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Healthy soils, ecosystems and communities

Solidaridad is working to develop and promote regenerative models of agriculture that protect soils, conserve water and empower smallholder farmers in India and Asia

For Solidaridad, changes mean power to the people (inclusivity), respect for the planet (producing in balance with nature) and a fair share for everyone in the supply chain (prosperity). In this process, Solidaridad contributes to several of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Regenerative agriculture model

In alignment with its overall mission and vision, Solidaridad is working to develop and promote regenerative models of agriculture that protect soils, conserve water and empower smallholder farmers in India and Asia. Agriculture is at the centre of a number of global challenges today—from climate change, water-use inefficiency, degraded soils, loss of biodiversity to the staggered social and economic development. Acknowledging the issues, Solidaridad is making headway towards regenerative agriculture across multiple agricultural supply chains to overcome these challenges. The Cotton programme in India is an example where this new model of farming is being implemented, holding the promise of providing sustainable food and fibre while regenerating the planet.

Amidst the pandemic during 2020-2021, the cotton team in India launched the regenerative model of agriculture with 8,000 farmers in Vidarbha, Maharashtra. The promotion of regenerative agriculture is part of Solidaridad’s intent to focus on strengthening agricultural resilience through a combined set of soil restoration practices.

The conventional farming model has shown its limits. Climate change has been accelerating; biodiversity disappearing; water scarcity is rampant and the quality getting poorer by day. Also, poverty persists with no solution in place. Given the current rate of rapid depletion and degeneration of natural resources, we will struggle to find enough arable soil to feed the growing population in the next few decades. Embracing the regenerative model is thus the need of the hour to transform agriculture from a challenge to a solution that promotes production in harmony with nature.

Solidaridad’s regenerative agriculture model in Vidarbha is implemented by adopting the ‘regenagri framework’, an international programme that advocates securing the health of the land and the wealth of those who live on it. The interventions are focussed on transitioning the cotton farmers to holistic farming that increases soil health, encourages biodiversity, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and leads to enhanced CO2 sequestration. The programme is also enabling the farmers to generate additional income through carbon credit. So far, approximately 5,000 to 8,000 tonnes of carbon have been sequestered through the programme (currently under evaluation), and about 10,000 trees planted. As many as 8,000 farmer plots have been brought under border cropping; several water bodies restored and use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides reduced by 70 per cent. Additionally, about 52,000 cotton farmers receive direct digital advisories weekly. The regenerative agriculture and sustainable production practices are not only benefitting the environment, but have also augmented the farmers’ yield and income by 10 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

As a civil society organisation, Solidaridad believes one of the most important ways in which we can deliver large societal and environmental impacts is through the agricultural principles we adopt and promote. Agriculture today represents 60 per cent of GHG emission and roughly 80 per cent of water consumption. Through agriculture, we touch the lives of communities around the world. Starting with 8,000 farmers, Solidaridad’s ‘regenagri’ model is slated to scale to 25,000 farmers in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra and Adilabad district of Telangana. The aim is to bring better management practices in cotton cultivation through regenerative practices. Compared to conventional farming, regenagri has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by around 50 per cent and also lower the dependency on chemical fertilisers (such as N2O). It emphasises on adoption of crop residue and farm manure for effective carbon sequestration in the soil, to the tune of approximately 1.2 tonnes CO2/ha.

Linkages with the SDGs

Solidaridad’s regenerative agriculture programme directly contributes to the 2030 SDG framework. It is in alignment with the anti-poverty strategy (SDG1), particularly for rural areas. The programme advocates practices that lead to reduced input costs and increased income for small farmers. It also enhances farm biodiversity and resiliency in light of changing weather patterns.

Conventional agriculture cannot be effectively practised in marginal areas with no irrigation available and poor access to external inputs. Solidaridad’s regenerative agriculture programme provides solutions to improving yields in a sustainable way in marginal areas (SDG2).

Inappropriate use of agrochemicals, including pesticides and herbicides, and their residues in food are known sources of modern illnesses. The regenerative programme is Solidaridad’s way of handling this issue, helping improve the well-being of farmers and consumers. It also focusses on proper management of resources, including water management and reduction in pollution (SDG3, SDG6 and SDG 12) and facilitates integration of processes to reduce wastes and produce renewable energy, particularly from animal waste (SDG7). The good practices have led to non-exposure of humans to harmful chemicals—improving the health and working conditions of small farmers and workers (SDG8).

The programme issues digital advisories related to farm remedies to minimise weather and pest risks (SDG13). The practices prevent both surface-water and groundwater pollution and eutrophication (SDG 14). The programme is trying to reverse the ill effects of conventional agriculture by restoring soils—an important carbon sink. Carbon sequestration through soil rehabilitation is positively contributing to mitigating climate change (SDG 15).

Defining development

“Solidaridad has remained relevant over its 52-year history by adapting to a rapidly changing world. Nevertheless, reducing the environmental impacts of our global economy while offering chances to the poor is a growing challenge. Farmers, workers, miners and their families are increasingly at the losing end of global supply chains. They suffer the most from the impacts of climate change. We envision a world in which the economy works for all: where all we produce and all we consume can sustain us while respecting the planet, each other and the generations to come. Markets are a legitimate channel to usher in such changes. Solidaridad looks to transform markets to make them more inclusive and sustainable.”

Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhayay
Managing Director,
Solidaridad Network Asia

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Castor care

Intro: Creating a holistic programme for the smallholder castor farmers

Castor is considered as one of the most remunerative crops in the world with naturally high seed oil content. In India, the drought- and pest-resistant castor crop finds favourable conditions for cultivation in Gujarat. The country is in fact the largest seed producer of castor in the world. Yet, castor farmers in India are often distraught as climate change threatens to disrupt the productivity of this important industrial oilseed. Non-availability of certified seeds along with limited knowledge on fertiliser and pesticide use, scientific planting techniques and post-harvest handling add to their woes.

The rising frequency of droughts, due to climate change and erratic rainfall, is a major factor that impacts the yield and productivity of castor across the country. Moreover, castor a.k.a. Ricinus communis L is dioecious—with male and female flowers in separate racemes. At high temperatures, the female flowers change into male flowers and become sterile or unproductive.

“My traditional castor cultivation was affected by the dual problems of rising temperature and unpredictable rainfall patterns. In addition, practising drilling method for sowing of research variety seed and broadcasting fertilisers, especially doses of DAP and urea, without any soil testing affected the health of my crop as well as my land further,” says Hirabhai Devabhai Zaverbhai Kotadiya from Sundha village in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, India.

The impact of climate change, coupled with lack of structure and organisation in the sector, has led to an array of problems in the region, including non-availability of certified castor seeds and water resources; low productivity and improper post-harvest crop- and residue-handling and other sustainability issues. At the root of many of these problems was inadequate knowledge and limited exposure to scientific farming. Acknowledging the situation, in 2016, Solidaridad decided to expand its Asia-wide interventions in sustainable agriculture to include sustainable castor production in four of the major castor-growing districts in Gujarat, namely Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Mehsana and Patan.

Route to Recovery

It took no time for Solidaridad to realise that water-use efficiency, soil fertility enhancement and overall good and sustainable agricultural practices were the immediate needs. During the baseline study, groundwater was the major source of water supply for the farms and flooding the most common practice for irrigation. Solidaridad introduced the farmers to furrow and skip furrow irrigation methods and insisted upon timely irrigation of the fields to avoid deficiency or excess. Taking a multi-stakeholder approach, Solidaridad collaborated with global industrial partners and agricultural institutions to create a holistic programme for the smallholder castor farmers. Interestingly, in 2019, the enrolled farmers reported a 25 per cent decrease in water usage for irrigation from that in 2016, following good agricultural practices.

“I was following the traditional methods of sowing. It was my neighbour’s farm land and produce that gave me the confidence to talk to Solidaridad. I too wanted to adopt scientific practices for better yield and quality,” says Patel Prahladbhai Tribhovandas from Amudh village in Mehsana district, Gujarat, India.

Besides training sessions on water usage and efficient irrigation, the farmers were also encouraged for regular soil testing. The soil health cards issued after the test helped farmers understand nutrient requirements and accordingly feed the soil with required quantity of inputs and fertilisers. The entire process helped farmers maintain optimum soil temperature, even during hot summer, and better soil health.

“Under the project, I use the university-recommended certified seeds and the dibbling method for sowing. This allows for judicious seed planting and avoids wastage. Also, the soil test report helps me in applying only the required dosage of fertiliser. Both these practices have reduced my input cost and improved yield and soil health. I also follow the health and safety guidelines, like using PPE kits, and practice farm waste management as suggested by the Solidaridad experts,” adds Hirabhai.

Demonstration Plots

Every year, the programme sets up demo plots in all the districts of intervention for on-farm demonstration of good and sustainable practices. Each of these plots showcases best practices for castor cultivation such as seed sowing, soil maintenance, irrigation and organic nutrient management, like vermicompost or intercropping, and efficient handling of hazardous materials (chemicals) and waste management practices.
The plots demonstrate row-to-row and plant-to-plant methods of cultivation with each castor crop planted at an optimal distance, based on specific seed varieties, for maximum production. The demo plots serve to provide a real-time experience for the farmers as they are introduced to new technologies that are scientific and sustainable in nature. The plots also demonstrate the importance of biodiversity surrounding the farmland—to prevent runoffs involving soil and nutrient erosion and promote pollination—all of which lead to a balanced ecosystem.

Figure: Water usage in demo plots (2020-21)

The graph displays how water-efficient irrigation techniques in the demo plots, which have accurate measurement and control in place, led to a lowering of water consumption by approximately 35 percent.

“The demo plots are intended to introduce new ideas and innovative farming practices that will address the risks of climate change. The plots are also employed to provide practical training to farmers on a first-hand basis that help them gain confidence in adopting better scientific practices,” says Rajesh Bhatia, Senior Programme Manager, Solidaridad.

