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| Sunehra Kal in Munger: A Partnership for Change |
| ITC's Mission Sunehara Kal a partnership forged between the village communties and BAIF in Munger, Bihar is a rural initiative for socio-economic empowerment through knowledge and technology transfer. Through improved farm practices and establishment of agribusiness centres, farming has become a sustainable livelihood. BAIFs technical expertise has made cattle development a profitable activity with the establishment of 10 milk marketing societies supplying 1500 litres of milk per day to Sudha Dairy in Bhagalpur. Over 1800 crossbred calves through Al have been born boosting milk yield by 7-8 times. Mobile veterinary units provide insemination and comprehensive animal husbandry services. |
| ITC Limited, Partnership for Change, March 2006 |
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Scaling Capacities: Supports for Growing Impact Lessons in
building organizational capacity to
support scaling among social entrepreneurships |
| BAIF Development Research Foundation also exemplifies the power that codifying what works can have on lowering the human resource costs of scaling. BAIF develops and implements agricultural technology solutions such as crossbreeding more productive cattle or developing fruit orchards on degraded wastelands that help rural farmers increase their production and earn a sustainable livelihood. Initially. BAIF' placed technical experts in the field to train villagers on how to implement the technology solutions but was unable to successfully retain these technical staff". In order to adapt, BAIF standardized the technical models enough to be able to train local villagers to teach farmers in the new methods. Codifying these models enabled BAIF to lower the cost of technology transfer as local volunteers were now training farmers and technical staff focused on development and codifying the technical models. |
(A preliminary report for review and discussions only)
LaFrance Associates, LLC with support from the
Skoll Foundation, March 2006 |
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Dhruva: investing in Natural Resource Management
for Livelihood Promotion in South Gujarat |
| The International Fund for Agricultural Development, an internationally renowned organization supporting sustainable rural development, conducted a Best Practices exercise focusing on the tribal development programme being implemented by Dhruva, an Associate Organization of BAIF based in Gujarat. The study highlighted the process of intervention, scaling up of strategy, impact of the programme, role of institutions, role of BAIF as a livelihood promoter, role of grassroot institutions, target and equity issues, financial, marketing and technology linkages, sustainability prospects and replicability potential. The study concluded that the success of the project was evident from the scale it had achieved and the number of beneficiaries it had supported. Institutional development has ensured operational and financial sustainability. |
"Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods"
lessons from Five Case Studies, IFAD,
January 2006, 11-20 |
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| Women's Empowerment: Research and Programming |
| This booklet traces the efforts of the multi-state, multi-institution initiative, the Swayamsiddha Project to create and implement an empowerment-oriented model of development and research. The visual images of Thane district of Maharashtra captured in this document along with brief narrations, have a strong message that although Swayamsiddha was rooted in a particular place and time, its lessons and experiences are useful models for others involved in participatory development research and programmes. Hie kaleidoscope of women's experiences, their right to take and implement decisions, whether economic, social, cultural or political, their definition of empowerment, empowerment through knowledge, articulation of their needs, collectives in building confidence and solidarity, close link between empowerment and citizenship, use of SI Kis as a forum for addressing health issues in the community as well as to promote women's role as workers in productive activities. The booklet highlights the learning by doing experience for the partners who were grassroot NCiOs and were engaged in needs-based and participators' planning. monitoring and evaluation and research activities apart from gender programming by the time of completion of the project. The findings indicate that Swayamsiddha has become an experiment in community development and it has reinforced the importance of being transformative. |
| IDRC and CRD1, Canada, December 2005 |
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| India's Untold Story |
