} .content.active { display: block; } } } } /* Responsive */ @media (max-width: 991px) { .section_header{ .header_section_image{ width: 43%; } } .header_bottom_section{ & ul{ grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr); } } } @media(width <= 768px){ .section_header{ flex-direction: column; .header_section_text{ width: 100%; } .header_section_image{ width: 100%; text-align: center; img{ width: 90%; margin: 0 auto; } } } .header_bottom_section{ & ul{ grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); } } .tab_section{ .tab_container{ flex-direction: column; .tab_buttons{ width: 100%; flex-direction: row; gap: 1rem; overflow-x: scroll; .tab_btn{ flex: none; font-size: 1.5rem; i{ font-size: 2rem; } } } .tab_buttons::-webkit-scrollbar{ height: 8px; } .tab_buttons::-webkit-scrollbar-track{ background-color: #f26651; border-radius: 10px; } .tab_buttons::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb{ background-color: #3cba84; border-radius: 10px; } .tab_buttons::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb:hover{ background-color: #f36652; } .tab_content{ width: 100%; } } } .modern_cta_button{ flex-direction: column; .modern_cta_text{ width: 100%; } .modern_cta_image{ width: 100%; text-align: center; padding-bottom: 2rem; img{ width: 90%; } } } } @media(width <= 600px){ .important_section{ & ul{ grid-template-columns: repeat(1, 1fr); gap: 1rem; } } } @media(width <= 576px){ .header_bottom_section{ ul{ grid-template-columns: repeat(1, 1fr); } } .section_header { & .header_section_image { img { width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; } } } }

The use of water in food production is becoming an increasingly critical issue due to the impacts of climate change and a rising global population. As water scarcity intensifies, the agricultural sector, which consumes the majority of our planet’s finite water resources, must adopt more efficient irrigation methods. Agriculture accounts for 70% of the global freshwater usage and up to 95% of water withdrawals in some developing nations.

How does a drip irrigation system work?

Unlike surface and sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation wets only a portion of the soil root zone, potentially as little as 30% of the volume wetted by other methods. The wetting patterns that result from dripping water onto the soil vary based on discharge rates and soil types, such as sand and clay.

Despite only wetting part of the root zone, this is essential to meet the crop’s full water needs. Drip irrigation does not reduce the water consumed by crops; rather, it ensures precise water application to support optimal growth.

The primary water savings in a drip irrigation system come from minimizing deep percolation, surface runoff, and soil evaporation.

How can Modern Technologies Help Indian Farmers Improve Agriculture?

Explore Modern Agriculture Technology

Why should farmers consider the drip irrigation system?

The short answer is water conservation. However, if you are looking to understand the ‘why’ behind the farmer’s preference for drip irrigation, take a look at these 7 ways in which drip irrigation conserves water:

How S M Sehgal Foundation supports drip irrigation adoption

S M Sehgal Foundation’s Agriculture Development Program enhances mechanization adoption among small and marginal farmers by offering farm machinery at subsidized rates. Farmers invest in the machinery, fostering ownership and entrepreneurial spirit. Training is provided for operation and maintenance, enabling farmers to generate additional income by leasing equipment to fellow farmers.

Jameel adopts drip irrigation and tomato staking methods

Jameel, a farmer from Tauru block in Nuh district, Haryana, attended an S M Sehgal Foundation meeting in August 2021 and learned about drip irrigation benefits to address critically low water levels. He adopted the technique in December 2021, leading to a 40% increase in his tomato yield. Inspired by the success, he invested INR 1,00,000 in February 2022 to expand drip irrigation and staking for bottle gourd cultivation.

His success highlights the importance of drip irrigation for improving yields and farmer incomes.

Read Jameel’s full story here.

About the Author

Ms. Pooja O. Murada
Principal lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation

Mass communications master’s; English honors; bridge marketing program (Tuck School of Business); over twenty years in brand management, marketing, and development communications in the corporate and development sector. Spearheaded a community radio in an aspirational district; former chairperson of the gender committee at Sehgal Foundation, invited ICC member, Volvo India, and former governing board member of Community Radio Association.

The post What is a drip <span>irrigation system</span> and how does it help to save water? appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

When conversations turn to food security, women are often spoken about as beneficiaries. Rarely are they acknowledged as producers, planners, and decision-makers who hold food systems together.

Across rural landscapes, women sow seeds, preserve grain, manage livestock, and ensure that households eat—even in years when crops fail. Their contribution to food security and sustainability is not marginal. It is structural. Without women in agriculture, global food systems would simply not function.

Despite this, women continue to farm without recognition, land titles, or equal access to resources. As climate pressures intensify and food systems grow more fragile, acknowledging and strengthening women’s role in agriculture is no longer optional. Their role is essential to sustaining food security and sustainable agriculture.

This is a story about that invisible backbone and what happens when women are finally given space, support, and voice.

Why Food Security Cannot Be Separated from Gender

Food security goes beyond producing enough food. It is about access, nutrition, stability, and resilience over time. Sustainable food systems ensure that today’s needs are met without undermining tomorrow’s capacity to produce.

Globally, women make up a significant share of agricultural workers, especially in smallholder farming systems. In India, women are involved in nearly every stage of food production—from sowing and weeding to harvesting, storage, and processing. Yet the gender gap in agriculture remains stark.

Women farmers often lack:

This gap directly affects food security. Studies repeatedly show that when women farmers have equal access to resources, farm productivity improves, and household nutrition outcomes strengthen. Gender equality, food security, and sustainability are deeply linked.

Women’s Contributions to Food Security on the Ground

In rural India, women’s role in agriculture extends far beyond labor.

Women working in agriculture are often responsible for maintaining kitchen gardens, preserving seeds, managing household nutrition, and ensuring dietary diversity. Their knowledge of traditional crops and local ecosystems supports biodiversity conservation in ways formal systems often overlook.

Women in farming also play a critical role in adapting to climate stress. Through crop diversification, seed saving, and careful water use, women contribute to agriculture and did so long before the term entered policy vocabulary.

In households, women are the first to adjust food consumption during shortages to ensure that children and elders eat adequately. This “invisible” labor is central to nutrition security, even as it remains largely unrecognized.

When Empowerment Takes Root at the Grassroots

If women’s contributions are so central, why are they so often unsupported?

Part of the answer lies in how agricultural systems are designed around land ownership, market access, and credit structures, which have traditionally excluded women. Change begins when these systems are reimagined at the local level.

In Champawat district of Uttarakhand, such a reimagining is slowly unfolding.

Nestled between forests and hills, Champawat is rich in biodiversity but constrained by limited irrigation and wildlife pressures. With nearly 65 percent forest cover and only a small share of irrigated land, farming here has always been demanding. Crop depredation by wild animals, lack of modern inputs, and limited market access have made agriculture an uncertain livelihood.