A Holistic Initiative

“With the sixth assessment IPCC report in 2021 spelling out the imminent climate disaster facing us due to rapid increase in temperatures, sustainability is no more a choice but a mandatory aspect in every operation undertaken. The Sustainable Castor Farming project is a small step in that direction. The key is to meet the rising demand for castor produce with a responsible and sustainable mechanism that benefits consumers, producers and the environment,” adds Rajesh Bhatia.

Six years of the initiative have garnered impressive results and provided the impetus for farmers, corporate players, and the government to invest in the promotion and development of sustainable castor. And that has been the guiding force behind the sustainable castor farming programme at Solidaridad Asia.

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Improving coherence of health and nutrition linkages

Technically supported by PCI, the HN Integration model of JEEVika can bring significant improvement in some of the complex and stagnant indicators like dietary diversity in complimentary feeding at scale 

For the last two decades Project Concern International/India (PCI) has been working in India in the areas of health, nutrition, and community development with programmes focussing on low-income, vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations in close partnership with the national and state governments and civil society organisations.

Flagship programme:  HN integration model

Integration of Health and Nutrition (HN) interventions with the women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) platform is one of the hallmark approaches conceptualised by PCI. This approach initiated in 2012, had proven to deliver outstanding results when tested on 18,000 SHGs in Bihar. Later in the year 2015, PCI got opportunity to provide technical support on this to JEEViKA, the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) of Bihar. JEEViKA has promoted a huge network of 1 million SHGs in Bihar. JEEViKA, with the technical support of PCI, designed HN integration model to improve key health and nutrition outcomes of JEEViKA families through sustained social and behaviour change (SBC) efforts, and convergence with other departments. This model of JEEViKA could bring significant improvement in some of the complex and stagnant indicators like dietary diversity in complementary feeding at scale. Thus, the HN integration model of JEEViKA has proven to be effective in bringing change in outcomes and is also replicable at scale in other states. JEEViKA has nearly 1 million groups covering around 1.2 crore families.

Strategic preparedness

The on-ground HN activities of JEEViKA with the SHGs came to a halt with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vacuum created by the absence of a platform for regular message dissemination was almost immediately addressed by the JEEViKA with the decision to continue the activities via both virtual and physical (wherever possible) modes for maximum engagement and penetration. PCI as the technical support agency also partnered in the efforts of JEEViKA to ensure that there is no reversal of the achievements made over a period of time in H&N indicators.

 

Two major shifts in the approach of JEEViKA; (a) the entire cascade approach of capacity building in JEEViKA has shifted from classroom training to digital training. PCI has facilitated development of digital training and material on breastfeeding, complementary feeding, maternal nutrition, kitchen gardening in the COVID-19 context for the JEEViKA staff and JEEViKAcadres (b) JEEViKA’semphasis is now also on behavior and practices related to precautions and prevention against COVID-19. Here, PCI provided support in developing audio jingles and video messages on the right eating practices to build immunity against COVID-19. These are being shared by JEEViKA with the SHG members via WhatsApp.

Output

Pre COVID-19: JEEViKA’s integrated HN model has helped in impacting the dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet has increased two-fold in 101 JEEViKA blocks of Bihar in 2018-19.

During COVID-19: 48.8 lakh SHG members were trained by JEEViKA on COVID-19 facts, myths, and precautions using the training tools designed with technical support of PCI.

Impact

JEEViKA’s integrated HN model helped in demonstrating a two-fold increase in the dietary diversity in child feeding in Bihar – a “sticky indicator” which has not seen improvements to this degree at scale in India. Although the sudden outbreak of the pandemic had challenged the continuity of the programme but JEEViKA successfully adapted the programme through the virtual platforms and measures. PCI had the opportunity to support JEEViKA in this endeavor and connected with a huge number of SHGs through virtual training modes, digital content etc.

Sustainability

With the systematic phase-out of lockdown, in-person activities in JEEViKA are resuming in different parts of the state maintaining all safety protocols. However, a hybrid model has already been established, tried and tested by JEEViKA, virtual tools have been developed PCI and everything is being digitalised to ensure that a backup system is ready to support the JEEViKA programme whenever routine activities face any obstacles on the ground.

Post-COVID-19 growth model

JEEViKA’s integrated HN model is one of the most cost-effective and scalable approaches for community-centric and demand-side intervention for HN that has strong and scientific evidence of bringing outcome-level changes at scale. JEEViKA could bring change in some of the complex and stagnant indicators, which could not be changed by us, the public health community, through many of the conventional public health and nutrition programming. This model therefore provides huge opportunity for learning to the development and public health community globally, which are looking for replicable and scalable models.

Indrajit Chaudhuri
Country Director 
Project Concern International, India

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Taking tribals towards nutrition security

VAAGDHARA (Voluntary Association of Agricultural General Development Health and Reconstruction Alliance) is empowering one lakh tribal families to create robust food systems 

VAAGDHARA, a community-based organisation, is committed to the empowerment of the most deprived and vulnerable groups of the society, especially the indigenous population in the tri-junction area of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The organisation strives to create and nurture vibrant partnerships with community institutions working on behalf of the poor in tribal regions of western India, with the aim of inculcating appropriate scientific and indigenous technology and knowledge to promote True Farming, True Childhood and True Democracy. VAAGDHARA has been engaging with one lakh tribal families in the tri-junction area to create sustainable pathways for development.

