The exposure visit of 31 participants under the Wadi Focused Rural Development Programme supported by HDFC Bank Parivartan Initiative and being implemented by BISLD Madhya Pradesh, in 50 villages of Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh, was flagged off by Hon’ble Minister of Environment and New & Renewable Energy, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Shri. Hardeep Singh Dang and Shri. Sandeep Shiva, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Sitamau Division at Kheda village, Sitamau, Mandsaur on February 16, 2022. Shri Jeewanlal Patidar, Associate Programme Manager, Shri Rajjansingh Yadav, Project Officer, Shri Ashutosh Patidar and Shri Purushottam Meena (Field Team) from BISLD Madhya Pradesh were present on the occasion.

A calf rally was organized at Holladakoppalu village in Hunsur, Mysuru district of Karnataka, on February 2, 2022 to encourage the farmers to improve the health of their animals and to focus on management and care of calves, heifer and cows. 117 farmers with 278 cattle, participated in the rally. Mr. H.P. Manjunath, MLA, Hunsur inaugurated the rally. In his address to the farmers, he highlighted the significance of Animal husbandry and the impact of the ITC MSK-sponsored Integrated Livestock Development Programme on the lives of the rural families, critical aspect of animal health, role of various stakeholders and critical linkages with various line departments. Silage demonstration by Mr. Naveen, Manager Sai Silage Pvt Ltd. Chikkahunsur was also undertaken during the event. Sri. Girish, Extension Officer, Taluka Panchayat Hunsur also graced the occasion. Other dignitaries included Sri. Harishbabu, Programme Manager, ITC MSK Mysuru, Mr. Bharathkumar, Programme Officer, ITC MSK Mysuru, Dr. Lingaraju Doddamani, Asst. Director AH & VS. Hunsur, Dr. Darshan, Senior Veterinary Officer AH & VS Hanagadu, Dr. Girish, Veterinary Officer AH & VS Dharmapura and Dr. Nagarjuna, Veterinary Officer AH & VS Bannikuppe. Mr. T.B. Kumarappa. Project Leader, Mysuru Division, BISLD, Karnataka, coordinated the programme.

Mr. Hrishikesh A. Mafatlal, Chairperson, BAIF and Chairman, Sri. Chaitanya Seva Trust, Mumbai and Shri. Sanatkumar Prabhuji, Trustee, Sri. Chaitanya Seva Trust, visited the BAIF-ISKCON “Seed for Life” – Agrobiodiversity Programme covering indigenous crop cultivar diversity conservation and promotion for developing livelihood and nutritional security of tribal communities in Vikramgad and Wada blocks of Palghar district in Maharashtra on February 1, 2022.

The State Bank of India Gram Seva Programme, a CSR initiative with BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development (BISLD) Andhra Pradesh, for integrated rural development through adoption of five villages, was launched in Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on January 26, 2022. The event was graced by the Regional State Bank of India Foundation Officer, M. Saibaba, Head of Gram Panchayats of the selected villages and Government officials and Mr. Gopal Reddy, Additional Chief Programme Executive, BISLD – Andhra Pradesh and his team.

BAIF launched the Kisan Mart at the Community Health and Research Centre (CHRC), Urulikanchan on January 26, 2022, thereby setting a precedent in the region.

The Kisan Mart initiative aims at supplying superior quality mineral mixture, fodder seeds, organic liquid fertilizers, vermicompost, BioPROM, solar dried edible products and silk accessories to farmers, milk producers and consumers at an attractive price.

These facilities were inaugurated by the good supporters of BAIF’s Programmes and revered leaders of Urulikanchan – Shri. Dnynoba T. Kanchan and Shri. K.D. Kanchan in the presence of Shri. Bharat Kakade, President, BAIF, Dr. Ashok Pande, Group Vice President, BAIF, Dr. Jayant Khadse, Dr. Manoj Aware, Shri Mansingh Kad, Shri. Santosh Kanchan, Sarpanch, Urulikanchan, Smt. Anita Bagade, Deputy Sarpanch, Urulikanchan, Smt. Hemalatha Badekar, Member, Panchayat Samiti, Smt. Vaishali Mahadik, Member, Panchayat Samiti, Shri. Santosh Kanchan, District Planning Committee Member, Shri. Rajendra Kanchan, Founder, Manibhai Desai Patsanstha, Shri. Rajaram Kanchan, Trustee Treasurer, Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh, Shri. Sopanrao Kanchan-Trustee Secretary, Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh, Shri. Mahadevrao Kanchan Trustee Secretary, Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh and former Member of the Zilla Parishad, Shri. Sambhajibapu Kanchan, Trustee, Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh, other Gram Panchayat members, Trustees of Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh, young entrepreneurs, Sankalp SHG members, officials from CHRC, Central Research Station and Nature Cure Ashram and representatives of the media.

BAIF launched the Kisan Mart at the Community Health and Research Centre (CHRC), Urulikanchan on January 26, 2022, thereby setting a precedent in the region.

The Kisan Mart initiative aims at supplying superior quality mineral mixture, fodder seeds, organic liquid fertilizers, vermicompost, BioPROM, solar dried edible products and silk accessories to farmers, milk producers and consumers at an attractive price.

