Tata Steel Foundation’s Post

😱🫡Bihar: The Makhana Powerhouse Did you know that nearly 90% of the world’s makhana (fox nuts) comes from Bihar, India? This small yet nutrient-rich seed has gained worldwide recognition, thanks to the meticulous efforts of Bihar's farmers. The traditional cultivation techniques passed down generations ensure sustainable practices and high-quality produce, making Bihar the heart of the makhana industry. The unique climate and extensive ponds across the state provide the ideal conditions for makhana farming. As the demand for superfoods rises globally, Bihar’s makhana continues to support health and nutrition worldwide, all while empowering the rural economy. please follow NextGen Food Innovators the motivate us to post such updates regularly ☺️ #Makhana #Superfood #BiharPride #Agriculture #SustainableFarming #FoodIndustry #IndianAgriculture #LocalToGlobal #NutritionalValue #WorldFood #FoodTechnology #HealthFood

Enhancing Agriculture: Optimizing Land Use, Diversifying Income, and Diet in Odisha🌱 This rabi season, the World Vegetable Centre revitalized over 17,000 hectares in Balangir, Baleshwar, and Mayurbhanj Districts in #Odisha, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and sustainable food security. The Comprehensive Rice Fallow Management (CRFM) Program, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, is converting fallow lands into productive areas, focusing on pulses and oilseeds. This initiative involves partnerships with key organizations including the International Rice Research Institute (#IRRI), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (#ICRISAT), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (#ICARDA), and the World Vegetable Centre (#WorldVeg), alongside the Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd. and Krishi Vikas Sahakari Samiti Limited. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4b1kJvs #CRFM #AgriculturalInnovation #WorldVeg #FarmersEmpowerment

🚜🌾 Revolutionizing Paddy Cultivation with the Rice Crop Manager! 🌾🚜 As we stand at the threshold of the Kharif season, it's crucial for farmers to apply agrochemicals judiciously in their paddy fields. Despite the Indian government's efforts to promote balanced fertilization, the consumption of urea has increased, leading to imbalanced fertilization, decreased nitrogen use efficiency, and a decline in crop yield response to fertilizer use. To address these challenges, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) with the support of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (Government of Odisha), has developed the Rice Crop Manager (RCM). This innovative application leverages the principles of Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) to provide farmers with tailored crop management recommendations based on their unique field conditions and rice-growing environments. But RCM doesn’t stop at nutrient management. It also tackles other constraints that limit rice yield and farmers' profits, which can vary across different areas, growing conditions, varieties, and climate scenarios. 📱💻 The RCM application is versatile and can be operated using laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. As a web-based tool, it offers its advisory services online, ensuring accessibility and convenience for all farmers. 🌐 Explore the Rice Crop Manager: https://lnkd.in/grKrVFE7 #AgricultureInnovation #RiceFarming #SmartFarming #SustainableAgriculture #KharifSeason #IRRI #BalancedFertilization #FarmTech

Who says a little fern can’t have a big impact? Azolla cultivation was established in Keonjhar, Odisha, in July 2023 as a component of off-farm initiatives. The Krishi Vighyan Kendra trained 40 local farmers, 12 of whom from Raikala and Palashpanga panchayats founded Laxmipriya Livestock Enterprises. The women produced Pashu Dana Amrit, a nutrient-rich Azolla feed that has not only cut feed expenses from 100 kg to just 50 kg each month but also reduced mortality rates in livestock! As the cattle’s immunity boosted, milk prices increased from ₹30 to ₹50 per litre, giving their families a stable source of income. The goal of this project is to empower rural communities by utilising sustainable livelihoods and innovative farming practices. #TataSteelFoundation #TSF #DevelopmentCorridor #Azolla #DairyFarming #SocialImpact [Azolla, Farming, Dairy Farming, Dairy, Agriculture, Tata Steel Foundation, TSF, Social Impact]

Earlier this month, we were part of a #workshop organised by the Assam Bought Leaf Manufacturer's Association in collaboration with the Tea Board of India. They were held on 9th and 10th April at Udaipur near Lekhapani and Pengeri near Tinsukia with 175+ small tea growers from the local community in attendance. The focus was on the #IntegratedPestManagement practices with minimal use of Plant Protection Formulas (PPFs). Among the topics discussed were PPFs that are safer to use in the tea plantations as prescribed in the Plant Protection Code (PPC) and by the FSSAI, along with latest updates on banned chemicals in tea. We provided insights on #climatechange impact on #tea plantations, adoption of #regenerativeagriculture and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) towards #sustainable tea farming. #trusteatraining #partnerships #goodagriculturalpractices #collaboration