What stands out in Champawat, however, is the way gender roles have evolved. Women work the fields, manage households, and increasingly step into leadership roles, and men participate in domestic responsibilities more openly than in many other regions.

This balance became the foundation for a different kind of agriculture intervention.

From Kitchen Gardens to Leadership Schools

Under a CSR-supported initiative implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation, agriculture in Champawat began to be viewed not just as production, but as an ecosystem.

Kitchen gardens were promoted to improve household nutrition and reduce dependency on markets. Women grew vegetables close to home, strengthening food security while supplementing income.

At the same time, leadership training programs for women were introduced—spaces where women not only learned farming techniques, but also how to speak in public forums, manage groups, and participate in decision-making.

Livestock management training added another layer, equipping women with skills in animal husbandry, dairy practices, and sustainable care, activities traditionally handled by women but rarely formalized or rewarded.

Together these initiatives created something rare: a system that recognized women not just as workers, but as farmers and leaders.

The Champawat Monal FPC: Women at the Center

A turning point came with the formation of the Champawat Monal Farmer Producer Company.

Built on regular community meetings and Farmer Interest Groups across fifty villages, the FPC was designed to support small and marginal farmers through better inputs, skills, and market access. The crucial component: women were not add-ons. They were central.

Today the company has more than 500 female shareholders.

The establishment of a modern nursery under the FPC provided access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and planting material, reducing risk and improving yields. Women farmers were trained in selecting crop varieties that could withstand climatic stress and pest pressures, ensuring uniform growth and better market prices.

For many women, this marked a shift not just in farming practice, but in personal identity.

Finding Voice Alongside Livelihood

Godavari Kaloni, a shareholder from Khedikot village, describes this change simply. Earlier, she saw herself only as a homemaker. Now she travels across villages, advising farmers on crop varieties, pest management, and fertilizer use.

Geeta Devi, who had earlier worked on a tea farm, speaks of overcoming her fear of public speaking through regular group meetings. These meetings, she says, gave her confidence to advocate sustainable agriculture practices among fellow farmers.

Pushpa Chaubey, working across four villages, now mobilizes women farmers to participate actively in discussions and decision-making. For her, economic independence and social confidence have become intertwined goals.

These women are not exceptions. They are indicators of what happens when empowerment is structured, sustained, and rooted in local realities.

The Barriers That Still Remain

Despite these advances, barriers persist.

Gender inequality in agriculture continues due to unequal land rights, limited access to credit, and their exclusion from formal extension services. Climate change further intensifies women’s vulnerability, as they are often the first to absorb the shocks from crop failure or water scarcity.

Without addressing these systemic issues, progress remains fragile.

Women-Led Innovation and Collective Solutions

What Champawat demonstrates is that women-led solutions are not limited to subsistence.

Through cooperatives, regenerative agriculture practices, and organic farming initiatives, women farmers are redefining what sustainable farming looks like. Women farmer cooperatives strengthen bargaining power, reduce costs, and enable collective learning.

Food waste reduction, seed preservation, and diversified cropping systems are often driven by women’s groups—quietly reshaping food systems from the ground up.

Scaling these models requires institutional backing, not reinvention.

The Path Forward

If food security and sustainability are the goals, empowering women in agriculture must be the strategy.

This means:

The Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Zero Hunger and Gender Equality, are not separate ambitions. They are mutually dependent.

The story unfolding in Champawat shows what is possible when women are recognized not as support systems, but as central actors in agriculture. The sacks they carry uphill are not just “produce.” They are proof of resilience, agency, and a future where food security is built on equality.

Priya Chaudhary
Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development

Priya Chaudhary is an expert in Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development with a focus on gender equity, social inclusion, and evidence-based change. With extensive experience in project management, storytelling, and qualitative research, she has worked on various NGO marketing and development projects.

The post Spotlight on the Role of Women Farmers in Food Security and Sustainability appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Seventeen years is a journey marked by significant milestones and measured in trust built slowly over time, that has resulted in bountiful harvests, harnessed water, changed lives, and more.

Change doesn’t always move in straight lines, is often invisible, and always negotiated. Sustainable development to be realized must be led by the communities themselves.

Krishi Jyoti (enlightened agriculture), a partnership between Mosaic India Pvt. Ltd. and Mosaic Company for Sustainable Food Systems together with S M Sehgal Foundation, began in 2008 with a simple intention: to support farming families so they could grow better, earn more steadily, and live with dignity. With an overarching theory that agriculture is the center of rural life, and strengthening it can unlock change across many dimensions, Krishi Jyoti has grown alongside the communities where the work is done.

What began as a focused agricultural project expanded gradually into water management, better nutrition for women, supporting schoolchildren, and strengthening local institutions. The emphasis has remained on relevance, presence, and learning as conditions change. This is what seventeen years of sustainable development looks like on the ground.

Where the Work Took Root

In many villages, farming is more than a livelihood. It shapes food availability, school attendance, migration patterns, and community confidence. Krishi Jyoti’s early agriculture development efforts focused on everyday practices, building on what farmers were already doing and identifying small adjustments that reduce risk.

As the work expanded into regions across seven states, one reality became clear early on: no single approach works everywhere. Soil behaves differently. Rainfall patterns vary. Social relationships shift from village to village.

Rather than imposing uniform solutions, the project adapted to the needs. This flexibility allowed local action to align naturally with broader sustainable development goals.

Working with Small and Marginal Farmers

For small and marginal farmers, every decision carries weight.

A delayed monsoon, an unsuitable input, or a failed experiment can undo an entire season’s effort. With limited and fragmented landholdings, the margin for error is narrow. Land size directly influences how much risk a farmer can afford.

Krishi Jyoti chose to work alongside farmers to address these realities.

Instead of pushing for immediate adoption, farmers were encouraged to observe, compare, and decide. Learning occurred in the fields over the seasons, not through external instruction.

Challenges were discussed openly, including soil quality, long-standing traditional practices, and dependence on weather and timing.

Acknowledging these constraints helped to build trust with small farmers. Over time, that trust translated into willingness to try, adapt, and share their learning with others.

Tools, Technology, and the Capital Question

Tools change outcomes when they fit local realities.

Much agricultural equipment is designed for larger landholdings, which often limits their adoption by small farmers due to cost, maintenance, and usability. Krishi Jyoti focused on tools suited to small plots and encouraged shared use through local entrepreneurial farmers and groups.

Adoption was gradual. Confidence developed through training, peer learning, and repeated use. Comfort with new tools was built over time.

Along with the use of equipment came an important conversation about capital. A focus on soil health, planning and understanding input costs, and making informed choices reduced the need for borrowing money, which was a common last resort. In many cases, improved productivity reduced the need for high-risk borrowing altogether.

Water Management Required Patience

In several project areas, water scarcity was highly visible and deeply felt.