Flagship programme-SIFS

Blurb: These practices are helping tribal families grow and consume nutritious varieties of fruits, vegetables, and grains

VAAGDHARA is working to ensure food and nutrition security for the indigenous community through promoting Sustainable Integrated Farming System-SIFS and Nutrition-Sensitive Farming Systems, contributing to a sustainable local food system. The tribal community covered under the programme has adopted SIFS which follows the concept of improvement in resource management and cyclic development of resources, following the principles of a circular economy. The farmers in these areas practise eco-friendly farming, which is free from chemical fertilizers and is also climate resilient and sustainable. These practices are helping tribal families grow and consume nutritious varieties of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Significantly, one lakh tribal families in 1,000 villages situated at the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have adopted such farming practices and are being benefitted by these approaches.

Strategic preparedness

VAAGDHARA has developed a COVID-19 response framework that supports the new normal situation in its interventions. The framework focusses on improving technology to build innovative models that can fight malnutrition and food insecurity. The programmes related to Food Nutrition Security (FNS), implemented by VAAGDHARA, can deal with the ongoing pandemic situation and reduce market dependency. Adopting sustainable integrated farming system components, through cyclic approaches in production and consumption within the farming system, helps reduce resource extraction significantly, thereby alleviating the problem of resource scarcity and food insecurity. The concept of reduce-reuse-recycle which is at the core of circular lifestyles and sustainable consumption and production, combined with organic agriculture, can help counter food and nutrition insecurity and contribute to a healthier society.

Tangible output

  • Monitoring data revealed that 75.7% of households adopted SIFS components.
  • 73% of women groups transferring knowledge on linking agriculture with nutrition security.

 Intangible output

  • An increase of 1.9 diet-diversity score observed among 65% of households from baseline. 56.4% of households are sharing three meals together for gender equitable nutrition management.

 Impact

The indigenous farming practices have impacted a large number of families. It was observed during the lockdown period that when most of the people were critically affected, the tribal families practicing SIFS were least affected. In a survey of 2,000 households, 75.6% of the families shared that during this period, they developed nutrition gardens and adopted SIFS components through their own resource management in agriculture, forestry, indigenous seeds practices, water, and livestock, which supported them to ensure food and nutrition security. The impact on SIFS on the nutritional status was observed among children, wherein over 95% of the children were found in the green category.

Sustainability

VAAGDHARA consistently strengthens its core principle of working as a ‘People’s Organisation’. It has helped VAAGDHARA spread awareness among the community and carry out behaviour change interventions successfully. All this contributes to long-term sustainability in terms of project measures, institutional set-ups and also promotes ecologically accepted agricultural practices that add to the efficacy and sustainability of the farming system with focus nutrition. 

Post-COVID-19 growth model

VAAGDHARA incorporates a long-term vision of making the tribal community self-reliant on nutrition and health aspects by reviving and rejuvenating the Nutrition-Sensitive Farming System. We believe this will help us reach close to our goals, laying the foundation for realising the ultimate dream of improving the access to healthy food for the underprivileged tribal community. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has largely affected vulnerable families, we are working on identifying and building innovative models to improve the viability of ‘Agriculture and its Produce’. This would strengthen small and marginal families and also unlock `New Livelihood Possibilities’ for migrants and families engaged in labour. 

Jayesh Joshi
Secretary  & CEO
VAAGDHARA

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Ensuring a world of healthy mothers and children

Intro: Through proven methods and intensive services, FMCH promotes maternal and child health and nutrition to enable women and children reach their potential, both physically and intellectually

Foundation for Mother and Child Health (FMCH) was founded in 2006 as a grassroots organisation with the idea of bringing good health and nutrition intervention for women and children in vulnerable communities of Mumbai. The organisation launched its very first initiative in a slum-redevelopment building in South Mumbai in 2007. The Foundation focusses on encouraging preventive health, balanced nutrition and child developmental practices in underprivileged communities. To achieve this, it adopts a holistic approach, by embracing, educating and empowering mothers and children in their social environment.

Flagship programme-1000 Days’ Programme

FMCH works with families from the time the woman gets pregnant to the time the child turns two years old (about 1,000 days old). The Foundation’s mission is to ensure that families have access to skills and knowledge that can impact a child’s cognitive development during this critical window. FMCH’s 1000 Days’ Programme operates in two locations as Project Poshan in Kurla, Mumbai and Community Nutrition Initiative in Bhiwandi, Thane.

 Through this initiative, which covers pregnant women, children below two years and children over two with acute malnutrition across slums of Kurla and Bhiwandi, FMCH conducts the following:

  • Structured education sessions on nutrition, pregnancy and childcare.
  • Home-based counselling to ensure all practices of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) are met – early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, initiation of correct complimentary feeding etc.
  • Training and supportive supervision for the Anganwadi machinery.