These facilities were inaugurated by the good supporters of BAIF’s Programmes and revered leaders of Urulikanchan – Shri. Dnynoba T. Kanchan and Shri. K.D. Kanchan in the presence of Shri. Bharat Kakade, President, BAIF, Dr. Ashok Pande, Group Vice President, BAIF, Dr. Jayant Khadse, Dr. Manoj Aware, Shri Mansingh Kad, Shri. Santosh Kanchan, Sarpanch, Urulikanchan, Smt. Anita Bagade, Deputy Sarpanch, Urulikanchan, Smt. Hemalatha Badekar, Member, Panchayat Samiti, Smt. Vaishali Mahadik, Member, Panchayat Samiti, Shri. Santosh Kanchan, District Planning Committee Member, Shri. Rajendra Kanchan, Founder, Manibhai Desai Patsanstha, Shri. Rajaram Kanchan, Trustee Treasurer, Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh, Shri. Sopanrao Kanchan-Trustee Secretary, Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh, Shri. Mahadevrao Kanchan Trustee Secretary, Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh and former Member of the Zilla Parishad, Shri. Sambhajibapu Kanchan, Trustee, Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh, other Gram Panchayat members, Trustees of Mahatma Gandhi Sarvodaya Sangh, young entrepreneurs, Sankalp SHG members, officials from CHRC, Central Research Station and Nature Cure Ashram and representatives of the media.

National Girl Child Day was celebrated across BAIF operational areas in 12 states to brighten the lives of the girl child through various initiatives such as enrollment in school, encouragement of higher education, access to safe and potable drinking water, enhanced nutritional security and improved quality of life.

On the occasion of the 47th anniversary of Godavari Dudh Sangh, Kopargaon, BAIF and Godavari Dairy, jointly launched BAIF Kisan Mart at Kopargaon in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

The BAIF Kisan Mart which aims at making agricultural produce and quality farm products from BAIF, available to the farmers at a cost-effective price. was inaugurated by Shri. Rajesh Parjane-Patil, Chairman, Godavari Dudh Sangh and Shri B.K. Kakade, President, BAIF. On this occasion, edible products, agricultural and livestock-based products from BAIF’s Programmes were displayed and made available for sale to the farmers.

Dr. A.B. Pande, Group Vice President, BAIF, Shri. V.B. Dyasa, Regional Director, BAIF, Maharashtra, Shri. S.M. Wagle, Chief Programme Executive, BISLD – Maharashtra and Ms. Nidhi Parmar, Senior Programme Manager, BISLD, were also present on this occasion.

On the occasion of the 47th anniversary of Godavari Dudh Sangh, Kopargaon, BAIF and Godavari Dairy, jointly launched the Embryo Transfer Project at Kopargaon in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

The Embryo Transfer Project was launched by Dr. B. Narwade, Regional Assistant Director, Animal Husbandry, Nashik Region. Dr. Narwade stated that the advanced embryo transfer technology will not only help to maintain indigenous breeds of cows but also increase the milk production of farmers and hence, is a very important step in dairy development. Shri. Parjane Patil lauded the collaborative venture through the launch of the embryo transfer technology at the doorstep of farmers in Kopargaon area which he stated will revolutionise dairy business. Shri. B.K. Kakade, President, BAIF and Dr. A.B. Pande, Group Vice President, BAIF, highlighted the efforts made by BAIF for the development of small and marginal farmers and cattle owners.

Shri. V.B. Dyasa, Regional Director, BAIF, Maharashtra, Shri. S.M. Wagle, Chief Programme Executive, BISLD – Maharashtra and Ms. Nidhi Parmar, Senior Programme Manager, BISLD, were also present on this occasion.

National Immunisation Day was observed across BAIF operational areas in 12 states to highlight the need for immunisation against infectious diseases and thereby improve the mortality rate among infants in rural and tribal areas. BAIF’s Community Health programme integrates health care interventions with livelihood programmes. A recent initiative has been to boost vaccinations against COVID-19 in rural areas through awareness programmes and thereby encourage the rural community to resist the disease by getting themselves inoculated on time.

National Youth Day was celebrated across BAIF on January 12, 2022, to highlight the significant role of youth in strengthening community development and in nation building. The youth in BAIF’s programmes are functioning as self-employed para-veterinarians, barefoot technicians and community leaders and inspiring thousands of youth to ensure prosperity of their villages. The youth have also taken the lead to establish community-led COVID Care Centres for improving the rural health care system during the pandemic.

A health camp was organised at Garadwadi, Jawhar in Palghar district of Maharashtra on January 6, 2022 under the Prerna Project for Empowering Women Farmers as Change Makers in Agriculture being implemented by Mahindra & Mahindra and BAIF.

The health camp was conducted by a team of specialists comprising of a gynaecologist, paediatrician, their support staff, a Pharmacist from Mumbai and also enlisted the active participation of nursing staff from the nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC), thereby ensuring its success. Over 175 local residents, including women, men and children, attended the one-day health camp.Basic health check up was carried out for all the participants along with distribution of multivitamins and glucose. The health camp also paved the way for expectant mothers to become registered at the PHC and avail of various benefits.

The health camp demonstrated public-private partnership with the collaboration between Mahindra & Mahindra, the Health Department and BAIF. Such efforts can surely ensure sound health for the community.