Krushi Vikas Va Gramin Prashikshan Sanstha

With increasing effects of climate change, there is imminent threat to livelihoods of vulnerable groups such as tribals, farmers etc. Tribals live a life of challenges- no adequate access to most basic amenities. As such majority of the households live a life of 'hand to mouth' existence. To improve their situation, Krushi Vikas is promoting horticultural plantations on 700+ acres covering 700+ households in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh whereby they shall derive sustainable sources of income. Further this shall contribute to natural resource management, sustainable landscape management, climate and in promoting resilient livelihoods.

Cotton is a renewable natural resource but the future of cotton production is vulnerable to poor environmental management, poor working conditions and unstable markets. In 2005, a group of visionary organizations came together to work out a practical solution that would secure the sustainable future of the industry. The result was Better Cotton Initiative. Better Cotton means producing cotton in a way that cares for the environment through processes that minimize the negative impact of fertilizers and pesticides, and care for water, soil health and natural habitats. BCI Farmers achieve better yields and more financial security through access to global markets, whilst improving the working conditions in their fields.

Objectives:
1. Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production
2. Improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas
3. Improve commitment to and flow of Better Cotton throughout supply chain
4. Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the Better Cotton Initiative

Krushi Vikas is working with 50000+ households in 5 major cotton growing districts of Maharashtra with the aforementioned objectives.

Landscape degradation is increasing with injudicious and unscientific use of available natural resources. There is rampant use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides whereby ecosystem is getting polluted and natural balance is disturbed. To address the same, Krushi Vikas is promoting sustainable agricultural practices among the farmers.
Major objectives are:
1. To promote judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides
2. To collectivize and aggregate small and marginal farmers for increased returns
3. To aware farmers about natural ecosystem and how one can contribute towards its sustainability
4. To facilitate credit and market linkages

Water is indispensable for the survival of all forms of life on earth. As such its use and conservation is crucial for sustainable development. With increasing effects of climate change, several regions are facing water crisis that is threatening their livelihoods and existence. Underlying the above, Govt. of India has launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme whereby it aims to ensure water security for all.

Krushi Vikas is empaneled as a KRC (Key Resource Centre) and ISA (Implementing Support Agency) in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Krushi Vikas is providing trainings to PRI bodies members and key stakeholders as a KRC and also facilitating implementation of the JJM scheme as an ISA.

The program is being implemented in Nimbhere village of Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. The village has around 512 HHs. Water scarcity, seasonal fodder deficit, unemployment, migration, poverty, heavy soil erosion, improper soil & water conservation measures, and poor productivity levels etc. are the major issues faced by the village

The goal of the program is to ensure climate resilience and future readiness of the communities against the increasing effects of climate change. Major interventions include soil and water conservation, agricultural productivity enhancement, livelihoods diversification and institution building.

Building Drought Resilient Agrarian Communities through systematic interventions for capacity building and soil & water conservation in drought affected villages in Ahmednagar district.

The area proposed consists of three villages viz. Kolyachiwadi, Varshinde, and Wabhalewadi in Rahuri taluka of Ahmadnagar district. Total geographical area is 2521 ha. Water scarcity during December to June is the major issue observed in the proposed villages, followed by poor agricultural productivity, decreasing soil fertility, insufficient fodder availability for livestock, lack of secondary livelihoods, poor access to health and sanitation facilities etc. Main objective of Project is to “develop a sustainable model of participatory soil & water management for long term well-being of primary stakeholders in drought prone area of Maharashtra”. The activities planned for next three years aims for in-situ soil moisture conservation, and comprehensive development of water resources in the project area to its maximum potential through community engagement for scalable and sustainable impact. The components of project are grouped under thematic areas viz.
• Community mobilization in SHG Federations/ FPO and strengthening for project sustainability,
• In-situ soil moisture conservation through area treatment,
• Water resource conservation through drainage line treatments,
• Participatory management of available water resource,
• Promotion of best package of practices to enhance cropping pattern and major crops yield levels,
• Enhancement of vegetative cover and
• Improvement of existing livelihood options etc.

Goal: To improve quality of life of the villagers living in the identified villages on Pune District by promoting Socio – Economic Interventions in an integrated manner.

Objective: The main goal of the project is “To promote Agriculture and Allied livelihoods along with Natural Resource Management”. The overall objectives can be further defined as given below-
• To Prepare plan for Integrated Village Development of identified villages
• To undertake soil and water conservation treatments
• To promote and strengthen community institutions like SHGs.
• To improve quality of education
• To promote other Agriculture and non-farm enterprises
• To Facilitate Convergence for promotion of proposed activities for Socio Economic Development of the Project Community

More than 85% of India's farmers are small and marginal with very small landholdings that increases costs of production and reduces returns thus rendering agriculture somewhat 'unwanted' and 'unprofitable'. Farming is prone to the increasing vagaries of monsoon and effects of climate change as well.
To facilitate sustainable development of small and marginal farmers concept of collectivization and aggregation of farmers has been envisaged. Through FPOs, the otherwise hapless farmers shall have an agency of their own through which they can reduce cost of production through aggregate purchase of inputs and sale of produce. Further through value chain interventions, credit and market linkages and enterprise development they shall be able to derive increased returns for their produce that shall translate into better standards of living.

Krushi Vikas promoting 100+ FPOs directly across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and is indirectly supporting 500+ FPOs through its 'All About FPO' initiative

Holistic development of the community with focus on 2500+ tribals households in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra through interventions in lowering production costs, increasing productivity, value addition and processing, enterprises development, market linkages and institutions development.

Major objectives are:
1. Strengthening and nurturing of Village Level Institutions like producer’s groups, fisherman cooperatives, SHGs, FPOs & JFMCs for active participation and functioning
2. To create employment opportunities through promotion of micro and small enterprises based on agriculture, horticulture, forest produce, livestock and fisheries.
3. To facilitate value addition, processing, branding, marketing and promotion of tribal produces for enhanced income.
4. To reduce cost of production through promotion of improved technologies
5. To promote clean and renewable energy for reducing carbon emissions and contributing to climate sustainability.

The project is focused on developing sustainable enterprises. Accordingly following enterprises have been developed so far.
1. Turmeric Processing Unit
2. Honey Processing Unit
3. Patravali (leaf plate) Making Unit
4. Tamarind Processing Unit
5. Cow Dung Based Product
6. Medicinal Powder Making Unit
7. Market on Wheel E-Vehicle
8. Neem Powder making Unit
9. Wood Apple Jam unit
10. Shingada Powder Unit

Project Hriday was developed as a Public-Private-Community Participation (PPCP) project to bring together stakeholders across the communities, ranging from children, youth, women, men, CBOs, government officials and corporate employees to work for the betterment of the communities. Over the last year (2022 to 2023), through the Krushi Vikas -ILEP-Hriday project, interventions have been done in the areas of Livelihood, Drinking Water, Agri -Allied businesses, Water Conservation and Women’s Empowerment to achieve socio-economic transformation of the community.

Through the project 8 villages covering 3000+ tribal households are getting benefitted through various developmental initiatives

There are still several remote villages/hamlets across the nation wherein benefits of modern development is yet to reach. Generally, tribal communities reside in such remote locations- without access to all-weather roads, absence of basic amenities etc. Acknowledging the same, Krushi Vikas in collaboration with donor agency has provided various solar energy solutions to 3 energy deficient villages covering 112 households located within the forests areas of Satpuda mountain range bordering Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Solar solutions provided are:
1. Solar homelight
2. Solar Torchlight
3. Solar Pump
4. Solar System for institutions
5. Solar streetlights