Strategic preparedness

During pandemic times when the Foundation staff was not able to go to the field, FMCH moved all its services to digital platforms that enable it to work remotely. Technology has played a big role in the past few months with phone calls, WhatsApp and other online platforms being used to stay connected with the families FMCH is engaging with. In collaboration with medical specialists from IIT Bombay, technology experts and by using the insights from the field, FMCH has developed the NuTree App for the frontline workers to help them manage their tasks. The NuTree Aapp navigates cases, and supports time-sensitive counselling sessions as it helps with data collection, beneficiary tracking and management, ensuring the Foundation reaches out to all mothers.

The App coupled with our strong community relationship has enabled us to widen our reach even at a time when we are not physically on the field. Due to lack of services in several communities, many families have turned to us as the first point of contact.

Output

All FMCH’s activities lead to an increase in knowledge and eventual behaviour change. This is measured by indicators on IYCF, number of institutional deliveries, nutrition pattern of the mother and child, support given to mothers etc. The impact is measured as reduction and prevention in the wasting, stunting and underweight status of the children.

Impact

Over the last 5 years, FMCH has worked with over 40,000 families across low-income slums of Mumbai. Through its programmes the organisation has seen a 48% reduction in wasting in children who have been with regularly with FMCH, improved birth weights to 2.7kgs (from 1.5kgs), and an increase in the breastfeeding rate (up to 70% increase in some of the interventions; 25 PP higher than the national average), all indicators moving children who are malnourished to regain a state of better health.

Sustainability

FMCH’s projects in each location are carried out for 3 to 5 years. The time period depends on the programme goals, size of the target population, social and cultural psychology etc. There are two aspects of sustainability in the direct implementation work:

Mother support groups: Women from the community who have been through our intervention collectively take ownership of the nutrition and health of the community.

Anganwadi machinery: Before we enter any community, we form relationships with ICDS. Through training and supportive supervision, we are able to make the Anganwadis continue the work even after we exit.

Post-COVID-19 growth model

Undoubtedly, the feeling that grips us when we think about the last few months is uncertainty— impacting everyone unprecedented. The underprivileged have suffered the most, exposing the dark side of unilateral development, forcing us redefine inclusion and sustainability.  As dire as it is, we also have a fantastic chance to rebuild and re-imagine more empowered, equitable communities in a post-COIVID world.

The need to work with each other—in all roles as academicians, donors, implementation organisations, government bodies—in a systemic way is stronger than ever. This is how FMCH would be looking at strategy as well. We will continue to impact more mothers through partnerships with organisations and institutions. We also aim to make our programmes more holistic by including many more partners in our community.

Shruthi Iyer
CEO
Foundation for Mother and Child Health

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Translating climate change aspirations into action

Through various programmes and projects, Vasudha Foundation intends to promote the sustainable consumption of earth’s bounties

The question of whether climate change is real or not has been rendered meaningless. Peer-reviewed papers, high-level scientific studies and severe anomalies observed in natural climatic conditions prove that climate change (now widely termed as climate crisis) is one of the major global concerns of our times. Although, international conventions with legally binding instruments and national level action plans/schemes are in place to address climate change, yet very little action has been taken to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and avert (mitigate) climate change. Several factors can be attributed for this shortfall, like lack of integration of climate change action with development agenda; political unwillingness and lobbying; lack of regional-level plans and such others.

With an earnest spirit to contribute to fill this lacuna and to work towards sustainable development, Vasudha Foundation was set up in 2010 as a not-for-profit organisation. The core mission is to conserve Vasudha, which in Sanskrit means the Earth, the giver of wealth. Through various programmes and projects, the Foundation intends to promote the sustainable consumption of earth’s bounties. Over the years, Vasudha Foundation has collaborated with a number of multi-lateral organisations and state governments on three programme verticals, namely: putting India on a climate-friendly and resilient pathway; energy access solutions, and scaling up renewable energy.

Recognising the fact that there are no universal solutions for climate change, Vasudha Foundation has endeavoured to develop regionally appropriate action plans to tackle climate change. It was part of a consortium that helped to develop State Action Plan for Climate Change (SAPCC) for the states of Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim and Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in collaboration with GIZ and other consortium members. These SAPCCs were well received and also approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, (MoEFCC), India.

Moving a step ahead and to promote a bottom-up approach for climate change planning, Vasudha Foundation has now initiated the project of developing District Climate and Environment Action Plans (DCEAP) for multiple districts of India. DCEAP is one of the first district-level planning projects in India that would help to identify district-specific climate change drivers and provide recommendations for mitigation. This project intends to work closely with the respective district administration and other relevant stakeholders to understand the development priorities and propose smooth integration of climate change action with the district aspirations. Besides enabling the districts to address climate change, this project would also contribute in the state climate change action planning and implementation process. Overall, these efforts would make concrete contributions for the national emission reduction aspirations as indicated in India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) submitted under Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as well as help India to meet the Sustainable Development Goal-13 i.e. “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”.

Vasudha Foundation is also an integral part of the pioneering work called the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Platform India. The GHG Platform – India (GHGPI) is a collective civil-society initiative providing independent estimation and analysis of India’s GHG emissions across key sectors such as Energy, Waste, Industry, Agriculture, Forest and Other Land Use (AFOLU). The platform was jointly conceptualised by Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and Vasudha Foundation. Vasudha Foundation also acts as the Secretariat of the platform, besides estimating and preparing reports for the AFOLU sector. The other partner organisations for GHGPI are Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW); Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP); ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability – South Asia; and world Resources Institute – India.

