Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contents
Section 1: Introduction
1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 About ACF Members of the Board Chairmans Message Directors Report Auditors Report Balance Sheet Income & Expenditure Statement Significant Accounting Policies & Notes on Accounts
ACF is accredited by Credibility Alliance as adhering to the desirable norms prescribed for good governance of voluntary organisations.
CHAIRMANS MESSAGE
As we step into our 20th year of community development through Ambuja Cement Foundation, it is time to reflect on our successes and disappointments. Over the past two decades, ACF has been steadily expanding its reach, working with communities neighbouring all Ambuja Cements Plants in the country, impacting the lives of millions of farmers, youth, women and children. We began in a small way, in Ambujanagar. Our work with the people, primarily farmers, has since spread across India, combining the best scientific inputs with sustainable practices to reap profits. ACFs work with the farming community across India is a growth story. Our work with cotton-growing farmers in Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh through the Better Cotton Initiative has helped reduce the use of pesticides and raised yields and profits through sustainable methods. Consistent support through training has enabled us to promote improvements in agro-based livelihoods. Sustainable farming practices are sowing the seeds of change, benefitting the people and the planet. Our Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Kodinar is reaching out to hundreds of villages, imparting training and practical demonstrations to farmers. New partnerships with other corporates and organisations have added to the effectiveness of our Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institutes, positively impacting the lives of young men and women. This has been our vision: Building capacity within the community to take charge of its own development. And I believe that ACFs approach of involving and enabling communities is making a difference. Through peoples participation in the design and implementation of development activities that directly affect them, ACF has been able to ensure both the viability and sustainability of its projects. Additionally, the Ambuja Volunteer Programme launched in 2011 has taken our efforts a step ahead. Teams from Ambuja Cements Limited signed up for community development work across locations, working with schools, supporting health camps, educating people on HIV & AIDS, participating in plantation drives, infrastructure projects and sanitation campaigns. These processes have helped ensure that our commitment to the community is a shared ethic across the Company. The focus in 2011 has been on sustainability, with ACF facilitating the use of agro-waste as an alternative fuel for Ambuja Cements Limited. The farming community now sells its agro-waste to the Company, thus helping us bring down our carbon footprint, eventually profiting farmers, the Company, as well as the environment. We were also keen to assess the impact of our land- and waterbased interventions through third parties. I am proud to note that the impact study done in coastal Gujarat and Western Rajasthan revealed that we were making a positive difference to both - peoples economic condition as well as to the environment. Third party assurance of Ambuja Cements countrywide water accounting by DNV showed that we are water-positive by a factor of two. About half of their water-positive actions were implemented through our Foundation. This year has been special for another important reason. Sports has always been an important part of Ambuja Manovikas Kendra, the school for special children run by ACF at Ropar, Punjab. The efforts of our team bore fruit when our four AMK children - Ramandeep Kaur, Gurcharan Singh, Harbinder Singh and Ashish John - made the country proud by winning seven medals at the World Summer Special Olympic Games in Greece. They competed with determination and spirit, and stood proudly on the Olympic podium as the national flag went up. Despite the challenges they have faced in their young lives, these special children have demonstrated that the right attitude and opportunity can overcome disability. Their efforts towards success continue to inspire us all. Much of this success has come because of the dedicated team at ACF. Regular feedback from the community assures me that our work is well received, and we have their goodwill. I would like to thank each of my colleagues for their commitment to development, in line with our mission. My gratitude also extends to all our partners - from the grassroots, to corporate, state and international development agencies who have been an integral part of our journey. Without their support, good counsel, and guidance, our work would not have had the far-reaching impact that it has today. We realise, however, that in our country our host communities will continue to face challenges, but we are optimistic that together with our neighbours we will continue to innovate and find solutions to ensure growth for us all. It is my hope that ACF will continue to work on sustainable projects, along with other groups, facilitating the change that gives its programmes the scope to flourish for long.
SURESH NEOTIA
DIRECTORS REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS Your Directors are pleased to submit the Annual Report of Ambuja Cement Foundation for the year ended 31st March, 2012. 1. REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES ACF was established almost two decades ago as a community development arm of Ambuja Cements Limited (ACL). The Foundation was meant to operate around Ambuja Cements manufacturing sites and ensure responsible co-existence between the plant and its communities. With the expansion of the parent Company, our Foundation has also grown to several sites and closely engaged with people in the neigbourhood. Ambuja Cement Foundation has had to initiate and continue activities in several areas to ensure inclusive growth and progress of the communities, but the primary thrust areas remain water resource management, enhancing livelihoods both through agro based and skill based activities and developing the human development index with activities for better health care, quality education, women empowerment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Our work on water management has received recognition especially in Gujarat and Rajasthan where we have been able to make a huge difference to the regions through our projects. This year Ambuja Cements commissioned a study for its water accounting. Owing to the large scale work done by Ambuja Cement Foundation around ACLs plants, the Company was certified by DNV as been 100% water positive. The Better Cotton Initiative grew this year in terms of number of regions and farmers reached. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Kodinar also widened its outreach. We expanded to more Skill Training Institutions and have provided skill training to thousands of rural youths who are now gainfully employed. Our trained Sakhis are now closely leveraging the public health system to ensure health care within their villages. This year was once again special for our Ambuja Manovikas Kendra at Ropar. Four of our children were part of the Indian contingent at the World Special Summer Olympic Games in Greece. It was a moment of great joy for us that all four of them won medals with a seven medal haul between them. We added a new site to our operations this year and have now started work within the port area of Cochin where we have a project on HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment especially for truckers and labourers in the port area. The Foundation continues to expand its partnership both with government, national as well as international agencies and has several projects jointly with them. Ambuja Cements Limited continues being the main funder of the Foundation. However partnerships have also been strengthened with other funders especially several Departments of State and Central Government, the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, the Better Cotton Initiative and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. Details of the Foundations activities are reported in subsequent sections in this report. 2. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE The Income & Expenditure Account of the Foundation for the year under review revealed a deficit of V 25,75,60,520/- as against deficit of V 26,15,05,510/- in the previous year. The total amount standing to the credit of the Corpus Fund as on 31st March 2012 is V 9,02,99,871/- as compared to V 8,43,60,391/- in the previous year. 3. DIRECTORS Mrs. Pearl Tiwari, Mr. Onne van der Weijde, Mrs. Padmini Somani and Mr. Narotam Sekhsaria will retire by rotation at the ensuing Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Foundation and being eligible, offer themselves for re-appointment. Your Directors recommend their re-appointment. Mr. B L Taparia was appointed as Committee Member (Director on Board) of the Foundation at the meeting on 18th May 2011 and the appointment was subsequently approved at the Annual General Meeting held on 29th September, 2011.
4. DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956 as amended, the Directors confirm that i) That in the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting standards had been followed.
ii) Appropriate accounting policies have been selected and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Foundation as on 31st March, 2012 and of the deficit of the Foundation for the year ended 31st March, 2012. iii) Proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 for safeguarding the assets of the Foundation and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. iv) The Audited Accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.
5. CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS AND OUTGO The relevant information to be given pursuant to section 217 (1)(e) of the Companies Act, 1956 is not given, as the same is not applicable. 6. AUDITORS REPORT & APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS Auditors Report together with notes is self-explanatory and does not require any further clarification. M/s. Chaturvedi & Company, Chartered Accountants, who were appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Foundation to hold office till the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Foundation, will retire at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and being eligible, have offered themselves for re-appointment. The Foundation has received a Certificate from them pursuant to Section 224(1B) of the Companies Act 1956, confirming their eligibility for re-appointment. The Board of Directors recommends the appointment of M/s. Chaturvedi & Company as Statutory Auditors of the Foundation. 7. PERSONNEL The Board of Directors would like to place on record its deep appreciation for all the employees of the Foundation for rendering their valuable services. The disclosures as required by the provisions of 217(2A) of the companies Act 1956 read with the Companies (Particulars of Employees) Rules, 1975 is not required, as there are no employees who are in receipt of remuneration as laid down under the said provision.
Chairman
2.
3.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
For Chaturvedi & Company Chartered Accountants Firm Registration No. 302137E NILIMA JOSHI Partner Membership No. 52122
Particulars
Note No.
As at 31.03.2012
As at 31.03.2011
I.