Borewells were dry. Ponds held water only briefly. Fields were left uncultivated because irrigation could not be assured. These long-standing challenges resisted quick solutions. Water management efforts focused on long-term thinking. These included community dialogue, collective responsibility, and structures designed to deliver results over years, not months.

These were not dramatic turning points.

But gradually, groundwater recharge began to show results. Borewells once abandoned showed signs of revival. Ponds retained water longer. Irrigation became more predictable. The lesson remained consistent: shared resources demanded shared accountability.

When Villages Began Deciding Together

Infrastructure alone cannot sustain change.

What strengthened outcomes over time was village-level decision-making. Through village development committees, communities discussed priorities, planned interventions, and reviewed progress collectively.

This shift made the difference.

Instead of waiting for direction, villagers began asking their own questions. What should come first? How should resources be managed? Who is responsible for upkeep? Sustainable development became less about projects and more about process.

Nutrition for Women and Everyday Health

Nutrition conversations did not begin with data; they began in kitchens.

Krishi Jyoti’s work around nutrition for women focused on practical understanding of what a balanced plate looks like, why dietary diversity matters, and how nutrition during pregnancy shapes long-term health.

Discussions were simple and grounded, without technical language, just shared knowledge and everyday examples.

Over time, these conversations led to small but lasting changes at home, healthier women and children, better food intake, and reliance on seasonal food availability and nutritional outcomes.

Such changes endured because they made sense.

Kitchen Gardens and Women in Agriculture

Kitchen gardens became one of the most grounded interventions across villages. They required minimal investment, space, seeds, and regular care. Families growing their own vegetables experienced immediate benefits:

Women in agriculture played a central role in sustaining these gardens. Many worked collectively, sharing seeds, exchanging ideas, and supporting one another. This collaboration built confidence, not only in food production, but in public participation.

The kitchen garden became more than a source of nutrition. It became a shared space for learning.

Children, Education, and Changing Environments

When livelihoods stabilize, other shifts begin.

As water access improved and farming outcomes became more reliable, families were better able to prioritize education. By upgrading school infrastructures as part of the project, children attended school more consistently, and learning improved. Schools became spaces of engagement rather than obligation.

Children spoke about enjoying school, about playing, learning, and feeling encouraged.

All these changes were enhanced by improved stability across the household.

Local Work, Global Meaning

Krishi Jyoti’s work is rooted firmly in villages, but the outcomes reflect the intent of global sustainable development goals.

Food security. Water access. Empowered women. Community participation. Health. Education.

When communities experience tangible improvements, global frameworks find relevance naturally.

This alignment has been quiet, organic, and deeply contextual.

Looking Ahead

Seventeen years of work through the Krishi Jyoti project has demonstrated that sustainable development is built through patience, humility, and partnership.

There are no shortcuts. No universal solutions. Only steady effort, shared learning, and the willingness to stay present through uncertainty.

Looking ahead, the focus of Krishi Jyoti remains unchanged. Supporting farmers. Strengthening nutrition for women. Protecting water resources. Enabling communities to shape their own paths.

Progress will continue gradually, one village, one season, one harvest at a time.

About the Author

Arti Manchanda Grover
Senior Manager, Public Relations at the S M Sehgal Foundation

Arti Manchanda Grover, Senior Manager, Public Relations at the S M Sehgal Foundation, where she leads communication strategies, media outreach, and storytelling initiatives that support impactful rural development programs. With experience of more than 18 years in the nonprofit sector, she brings strong expertise in corporate social responsibility, community media, and development communication.

The post Celebrating 17 Years of Sustainable Development Success with Krishi Jyoti appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Water is something we may take for granted until it becomes a problem.

From early morning chores to late-night cleaning, households generate wastewater continuously. In many places, this water quietly flows into open drains, streets, ponds, or low-lying areas. Over time, this creates unhygienic conditions, damages soil and water sources, and exposes communities to serious health risks. This reality is where the conversation around wastewater management becomes unavoidable.

In rural settings especially, centralized treatment systems are either absent or extremely limited. Expecting complex infrastructure in such contexts is unrealistic. What is needed instead are decentralized, low-cost solutions that communities can easily understand, build, and maintain. Soak pits are one such solution. Simple in design, effective in function, and rooted in ecological principles, soak pits offer a practical way to manage domestic wastewater while supporting environmental health.

This article unpacks what soak pits are, why they matter, and how they fit into broader efforts around sustainable wastewater management.

Why Wastewater Treatment Deserves Attention

In the new episode of Let’s Connect podcast, Salahuddin Saiphy, principal lead of Water Management, talks about Soak Pits with Sonia Chopra, program lead of Outreach for Development at SMSF. A large portion of the water used in households does not disappear after use. In fact, nearly most of it turns into wastewater—including water from kitchens, washing areas, and laundry. When unmanaged, this wastewater accumulates in open spaces and drains, creating stagnant pools.

The consequences are well known in many villages and small towns:

The wastewater treatment importance lies not just in cleanliness, but in public health, environmental protection, and personal dignity. Without a proper wastewater drainage system, communities are forced to live alongside waste they did not choose to generate.

While several wastewater treatment methods are available globally, many are expensive, technology-heavy, or dependent on electricity and skilled operation. This makes them unsuitable for decentralized rural contexts.

What Are Soak Pits and How Do They Work?

Soak pits are among the simplest forms of decentralized wastewater treatment structures.

At their core, soak pits are underground chambers designed to receive domestic wastewater (excluding toilet waste). The water passes through a basic filtration layer and slowly percolates into the surrounding soil. This natural process allows the soil to act as a filter, reducing pollutants while safely dispersing water underground.

A typical soak pit tank:

Unlike open drains, soak pit drainage is contained and controlled. There is no surface stagnation, no foul smell, and significantly reduced exposure to disease-causing organisms.

Soak Pits Compared to Other Wastewater Treatment Methods

It is important to understand that soak pits are not meant to replace all wastewater treatment systems. They are one option among several wastewater treatment methods.

In urban areas, centralized sewage treatment plants may be feasible. In institutions, constructed wetlands or advanced filtration systems may work. However, in villages and peri-urban areas, such solutions often fail due to cost, maintenance challenges, or lack of ownership.

Soak pits, and in some cases leach pit systems, work well because they:

Their strength lies in being context-appropriate rather than technologically complex.

The Role of Community Soak Pits in Villages

While individual soak pits work well for single households, there are situations where community soak pits are more practical. In dense settlements, shared washing areas, schools, or community centers, wastewater generation is collective. The design of a soak pit in a village setting needs to keep shared usage in mind.

Community soak pits help:

However, community systems demand stronger coordination. Without shared ownership and clarity on maintenance, even well-built systems can fail.

Key Considerations in Soak Pit Construction

Soak pit construction is not just about digging a hole in the ground. Several factors influence whether a soak pit will function effectively over time.