GHGPI has completed three phases and currently hosts national estimates for GHG emissions from 2005 to 2015 by accounting CO2, CH4 and N2O gases. It now also has sub-national (i.e. state level) GHG emission estimates. It strictly follows the methodology guidelines as given by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and sources the activity data from government published data. Overall, GHGPI acts as a repository of information on the process of GHG accounting and estimations (emission estimates, methodology reports and back-end calculation sheets have been uploaded on the GHGPI website). GHGPI has been recognised by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in the Second Biennial Update Report (BUR) submitted to the UNFCCC.

Vasudha Foundation has carried out several projects in the energy sector as well. Some of the initial projects pertaining to energy were: 1) Preparation of District Energy Plan for the districts of Mandla in Madhya Pradesh and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh; 2) Detailed assessment of rural electrification in India and coming up with a campaign on ‘Universal Service Obligation’ for rural energy services, and 3) Bhutan Energy Cooperation Agreements and the Implementation of Hydropower Projects in Bhutan. One of the ongoing energy sector projects is the ‘Energy Mapping Initiative’. It is a web-based reservoir of analytics, data and interactive information on power generation in India. At present, the energy mapping platform offers information on operational and proposed thermal power plants (TPPs) in India which is based on an extensive database put together by the Vasudha Foundation team. 

On the community front, Vasudha Foundation also forayed into working on providing “energy access” solutions to rural communities. One such project that it ventured was to set up a “community biogas plant” in the village of Lalpur in Madhupur Taluk of Jharkhand. As a pilot and in order to build awareness the village women were also trained and oriented on biogas plants for meeting heating and cooking energy demands. Vasudha also installed two household-level biogas digesters in the village and this helped to build awareness of the communities on bio-gas. While the community bio-gas plant did not succeed due to a number of reasons, many individual biogas plants were installed in households in the vicinity.

Climate change invariably impacts all the sectors and regions (although to a different extent). Therefore, climate change adaption and preparedness is also crucial. For one of the climate change adaptation projects, Vasudha has worked with the farmers and other stakeholders (in the state of Punjab) on water conservation practices of agriculture, particularly rice cultivation and also addressing the issue of straw management, from the perspective of the burning of rice straw. 

Through its ongoing and future projects, Vasudha Foundation is determined to endeavour towards addressing climate change and the different cross-cutting issues by developing implementable and achievable action plans; providing region-specific solutions; adopting the decentralized approach and bottom-up method and ensuing stakeholders’ participation.

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Breathing life into dying ponds

AROH Foundation shows how a thoughtful alliance of people, resources, systems and policy makers can come together to mitigate the water crisis

For hundreds of years, water bodies, both big and small, have played an integral role in our lives. But spurts in urbanisation and decline in agriculture and allied activities in the recent past have resulted in the neglect of natural water resources. Many have been encroached upon or transformed into a dumping yard. Depletion of the water table and groundwater contamination make the situation more alarming. Attending to this global issue at a local level, AROH Foundation has engaged with communities to revive dead water bodies in villages of Uttar Pradesh.

AROH Foundation, which was engaged in implementing Holistic Rural Development Project in 18 villages of three districts—Budaun, Bulandshahr and Firozabad, in western Uttar Pradesh, stepped in to revive dead water bodies of the region.

AROH along with CSR partner HDFC Bank explored all opportunities to restore water bodies for posterity and involved local community, government departments and policy makers as an imperative stakeholder for sustainable success of the intervention.

Under the course of strategic actions, six ponds were identified, pond profiling was done, encroachments were demolished, soil and water testing were conducted by AROH’s experts. The ponds were dewatered and desilted, increasing its depth considerably, capacitating them of holding adequate water. Given the downward penetrating root system, perennial compost composition was used as a natural bund-strengthening and stabilising agent. The overflow from the ponds was designed to flow into the irrigation channel which irrigates fields in and around the village.

This massive drive of water conservation and augmentation, which was aligned to Jal Shakti Abhiyan, has rejuvenated 10 acres of pond, increasing recharge for around 298496375 cubic mtrs of groundwater. It also supported sustainable livelihoods, benefiting around 25700 people.

The areas around the ponds are dressed up with fencing. Saplings are planted, benches installed and staircases built. Such areas have now become a popular meeting place.

Rejuvenated ponds not only counter the water crisis, but also offer alternate livelihood opportunities that come in the form of composite fish and duck farming. Committees of landless men and women were created and registered under Fishery SHGs. The members underwent capacity building training programmes. Simultaneously, in an attempt to increase water footprints within “Jal Shakti Abhiyaan”, AROH installed 18 solar run water pumps in every village, set up water posts in schools, tested around 200 hand pumps for their water quality, introduced lesser water consuming crops and farming techniques.  AROH Foundation has been conducting advocacy of water augmentation and mass awareness programmes by forming “JalSamooh”.