LIABILITIES
(1) Corpus Fund (2) Assisted Project Funds (3) Other Long-Term Liabilities (4) Current Liabilities (a) Trade Payables (b) Other Current Liabilities (c) Short Term Provisions 2 3 4 5 6 7
N
90,299,871 27,185,794 437,422 4,508,032 9,317,013 5,884,107 19,709,152 137,632,239
N
84,360,391 12,814,474 4,601,786 3,684,888 4,674,220 4,232,852 12,591,960 114,368,611
TOTAL
II.
ASSETS
(1) Non - Current Assets (a) Fixed Assets : Tangible Assets (b) Long-Term Loans and Advances 8 9 36,767,305 5,527,463 42,294,768 (2) Current Assets (a) Cash and Cash Equivalents (b) Short Term Loans and Advances (c) Other Current Assets 30,902,592 14,002,151 44,904,743
10 11 12
TOTAL
137,632,239
Significant Accounting Policies Notes to the Accounts See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements For Chaturvedi & Company Chartered Accountants Firm Registration No. : 302137E (Nilima Joshi) Partner Membership No. 52122 Kolkata, the 3rd day of July 2012.
1 2-24
Particulars
Note no.
N
28,644,095 2,977,833 31,621,928
I.
Other Income
(a) Donations & Grants (b) Miscellaneous Income Total Revenue 13 14 37,041,546 6,084,931 43,126,477
II.
Expenses
(a) (b) (c) (d) Employees Benefit Expenses Depreciation and Amortiozation Expenses Other Expenses Community Development & Welfare Expenses Total Expenses 15 8 16 17 58,675,871 3,616,944 23,107,192 215,286,990 300,686,997 (257,560,520) 44,545,786 2,919,003 19,447,902 226,214,747 293,127,438 (261,505,510)
III.
Significant Accounting Policies Notes to the Accounts See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements For Chaturvedi & Company Chartered Accountants Firm Registration No. : 302137E (Nilima Joshi) Partner Membership No. 52122 Kolkata, the 3rd day of July 2012.
1 2-24
s
Note 2 : Corpus Fund Opening Balance Add : Donations received Less : Deficit transferred from Income & Expenditure Account 84,360,391 263,500,000 347,860,391 (257,560,520) 90,299,871 Note 3 : Assisted Project Funds
s
74,865,901 271,000,000 345,865,901 (261,505,510) 84,360,391 (In v)
As at 31.03.2012 Name of the Project / Funder Opening Balance Funds received during the year (b) 2,088,378 9,088,375 Amount Payable to vendors (c) 345,329 Total Project Funds utilised fund Amount refunded to the Project Funders (f) 352,501 469,173 Advance given to vendors (g) 700 228,293
Sir Ratan Tata Trust Fund Kodinar IWD Project Fund Composite Targeted Intervention Project (Also Known as Targeted Intervention Project) iv) Watershed Project, Dhundan v) KVK Project vi) Wadi Project vii) Coastal Area Development Project viii) BCI Project (FCRA) ix) WASMO Project x) Hariyali Project xi) CADP - Hilton Foundation (FCRA) xii) Other FCRA Funds xiii) MNGO Project xiv) DARC Project xv) NRHM Project xvi) Watershed Project, Daseran xvii) Watershed Project, Saryanj Sarma xviii) TATA GE RO Project xix) Other Funds Total Project Funds
i) ii) iii)
As at 31.03.2011 Net Balance Funds Outstanding / (Balance (Balance Recoverable) Recoverable) (h=def) (i) 270,991 542,217 890,623 563,729
231,731 3,632,311 2,992,197 86,120 903,687 (878,175) 200,391 1,198,500 268,477 419,817 2,277,408 57,804 318,260 12,814,474
10,765,490 3,992,779 876,956 24,401,770 3,918,694 1,114,461 750,000 11,470,316 3,992 173,523 200,555 3,033,880 1,977,965 73,857,134
231,731 14,397,801 7,098,662 1,029,403 25,305,457 3,040,519 200,391 2,312,961 268,477 1,779,551 13,747,724 61,796 173,523 200,555 3,411,736 2,296,225 88,184,540
298,229 12,728,144 4,993,342 788,198 9,027,273 3,542,880 1,939,454 265,452 959,567 8,361,954 45,814 39,674 2,809,611 1,459,526 57,674,865
(66,498) 1,669,657 1,939,167 12,735 16,278,184 (502,361) 200,391 373,507 3,025 819,984 3,583,031 3,992 127,709 160,881 584,077 836,699 27,185,794
231,731 3,632,311 2,992,197 86,120 903,687 (878,175) 200,391 1,198,500 268,477 419,817 2,277,408 57,804 318,260 12,814,474
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s
Note 4 : Other Long-Term Liabilities Deposits Liabilities for Expenses 302,127 135,295 437,422 Note 5 : Trade Payables Other than Acceptances*
s
2,203,041 2,398,745 4,601,786
4,508,032 4,508,032
3,684,888 3,684,888
*There are no payables under Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. Note 6 : Other Current Liabilities Liability for Expenses Statutory Remittances Deposits Salary Payable 4,513,695 1,232,091 3,553,185 18,042 9,317,013 Note 7 : Short Term Provisions Provision for Employees Benefits Provision for Other Expenses 5,788,447 95,660 5,884,107 Note 8 : Fixed Assets DESCRIPTION Cost as at 01.04.11 v Leasehold Land Buildings Construction & Survey Equipments Vehicles Furniture & Fixtures Computers Audio Visual Equipments Office Equipments Technical & Sports Equipments TOTAL PREVIOUS YEAR FIGURES 1 8,336,007 218,571 9,031,414 7,504,309 7,767,236 1,057,480 4,935,604 794,892 39,645,514 29,597,403 GROSS BLOCK Additions during the year v 1,121,513 2,400 2,816,860 3,591,800 1,611,591 287,767 335,309 9,767,240 10,844,416 Deduction during the year v 1,019,705 1,019,705 796,305 Total cost as at 31.03.12 v 1 9,457,520 220,971 10,828,569 11,096,109 9,378,827 1,345,247 5,270,913 794,892 48,393,049 39,645,514 Upto 31.03.2011 v 376,904 61,951 2,788,711 1,947,361 2,667,196 164,897 610,856 125,046 8,742,922 6,305,574 DEPRECIATION For the year v 135,892 12,561 806,672 950,811 1,371,350 62,384 265,430 11,844 3,616,944 2,919,003 Adjustment during the year v 734,122 734,122 481,655 Total as at 31.3.2012 v 512,796 74,512 2,861,261 2,898,172 4,038,546 227,281 876,286 136,890 11,625,744 8,742,922 NET BLOCK As at 31.3.2012 v 1 8,944,724 146,459 7,967,308 8,197,937 5,340,281 1,117,966 4,394,627 658,002 36,767,305 30,902,592 As 31.3.2011 v 1 7,959,103 156,620 6,242,703 5,556,948 5,100,040 892,583 4,324,748 669,846 30,902,592 4,205,550 27,302 4,232,852 2,948,017 1,582,678 143,525 4,674,220
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s
Note 9 : Long-Term Loans and Advances (Unsecured, Considered Good) Security Deposits Advances to Employees Other Advances Receivable 2,656,420 281,000 2,590,043 5,527,463
s
6,758,889 120,000 7,123,262 14,002,151
Note 10 : Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash in hand Project Cash Balance Project Cash Balance (FCRA) Cheques & Draft on hand Balances with Banks In Current Account In Savings Account Project Bank Balance In Savings Account Bank Balances (FCRA) - In Savings Account Fixed Deposits with Banks (maturity within 12 months) 9,735,469 16,443,037 21,332,422 75,463,196 Note 11 : Short Term Loans & Advances (Unsecured, Considered Good) Security Deposits Prepaid Expenses Project Advances (FCRA) Balance with Government Authorities - TDS receivable Advances to Employees Other Advances recoverable 6,522,421 73,442 200,000 2,296,457 709,507 7,462,840 17,264,667 Note 12 : Other Current Assets General Consumables Interest accrued but not due 2,570,928 38,680 2,609,608 3,998,634 21,264 4,019,898 81,405 237,388 1,783,223 388,909 4,904,873 7,395,798 10,614,309 2,370,664 5,703,863 58,048,172 1,668,960 25,959,175 5,906,573 31,506,463 100,338 24,224 11,679 187,892 167,783 18,773 1,759,744
12
s
Note 13 : Donations & Grants Donation from Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Donation from Others Fund from Govt. Agencies Funds from Other Agencies 11,448,000 3,664,602 21,200,813 728,131 37,041,546 Note 14 : Miscellaneous Income Interest received Subscription received Miscellaneous Income 4,055,083 1,200 2,028,648 6,084,931 Note 15 : Employees Benefit Expenses Salary & Other Allowances Contribution to Provident and Other Funds Staff Welfare & Mediclaim Insurance 51,789,065 3,591,389 3,295,417 58,675,871 Note 16 : Other Expenses Vehicle Expenses Travelling & Conveyance Expenses Printing & Stationery Professional Fees Miscellaneous Expenses Establishment Expenses Postage,Telephone & Telex Expenses Repair & Maintenance Rent Bank Charges Directors Sitting Fees Staff Training & Recruitment Meeting Expenses Payment to Auditors : Audit fees For other services Electricity Expenses Filing Fees Sundry Balances w/off Loss on Sale of Assets (Net)
s
2,750,000 2,185,260 22,982,441 726,394 28,644,095 2,562,479 1,200 414,154 2,977,833 39,913,903 3,529,855 1,102,028 44,545,786 3,945,804 5,337,027 1,302,101 2,517,445 1,125,351 1,922,826 1,297,978 219,180 98,980 90,505 90,000 991,677 43,281 55,150 11,030 115,342 250 142,813 141,162 19,447,902 62,927,735 68,224,434 29,852,910 209,700 21,811,758 18,178,797 18,621,779 4,727,281 1,494,590 165,763 226,214,747
4,303,652 6,726,181 2,178,032 2,014,976 1,534,045 2,279,828 1,320,183 378,266 307,002 106,091 90,000 1,361,615 171,660 84,270 11,236 130,677 4,666 61,630 43,182 23,107,192
Note 17 : Community Development & Welfare Expenses Community Welfare Expenses Water Resource Development Educational Expenses Charities & Donations Integrated Rural Development Expenses Health & Sanitation Development Vocational Training Expenses Cattle Camp / Animal Husbandry Expenses Krishi Vikas Kendra Expenses Kharas Vistarotan Yojana
63,532,290 61,559,529 23,392,091 6,734,162 17,188,822 16,470,687 21,668,485 2,316,391 2,424,533 215,286,990
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For Chaturvedi & Company Chartered Accountants Firm Registration No. : 302137E (Nilima Joshi) Partner Membership No. 52122 Kolkata, the 3rd day of July 2012.