Some of the most important considerations include:

A poorly designed soak pit may work initially but will likely fail within months. This is why understanding local conditions is critical before construction begins.

Why Maintenance Is Often the Weakest Link

Many soak pits stop working not because the idea is flawed, but because maintenance is ignored.

Over time, soap scum, oil, and fine silt accumulate inside the filtering chamber. When this material blocks pore spaces, infiltration slows down. Eventually, water starts stagnating inside the pit, defeating its purpose.

Regular soak pit maintenance is essential. This includes:

However, because cleaning a soak pit can be unpleasant, many households tend to delay or avoid it. When maintenance is neglected, systems fail.

Improving Design to Make Maintenance Easier

One of the most important lessons learned from long-term field experience is that systems must be easy to maintain, not just technically sound.

Innovations in soak pit design now focus on separating filtration chambers and introducing mechanisms that allow sludge to be flushed out without direct contact. This reduces the hygiene concerns that previously discouraged regular maintenance.

Such improvements do not change the basic principle of soak pits. They simply make soak pit maintenance more practical for everyday users, including women, who often manage water-related tasks at the household level.

Environmental Benefits of Soak Pits

From an ecological perspective, soak pits offer specific advantages.

By allowing water to percolate naturally, soak pits support groundwater recharge rather than surface runoff. At the same time, soak pits reduce pollution load in surface water bodies. This is especially valuable in areas where groundwater levels are declining.

From a wastewater management standpoint, soak pits:

These benefits are not always immediately visible, but over time they contribute to healthier living environments.

Looking Ahead: Small Solutions with Lasting Impact

Soak pits are not a universal solution to all sanitation challenges. But they are a powerful reminder that wastewater management does not always require expensive infrastructure or complex technology.

When designed well, constructed thoughtfully, and maintained regularly, soak pits offer a low-cost, eco-friendly way to handle domestic wastewater that improves hygiene, protects water resources, and reduces health risks—especially in villages where alternatives are limited.

Decoding soak pits ultimately means recognizing their value as practical, human-scale solutions. In the search for sustainable answers, the most effective ideas are sometimes the simplest ones, rooted firmly in local realities.

About the Author

Sonia Chopra
Program Leader Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation

Sonia Chopra is Program Leader, Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation, where she drives outreach, advocacy, and digital storytelling to advance rural development. She holds a Master’s degrees in political science, information & library science, and journalism in digital media.

The post Decoding Soak Pits: An Eco-friendly Approach to Wastewater Management appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

S M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF) has been working since 1999 with a mission to strengthen community-led development initiatives across rural India, leading to positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes. SMSF partners with corporates, treating each partnership as a shared-value endeavor where corporates bring CSR budgets and strategic mandates, and SMSF generates rural know-how and implementation capacity backed by community trust.

S M Sehgal Foundation’s Approach to Partnerships

For corporates seeking long-term impact across rural development, S M Sehgal Foundation has emerged as a partner of choice, given its rich experience in the rural development sector, a strong expert team, and transparency and credibility in the sector.

Going the Extra Mile: Innovation, Accountability and Long-Term Partnerships

S M Sehgal Foundation work goes beyond implementation, leading communities to take ownership of the work results. The objective is to make all SMSF partnerships and collaborations robust with key components:

Over to You

Within India’s evolving CSR landscape, companies seek impact, alignment with Sustainable Development Goals, and credible partnerships beyond compliance. S M Sehgal Foundation provides a proven model rooted in rural transformation that addresses water security, agriculture development, women’s empowerment, better futures for schoolchildren and rural livelihoods. The SMSF approach aligns CSR with national priorities, builds shared value, and ensures measurable outcomes through long-term, community-owned projects.

Partnering with SMSF enables corporates to move beyond traditional philanthropy, creating sustainable development partnerships that drive lasting and scalable change across rural India.

About the Author

Arti Manchanda Grover
Senior Manager, Public Relations at the S M Sehgal Foundation

Arti Manchanda Grover, Senior Manager, Public Relations at the S M Sehgal Foundation, where she leads communication strategies, media outreach, and storytelling initiatives that support impactful rural development programs. With experience of more than 18 years in the nonprofit sector, she brings strong expertise in corporate social responsibility, community media, and development communication.

The post How S M Sehgal Foundation Works With Corporate Partners for Sustainable Impact appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

When we talk about transforming education, we tend to focus on curriculum and teaching methods. But the spaces in which students learn—classrooms, art rooms, and playgrounds—play an equally pivotal role. Schools with strong infrastructure improvement not only foster academic growth, but also nurture emotional well-being, safety, and a sense of belonging.

A well-designed learning environment can reduce absenteeism, increase school enrolment, especially among girls, and empower youth to engage fully with their education. Efforts to build better learning spaces are central to any school transformation program aiming for holistic development in education.

What Is the State of School Infrastructure in Rural India?

Before exploring stories of change, let’s look at rural schools in India:

These facts show that while broad infrastructural improvement is underway, gaps remain—especially in digital literacy, play areas, and rural regions where resources are more constrained.

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Why Environment Shapes Learning

How does improved infrastructure translate into better educational outcomes?

Some insights:

“How does good school infrastructure help rural education and digital literacy?” The answer lies in both the hard infrastructure and the softer aspects of environment.

The Transformation of Doddashivara High School, Kolar District

Here’s a real-life example of what happens when a school transformation program is implemented well:

Before the change

Doddashivara Government High School in Malur Taluk of Kolar District, Karnataka, served about 190 students (105 girls, 85 boys) with 12 teachers. Many of them came from underprivileged backgrounds with limited alternatives for education. But the school infrastructure was seriously deficient:

These deficits posed major educational challenges: attendance dropped, students felt unsafe or uncomfortable, and the learning environment was uninspiring.

Transformation under the Rural School Transformation Project

S M Sehgal Foundation, with support from First American (India) Private Limited, stepped in with a holistic plan:

Impact & Voices

“Earlier we used to struggle without proper toilets, but now I feel comfortable and safe in school. We have a clean place to sit and eat, and even our walls teach us through colorful paintings that arise our curiosity to learn and explore.” – Abhishek M, Grade 8

“We had broken toilets, no proper handwashing station. . . . Today, students come to school with a smile . . . The new infrastructure has boosted student attendance, improved hygiene, and increased parents’ trust . . . ”- Mrs. Mamatha, headmaster

The result of this school transformation is not just physical; it is emotional and behavioral. Improved enrolment is expected; more parents are trusting the institution; academic performance will rise in coming years given the safer, more engaging learning space.

Key Elements of an Effective Learning Environment

From national data and the Doddashivara example, effective school infrastructure improvement measures typically include:

The Power of Partnerships: NGOs, Corporates, and Communities

Transforming schools requires collaboration. Some ways these partnerships make a difference:

The Rural School Transformation Project of SM Sehgal Foundation and First American (India) is an example of a project that integrates these partnership strengths to achieve holistic change.

