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.
To disseminate knowledge, experience and information among participants about schemes of various Government departments and process for registration through the representatives of the Lines Department, Scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Corporates, a Knowledge Sharing Workshop was organized on December 31, 2021 at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Rewa in Madhya Pradesh under the Climate Smart Village Programme supported by Mahindra & Mahindra and Implemented by BISLD Madhya Pradesh.
The Chief Guest, Dr. S.K. Pyasi, Dean, Government Agriculture College, Rewa, highlighted Climate Resilient Crops and emphasised on suitable seed selection for climate change adaptation. The Special Guest, Shri. Sunil Dhikle, District Development Manager, NABARD, Rewa, focussed on the need to accept climate change and to change farm practices for better production and for minimising farming cost. Dr. A.K. Pandey, Head Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rewa, provided inputs to farmers on Package of Practices for Black Gram. The proceedings were chaired by the Principal Scientist & Head of KVK. Shri. Yogesh Pathak, Deputy Director, Horticulture, Rewa. Shri. Lalji Singh, Assistant Director, Fisheries, also provided valuable information.
The technical sessions focussed on scientific methods and process and farming and how farmers can promote climate resilient crops in their farms and were conducted by Dr. A.K. Pandey, Dr. R.K. Joshi, Principal Scientist from Agriculture College, Dr. C.G. Singh, Dr. A.K. Patel, Dr. A.K. Tiwari, Dr. Sanjay Singh, Dr. K.S. Bhaghel and Shri. Sandeep Sharma. The workshop was attended by more than 100 farmers of which 57 were women farmers, from Khaira, Magurihai, Padiya, Belaha, Khokham, Deora, Mahidal, Agdal, Umri and Naroura blocks of Rewa district.
Kisan Diwas – National Farmers’ Day is observed every year on December 23 – the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh – former Prime Minister of India and hailed as a champion of farmers. This day which is a day of celebration of the farming community, is also observed by BAIF and its Associate Organisations across 12 states to recognise the valuable contribution of small and marginal farmers in the sustainable development programme.
On December 23, 2021, 30 champion women farmers of the Prerna Project from 6 villages of Hunsur, Mysuru, Karnataka, were taken on an exposure visit to the Agriculture Extension Education unit of the Organic Farming Research Station at Naganahalli in Mysuru district to create awareness on sustainable agricultural practices for improved crop productivity. The women were oriented on climatic uncertainties, water management for better productivity, Systematic Rice Intensification and Integrated farming system for doubling their farm income and also learnt of the successful experience of a progressive farmer in adoption of improved farming practices.
With this field visit and enhanced knowledge, these champion women farmers can surely become custodians of sustainable agricultural practices and sensitise a large number of women farmers on efficient farming practices.
The Prerna Project is being jointly implemented by Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and BAIF in Mysuru and Tumkur, Karnataka, Nashik and Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Vidisha and Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, Jamnagar and Tapi, Gujarat and Amethi in Uttar Pradesh to empower women farmers as change makers in agriculture.
BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development, Maharashtra, launched the Holistic Rural Development Programme supported by HDFC Bank Ltd., at Taktoda village, Sengaon in Hingoli district of Maharashtra on December 21, 2021.
The programme covering 11 villages of Hingoli district, included inauguration of a utensil store and a flour mill to ensure additional income generation for women-headed families under the project. Mr. Jitendra Papalkar, District Collector, Mr. Sanjay Daine, CEO, Zilla Parishad, Mr. Shivaraj Ghorpade District Superintendent Agriculture Officer, Hingoli, Dr. P.P. Shelke, Head and Senior Scientist, Prof. Rajesh Bhalerao Subject Specialist, KVK Tondapur, Mr. Anil Olambe, Mr. Ajaykumar Sugave, Dr. Kailas Gite, Mrs. Sridevi Patil, Asst. Police Inspector, Goregaon, Mr. S.R. Bele, Block Development Officer, Sengaon, Mr. Pramod Sawke, Sarpanch and VDC members from the villages graced the occasion.
The village community took an oath to keep their villages and surrounding environment clean in line with Swachh Bharat Mission of the Government of India. The event was facilitated by the BISLD Maharashtra Project team headed by Mr. Shailesh Bhagat, Additional Chief Programme Executive, Nagpur, who shared an overview of the Holistic Programme and the plan to establish a farmer producer organisation in future. Mr. Shelke highlighted the joint effort of BAIF and KVK in promoting short duration turmeric and BSMR 736 pigeon pea varieties in the project area. Others who spoke on the occasion included the CEO, Zilla Parishad and the District Collector, Hingoli who also highlighted various schemes being implemented by the State Government through the Gram Panchayats. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Dalit Manwar, BISLD. The programme was enriched with good wishes conveyed by Mr. Retish Sinha, Head CSR, HDFC Bank Ltd., Mr. Pavan Dongre CSR Manager, HDFC Bank Ltd., Mr. V.B. Dyasa, Regional Director – Western Region, BAIF and Mr. S.M. Wagle, Chief Programme Executive, BISLD, Maharashtra.