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OUR MISSION
Energise Involve and Enable Communities to Realise their Potential
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Nalagarh
Uttarakhand
Roorkee
Chirawa
Dadri
Rajasthan
Mundwa
Uttar Pradesh
Rabriyawas
Gujarat
Sanand Dahod Farrakka
Madhya Pradesh
Chhindwara Sankrail
West Bengal
Chhattisgarh
Maharashtra
Panvel
Chandrapur Bhatapara
Nadikudi
Andhra Pradesh
Kerala
Cochin
ACF SPREAD
Reaching out to more than 15 lakh people in 928 villages 321 Sakhis impacting lives of more than 4 lakh people A comprehensive education programme being carried out in 88 schools and reaching out to approximately 6000 children Over 21416 acre of land upgraded through soil and water conservation initiatives Support to 852 SHGs with 10347 members and a corpus of over v 4.66 crore
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WHAT WE DO
Water Resource Management at Rabriyawas
Rajasthan. For its work in Rajasthan, ACF received the 8th National Award for Excellence in Water Management 2011: Beyond the Fence, instituted by CII. To evaluate our work, a detailed impact study on ACFs land- and water-based intervention programmes for coastal Gujarat and Western Rajasthan was assigned to the Institute of Resources Analysis and Policy, Hyderabad, in 2011. The study revealed a positive economic impact on the lives of farmers due to water management projects supported by ACL. Our work was also assessed as part of Ambuja Cements water accounting study which resulted in the Company being certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) as 100% water-positive. This certification is a testimony to our decade-long efforts in bringing about sustainable water management action in the community.
Number
501 1117 2134 3618 21416 acre 4797 acre
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in Kodinar, offering regular on-and off-campus training, field visits and demonstration of new technologies to make farming profitable and sustainable. Regular interactions with scientists, agro-professionals and progressive farmers across locations have helped farmers incorporate scientific inputs into their farming, bringing in positive results, and profits. ACF also helps farmers establish kisan clubs to enable sharing of information and technical knowledge, and build linkages with the market for better bargains as a group. Over the years, ACF has reached out to more than 71,000 farmers across locations; upgraded over 20,000 hectares of land through soil and water conservation initiatives; and upscaled livelihoods through the Better Cotton initiative project implemented by 2,552 ACF-supported cotton growers across five states.
AGRO-BASED LIVELIHOODS
Agricultural Development
Agricultural Demonstrations Horticulture Plantation Area covered under SRI Area covered under BCI Organic farming
Acre
8873 10030 2261 12767 747
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No.
10 47 6701 4975
Skill Training
The ACF-run Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SEDI) is one of our important livelihood intervention programmes for village youth. Run in 14 different locations in 10 states of India, these institutes build capacities of the youth; empowering them with skills to become economically independent. The short, intensive courses in various trades and soft skills are based on local demand. With a 74% placement record, SEDIs facilitate the entry of a skilled workforce into industry, creating a healthy employment rate in the rural areas. ACF also implements a mason training course, enabling trained youth to work as skilled masons in the booming infrastructure sector. Started in 2008 with a 30day basic mason training course in Dahod, Gujarat, it initially reached out to the migrant tribal population of the district. Today, the mason training programme has grown in scale and is being replicated at other locations through the SEDIs. The training includes life-skill components, leading to increased literacy and greater awareness about social issues and safety measures. The programme has trained over a 1000 students to date, and has a placement rate of 81%. Community assets worth N 15 lakhs have been created in the villages through the practical component of the training.
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Supporting Education
An important objective of ACFs Education Programme is to reach out to the most marginalised groups of children and provide them with opportunities for holistic education and development. Thus we work closely with village-level government schools and local teachers to enhance the quality of education provided to their students. Three kinds of special initiatives under our Education Programme take care of the most marginalised of all groups: the girl child; out-of school children of migrant labourers; and differently-abled children. Non-formal schools run by ACF in Nalagarh and Bathinda reach out to children outside the purview of the formal education system. Through regular sessions and exposure to a variety of teaching-learning methods, children learn their basics at the non-formal education (NFE) centres. Once they are sufficiently prepared, they are mainstreamed into regular schools. ACF supports seven NFE-cum-skill building centres in villages around Roorkee in Uttarakhand, with special focus on the girl child. More than 150 girls between the ages of 6-16 are enrolled in these centres, developing literacy and learning new skills that will help them become self-employed in the future. Girls receive training through a variety of courses on embroidery, henna design, craft and stitching. With support from the Education Department, 104 and 49 students appeared for the standard V and standard VIII exams respectively; and are enrolled in formal schools thereafter. With the Education Department agreeing to take over the running of these centres on their own from January 2012, the sustainability of the centres is assured. The Ambuja Manovikas Kendra (AMK) gives personal attention to special children, and draws out their potential in surprising ways. Year 2011 was indeed a memorable year for AMK:
EDUCATION
ACFs core strategies under the Education Support Programme
School support Academic support Capacity building Creating an enabling environment Material support
four children represented India at the World Summer Special Olympic Games at Athens, Greece, and won laurels for the nation. ACF also works with 394 education centres across states, enhancing the quality of education through interventions like furnishing and functionalising libraries; establishing reading clubs to enhance accelerated reading skills; equipping each school with professionally produced hands-on math kits; and initiating math laboratories. A large number of the students supported by ACF enjoy access to computers, playground equipment, clean washroom facilities, sufficient materials and trained education providers to cater to their learning needs. Our work on the ground is supported by balmitras, trained village-based youth who work closely with parents, schools and children on various aspects of education.