Measurable Impact: What the Numbers Say

These changes contribute to higher school admissions and enrolments and improved learning outcomes, especially in rural education settings where deficits were previously pronounced.

Lessons from Doddashivara: Building Sustainable Change

From the Doddashivara transformation and national data, some lessons emerge:

These lessons help in scaling similar models across rural schools, making transforming schools not just a slogan but a practical roadmap for transforming the lives of schoolchildren.

Building a Future Where Every Child Thrives

Transforming education is far more than updating curriculum or hiring teachers. School infrastructure improvement plays a foundational role in empowering youth, supporting rural education, and tackling educational challenges that hinder academic progress.

The story of Doddashivara High School under the Rural School Transformation Project shows that when underprivileged students gain access to clean toilets, safe classrooms, digital tools, and inspiring spaces, everything changes for the better. Increased school admissions, rising attendance, and smiling students are the signs of true transformation.

In the end, transforming schools into better learning spaces is not only about buildings—it is about providing every child with dignity, safety, opportunity, and hope. Through such holistic development in education, a nation builds its future.

About the Author

Sonia Chopra
Program Leader Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation

Sonia Chopra is Program Leader, Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation, where she drives outreach, advocacy, and digital storytelling to advance rural development. She holds a Master’s degrees in political science, information & library science, and journalism in digital media.

The post Transforming Schools into Better Learning Spaces for Students appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have emerged as a strong support system for India’s small and marginal farmers. By coming together under one umbrella, farmers get access to collective bargaining power, better markets, and modern practices. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, India aims to create 10,000 new FPOs by 2027 to empower rural communities and improve farmers’ income security. This highlights the government’s focus on farmer-led institutions as a pathway to sustainable growth.

An FPO is essentially a collective of farmers registered under the Companies Act. It allows farmers to pool resources, share risks, and market their produce at better prices. Through this system, small-scale farmers, often left behind in the open market, gain a stronger voice. FPOs also play a key role in providing inputs, training, and access to financial support.

Many people often confuse FPOs with Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). While both serve farmer interests, the difference lies in their legal structure. An FPC is a registered company formed under the Companies Act, whereas an FPO can be registered under different legal forms, including cooperatives or societies. In short, every FPC is an FPO, but not every FPO is an FPC.

Why FPOs Matter in Indian Agriculture?

Smallholders struggle with fragmented landholdings and buyer exploitation. FPOs unite them under a common banner – collectively negotiating prices, securing supplies, and accessing credit. Research notes that FPOs aim “to solve the problems encountered by small and marginal farmers, especially access to capital, technical improvements, and inputs and markets.” (Source: Nature ). States like Maharashtra and Bihar have seen surging FPO growth thanks to these advantages (Source: JSRR ).

What are the Common Challenges Faced by FPOs

The reality is not rosy. Common challenges include:

Strengthening Governance

Strong governance breeds trust and efficiency. Clear member roles, regular audits, and annual strategy reviews help. Village-level farmers interest groups can feed into these structures, amplifying transparency. Training leadership teams in accounting, decision-making, and stakeholder communication is essential. This not only strengthens FPO operations but helps build the farmer producer company into a trusted entity.

Power of Federations

Individually, FPOs are small. Federations bring scale. Grouping multiple FPOs into federated structures improves access to capital, opens new markets, and enables bulk branding. Federations consolidate produce, reduce marketing costs, and attract larger buyers, amplifying FPO business and its viability.

Embracing Digitization

Digital tools can be a game-changer. Web platforms – like ONDC – allow FPOs to sell value-added goods directly. For instance, nearly 5,000 FPOs have listed their products via ONDC with promising sales from commodities like millet, honey, and GI-tagged turmeric. Digitization also helps in performance tracking, transparency, and capacity building. Boosting digital literacy among members is crucial to modernize FPO systems.

Women-Led FPOs: A Transformative Force

Women-led FPOs are gaining recognition. In Karnataka, for instance, 336 FPOs are functional, many fully run by women. That includes the Mahila FPOs with strong regional membership. Women leadership spurs inclusive growth, particularly in rural markets and decision-making (Source: The Times of India). Boosting women participation magnifies benefits to households, communities, and wider agrarian systems.

Sustainable Growth Pathways

To ensure long-term viability, FPOs must embrace sustainable practices: climate-resilient farming, organic produce, crop diversification, and value addition. Branding with GI tags, like turmeric and mango, adds value. For example, FPOs in Odisha exported mangoes directly to Europe, bypassing intermediaries https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/50-quintals-of-balangir-mangoes-exported-to-europe/articleshow/121554301.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com. UP’s public–private initiative supports FPOs with cold storage, grading infrastructure – all vital for sustainable growth (Source: The Times of India).

Policy & Institutional Support

India’s government has launched schemes like the Formation of 10,000 FPOs, led by SFAC, NABARD, and SFAC, assembling nearly 8.3 lakh small farmers into over 800 FPOs by 2019. Institutional bodies such as SFAC support capacity building and professionalization. UP recently created an FPO cell under a state-level unit to deliver tailored business training to FPOs (Source: The Times of India).

Sustainable Growth in Action (Summary Table)

Case study: Vrishabhavati Agriculture Farmer Producer Company

The story of Vrishabhavati Agriculture Farmer Producer Company in Karnataka illustrates both the challenges and the transformation possible with the right support.

Initial Struggles

The FPO, formed with 300 members and a corpus of ₹3,00,000, struggled to mobilise farmers due to poor awareness of FPO operations and sustainable farming practices. Farmers associated membership only with the ₹1,000 share contribution, expecting seasonal inputs in return, while still depending on traditional cultivation methods.

Interventions and transformation

In 2021, the S M Sehgal Foundation, with CSR support from the Walmart Foundation, began working with the FPO under the Bolstering Farmer Producer Organizations project. Regular training, demonstrations, and exposure visits introduced farmers to scientific agricultural practices. For example:

Building Sustainable Business

The FPO overcame the challenge of lacking a business plan by setting up multiple income streams:

With a turnover of ₹35 lakhs in the last financial year, the FPO’s operations now serve as a model of resilience.

Increasing Women’s Participation

Through apiculture, goatery, sheep rearing, agarbatti-making, and polyhouse farming of capsicum, women farmers were empowered with skills and income opportunities. For example, capsicum grown in a polyhouse worth ₹32 lakhs is expected to generate ₹25-30 lakhs in business.

Key Lessons from the Case

Over to You

To truly strengthen farmer producer organisations, we must align governance, federations, digitization, women leadership, and sustainable practices. Backed by policy support and institutional ecosystems, FPOs can drive inclusive growth, empower small farmers, and ensure food security. Strengthening the FPO, for real.

Priya Chaudhary
Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development

Priya Chaudhary is an expert in Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development with a focus on gender equity, social inclusion, and evidence-based change. With extensive experience in project management, storytelling, and qualitative research, she has worked on various NGO marketing and development projects.