| The 1000 odd tribal families of Kharonda and its neighbouring villages in Jawhar laluka of Thane district are inching towards prosperity. This coverage highlights the success story of the tribal development programme launched by BAIF in this tribal belt which was steeped in poverty a decade ago. With improved crop yield from high-value crops like water melon and mango, they were assured of food security on the one hand and a sustainable livelihood on the other. Water resources development was also a critical component which led to the repair and chlorination of the village wells and pipelines were laid to lift water to the land for irrigation and for consumption at home. Successful tribals like Dhavalu Mahalc of Kharonda have become role models in the district. Their standard of living has changed dramatically and they are able to enjoy the comforts resulting from enhanced income and savings. The successful programme at Kharonda reveals that in its struggle against poverty, the government has kept human and social interventions in mind and marks the entry of the tribal and rural poor into the market economy. This model of tribal rehabilitation is one of hope and one which can be replicated with similar success around the world. |
| Business Week, August 22-29, 2005 |
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| Self Help Groups: Role of BAIF |
| This research study on the BAIF Model of Self Help Groups focuses on (he process of organization of the poor women into groups and their development. The role played by BAIF as a Self-Help Promoting Institution and catalyst for development has been highlighted through the documentation of self help groups in Pune. Ahmednagar and Thane districts of Maharashtra and Navsari and Valsad districts of Gujarat. The cases studied support Olson's Theory of Small Groups for effective participation and sustainability. The study concludes with the hope that the model and process adopted by BAIT can be replicated in other states. |
Case Studies Series 16,
National Institute of Rural Development,
Hyderabad, April 2005 |
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| BAIF'S Cluster Development Approach Appreciated |
SECRETARY
Government of India
Ministry of Rural Development
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 001
E-mail : secyrd@nic.in |
DR. RENUKA VISWANATHAN
Tel. : 23382230, 23384467 |
| D.O. No. 24015/35/2005-SGSYISP;11th July |
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| Dear |
| As you are aware, BAIF Development Research Foundation has been working for the last few decades on developing sustainable livelihood projects, particularly relating to animal husbandry (dairying) and watershed development all over the country. As discussed with you on the telephone, State Government could consider collaborating with this NGO to prepare special SGSY projects for two to three selected districts very quickly and pose them for assistance to the Ministry. In view of the expertise, experience and commitment of this NGO, such projects could be supported under the programme by the Ministry. Please confirm action taken in this behalf by you. |
| With kind regards, |
Yours sincerely, Sd/-
(Renuka Viswanathan) |
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| Institutional Infrastructure |
Development of community pastures on a pilot basis in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan through people's participation generated fodder and fuelwood to the tune of Rs. 6000-7000 every year. Blend of watershed management with development of low productive agricultural lands and wastelands owned by the weaker sections of the society. As there is a close link between poor quality land and poverty, BAIF has been taking up the development of private lands on priority to ensure adequate income generation for the poor before expecting them to participate in community land development projects. This motivated the community to conserve the community pastures and forests. In all the watershed development programmes, involvement of the community from the stage of planning has been a critical factor for the success. Community mobilization through entry point activities and establishing effective communication through self help groups and village planning committees, community participation in identification of resources and development are important elements of the programme. |
| India Rural Development Report, 2005 |
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At the outset I would like to express my appreciation of the project achievements that I was able to appreciate during the recent final Steering committee Meeting in Udaipur. We are aware that the project has already been able to demonstrate the effectiveness of its approach and ensured its replication within poverty reduction programmes of the Government. The Commission is also committed to learning from the factors that ensured the success of this project and appreciates the groundbreaking work undertaken by BAIF. |
- Francisco da Camara Gomes, Ambassador – Head of Delegation in a letter written on December 17, 2004 to the Project Leader of the Project ALA/94/32 – Transfer of Technologies for Sustainable Development, implemented and concluded by BAIF. |
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Improved water management systems were implemented in all drought-prone units in plantations in consultation with BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune. Renewable energy from self-generated fuelwood and wind-power has progressed well. |
| Annual Report, Hindustan Lever Limited, 2004 |
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| The Times of India, wednesday, July 12, 2006 |
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| The Indian Express, wednesday, July 12, 2006 |
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