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Womens Empowerment
Womens empowerment is pivotal to sustain the various village development programmes and each of our interventions involves substantial womens participation. They lead the comprehensive healthcare programme in their role as sakhis; support the education programme as balmitras; provide good nutrition as vegetable farmers and fish-growers; and transform rural economies as entrepreneurs. ACF supports 852 self help groups (SHGs) across locations, with a cumulative corpus of over N 4.66 crore. From building linkages with banks to providing technical support to start their own entrepreneurship ventures, ACFs capacity building activities have enabled womens groups to transform their simple monthly savings into sustainable livelihoods. These enterprises include dairy development, nurseries, mushroom cultivation, handicrafts, tailoring and food processing. Women also participate actively in various skill based training programmes such as nursing aides; computer hardware and software; and beautician courses, offered through ACF-run SEDIs. With increased exposure and skill, they have developed the confidence and ability to take up challenges.
alone at home, with nothing to do. Inactivity had made me unhealthy. But now, with work at hand, I feel fit and healthy. Initially, ACF helped the women to source the material, collect and deliver the knitted products, and keep accounts. Today, the women undertake these activities themselves. The vendors are happy with the quality of the product, and the women are assured of a steady market. The project is now well on its way to sustainability. Discussions are on to register the group as a cooperative, to ensure that every woman involved gains equitably from the enterprise.
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of khadins and farm bunding in farms. Community waterstorage structures are also built in villages to ensure better access to drinking water. ACF also works closely with local panchayats to build homes for the under-privileged. These projects are implemented with support from community-based organizations, with planning, monitoring and maintenance of the infrastructure being taken care of by the village themselves. By ensuring peoples participation, ACF enables its sustainability long after the project has been implemented. This year, Employee Volunteerism took off at Ambuja Cements, with large-scale participation from over 4600 employees across all locations. ACL employees worked along with the ACF team and other local NGOs on various social and environment development projects. Teams from ACL have participated in plantation drives in Rajasthan, worked with underprivileged children in slums of Mumbai, and supported health camps in the villages of West Bengal among others. This has helped the ACL integrate its sustainability mission among its teams, enhanced understanding of the Company-Community Partnership, and offered many talented professionals an opportunity to do their bit for the society they live in.
Cochin
ACF began its interventions in Cochin Port Trust Area, focusing on HIV & AIDS. The programme is being implemented in partnership with Apollo Tyres Foundation, and reaches out to the migrant group of truckers and allied people. The objective of our intervention is to encourage responsible behaviour and increase awareness on issues related to HIV & AIDS. ACF helps run a clinic in the port area around the Ambuja Cement plant; it serves as a general health clinic with focus on HIV & AIDS. Our activities revolve around behaviour change communication in which we reach out to the , vulnerable population through individual as well as group interactions. Tools like street plays, puppet shows magic shows and infotainment are integral to our communication strategy. Condom promotion takes place through free distribution as well as through social marketing. An active and involved peer educator network plays a key role in carrying the message to the intended population. There is a strong referral system in place with patients being referred to doctors by peer educators. We conduct pre and post test counseling, and also refer and attach positive cases to local care and support groups.
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OUR PARTNERS
We acknowledge the active partnership and support of all the community members, panchayats, and local community based organisations in our development activities.
I HDFC Bank I Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Raipur I Industrial Training Institute, Sakri I Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bhatapara I NABARD I PRADAN, Chhattisgarh I State Bank of India I Tata Motors, Mumbai
Chhattisgarh, Bhatapara
I CARE, Chhattisgarh I Chhattisgarh Cooperative Bank, Arjuni & Karmada I Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank, Arjuni & Baloda Bazar I Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency I I I I I I I
(CREDA) Department of Agriculture, Government of Chhattisgarh Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Chhattisgarh Department of Education, Government of Chhattisgarh Department of Fisheries, Government of Chhattisgarh Department of Horticulture, Government of Chhattisgarh Department of Public Health Engineering, Government of Chhattisgarh Government Hospital, Baloda Bazar
of Gujarat, Amreli, Gandhinagar, Junagadh AKRSP (I), Ahmedabad Bank of Baroda Better Cotton Fast Track Programme, Geneva Block Health Office, Kodinar Cattle Breeding Farm, Junagadh Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Veraval Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Veraval Civil Hospital, Junagadh Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell, Ahmedabad Cooperative Bank, Kodinar Dena Bank, Kodinar Department of Agriculture, Government of Gujarat
26
I Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Gujarat I Department of Forest, Government of Gujarat I Department of Horticulture, Government of Gujarat I Department of Salinity Ingress Prevention I Department of Water Resources Development, Government I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
I Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Gujarat I Department of Forest, Government of Gujarat I Department of Horticulture, Government of Gujarat I Development Support Centre I District Rural Development Agency, Ahmedabad I Government Policlinic, Bavala I NABARD I Primary Health Centre, Virochan Nagar I SardarKrushiNagar Dantivada Agriculture University I The Gujarat State Women SEWA Cooperative Federation
of Gujarat Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh District Rural Development Agency, Junagadh Emergency Management Research Institute, Ahmedabad Farmers Training Centre, Junagadh Gir Jungle Lodge and Hotel Association, Sasan Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation, Junagadh Gujarat Cleft and Craniofacial Research Institute Gujarat Green Revolution Company Ltd. Gujarat Skill Development Mission (GSDM) HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi Industrial Training Institute, Keshod & Una Janseva Trust, Reyon Ltd., Veraval Junagadh Agricultural University Marine Produce Export Development Authority, Veraval NABARD NASSCOM Foundation National Horticulture Mission, Gandhinagar Primary Health Centre, Harmadia Regional Directorate of Apprecticeship Training (RDAT), Mumbai Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala Sajjata Sangh, Ahmedabad Shiksha Bharti, Delhi Shivanand Mission, Rajkot Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai State Bank of India Tanstia-Fnf Service Centre (TFSC), Chennai Water and Sanitation Management Organisation, Gandhinagar
Ltd.
I The New India Assurance Company Ltd. I Water and Sanitation Management Organisation I Wheat Research Centre, Vijapur
Gujarat, Surat
I AKRSP (I) I Apollo Tyres Foundation I Apparel Training and Design Centre, Surat I BAIF Development Research Foundation, Navsari & Valsad I Cohesion Foundation, Navsari I Department of Animal Husbandry I District Rural Development Agency, Surat I Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of I I I I I I I
India, Surat Gujarat State AIDS Control Society, Surat Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Navsari METAS Mission Hospital, Surat Navsari Krishi University Sumul Dairy, Surat Surat Municipal Corporation Suruchi, Bardoli
Gujarat, Dahod
I Development Support Agency, Gandhinagar I District Rural Development Authority, Dahod I Jeevan Deep I Kalitas, Dahod I State Bank of India I
Gujarat, Sanand
I Ahmedabad District Cooperative Bank I AKRSP (I) I Anand Krushi University I Bank of India I Dena Bank
H.P. Eklavya, Bhopal ICDS Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Himachal Pradesh NABARD National Research Institute of Mushroom Cultivation Punjab National Bank SIDBI
27
India
I Directorate of Vocational Education & Training, Mumbai I District Agriculture Superintendent, Chandrapur I District Central Cooperative Bank, Gadchandur I District Industries Corporation, Chandrapur I District Rural Development Agency, Chandrapur I District Vocational Training Office, Chandrapur I Foundation for Research in Community Health, Pune I Hole in Wall Education Ltd. (HIWEL) I Institute of Health Management, Pachod I MAVIM I MITCON I Monitoring and Research System Private Ltd., Mumbai I NABARD I Navnirmiti, Pune I Salaam Bombay Foundation I State Bank of India I Sulabh International Services, Mumbai I UNICEF, Mumbai I
H.P. Government Hospital, Nalagarh Himachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society Municipal Council, Nalagarh Power Grid Coporation of India Ltd. Raghu Dental Clinic, Nalagarh Regional Research Station, Balachore, Punjab Truck Unioin, Nalagarh YS Parmar Horticulture and Forestry Agriculture University, Solan
Kerala, Cochin
I Apollo Tyres Foundation
Maharashtra, Panvel
I Alert India, New Mumbai I CIDCO I Envirovigil, Thane I Father Agnel Institute I ICDS I MAVIM I Mukta Kalanubhuti, Thane I National Agricultural Innovation Project I Primary Health Centre
Maharashtra, Chandrapur
I Amhi Amchya Arogyasathi, Gadchiroli I BAIF Development Research Foundation, Pune I Bank of India, Upparwahi I Better Cotton Fast Track Programme, Geneva I Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur
28
I Raigad District Bank, Panvel I Sahara Handicraft I State Bank of India I Stree Mukti Sangathan, Mumbai I Vesac India, Thane I
I Department of Health, Government of Rajasthan I Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Abusar I Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation
Punjab, Bathinda