The post Strategies to Strengthen FPOs: Federations, Digitization, and Sustainable Growth appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Irrigation in agriculture has always been a backbone of India’s food security. From tubewell irrigation to canal systems, farmers are provided with the water they need to grow crops throughout the year. Yet, rising energy costs, depleting groundwater, and unpredictable rainfall have pushed rural communities to rethink how irrigation can be made more efficient and sustainable.

This is where solar-powered irrigation systems are changing the story. By combining clean energy with efficient irrigation methods such as drip and sprinkler systems, farmers can achieve higher productivity while conserving water. Unlike diesel pumps, solar irrigation pumps provide a cost-effective, reliable, and eco-friendly solution that empowers small-scale farmers to reduce risks and secure their livelihoods.

The importance of water-use efficiency in irrigation has never been greater. India’s agriculture consumes nearly 80% of the country’s freshwater resources, making water conservation projects critical for long-term sustainability. Through solar irrigation projects supported by various organizations, government schemes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana, and CSR-led water conservation initiatives, farmers are beginning to recognize the advantages of solar irrigation systems as more than a technology—as lifelines for survival.

Later in this blog, we will explore how real farmers, like Ramanand from Haryana, have successfully shifted from dependence on rainfall to solar irrigation, proving how this innovation is transforming rural India.

Why irrigation is important in agriculture?

Irrigation in agriculture plays a central role in ensuring food security, providing farmers with a consistent water supply and helping crops grow even when rainfall is delayed or insufficient. Without reliable irrigation, farmers face lower yields, crop losses, and reduced income, particularly in drought-prone areas.

Timely irrigation is also vital for enhancing water-use efficiency in irrigation, ensuring every drop supports plant growth and is not wasted. For example, well-managed irrigation can help conserve groundwater while improving soil health. Different crops require different amounts of water at specific growth stages, which makes access to controlled irrigation even more important.

Traditional methods like tubewell irrigation have long supported Indian farmers, but growing water stress demands a shift to more efficient irrigation methods. By combining technology with smart practices, farmers adopt water-saving irrigation techniques that not only improve yields but also contribute to sustainable farming. In this sense, irrigation is not just about water—it’s about resilience, productivity, and long-term agricultural sustainability.

Types of irrigation methods and their efficiency

When discussing the many types of irrigation, farmers generally rely on four main approaches: surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation, and tubewell irrigation. Each has unique benefits and limitations, especially when viewed from a lens of efficiency in irrigation.

Adopting efficient irrigation methods improves crop productivity and water-storage efficiency in irrigation. For instance, drip and sprinkler systems may initially demand investment, but they pay off through reduced input costs, better crop quality, and long-term water conservation.

The rise of solar-powered irrigation systems

Over the past decade, solar irrigation systems have emerged as a game-changer for farmers. Unlike diesel or electric pumps, they run on renewable energy, offering a cleaner, cost-effective, and sustainable solution. This shift is part of India’s broader efforts to make agriculture irrigation more resilient against climate change and groundwater stress.

The key advantage lies in energy independence. Farmers using solar irrigation pumps no longer worry about fluctuating fuel prices or irregular power supply. Once installed, operational costs are minimal, which translates into higher savings. Government initiatives like the Atal Bhujal Yojana have further boosted adoption by providing subsidies, making the technology more accessible to smallholders.

In practice, solar irrigation also improves water-use efficiency in irrigation. Farmers can irrigate their fields on time without overextraction of water, as solar-powered systems are often paired with water-saving irrigation techniques such as drip or sprinkler methods. This combination enhances water-storage efficiency in irrigation while protecting groundwater resources.

Beyond economics, the benefits of solar irrigation include reduced carbon emissions, better crop yield stability, and improved livelihoods. Increasingly, solar irrigation projects across rural India are showcasing how modern technology aligns with traditional farming to create sustainable growth.

Benefits of solar irrigation for farmers

The benefits of solar irrigation go far beyond reducing energy bills for small and marginal farmers, providing stability in uncertain conditions. With solar irrigation pumps, farmers can irrigate fields at the right time, preventing crop stress and boosting yields. This timeliness directly impacts productivity, especially in water-sensitive crops like vegetables, pulses, and oilseeds.

Another major advantage is financial relief. Diesel-powered pumps often consume a large share of farming expenses. By switching to the advantages of solar irrigation system, farmers cut down on fuel costs and reduce dependence on credit. These savings can be reinvested in seeds, fertilizers, or expanding farmland.

Solar irrigation also enhances efficiency in irrigation. When combined with efficient irrigation methods such as drip or sprinkler systems, it minimizes water losses, increases water use efficiency in irrigation, and ensures every drop is optimized. This aligns well with ongoing water conservation projects in India, which emphasize water-saving irrigation techniques to safeguard groundwater.

The social impact is equally strong. With reliable irrigation, farmers experience fewer crop failures, less migration pressure, and improved household income. Schemes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana make these systems more accessible, turning eco-friendly technology into a tool of empowerment.

For many, like Ramanand in Haryana, solar irrigation represents more than technology as a path to sustainable farming, dignity, and resilience.

Farmer success story : Ramanand from Haryana

Stories from the ground show how solar irrigation systems transform lives. One such example is Ramanand, a farmer from Nigana Kalan village in Tosham block, Bhiwani district, Haryana. Managing 4 acres of uneven, sandy land, he cultivated mustard, millet, and guar. Yet with no reliable irrigation in agriculture and erratic rainfall, his crops often failed, causing financial stress.

In March 2024, a water conservation project by S M Sehgal Foundation, with support from IndusInd Bank, introduced two 7.5 HP solar irrigation pumps in his village. Ramanand actively joined training sessions and agricultural trials, where he learned about water-saving irrigation techniques and government schemes such as the Atal Bhujal Yojana, which offers subsidies for farmers to adopt solar pumps.

By August 2024, Ramanand installed his own pump. The change was immediate. Timely irrigation saved his crops from damage, improved yields, and reduced dependency on costly diesel-based systems. Not only did his financial losses decrease, his confidence in farming also grew.

His story illustrates the wider benefits of solar irrigation—from cutting costs to promoting sustainability. For farmers like him, adopting clean energy solutions is not just about saving water or power; it is about securing livelihoods, building resilience, and ensuring farming remains viable for future generations.

What is the role of government schemes and policies?

The adoption of solar irrigation systems in India is closely tied to the push from government-led programs and supportive policies. These initiatives reduce farmers’ upfront costs and encourage a long-term shift toward sustainable rural development.

A major example is the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY), a World Bank–assisted scheme launched by the Government of India that focuses on improving groundwater management in water-stressed areas while promoting efficient irrigation methods. Under ABY, farmers access subsidies for solar irrigation pumps, which help cut diesel use and ensure timely watering of crops. This subsidy model makes the technology more accessible to small-scale farmers who often struggle with capital investments.

