Insights from the Experts: "Unlocking the Power of Agriculture: How CSR Investments Can Create a Ripple Effect in Agri-Value Chains

On November 16th, 2022, the India CSR summit played host to an illuminating session on investments in agriculture value chains, their potential and the obstacles they face. A distinguished panel of experts, each with a wealth of experience in their field, shared their insights and ideas on this important topic.

Among the panellists were Dr. Ravi Chandra , Livelihoods and Value Chain Specialist, Inclusive Growth Unit, UNDP; Ms Aman Pannu , Head of Corporate Communications and CSR at DCM Shriram Limited; Rtn.Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshini , General Manager - CSR, Sustainability, ESG, Corporate Affairs, Community Relations, Land, R&R, PR & Communications, Hindalco Industries Limited, Aditya Birla Group;

Also lending their expertise were Amit Kumar Singh , President of Impact and Sustainability at Ayekart, and Dr Sayendra Singh Arya , CEO of the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI). Each panellist brought a unique perspective and skillset to the discussion, making for a fascinating and thought-provoking session.

"Corporate Social Responsibility: A Key to Supporting Sustainable Agriculture and Farmers' Livelihoods"

Agriculture, despite only contributing 14% to 16% of GDP, is a crucial sector for economic growth in our country. It supports a vast population, and agricultural workers are the primary stakeholders who need to earn their livelihoods in a fair and decent manner. This is where Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can play a significant role. Farmers are essential to our well-being, and their success is dependent on market access. Ensuring their well-being will help us sustain better conditions.

Agriculture is currently encountering a significant challenge that requires substantial investment. The corporate sector has the potential to provide the necessary funding. The objective is to enable farmers to sustain a decent livelihood on their farms and prevent them from migrating to urban areas.

"DCM Shriram Ltd.'s Approach to Sustainable Water Management and Long-Term Solutions for Farmers"

When asked about the contribution of their company to addressing challenges, Ms. Aman Pannu from DCM Shriram Ltd. had this to say:

At DCM, we are focused on the conservation of water and sustainable methods to utilize it for agriculture. Despite having 70% of water availability, 60% of it is wasted due to inefficiency and lack of utilization methods. Our approach involves increasing water storage capacity, improving irrigation, and training ground-level farmers to effectively use water. We also work with farmers to plant crops that require less water, such as sugarcane.

Moreover, we face challenges in the form of government and corporate funding for projects and structured plans that only create temporary solutions for farmers. This involves providing better packages, market links, and some training to resolve their immediate problems, but it does not ensure long-term sustainability for a larger impact. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not just about creating temporary solutions, we must also get involved in the farmers' day-to-day work to find permanent solutions.

"Challenges Faced by Women in Agriculture: The Need for Intervention"

There are major concerns regarding the status of women in agriculture, as they face several issues. For instance, they have difficulties breaking out of the confines of their homes and being recognized as labourers rather than shareholders in the field. Their lack of knowledge about opportunities and the power to raise their voices also plays a crucial role in preventing them from earning a decent livelihood. According to Satyendra Singh of the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI), the traditional bodies' knowledge has been reduced due to changes over time, and with 98% of agriculture being unorganized, there is a need for intervention.

Addressing the Challenge of Skill Training for Agricultural Workers

One of the major challenges facing the agriculture industry is the lack of skill training for agricultural workers. With the youth moving out for better opportunities, there is a need to provide vocational recognition to rural youth entrepreneurs and make agriculture appealing to them by incorporating technology. At our organization, we have worked on job roles, recognitions, and training to scale up our efforts. We have also introduced agriculture as a subject in 2400 schools across 25 states, teaching it at the 9th and 10th-grade levels and making it a second job at the 11th and 12th-grade levels. To ensure a larger and more sustained impact, we need the support of profit-making organizations to provide us with the necessary technology and resources. For instance, we have training materials in Hindi and English but require support to create audio-animated clips in regional languages.

Regarding the question of how working with a government scheme to build a community can help achieve a greater impact, it provides us with the necessary resources and support to reach a larger audience and make a more significant difference in people's lives. By working together, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to address the various challenges facing the agriculture industry and improve the lives of rural communities.

Replicating Schemes and Creating Ecosystems to Empower Women Farmers in Rural India

Lopamudra Priyadharshini explains that their organization replicates national and state-level schemes and works to ensure they reach the gram panchayat level. They have implemented the Unnath project in Odisha, where they teach women farmers about championing crops, animal husbandry, NTFP products, and making paper plates in 51-gram panchayats in Raigarh and Kalahandi. However, some farmers are not even aware of the schemes during COVID-19 due to their inability to reach the panchayat office. To address this issue, their organization creates an ecosystem where they can spread awareness about the scheme, train women farmers, and support them to earn a livelihood.

Regarding how CSR can unlock billions of dollars through government schemes and achieve convergence, it is essential to have collaborations and partnerships between the government and the private sector. By combining resources and expertise, CSR initiatives can provide the necessary support and funding to implement government schemes effectively. Additionally, CSR can help to scale up and sustain these schemes by providing training and skill development opportunities to rural communities. Through such partnerships and collaborations, CSR can play a crucial role in unlocking the potential of government schemes and achieving convergence for the greater good of society.

Leveraging CSR to Address Agricultural Challenges and Achieve Sustainability

Amit Kumar Singh suggests that CSR funds can be utilized to create lighthouse models and plans, which can then be scaled up with government support to make a larger impact. He emphasizes the need for a demand-driven approach to skill development in agriculture, with a gender-sensitive approach to training both men and women. To address the drop in the number of women taking up agriculture as a profession, they can be trained in marketing, administration, and even in ploughing, tractor administration, and mechanics.

Agriculture is also a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbates climate-related agricultural problems. Therefore, there is a need for behaviour change and collaboration between the government and the private sector to improve conduction. While CSR can help train farmers, it is crucial to ensure the sustainability of projects by working with the government and other funding organizations. Together, they can provide continuous support and help keep projects alive in the long term.