I Agriculture Research Station, Sri Ganganagar I Better Cotton Fast Track Programme, Geneva I Department of Agriculture, Government of Punjab I Department of Health, Government of Punjab I District Wushu Art Association I Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda I NABARD I Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana I Punjab Energy Development Agency I Punjab State AIDS Control Society I Red Cross Society, Bathinda I State Bank of India I State Police Department
Udaipur
I Department of Agriculture, Government of Rajasthan I Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of
Rajasthan
I Department of Health, Government of Rajasthan I ICDS I Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nagaur I NABARD I NACO, Nagaur I National Research Centre Seed Spices, Ajmer I Rajasthan State Seed Corporation, Jodhpur I Rajiv Gandhi Literacy Mission, Mundwa I Rathi Bajaj, Nagaur I Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University,
Punjab, Ropar
I Central institute of Integrated Pest Management, Jalandhar I Control Union Certification I Cooperative Bank I Department of Agriculture, Government of Punjab I Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Punjab I Department of Horticulture, Government of Punjab I India Bank I Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ropar I Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, New Delhi I NABARD I National Institute of Mentally Handicapped, Government of I I I I I I I I I I
Bikaner
Rajasthan, Rabriyawas
I Agriculture University, Bikaner I Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur I Central Institute for Arid Horticulture, Bikaner I College of Technology and Agricultural Engineering,
Udaipur
I Department of Agriculture, Government of Rajasthan I Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of
India, Secunderabad National Trust for the Welfare of Autism, Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy & Multiple Disabilities, Government of India Punjab & Sind Bank Punjab Energy Development Agency Punjab Gramin Bank Punjab Milkfed Punjab State AIDS Control Society State AIDS Control Society, Chandigarh State Bank of India State Bank of Patiala UCO bank
Rajasthan
I Department of Forestry, Jaipur I Department of Health, Government of Rajasthan I District Milk Production Cooperative Society, Nagaur I IFAD - SRTT, Government of Rajasthan I Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pali I Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology,
Udaipur
I Marwar Gramin Bank I NABARD I Rajasthan Mission on Livelihood, Jaipur I State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, Rajasthan I Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University,
Rajasthan, Chirawa
I Department of Agriculture, Government of Rajasthan I Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of
Bikaner
Rajasthan
29
Uttarakhand, Roorkee
I Department of Health, Uttarakhand I G.B. Pant University, Pant Nagar I Haridwar Kumbh Mela Samiti I Health & Family Welfare Department, Uttarakhand I Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi I NABARD I National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal I National Horticulture Mission I Punjab & Sind Bank I Punjab National Bank I State Bank of India I Uttarakhand Livestock Development Board I Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society
I Pulse & Oil Seed Research Station I RAJARHAT PRASARI, Kolkatta I St. Johns Ambulance, Malda I State Bank of India I Strengthening Rural Decentralization Project I Suprava Panch Shila Mahila Udyog Samiti I Teesta Agro Industry Pvt. Ltd. I United Bank of India I West Bengal Minority Development & Finance Cooperation
Ltd., Kolkata
West Bengal
I NABARD
OUR FOOTPRINT
32
ANDHRA PRADESH
ANDHRA PRADESH
Overview
ACF has been focusing on promoting agro-based livelihoods among the communities at Nadikudi. The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) programme has been going on for the past two years, with regular training and inputs provided to farmers. ACF also works on the issue of safe drinking water in the villages at Nadikudi.
Nadikudi
Agro-Based Livelihoods
ACF has been implementing BCI in Nadikudi for the past two years. To date, 985 farmers from eight villages have joined the initiative. The project is implemented by a cadre of extension volunteers (EVs), who are trained in BCI techniques. The EVs worked closely with the farmers. They have set up 64 learning groups (LGs) to enable training and document processes. This year 370 training programmes were facilitated by technical experts. The sessions included topics like Agronomical Practices in Cotton Cultivation, Overview of BT Cotton and its Management, and IPM in Cotton. Farmers are trained to create fencing crops, refugee crops, inter-crops and attractant crops on one demonstration plot per village. They are also shown ways to reduce chemical pesticides, and use natural methods of pest control. This year, 27 farmer field schools were instituted across eight demonstration plots. The farmers record details of expenditure and inputs, thereby comparing cultivation expenditure before and after implementation of the project. Learning groups are assessed for their knowledge and
implementation of BCI techniques, after which they may qualify as BCI producers. In Nadikudi, 30 of the 64 LGs have qualified to sell their produce as Better Cotton after second party credibility checks. Better Cotton produced by the community is being procured by NSL textiles, Gurajala, linking it to their supply chain. The wadi project, funded by NABARD, is in its third year of implementation; we have now reached out to five villages. Fruit bearing trees like mango and orange have been planted on 254 acres of land. Other allied agro-based initiatives include animal husbandry. Eight cattle health camps were conducted in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry, implemented by paramedical staff. ACF also supported the shepherd community with rahm-lambs (seed animals) to enhance the population of sheep.
ANDHRA PRADESH
33
village with support from the local community. Based on requests from the farmers of Gogulapadu village, ACF supported the installation of Hume pipes to irrigate a canal to divert the water from the main stream. This water will be stored in an existing pond with lower catchment capacity, to be used for agriculture and livestock.
Infrastructure Development
Based on the communitys needs, ACF has been supporting various rural infrastructure development programmes. Street lights were mounted in Ambapuram and Takkellapadu villages, with support from the village panchayats. ACF helped in clearing thorny bushes and renovating the paths in the villages of Nadikudi, Alullgumallepadu, Budavada, Ambapuram and Gogulapadu. As part of our health initiative, we provided fogging machines to reduce the incidence of malaria and dengue. We also assisted local government schools in five villages with benches and desks, construction of mini water storage tanks, learning material, and construction of a compound wall.
34
CHHATTISGARH
CHHATTISGARH
Overview
ACF works in the district of Baloda Bazar, Bhatapara, which has been carved out of the larger Raipur district. We work in 32 villages with a population of close to 40000 people. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood in the region; our work with farmers includes providing technical inputs, training and market linkages. We also empower the rural youth by providing them with opportunities to develop skills at our Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (SEDI) at Baloda Bazaar. Courses in trades like masonry, electrician, beautician, automobile (twowheeler) repair and computer hardware and networking are quite popular among students. ACF has also established the Ambuja Driving Excellence Academy, a driving school under SEDI, in association with TATA Motors Limited. Students are trained in light commercial vehicle (LCV) and heavy commercial vehicle (HMV) driving. For more on the SEDI initiative, please see pages from 76-79 of this annual report. One of the key issues facing Bhatapara is malnutrition among children. Our comprehensive Health Care features sakhis who raise awareness about nutritious food among the community, especially for young children and pregnant women. Our sustainable health action lays emphasis on the kitchen garden initiative, reaching out to almost 500 homes and making a difference by providing communities with access to nutritious food. ACF has been working with the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Authority (CREDA) to promote biogas as a fuel alternative, thus saving precious fuel. In 2011, we set up several biogas installations across villages, addressing the need for fuel for agriculture and domestic purposes.
Bhatapara
Agro-Based Livelihoods
The systematic rice intensification (SRI) method of farming is increasingly sought by farmers as a low-input, high-yield method of paddy farming. ACF demonstrated the SRI method to 300 farmers on 300 acres of farmland; during the rabi season, 62 acres were planted with mustard, sunflower and kusum, benefitting 62 farmers in eight villages. Scientists from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, facilitated 14 training programmes and four exposure visits for the farmers. ACF promotes vegetable farming among farmers and especially women, to supplement their income. We supported 86 farmers to cultivate onion, tomato and chilli. In addition, 370 mini kits of vegetable seeds were distributed among farmers in collaboration with the Government Horticulture Department. ACF also organised nine animal husbandry camps jointly with the Government Animal Husbandry Department for breed improvement during the year.
Supporting Education
ACF implements its education programme in 26 schools across 14 villages; schools are supported with infrastructure, sports gear, teaching aids, furniture and library books. This year, a bal sansad was initiated in the school at Pounsari, wherein students took part in coordinating various school activities. The process helped them develop a sense of responsibility. With reports of a shortage of teachers in government-run schools in the area, ACF provided 10 subject-specific and
CHHATTISGARH
35
three computer teachers to three schools in Pounsari, Arjuni, and Karmada villages. Computer education was supported in five schools under our education programme. A village knowledge centre in Rawan village, run in collaboration with the NASSCOM Foundation, helps students, youth and the community to become computer-literate and access information on education, employment and competitive exams through the Internet.