Beyond ABY, schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) have also played a crucial role. The program supports farmers in installing grid-connected solar pumps and enables them to sell excess power back to the grid. This dual benefit improves water-use efficiency in irrigation as well as rural income security.

Together these policies show how institutional support can make advanced technology affordable. For farmers like Ramanand in Haryana, awareness of such schemes meant a smooth transition from rainfall dependency to solar-powered irrigation. When government programs, community-led initiatives, and farmer participation align, the result is a more resilient and profitable agriculture sector.

What is the future of solar-powered agriculture in India

The future of agriculture irrigation in India is moving steadily toward renewable energy solutions. With climate change intensifying and groundwater levels declining, the demand for water-saving irrigation techniques will only rise. Solar-powered systems present themselves as a natural fit for this transition because they address two challenges at once: rising energy costs and dwindling water resources.

Experts predict that the adoption of solar irrigation pumps will grow faster in regions where rainfall is inconsistent and tubewell irrigation has become unsustainable. For farmers, this technology means lower expenses, predictable crop cycles, and a move away from diesel dependence. Additionally, improvements in water-storage efficiency in irrigation and the use of smart controllers can further reduce wastage.

Another key trend is the rise of women-led FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations) and local cooperatives that are increasingly experimenting with solar solutions. Their involvement ensures broader adoption and also strengthens community-based organizations that are driving sustainable change.

As India works toward the sustainable development goals, solar irrigation will play a defining role. By combining government support, private investment, and farmer participation, the future will likely see millions of small-scale farmers adopting solar technology to make agriculture more resilient, eco-friendly, and profitable.

Over to you

The transformation of irrigation in agriculture is no longer a distant dream. With innovations like the solar irrigation system, farmers across India are finding ways to cut costs, conserve water, and increase yields. These solutions are not just technical upgrades but lifelines for small and marginal farmers who rely on timely irrigation for survival.

The advantages of a solar irrigation project go beyond economics. They promote environmental sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and improve water-use efficiency in irrigation. When combined with efficient irrigation methods and supportive policies like Atal Bhujal Yojana, the pathway to sustainable farming becomes stronger and more achievable.

The story of Ramanand from Nigana Kalan village in Haryana stands as a living example. With support from S M Sehgal Foundation, IndusInd Bank, and government schemes, he moved from struggling with crop losses to reaping steady yields using a solar irrigation pump. His journey highlights the potential of water conservation projects to empower farmers with tools that are eco-friendly and profitable.

If more such initiatives scale across villages, India can truly transform its agriculture into one that is resilient, resource-efficient, and future-ready—where every farmer has access to sustainable water-saving irrigation techniques.

About the Author

Sonia Chopra
Program Leader Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation

Sonia Chopra is Program Leader, Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation, where she drives outreach, advocacy, and digital storytelling to advance rural development. She holds a Master’s degrees in political science, information & library science, and journalism in digital media.

The post Transforming Agriculture Irrigation: Why More Farmers are Choosing Solar-Powered Irrigation Solutions appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

India is deeply water-stressed. Reports from NITI Aayog have already called it one of the most water-insecure countries in the world. Groundwater tables continue to fall, while rainfall patterns grow less reliable each year.

Walk into any village in semi-arid Haryana during peak summer, and you will see the strain of water shortage everywhere. Hand pumps often run dry, women walk long distances carrying pitchers, and farmers wait anxiously for the next spell of rain. The problem of water insecurity is not abstract here – it decides daily routines, crop yields, and even health. For many it also decides the marriage of daughter, higher education and pay back of the loan.

Amidst this crisis, communities and local projects have been showing that solutions lie not only in technology but in community participation, where people come together to own the problem and work for change.

Why community engagement matters?

When a water security project begins in a village, the first step is rarely digging or building. It starts with conversations. Villagers are invited to sit together and discuss memories of how their ponds once held water, or how wells once recharged quickly after rain. These exchanges help in understanding the community, their challenges and start of building a connect. Without this connect, most projects risk becoming temporary fixes.

A Village Development Committee (VDC) often plays a central role. By including both men and women, elders, and youth, the VDC ensures diverse voices guide decisions. The committee helps track expenses, supervises work, and spreads awareness about why maintenance is everyone’s duty. This way, the entire village feels invested.

What is the role of rainwater harvesting?

Across rural India, what rainwater harvesting means is not only storing rainwater but also ensuring that the soil and underground aquifers benefit from it. Every drop that runs away during the monsoon is a wasted opportunity. By building check dams, renovating ponds, and creating recharge pits, rainwater is stored and diverted into the ground. This improves the soil moisture and increases groundwater availability for the time we need it.

Pond rejuvenation and pond renovation are especially effective because they combine both visible and invisible benefits. On the surface, ponds hold water for daily use, livestock, and irrigation. Below the surface, they allow seepage that recharges wells and borewells. The community sees the pond fill up, and over time, they also notice their handpumps lasting longer into the dry season.

A journey of transformation: Bajina pond

The village of Bajina in Tosham block, Bhiwani district, Haryana, once had a pond that villagers barely noticed anymore. Over the years, silt had reduced its depth, and the water holding capacity was almost gone. During rains, instead of collecting, water overflowed into the streets, flooding homes and causing discomfort.

In early 2024, a water security project supported by IndusInd Bank and implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation decided to restore this traditional water body. The first step was dialogue. After understanding the challenges and opportunities, The project team worked with the panchayat and community to form a Village Development Committee of 15 members. This body took ownership, supervised every stage, and motivated villagers to contribute labour and ideas to make it better for village.

The desilting began slowly, and the sight of mud being lifted from the pond drew children and elders alike to watch. Soon, an embankment was built, allowing the pond to retain water more effectively and avoiding the flooding of streets. Around its edges, 100 saplings were planted, giving shade and strengthening the soil structure.

Today, Bajina’s pond is unrecognisable. Measuring 95 x 95 metres, it now stores nearly 90 lakh litres of water. Families fetch water, cattle drink freely, and most importantly, the groundwater below gets replenished. In the evenings, villagers even stroll around the pond, enjoying the fresh environment. As one elder put it, “We never thought this pond would breathe again, but now it’s the pride of our village.”

The pond ignored for long is now a focal center of the village.

Farming solutions: Ravinder Dahiya’s sprinklers

Water insecurity affects agriculture most sharply. Farmers depend on borewells and pumps, but with declining water tables, their costs of cultivation rise. Traditional sprinklers also waste water, as large nozzles spread it unevenly and consume huge volumes.

Ravinder Dahiya, a farmer from Nigana Khurd village in Tosham block, faced these same issues. With just two acres and a personal borewell, he used large sprinklers that consumed 1,600 litres an hour yet covered only a small patch. Moving them across his field was tiring and inefficient.