🌾 Beyond climate resilience: building a holistic approach to rice-fallow systems in Odisha A significant portion of the 6.5m hectares of agricultural land in Odisha, India remain fallow during the rabi season (Nov-Apr) due to unfavorable conditions & other barriers like shortages of agricultural workers. IRRI and the government of Odisha are devising a holistic strategy to promote sustainable rice fallow cropping during this season, including: 👩🏼🌾 Empowering women through self-help groups to diversify crops 🌟 Using social & behavioral change communication to promote nutritious crops 🌱 Establishing self-sustaining seed systems Experts also suggest that the initial success with low-input crops like mungbean (green gram and black gram) is the best way to motivate farmers to explore more profitable crops during rice fallow seasons. READ THE STUDY HERE: https://bit.ly/4b1kJvs #RiceScience #WithScienceWeCan #RiceResearch #SeedSystems

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜-𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Partnerships are the cornerstone of sustainable development, and our collaboration with G.S. Agro (Pvt.) Ltd. in India is an example! Together, we’re advancing biofortification by delivering zinc-enriched wheat seeds to farmers across Bihar and Odisha under the Bihar-Odisha Nutrition Initiative (BONI). 📌 Key Highlights: ✅ Prithvi-31 and Prithvi-25: Branded zinc biofortified wheat varieties launched to combat malnutrition. ✅ Distributed 800+ MT of zinc-enriched wheat seeds, covering 8,000 hectares since 2020. ✅ Engaging 5,000+ dealers to expand the reach of nutrient-enriched seeds across India. Through our efforts, over 200,000 farming households in Bihar now produce 300,000 MT of nutrient-enriched wheat annually, contributing to a healthier and more resilient agricultural ecosystem. Together, we’re working towards a Malnutrition-Free India (Ku-Poshan Mukta Bharat) by empowering farmers with better tools and knowledge for sustainable farming. 🌱💪 #Partnerships #Biofortification #SustainableFarming #NutritionForAll, Read more: https://lnkd.in/g5XvRE2a

Ananthoo and his dedicated team at Organic Farmers Market (OFM), with over 300 organic farmers are rewriting the rules of fair pricing and sustainable agriculture. 🍅🥕 Driven by a mission to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, OFM ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their produce, covering the minimum production costs and empowering them economically. This initiative also guarantees consumers access to a diverse range of chemical-free vegetables year-round at fixed, transparent prices. 💰 Founded over 16 years ago in response to the stark disparities Ananthoo witnessed in fruit pricing, OFM has evolved into a national movement, impacting farmers across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan, and parts of Himachal Pradesh. Their model focuses on consistent availability of safe food, fair pricing, livelihood protection for farmers, and raising awareness about safe agricultural practices. 🧺 Through their cooperative stores and community-driven approach, OFM has created a sustainable marketplace where farmers can thrive despite challenges like fluctuating harvests and infrastructural setbacks. Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/gyCGhHkC #OrganicFarmersMarket #FairTrade #SustainableAgriculture #FarmersFirst

What if we told you that Mother Tongue farmers in our communities are rewriting their futures? Read on to learn how. Traditionally, these rural communities are marginal and small holding farmers. Despite their farming knowledge, they struggle financially depending heavily on chemical fertilizers & local lenders affecting their produce. We have been committed to supporting them and till date, our Agricultural Program has created 138 Kisan Sabhas and an FPC-Kapasan Agro Producers Company Ltd. (KAPCL) in Rajasthan. With training & support, our farmers are now beginning to see a gradual transformation. Here’s how: 1. They are shifting away from chemicals, adopting sustainable methods, and learning multi-crop cultivation and water conservation. 2. With new group savings, bank accounts, and e-Mitra services, they’re building stronger financial foundations. 3. Training in goat rearing, poultry, pisciculture, and vermicomposting is helping them seek new horizons and 4. Discounts from the Agriculture Dept. through KAPCL are making a huge impact. Our journey is dedicated to equipping our Mother Tongue communities with tools and knowledge they need to conquer their financial challenges and thrive! #KisanSabhas #FarmerEmpowerment #SustainableFarming #KAPCL #NABARD #agriculturedepartment #marginalisedcommunities #mewar #mothertongue

We’re excited to announce that Prakheti has signed an MoU with two promising Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Idukki, Kerala! Over the next three years, we’ll be working to support their 1,500+ registered members, including over 1,000 tribal and indigenous community members, and a broader network of 5,000+ farmers with sustainable transition, agroecology and farmer incomes. Key Highlights 🌱 - 2 FPOs in Idukki, Kerala   - 1,500+ registered members   - 1,000+ tribal and indigenous members   - 5,000+ supporting farmers   - 10+ diverse crops cultivated  In the coming months, we’ll focus on improving market access, capacity building, and sustainable practices. By partnering with leading organizations, we aim to enhance farmer incomes, promote soil health, and deliver premium-quality spices, cocoa, coffee, and more to consumers. Together, let’s empower our farmers and cultivate a sustainable future! #Prakheti #agrobiodiversity #sustainableagriculture #farmerproducerorganization Arkesh Kedar Shenoy LPU School of Agriculture