Womens Empowerment
ACF supports 81 self help groups (SHGs) in 19 villages, with a cumulative strength of 1023 members. Ten training programmes were conducted for SHG members on topics like accounts and book keeping; strengthening and management of the SHGs; their roles and responsibilities; and the bank linkage process. SHG members were also taken on exposure visits to observe best practices and processes of other SHGs and replicate them in their own villages.
Infrastructure Development
ACF supported the construction of a drainage system in Rawan; and boundary walls for the government school in Maldi. A cemented ghat was constructed in Pounsari. Other development activities included laying of concrete roads in Khairtal village, and installing 145 street lights across nine villages to ensure better lighting.
CULTIVATING CHANGE
An SHG group learning to make detergent
Most farmers in Chhattisgarh, commonly known as the rice bowl of India, cultivate paddy. Over the past decade, the increase in fertilizer prices and non-availability of agricultural labour have begun to affect the farmers adversely. Under the circumstances, paddy farmers in the villages of Bhatapara were sceptical about taking up the SRI method of paddy cultivation promoted by ACF. Though the SRI method consumes less water and seeds, and uses bio fertilizers and pesticides instead of chemicals, the farmers could not trust the results. Anjor Das, a farmer from Devrani village, decided to learn more about this method. He participated in an exposure visit organised by ACF to PRADAN, an NGO promoting the SRI method of paddy cultivation. It was an opportunity to learn more about SRI firsthand, and benefit from the experience of other farmers practicing it. After attending training programmes organised by ACF on the subject and acquiring the necessary information, Anjor Das took the decision to adopt SRI. Although he was mocked by his peers, he persisted for three years with support from the ACF team. In 2011, he increased the area under cultivation through the SRI method to three acres, using around nine kilograms of seed, bio fertilizer and traps for pests. He harvested a yield of 27 quintals per acre as against 14 through the traditional method, resulting in an increase in his income and food security for his family. Anjor Das today is a role model for farmers in Devrani and its neighbouring villages. He is an inspiration and a guide to all those interested in SRI and in bringing about positive change in their lives.
36
GUJARAT
GUJARAT
Overview
Salinity ingress is a key challenge in the Kodinar taluka, affecting agricultural productivity. ACF has been focussing on mitigating salinity ingress through promotion of low waterintensive cropping patterns, water management, promotion of horticulture and development of groundwater resources to increase water availability and improve water quality. These activities have enabled farmers to harvest two to three crops a year. Our work in agriculture has been supported by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kodinar, which fills technical and scientific gaps in agro-production by providing onand off-campus training to farmers. In 2011, we continued implementing the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) as a sustainable farming practice. In Sanand, one of our key initiatives this year was the introduction of Participatory Irrigation Management Project. Community members participated in various capacity building programmes and formed Water Users Associations and irrigation societies. In Surat, we implement a comprehensive programme addressing HIV & AIDS. We also work in 11 villages on various agro- and skilldevelopment programmes. In 2011, we started a SEDI at Ambujanagar with five skill training courses. In Dahod, we continued to implement the skill-development programme in masonry, in collaboration with the Tribal Development Board of the Government of Gujarat. Details of this are available in the chapter on skill training on page 76.
Ambujanagar
Roof rain water harvesting : a source of pure drinking water
GUJARAT
37
with support from the C N Hilton Foundation. Surface water storage capacity of 2.53 mcft has been created; 15 drinking water and 21 irrigation water wells were replenished and twenty eight hand pumps were benefitted from the ground water recharge. These efforts brought good quality water and higher profits in agriculture, and have had significant impact on the community. ACF has collaborated with NDDB managed Sabarmati Gaushala under cattle breed development programme to streamline artificial insemination program in all the villages of Kodinar and Sutrapada talukas. Training was provided to 25 para vets for promotion of artificial insemination preservation of Gir cow breed. Health camps were organized on gynecological diagnosis, foot and mouth infection, vaccination and general treatment.
Agro-Based livelihoods
KVK conducted 127 on- and off-campus training programmes this year, in which 3351 farmers, farm women and fishermen
participated. Other training included workshops for extension functionaries, and vocational training programmes for unemployed rural youth. Scientists from KVK conducted front-line demonstrations on 86.4 acre hectares of farm land in 32 villages to promote high yielding crops like groundnut and bajra, and to study the effects of various sprays on wheat, cotton and sugarcane. They also addressed issues like sucking pests in sugarcane & cotton, yellowing and rust in groundnut and fruit drop in coconut, benefitting 150 farmers. These demonstrations expose farmers to technical and scientific methods of farming. They also get a chance to clarify their doubts and evolve solutions with KVK scientists. The KVK crop cafeteria offers visiting farmers different varieties of crops that have been developed for demonstration. Among them are 22 varieties of wheat, 13 varieties of sugarcane, 14 varieties of groundnut, six varieties of fodder, five varieties of gram and other seasonal local crops. KVK farms have good quality groundnut seed that are developed in three hectares in collaboration with DGR, Junagadh; an organic mango orchard; and wheat and other local crops that are produced and sold. A fish pond unit spread over 1500 square metres with breeds like mrigal and scampi has been constructed to demonstrate fish breeding techniques and commercial purposes. About 739 farmers visited KVK for inputs and demonstrations. KVK services also included tele-counselling and voice SMSs to about 9000 farmers on crop management; and an exposure trip for 127 farm women to the Agricultural University, Anand. New developments in 2011 included the introduction of testing facilities for soil fertility and suitability of water for irrigation; and a model nursery and green house, for timely seed sampling. During the year, KVK supplied 1.47 lakh seedlings and saplings of brinjal, tomato, chilli and papaya at nominal rates to the farmers through the model nursery. A leaf tissue analysis laboratory is set up to provide proper solutions for nutritional deficiency, diseases and pests in crops. Based on previous experience, ACF has been promoting the concept of reducing risks through weather insurance. Weather insurance is being promoted in the Kodinar region along with the Sajjata Sangh and NABARD. Groundnut and cotton grown on 1456 acres of land belonging to as many farmers is covered under the weather insurance policy of the Agriculture Insurance
AGRO-BASED LIVELIHOODS
Mandate of KVK - Junagadh
To conduct on-farm tests for identifying technologies in terms of location-specific sustainable land use systems To organise regular training to update the extension personnel of the district about emerging advances in agricultural research To organise short and long-term vocational training courses in agriculture and allied vocations for farmers and rural youth, with emphasis on learning by doing, for higher production on farms and generating self employment To conduct frontline demonstrations on various crops to generate production data and get feedback To develop KVK as an agricultural resource and knowledge centre in the district
38
GUJARAT
Company of India Limited. Last year, KVK had applied for a license to broadcast agro-based programmes for farmers via a community radio service. KVK has now received approval from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The construction of a radio station reaching out to 55 villages within a radius of 12 km will begin soon. BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE In its second year, the BCI project at Ambujanagar reached out to 1020 farmers in 13 project villages. We have been able to establish market linkages between ginners and cotton-growing farmers to ensure that BCI cotton reaches retailers, brand suppliers and A training of farmers held at Krishi Vigyan manufacturers. Measurable Kendra improvement has been observed in terms of reduction in production costs and superior quality of produce. The area under Better Cotton cultivation increased to 1825 acres, with an expected production of 2329 metric tonnes. Currently, 66 farmer learning groups have been constituted; ACF conducted 586 on- and offcampus training sessions for them through the year. These sessions addressed issues related to reduction of child labour, health and safety, and technical aspects of growing Better Cotton. IEC materials on Better Cotton production have been developed in Gujarati. Bhikabhais thriving ACF also supported farmers to crop owing to drip irrigation use IPM techniques to make neem oil, bio-fungicides, and biofertilizers in their fields. A mixed kit of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides was distributed among 405 farmers. We also distributed 398 safety kits for use when spraying pesticide in the fields. Farmers groups have been independently assessed for certification as Better Cotton producers. Almost 83% of farmers have qualified under the BCI norms; they produce 1894 metric tonnes from 579 hectares. This can now be tracked and marketed around the world. Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs) offer ICT services to the community. These VKCs have been set up in the villages of Vadnagar, Singasar and Muldwarka, offering students basic training in computers, and giving the community access to the Internet. The VKCs are set to evolve into a resource centre for farmers, complete with a library, newspapers and periodicals on agricultural practices, dairy farming and fisheries.