When the water conservation project introduced mini-sprinklers, Ravinder decided to try them. With a modest contribution from him and support from the project, he installed a system with one main nozzle and 63 sub-nozzles. The result surprised him. The new system watered 300 square metres with the same amount of water that earlier covered only 150 square metres. His pearl millet yields also improved, and he saved time and labor of shifting the equipment.

For Ravinder, this was not just about convenience. It showed how community participation in adopting new technology could change farming practices. His success story soon encouraged others in his village to try similar systems.

Solar solutions: Krishna’s spray pump

In Alampur village, also in Tosham block, Krishna faced a different problem. Owning five acres of land, he cultivated wheat, millet, and mustard. Spraying pesticides was a regular requirement, but the manual sprayers he rented were both costly and inefficient. Often, spraying one acre would take a whole day, and crop protection remained incomplete.

Why these stories matter?

From Bajina’s pond to Ravinder’s sprinklers to Krishna’s solar sprayer, a clear pattern emerges: projects succeed only when villagers are active participants and come forward to adopt the new technology. Community engagement ensures that once the external project teams leave, the village continues to care for and expand the work.

The importance of environmental responsibility becomes real when people see the results – cleaner water, healthier crops, greener surroundings. Whether it is storing rainwater in rejuvenated ponds or experimenting with water-efficient tools, the real power lies in communities treating these resources as their own.

A way forward

India’s water insecurity cannot be solved by infrastructure alone. Pond renovation, underground water recharge, and modern irrigation all play their part, but without people’s involvement and judicious use of resources, the results are short-lived. Sustainable water security means blending traditional wisdom with modern tools, adopting the water efficient agri practices and strengthening the hands of those who depend on water the most.

Future projects must continue to invest in community participation, create local committees, and ensure that benefits are equitably shared. After all, water is not just a resource – it is the foundation of life, health, economy and dignity in rural areas.

As seen in Haryana, when communities take charge, even a neglected pond or a small farm can become an example of resilience. And resilience, in times of changing climate, is the most valuable resource of all.

About the Author

Ms. Pooja O. Murada
Principal lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation

Mass communications master’s; English honors; bridge marketing program (Tuck School of Business); over twenty years in brand management, marketing, and development communications in the corporate and development sector. Spearheaded a community radio in an aspirational district; former chairperson of the gender committee at Sehgal Foundation, invited ICC member, Volvo India, and former governing board member of Community Radio Association.

The post Tackling Water Insecurity with Effective Water Management Through Community Engagement appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

As per the Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Report 2022-23, agriculture had the highest estimated percentage distribution of female workers, i.e., 64.3%, with 76.2 % in rural areas and 11.7% in urban areas. This data underscores the central role that women play in India’s agricultural landscape.

The two main Sustainable Development Goals, SDG1 and SDG2, build on a base of reducing poverty and achieving zero hunger and directly impact the role of women in the rural economy.

Women And The Rural Economy

Women in rural India are important to the progress of the rural economy. They play multiple roles as farmers, wage earners, and entrepreneurs. Women also care for the well-being of their family members and are responsible for providing food and care to the children and the elderly.

Poor rural households are often responsible for unpaid work such as collecting wood and water.

Empowering rural women through productive employment and ensuring gender equality contributes to inclusive economic growth. That is the backbone of achieving poverty reduction and food security.

The Vital Role of Women to Indian Agriculture

Agricultural development is the most important and primary source of income for almost 70% of India’s households. With the majority of India living in rural regions, the importance of agriculture cannot be undermined. Approximately 60% of the Indian population works in agriculture and contributes about 18% to India’s GDP. Almost 80% of women are engaged in and depend on agricultural development in rural India.

Thus, women contribute to agriculture in many ways that include:

Rural women are also engaged in allied fields including livestock rearing, horticulture, post-harvesting operations, agro/social forestry, fishing, etc.

Most labor-intensive manual operations in agriculture, such as cattle management, fodder collection, milking, threshing, winnowing, etc., are performed by women.

The community management role played by rural women helps ensure the dissemination of information and extension at the community level.

Agents Of Change: Empowering Women At The Grassroots Level

S M Sehgal Foundation, a rural development NGO in India, has been working since 1999 to improve the quality of life in rural communities. S M Sehgal Foundation’s main program areas include Water Management, Agricultural Development, Local Participation and Sustainability, Transform Lives one school at a time, and Outreach for Development.

Women’s Leadership

The Local Participation and Sustainability Program enables women to participate in village-level institutions and public life. The program provides women with a platform to come together, voice their concerns about community and development issues, and work collectively to address problems that affect their families and their community. Capacity-building sessions teach leadership and communication skills that build their confidence to improve last-mile delivery of government programs, take leadership roles to address development issues, and participate in gram sabha. The program further builds the capacities of women elected representatives (WERs) to collectively tackle the problems of the village and organize women in Women Farmer Clubs.

Power in Empowerment

Swapna, president of Women Farmers Club Mohamadshapur, mobilizes members to participate in project activities and adopt the learnings. Swapna is the president of the Women Farmers Club Mohamadshapur, Siddipet district, Telangana, and has two acres of land that is shared with her brother in law, i.e. each of them uses it every alternate year. In 2020, Swapna grew cotton, paddy, green chilli, and tomato.

She has received training in integrated nutrient management (INM) and integrated pest management (IPM), preparation of the organic pesticide solution Jeevamritam, mulching, bio leaf extracts as organic fertilizer, waste decomposer as an organic fertilizer and for disease control, and she visited the Centre of Excellence on Vegetables and Flowers, Hyderabad, and Ankapur, Nizamabad district.

As the president of WFC, she enthusiastically executes her role of mentoring and motivating WFC members to utilize modern methods of farming, while also being an example by practicing the newly acquired knowledge from the project in her own farm.

Conclusion

The challenge of ending poverty can only be achieved with the end of gender-based discrimination. Gender inequality deprives women of basic rights and opportunities for well-being. This in turn makes and keeps women poor.

The Indian government in its vision has realised the gap and is striving toward poverty alleviation through training programs, financial inclusion, strengthening of social services, and creating awareness of women’s rights. Ensuring women’s access to basic services, land control, property inheritance, and financial inclusion is the way forward to achieving the lofty goals of SDG1 and the reduction in poverty.

The way forward is to provide women with equal access to avenues for growth through social protection. The key to achieving SDG1 lies in realising women’s rights. Ensuring women’s access to basic services, land control, property inheritance, and financial inclusion is the way forward to achieving the lofty goals of SDG1 and the reduction in poverty.

Priya Chaudhary
Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development

Priya Chaudhary is an expert in Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development with a focus on gender equity, social inclusion, and evidence-based change. With extensive experience in project management, storytelling, and qualitative research, she has worked on various NGO marketing and development projects.

The post Contribution Of Women In Agricultural Development appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.