 “Due to dry ponds, farming had become very difficult for us. The situation changed only after the water bodies were revived,” says Leela Devi, one of the members of an SHG trained in fish farming.

AROH promotes the thought that revival of existing water bodies, revamping water conserving structures can be seen as the most economic, effective and fast measure in the water conservation drives. A thoughtful alliance of people, resources, systems and policy makers can come together in mission mode to mitigate the water crisis. We as a planet are already blessed with abundance on water with us. Just forethought and small efforts can help us mitigate water crisis at various levels and can create ripple effect towards the mission of water conservation. We should remember that now is the time and every bit shall count.

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Crafting fast-growing forests

The Miyawaki method adopted by SRIJAN under its Tapovan initiative in Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh is one of the most effective ways to build forests really fast 

One of the core programmatic components of SRIJAN has been integrated natural resource management. A conscious effort towards improving environmental outcomes is to increase the green cover with consideration of local conditions and knowledge amalgamated with successful techniques. One such technique to improve environmental outcomes is the Miyawaki method of forest plantation. It has been named after its inventor Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist. Tapovan, the initiative undertaken to grow forests using the Miyawaki technique, has been piloted at four sites of Tikamgarh, in Madhya Pradesh.

Miyawaki forest technique

Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki that helps build dense, native forests in a short time. This method includes planting trees (only native species) as close as possible in the same area which not only saves space, but the planted saplings also support each other in growth. It also blocks sunlight reaching the ground, thereby preventing the growth of weed. The saplings become maintenance-free (self-sustainable) after the first three years. The approach is supposed to ensure that plant growth is 10 times faster and the resulting plantation is 30 times denser than usual. Miyawaki method helps to create a forest in just 20 to 30 years, while through conventional methods it takes anywhere between 200 to 300 years.

Intervention

The protection and maintenance of the plantation was necessary for the success of the intervention. Community engagement is an unavoidable part of the process. During the initial planning meetings, community members wished to develop the forest as a hub of medicinal, fruit and local plants that can be used as fodder. The community members then selected a range of native plants based on four categories, i.e. canopy, tree, sub tree and shrubs for plantation. The process was followed by the identification of sites for plantation, based on water availability, community interest and ownership, and location free of disputes. A private land, already donated for construction of temple, was selected for plantation by the community members in Niwari village, whereas in Dor village, the Panchayat came forward to allocate a patch of government land. The community members were convinced to protect the plants. They all agreed not to graze their cattle in the selected sites.

People engaged voluntarily for land preparation, layout and transplantation of seedlings. As many as 5,020 plants were planted in August in the presence of PRIs and community members.

In the days to come, it is expected that the developed sites will provide the community members with commodities like drumstick, mango, harra, bahera, reetha, seesam etc.

 “Tapovan is a small dense forest planted through the Miyawaki technique by which we can establish self-sufficient and dense forests in two to three years. After a year it was noticed that the height of some plants had exceeded twelve feet! It had become so dense that it was difficult for anyone to go inside the forest. Local and medicinal plants have been planted in it, which has built a strong association with the people of the community with this forest. Such forests can be planted in all villages.”

Kamlesh Kurmi
Project Manager
SRIJAN

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Out of labour, in schools

TdH NL through its ‘Mica Project’ addresses child labour in the mica region through participation of various stakeholders

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) intends to address issues of child exploitation and work towards addressing all forms of violence and exploitation against children. It aims to create a safe, secure and conducive environment for children to thrive and develop to the best of their abilities. TdH NL envisions a world where there will be no child exploitation and is work relentlessly to achieve this.

Mica Project

TdH NL through its ‘Mica Project’ addresses child labour in the mica region through participation of various stakeholders who help ensure that children are out of labour and in school. A large portion of villages in districts of Koderma and Giridih in Jharkhand are mica dependent. These families derive their income from mica picking, grading and sorting. However, wages from this are very low. As a result, children also have to work to help the family make ends meet. As a result, children face hazardous conditions, do not go to school and lose their childhood.

The programme models itself on Child Participation where children are trained on child rights, child protection laws and reporting mechanisms. Children meet once a month in ‘Children’s Clubs’ and discuss issues pertaining to child labour and child marriage in their region. With the training received, they identify children who are out of school and investigate whether they are working in the mines. On finding cases of child labour, children visit the families to counsel them on the ill effects of child labour with support from the Village Level Child Protection Committee. If this doesn’t work, children warn the families of the legal consequences of child labour which results in imprisonment of the parents. Children then call 1098 (Child Line) to report cases of exploitation.

Apart from Children’s Clubs, the project also provides children with educational material and income generation facilities for the parents.

The model of child participation in this project is highly scalable and replicable because children occupy the forefront of the intervention. They steer the project into a direction which is genuine, addressing problems at the ground reality. Investing in children’s training such as advocacy, child rights and life skills equips them to be better individuals and also be an inspiration to others, creating a ripple effect of change. Children learn from each other; they absorb and act very quickly. The project can easily be replicated in areas by training children as change agents to achieve project goals. This model is effective across any project as it involves community participation, developing an interest among the communities to make their lives better on their own; ensuring empowerment in its true sense.

