture and transforming the lives of tribal girls by ensuring alternate livelihood in their own settings.

Building upon an ecologically sustainable lifestyle, rich bio-diversity and a vast repository of traditional knowledge, BAIF has designed a model on participatory in-situ conservation, revived agro-biodiversity and wild food resources and established a community-led seed system. “Nahari” – the indigenous tribal cuisine corner set up in South Gujarat, is reviving unique tribal traditions.

Directly reaching more than 100,000 households of Bhil, Gond, Kathkari, Kokna, Kolam, Kolcha, Kotwalia, Pawra, Sahariya, Thakur and Warli tribal groups in 11 states, the programmes have addressed food, health and nutrition security; revived useful tribal traditions, heritage agriculture systems; generated environmentally sound livelihoods and created opportunities for dignified livelihoods. It has also ensured an improved learning ecosystem and promoted life and livelihood skills with the establishment of residential ashram schools for tribal children. 

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, has designated BAIF as a “Centre of Excellence” for developing and disseminating ideas, approaches and appropriate technologies to enhance livelihood opportunities and living standards of tribal communities across the country. BAIF has also provided specific policy inputs on tribal development issues to the Government of India and various State Governments.

In continuation of the pledge made on the first Tribal Pride Day (“Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas”) on November 15, 2021, BAIF continues its mission of brightening the lives of tribal communities in the country. 

Nov 15, 2022: BAIF Development Research Foundation/BISLD Maharashtra team and Genome Saviour farmers participated in the programme organised by Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra to celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in Nashik, Maharashtra. Mr. Vijaykumar Gavit, Minister, Tribal Affairs, Government of Maharashtra, visited the BAIF stall accompanied by Mr. Hiralal Sonawane, Commissioner, Tribal Development Department, Ms. Leena Bansod, Managing Director, Shabri Adivasi Vitta Vikas Mahamandal, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of Maharashtra and Dr. Rajendra Bharud, Commissioner, Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI), Pune. Mr. Yogesh Nawale, Senior Programme Operator, BAIF Livelihoods, highlighted the work of BAIF in tribal development.

The Seed Bank Project for community-led conservation, production and sale of crop diversity and wild edible plants, is being implemented with the support of Shabri Adivasi Vitta Vikas Mahamandal, in 13 villages of Akole block. BAIF is also implementing farm-based livelihoods projects for doubling the income of tribal farmers through horticulture, vegetable cultivation and floriculture in 23 villages of Jawhar, Vikramgad and Dahanu blocks of Palghar District with the support of the Government of Maharashtra.

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.