NEW DELHI (India CSR): Ambuja Foundation, an independent, pan-India social development organization dedicated to transforming rural communities launched a holistic rural development programme in Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh in partnership with HDFC Bank. Ambuja Foundation with its proven expertise in implementing rural welfare initiatives aims to resolve the pressing issues as unemployment, water scarcity for water and communities, education and livelihood.
Focus Areas of the Program
The program will focus on increasing income level of farmers and local artisans, improving quality of education, encouraging students to study in local schools by improving infrastructures, preserving and utilization of water bodies, reviving barren land for farming, and empowering women of the community.
Challenges in Kondagaon District
The proposed area in Kondagaon district is a severely under served region with 90% tribal population having low income especially the condition of women and children needs to be improved immediately. Also the villagers dependent on farming face another big challenge with just 1 % land under irrigation in the district. To assess the on-ground condition, Ambuja Foundation under Natural Resource Management, conducted RRA through field visits, interaction with community and found absence of lifting tools in most of the wells and water bodies which results in scarcity of water for agriculture. The foundation found that only 36% families have irrigation facilities for the second crop in a year as the local river is far from the fields and there is no lift irrigation system in place.
Planned Interventions for Irrigation
For the next three years, Ambuja Foundation will implement lift-based irrigation systems at traditional water bodies and wells to improve water use efficiency for agriculture. This partnership with HDFC aims to address water supply issues, enabling cultivation on approximately 400 acres of land during the Rabi season that has not previously benefited from existing water sources. These innovative irrigation techniques will also educate 2,280 farmers to use effective water management and crop practices, demonstrating how to boost income while preserving natural resources. This collaborative initiative will transform barren land into arable farmland through soil and water conservation. Additionally, the foundation will provide training for farmers and facilitate access to equipment such as spray pumps, weeders, and seed treatment tools to further support their income growth. All the development activities will be executed with the formation of Kisan Samitis under the program.
CEO’s Vision for Empowerment
Pearl Tiwari, CEO, Ambuja Foundation said, “Ambuja Foundation is dedicated to empowering rural communities and protecting the environment through sustainable water resource development and management programs. With this new strategic partnership, we aim to create meaningful change and foster a lasting positive impact on the lives of the people in the region. This project will focus on the efficient use of water, develop basic irrigation infrastructure and the adoption of sustainable farming techniques. Together with HDFC, we are committed to empower local communities by improving their income, and boosting alternate ways of livelihoods in the region.”
Reviving Schools and Supporting Artisans
Focusing on the next generation, the foundation will emphasize on reviving eight schools with installation of hand wash units, hand pumps and construction of science labs, classrooms and toilets. As the region is known for its handicraft art, the project will also support tribal artisans in selling their products on various platforms and increasing income through multiple means.
(India CSR)