Womens Empowerment
ACF currently supports 126 self help groups (SHGs) in Ambujanagar, with 1632 members and a corpus of over N 53.96 lakhs. In 2011, 30 SHGs were linked with banks to avail of loans totalling N 11 lakhs for various income-generation activities. Women from 70 SHGs came together to form a cooperative called the Sorath Mahila Vikas Sahakari Mandali, to enhance their income-generation activities. A gramin haat has been established at Kodinar, to sell articles made by SHG members along with consumer goods bought in bulk with support from ACF. Women from Dudhana village have begun an agro-business by producing onion on rented land, while the SHG from Devali made and sold 200 bags worth N 1 lakh, for the BCI producers contamination-prevention kits. ACF facilitated 70 training sessions for 939 women; and conducted an exposure visit to women federation based at Talala in Junagadh district. Additionally, 350 executive members of various SHGs participated in a leadership and data management training programme.
40
GUJARAT
Sanand
Agro-Based Livelihoods
During the year, ACF focussed on promoting vegetable cultivation among the farming community. The process included training on techniques like seed selection, plant development and water management. ACF also conducted demonstrations of summer and winter vegetable crops on 61 plots, helping farmers maintain field diaries to monitor fertilizer inputs, plant growth and costs incurred. Vegetable farming was also extended to kitchen gardens, with 200 women growing crops for domestic use. With the introduction of the Lucerne, a variety of fodder, 74 farmers have been able to earn additional income with the available resources. Farmers teamed up with ACF on a costsharing basis to cultivate this fodder crop; this helped improve milk yield among cattle and enhanced the fertility of the land, enabling farmers to grow rice during the next season. More than 425 farmers participated in 21 training programmes held in collaboration with Anand Agricultural University, involving topics like paddy farming, organic farming, and development of nurseries. Exposure visits to the Vegetable Research Centre, Anand, Wheat Research Centre, Vijapur, and Rice Research Centre at Navagam helped more than 40 farmers expand their knowledge about production capacities of various crops, and fertilizer and irrigation management. Ten health camps were organised for livestock in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department, Ahmedabad and Government Polyclinic, Bavala, examining 2164 cattle. ACF also facilitated regular visits by veterinarians to the villages, to care for and treat cattle, and generate awareness on fodder management, vaccination, and artificial insemination.
formed across villages; 222 women are part of the project, having being nominated as members of these associations. ACF has also helped establish 62 irrigation society sub committees with 345 members. Five water users associations collected membership registration fees and community contributions of N 2.24 lakhs. In recognition of their efforts, they have received N 10.61 lakhs as a one-time functional grant from the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL), Sanand. The SSNNL has also helped water users associations with grants for repair and
WITH MORE THAN 7300 STAKEHOLDERS SUPPORTING ACFS PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT PROJECT, THIS COMMUNITY SUPPORTED PROJECT IS POISED TO CREATE AN ENORMOUS IMPACT IN WATER MANAGEMENT.
maintenance of existing canal systems and sub-minors. Our other water management programmes included pitching of two ponds in Iyava and Vasna villages, construction of culverts, and deepening of canals. The work is monitored and maintained by the village development committees (VDCs) of these villages.
GUJARAT
41
Regular awareness programmes were conducted on hygiene, sensitising communities on the seven parameters of health. They have resulted in the construction of 65 toilet blocks in the villages that we work in.
Womens Empowerment
This year, ACF helped establish 13 new self help groups (SHGs), taking the total number of SHGs in the region to 36, with a membership of 386 women. The SHGs have a total corpus of more than N 4.65 lakhs. SHG members have received training on leadership, book keeping, accountancy, internal loaning and regularisation; three new SHGs have been graded by Bank of India. Exposure visits were arranged to motivate and mobilise the women to take up income generation activities, survey the market, and learn from the experience of similar womens groups. One of the visits was to the SHGs at Manakpur village in Mansa block. Those SHGs have been successfully running a dairy farm since 1964, with sales of N 10 crore per year. The visit motivated many of the ACF-supported SHGs to start their own ventures.
Infrastructure Development
In 2011, Village Development Committees were able to collect N 2 lakhs from the community towards infrastructure development; with ACFs support, they initiated several projects in the villages, including pond deepening and maintenance of canals. ACF also helped ensure timely meetings of VDCs, VDC management, and in monitoring the reverse osmosis plant. A prayer stage was constructed for the primary school in Iyava through community participation.
42
GUJARAT
Surat
Society, to reach out to the 10000 migrant workers in the region with information on HIV & AIDS. ACF also held 14 coordination meetings with transporters, shop owners, security staff and other stakeholders to address their misconceptions and perceptions about the stigma surrounding HIV positive people.
Number
3198 860 54 49 9
GUJARAT
43
and learning for children through interactive and fun based activities. Efforts are on to work with school management committees, parents and teachers to strengthen the education process in government-run schools.
Regular cattle health camps were conducted in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Surat, reaching out to 115 farmers owning 1291 cattle.
Womens Empowerment
ACF supports 29 SHGs with a membership of 440 women. Income generation activities have been actively taken up by these groups, with 75 women participating in a basic training programme on stitching at the Apparel Training and Design Centre, Surat. After the training, 55 women have been gainfully employed in the apparel industry in the city.
LIFE POSITIVE
ACF creates awareness about HIV & AIDS among workers in the industrial zones around Surat. During various interactions held with truck drivers, we met Karsanbhai*. The 43 year-old truck driver lived near Surat with his wife and two children. Following a counselling session conducted by ACF, he decided to get himself tested for HIV. After pre-test counselling, Karsanbhai took the test, which turned out to be positive. This was a turning point in his life, and he decided to take steps to alter his lifestyle. He gave up alcohol, started using condoms, and began following a nutritious diet recommended by his counsellors. Importantly, he joined the ACF team as a peer educator, volunteering his time and knowledge to inform others about HIV & AIDS.
* Name changed to protect identity
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Overview
Our community development work in Himachal Pradesh faces numerous challenges by the geography and climate of the region. ACF works with the communities around the Integrated Ambuja Cements Plant at Darlaghat, and around its grinding unit in Nalagarh. Currently, we reach out to 98 villages in Solan district, including isolated rural settlements in the mountains. Our key areas of focus in the region remain centred around water and land resource management, agro-based livelihood support, health and education. One strategy that ensures sustainability of our projects is the large-scale participation of women. Women from Darlaghat are actively involved in a range of ACF projects: as sakhis, in health; as balmitras, in our education programme; and as enterprising farmers in the mushroom-cultivation programme. ACFs Pashu Swasthya Sevika Programme is an innovative project that trains village-based women as para-veterinarians, building on their skills as traditional animal care-givers, to save livestock and improve livelihoods. The Institute of Skill and Entrepreneurship Development (ISED) at Darlaghat has been established in partnership with the Punjab National Bank and NABARD. Courses offered at ISED are quite popular among the youth here, with a large number of boys and girls developing skills in automobile repair, electronics, plumbing, masonry, carpentry, and beauty culture. All of them undergo training in Basic English, computers and soft skills, empowering them to compete for better jobs. Students also have the opportunity to hone their skills through industrial training. More details about ISED and its activities can be found from pages 76-79 of this annual report. ACF at Nalagarh has been involved in running a non-formal school for the children of migrant workers, focusing on their holistic development. On the health front, we have introduced a mobile health van in collaboration with the Power Grid Corporation of India, taking health care to 23 villages around Nalagarh.