Through the project, children from the clubs have helped to ensure that 8,250 children are regular to school and 850 children are directly saved from child labour.

Linkages with the SDGs

The Mica project links with the following SDGs:

 SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth

8.7 eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour by 2025

SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

16.2 end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against, and torture of children

SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals

  17.16 enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilise and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the SDGs

Defining development

“We define development as the process by which communities are equipped with resources that sensitise them and build their capabilities such that they can bring about the changes they desire. Development is not mere service delivery but empowering people to drive their own growth which yields results that are fruitful, sustainable, scalable and replicable.”

Thangaperumal Ponpandi

Country Manager, India

Terre des Hommes – Netherlands

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Unlocking learning from home

Room to Read’s #IndiaGetsReadingAtHome campaign was an active enabler for India’s education system during the COVID-19 pandemic which is rearing its head again 

Room to Read is a global organization transforming the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded in 2000, on the belief, World Change Starts with Educated Children®, its innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools during two time periods that are most critical in a child’s schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls’ education.

Room to Read India was established in India in 2003 and presently has programs in eleven states – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi NCR, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh benefitting 4.79 million children. The non-profit collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. With over 11 million distributed books, Room to Read India’s Literacy Program has been implemented in 18,172 government schools, training 29,671 teachers trained in library management and reading activities. The organization’s Girls’ Education Program has benefitted over 82,073 girls. For more, please visit: www.roomtoread.org.

Initiatives

Nearly 321 million children were reported out of school by March 2020[1]. Considering the pandemic, the traditional educational system has undergone subsequent disruption. In the geographies that Room to Read India caters to, many of the early grade (1 to 5) learners are 1st generational learners. They come from a home environment that typically does not encourage learning. As children are spending more time at home, parents and caregivers act as important stakeholders to help in developing a holistic learning environment. Hence, the need for promoting Home as a Learning Space had been brought to the forefront.

By promoting Home as a Learning Space, Room to Read India has created a strong linkage between the school and community thereby supporting them within the larger learning ecosystem for overall development of the children in primary grade. Going beyond the classroom structure, Room to Read India worked with teachers, local community members, parents and caregivers by strengthening their capacities and encouraging them to promote learning environment at home. Continued efforts were also seen to keep children encouraged and motivated throughout the new learning journey.

The annual literacy campaign #IndiaGetsReadingAtHome also gained immense support reaching approx. 7,072,33 people across 9 states (offline). The theme for 2021 was #MainJahanSeekhnaWahan (learning is where I am) and the campaign directly benefitted approx. 2,71,634 early grade learners and actively engaged more than 2,02,705 parents and caregivers.

In a child’s life, the early years of development are the most crucial period for nurturing their motor (emotional growth) and linguistic skill (mental growth). As is seen from Room to Read’s long experience early learners who have received support, go a long way to developing successful careers, achieve higher levels of confidence and actively take on leadership roles.

In the middle of crisis today, the educational system has suffered a lot and the learning loss reported is even more jarring. Room to Read India believes that learning can happen anywhere and all that a child requires is an enabling learning environment. Home as a Learning Space is an initiative that keeps a child motivated and parents/caregivers encouraged with learning. Moreover, the learnings at home eventually help a child grow at the school level as well.

Linkages with the SDGs

Room to Read’s programs is directly linked to SDG4, ensuring QUALITY EDUCATION. Room to Read believes, that Education is the solution to the world’s biggest problems —poverty, conflict, disease, intolerance, inequality, and exploitation. With Education, it is possible to break the cycle of illiteracy and poverty within a single generation.

All of Room to Read’s programs are designed towards creating, inclusive and equitable quality education spaces. This is crucial to promoting lifelong learning opportunities. 

Room to Read’s Literacy Program, focused on strengthening foundational literacy among early grade learners, to ensure that children get access to quality education (SDG4.2), which leads to effective learning outcomes. While the non-profit’s Gender Education Program is geared towards achieving gender equality and inclusion (SDG 4.5)by equipping girls with crucial Lifeskills education. Lifeskills education promotes continued education for adolescent girls, by lowering dropout and early marriages, thus improving outcomes towards achieving universal youth literacy (SDG 4.6) 

By focusing on improving quality education, Room to Read also indirectly approaches SDG1- NO POVERTY, SDG 10-REDUCED INEQUALITIES and SDG 3-GOOD HEALTH. Room to Read paves the path for long-term systemic change across low-income communities through innovative solutions and partnerships with governments. 

Defining development

“We envision a world where every child can reach their full potential through quality education and be an active participant in society. Although the potential is abundant, access to opportunity is scarce. Room to Read as an organization works diligently to ensure the potential and opportunities go hand-in-hand. To achieve this, Room to Read India developed simplified, actionable structures and systems that could be implemented by government, local, and school communities to improve learning outcomes and improve access to quality education. Education alone can positively influence health, environment, poverty, and entire economies.”

 Poornima Garg, Deputy Country Director, Room to Read India

[1]https://www.livemint.com/news/india/lockdown-has-put-321-million-indian-children-out-of-school-widened-learning-gaps-11590137598404.html were out of school

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