BAIF has taken up various initiatives across India to ensure participatory management and eco restoration of commons / community pasture lands. These efforts have also resulted in rejuvenation of habitats and setting in important ecological processes in these identified landscapes. Development of pastures on village common land with improved varieties of forage species, has demonstrated conservation of pastures and sustainable development of the community.
Van Panchayat lands in the North Western Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, have been developed into community silvipastures through a participatory approach. A nursery of 50,000 fodder plants has also been established by two silvipasture groups of women in Champawat.
A short film titled “Van Panchayat – The Forest Commons of Himalayas” developed by Seema Ravandale and Kuldeep Saratkar, is among the list of finalists in the World Commons Week 2021 video contest. The film highlights forest management measures adopted by the local communities of this hilly region through the traditional system of Van Panchayats with special focus on the restoration efforts of a group of women at Mannar, Champawat, under the climate change adaptation project implemented by BAIF and BISLD Uttarakhand, with the support of NABARD and Adaptation Fund Board (AFB).
The 4th Annual Worlds Common Week organized by The International Association for the Study of the Commons, Ostrom Workshop, School of Public Policy, School of Earth and Sustainability and University of Massachusetts Amherst, aims at creating a greater understanding of the commons-related knowledge across the globe, foster mutual exchange of ideas and celebrate and expand the research and practice of commons.
The video can be watched here: https://lnkd.in/eqkAA7iX
The video film which was shortlisted among the list of five finalists, was awarded the First Prize
Padma Shri Rahibai Popere and National Genome Saviour Farmer Award recipient Mamta Bhangare from Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, were felicitated by BAIF Development Research Foundation on December 7, 2021 at its Head Office in Pune. It was the BAIF Agrobiodiversity team, who had discovered and nurtured their passion for conservation of indigenous seeds and wild vegetables.
Rahibai from Kombhalne tribal village, popularly known as “Seed Mother”, is a Godmother to more than 3500 women farmers. Featuring among BBC’s 100 influential women trailblazers from more than 60 countries and in an award winning documentary at the Cannes Film Festival, recipient of Nari Shakti Puraskar, National Social Innovation Award and Vasantrao Naik Puraskar, this familiar face on national and regional television networks, has pioneered a movement to preserve traditional seeds while giving a boost to agriculture within the tribal community. This seed and plant conservationist is also an active member of the 2021 National Plant Genome Savior Community Award recipient Kalsubai Parisar Biyane Sanvardhan Samajik Sanstha, a community seed bank and seed saver group.
Mamta Bhangare from Devgaon village, who considers herself as a woman farmer, is modesty personified. This unassuming kitchen garden guide, has conserved 69 landraces of paddy, beans and local vegetables and has won acclaim for her conservation and cultivation techniques of wild vegetables while relying on organic farming and innovative vermi briquettes.
Bharat Kakade, President and Managing Trustee, Girish Sohani, Principal Adviser and Trustee, Rajashree Joshi, Programme Director and Sanjay Patil, Senior Thematic Programme Executive, BAIF, lauded Rahibai and Mamta’s knowledge awakening efforts and for linking science and technology to achieve the leap from Grassroot to Global and Research for Use.
BAIF’s Unique Approach to Migration free Rehabilitation with Ecological Restoration
Tribal communities in India are characterized by chronic poverty, alienation, lack of choice and absence of hope. Understanding the need to rehabilitate the families in their own environs and acknowledging their affinity towards trees, an innovative ‘Wadi’ programme was evolved by BAIF in 1982, by enabling tribal families to establish fruit orchards on their denuded lands, which generated cash income and food crops for home consumption. This system of agri-horti-forestry, ensured climate resilient food production, enabling over two lakh Scheduled Tribe families from 6483 villages in 11 states, to come out of poverty. This pioneering programme of Tribal Rehabilitation with an innovative approach to rehabilitate these forest loving families, has ensured food security, safe drinking water, improved health, education of children, empowerment of women and active participation in village governance. The programme has sequestered 2 million tons of carbon dioxide during the last 10 years.
The Tribal Development Centre established by BAIF in South Gujarat, has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence for developing rural technologies for improvement in livelihood and quality of life by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
On the occasion of the first Tribal Pride Day (Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas) observed on November 15, BAIF pledges to continue its efforts to restore the dignity of the true custodians of our green cover and groom them as the frontline development team of the country.