Pune's Revolutionary Agriculture Project Alleviates Poverty, Enhancing Livestock and Dairy Business
PUNE (India CSR): In a remarkable achievement, the "Silage: Livestock Development" project has been declared a winner at the 2nd Maharashtra CSR Awards held in Pune on December 17, 2023, at Hotel Clarks Inn. This innovative agricultural initiative, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1: No Poverty, has transformed the lives of over 3,000 beneficiaries in the Pune district since its inception in 2017.
Award Ceremony Highlight
TVS Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) representatives received the honor from the hands of Padma Shree Dr. Subhash Palekar, a veteran in natural farming; Rusen Kumar, Founder and Managing Editor of India CSR; and Sita Ram Gupta, a social sector veteran. This prestigious recognition further cements the project's significant impact in the field of sustainable agriculture.
Project Overview
The Silage project is an exemplary CSR initiative. The project is initiated by TVS Srinivasan Services Trust (SST). The trust is a social development wing of TVS Group. The project was initiated as a crucial part of their CSR strategy to address the agricultural challenges faced by farmers in rural Pune of Pabal Block.
Emphasizing the role of CSR in sustainable development, this project targeted farmers for whom agriculture is the primary source of income. These farmers, entrenched in the cycle of poverty, were battling the uncertainties of weather and market conditions, which are critical factors in agricultural success.
The Silage Project has emerged as a vital intervention in the livestock sector, transforming adversity into opportunity. The economic growth now evident in the rural areas of Pune is a testament to the project's effectiveness.
Furthermore, as part of TVS Srinivasan Services Trust (SST) CSR commitment, the project also addressed the issue of livestock management, a significant secondary income source for these farmers. The unique social development project was particularly crucial during summer months when water scarcity and a dearth of green fodder placed livestock at risk, further threatening the farmers' livelihoods.
Through this CSR-driven project, the foundation aimed to provide a comprehensive solution to enhance the resilience and productivity of the agricultural field in this region.
Impact and Achievements
Through more than 700 community demonstrations, SST equipped local farmers with silage-making techniques. Silage, a nutritious alternative to green fodder, is produced by storing and fermenting green crops under anaerobic conditions. This method ensures the availability of quality feed for livestock throughout the dry season, thus improving livestock health and milk production.
Key Outcomes
- A notable increase in milk production: Farmers reported an increase of 2 to 3 liters of milk per cattle per day. This spike in production translates to an additional monthly income of approximately ₹2,500 per cattle.
- Growth in the dairy business: In areas like Wadgaon Pir Panchayat, daily milk collection rose dramatically from 2,800 liters to 4,500 liters. This boost in the dairy sector has not only fortified the local economy but also curbed rural-to-urban migration, particularly among the youth.
- Community empowerment: The project's success created a ripple effect, turning villagers into agents of change. They shared their newfound knowledge with over 2,000 farmers, significantly amplifying the project's impact and ensuring its sustainability.
(India CSR)
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