Darlaghat
Supporting Education
ACF has been supporting 31 government primary schools and 16 government middle schools in Arki tehsil, aiming to improve the quality of education and develop a model for replication. This work is supported by the school management committees (SMCs), ensuring sustainability. In 2011-12, ACF conducted 239 meetings and two workshops for SMCs, facilitating quality education in local schools. Our education programme is led by ACF-trained balmitras who work with children, parents and the school system. Balmitras ensure that parents and schools take responsibility and be accountable for their childrens education. Importantly, balmitras enliven the classroom with activities that help children understand concepts; they use skill and competencybased learning methodologies that build confidence among the children. Balmelas are another feature of the education programme; three balmelas were organised this year at Khata, Mangoo and Kakra villages. The events included sports, cultural and academic activities. ACF supports 20 anganwadis in Darlaghat, focusing on early childhood care and development. Capacity building workshops for anganwadi teachers include activity-based learning methods, and ways to utilise self-learning material. We also reached out to over 550 children in 45 villages through 716 khelwadis organised by our sakhis. Because of fun-learning methods and a variety of tools and exercises, children attend school with a sense of joy. Balsabhas - organised by the children themselves - are held regularly, developing the students capacities and personalities. Learning Corners, developed in schools, provide a space for kids to explore their creativity. Regular health camps in schools ensure that childrens health issues are adequately addressed. ACF conducts capacity building workshops for teachers, including training programmes on Mathematics in Multi-Grade
HIMACHAL PRADESH
45
a balmitra has transformed this docile housewife to a confident teacher. She is respected by her fellow villagers. With her selection as a Block Development Committee member, Gurmit has now taken a huge step towards life in the public eye. She hopes to continue to win the confidence of the villagers in her new role as well.
Level Situations and Teaching through Audio-Visuals. Various exposure visits were organised for students and teachers. A pilot project on Improving Science Teaching, that was organised in 13 government middle schools, included methods on teaching science through practicals and observation of natural phenomena. We also introduced the concept of teaching learning materials (TLMs) and library activities to increase the teachers involvement in imparting quality education.
health camps in schools reached out to 1580 students. Given the high incidence of eye-related ailments in the region, an eye-camp was held in collaboration with the Shimla Sanatorium at the Darlaghat ACL hospital, at which 342 patients were examined by doctors; 82 cases of cataract were identified and operated upon. An eye-camp for truckers was also held at the Rauri plant, benefitting over 960 truckers.
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HIMACHAL PRADESH
2011. In 2012 she was selected as a Master Trainer by ACF to assist in training for ASHAs at Dadri. Sunita is justifiably proud of her achievements. However, she believes she still has a long way to go. Her dream is that her village should be the model village with respect to health and sanitation for other villagers. And she is well on her way to make that dream possible.
rural markets in Darlaghat and Chandi villages. The ISED at Darlaghat is seen as a learning opportunity by the women; many of them have signed up for the advanced training course on hosiery.
Womens Empowerment
ACF currently supports 99 SHGs with a membership of 1312 women and a corpus of over N 100 lakhs. To further develop bank credit linkages, ACF organised a loan mela, facilitating meetings between SHGs and the banks in the region. Capacity building workshops for SHGs included an exposure visit to Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development, Dharamsala. This year, ACF initiated a 15-day training programme on jute bag-making for 24 SHG members. These women have now formed a committee called the Darla Naari Ekta Jute Bag Samiti. The committee will oversee the creation of handmade jute bags by SHG members, and will pool in efforts to sell them in the open market. ACF has linked two SHGs, Nari Shakti and Bapu Kamal Das, with NABARD; the SHGs now manage
HIMACHAL PRADESH
47
training programme for farmers at the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Dehradun, on micro planning, participatory rural appraisals and soil and water conservation measures. As part of our sustainability mission, ACF has begun the construction of a diversion-cum-recharge structure in the mining areas of the Company. Situated on the Barsanoo Banog Nala, it will have a direct storage capacity of 1.60 lakh litres over a catchment area of 1008 hectares. Water diverted though the channel will be close to 4 crore litres and will be useful during the nonmonsoon period, irrigating adjoining lands. ACF has also been organising collection of pine needles from forest regions to turn this hazardous waste into bio fuel.
Agro-Based Livelihoods
ACF offers technical support to 537 farmers, and regularly conducts capacity building programmes on sustainable farming methods. Self help group (SHG) members are empowered through the kitchen garden programme. More than 400 SHG members currently grow different types of vegetables, including beans, gourd and cucumber, on their small plots. Systematic rice intensification (SRI), a method of growing rice, was introduced on a trial basis on five farms this year. The results have been good, and the farmers plan to take up SRI to increase productivity. Non-farm sectors have received a boost through ACFs support in mushroom cultivation. ACF has been endeavouring to make mushroom cultivation both profitable and sustainable. Twelve farmers of the Darla Khumb Utpadak Samiti cultivated dhingri mushroom and reaped a yield of 500 kg with an income of N 35000. During the winter, 30 farmers cultivated button mushrooms, harvesting 4500 kg and an income of N 405000. ACF and the Department of Horticulture, Solan, organised a seven-day residential training programme for 20 farmers on Package of Practices for Mushroom Cultivation. The farmers were trained to use soil testing kits procured from Agro Tech Foods Limited, Kolkata, to test and harness the soils inherent power to supply plant nutrients. Over 1000 indigenous saplings were distributed amongst farmers, who then developed small orchards of fruit including lemon, pomegranate, guava and amla. This was done on a cost-sharing basis, with the farmers bearing 70% of the costs. Young villagers of Kashlog participated in social forestry by digging pits and planting 400 indigenous forestry plants like jacaranda and chidinu.
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HIMACHAL PRADESH
investing in fodder management practices. Based on recommendations by the PSSs, they have pooled their resources to make green fodder for their livestock.
Infrastructure Development
ACFs helps build community assets, while offering employment opportunities to rural youth. Construction of footpaths, community centres, activity centres, school complexes, drinking water storage tanks and renovation of natural resources are some infrastructure activities taken up this year. New classrooms are being built in Government Primary School, Kanswala; while cremation sheds are being constructed at Serwala and Rouri at the request of the community. Truckers who frequent the areas near the Company can now avail of clean toilet facilities offered through the Sulabh Sauchalaya. Rain water harvesting structures at BanogBarsanoo village nourish more than 250 bighas of cultivated land. ACF also built a drinking water storage tank, with a capacity of over 20000 litres, at Khatta village, providing succour to 35 farming households in the region. Scarcity of water also prompted the construction of two bore wells in Mangoo village, while the natural source of water at Rouri has been renovated.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
49
Nalagarh
Comprehensive Health Care
HIV & AIDS are our key areas of focus in and around the Nalagarh plant. ACF works closely with the trucker community in collaboration with the Nalagarh Truck Operators Union. Regular interaction, meetings with peer educators, and counselling and testing services are provided to vulnerable groups at the health care centre that was established in collaboration with Apollo Tyres Foundation. The health care centre also functions as a drop-in centre where people drop by to play interactive games and view films, apart from discussing health issues. We have a team of 13 truckers who have volunteered as peer educators and disseminate information about HIV & AIDS and related issues. Condoms are also distributed through 17 condom depots situated at various locations. One of our first initiatives in the region was the setting up of a diagnostic centre. Over the past four years, the centre has provided a range of pathological tests and services; currently, about 500 patients benefit from the centre every month. At the community level, ACF has been promoting low-cost toilets to stop the practice of open-defecation. Health camps have been organised in schools; a haemoglobin camp was also organised, to address the issue of anaemia among women. Our work is now being supported by a mobile health van that reaches out to communities in 23 villages.
HIV & AIDS rally at Nalagarh on World AIDS Day
Supporting Education
The Ambuja Gyandeep Kendra, a non-formal school run for the children of migrant workers, today has 35 students enrolled. Since its establishment last year, ACF conducts regular classes for the children, teaching them through fun, interactive games and exercises. ACF has also been supporting students at Navagram with a scholarship programme, computers, uniforms and drinking water facilities. ACF is supporting the construction of the school building of the Senior Secondary School for Boys at Navagram. The spacious school will contain three floors with 43 rooms, complete with space for laboratories and libraries & will also have a garden and playground.
Agro-Based Livelihoods
ACF has been working with farmers on integrated nutrition management and integrated pest management in horticulture, in collaboration with the state Horticulture Department. The farmers undergo regular training in various aspects of horticulture management. They work with ACF on reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers, vermi-composting, and planting of horticulture and agro-forestry plants. Kitchen gardens have been promoted among the women to address the issue of low nutrition and iron-induced anaemia among them. This year ACF helped develop160 kitchen gardens in the villages where we are active, with the lead taken up by women from the seven SHGs supported by us. As part of our sustainability programme, four biogas plants were also constructed in Badapind village this year.
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MAHARASHTRA
MAHARASHTRA
Overview
Health remains one of the key areas of intervention in Maharashtra, with the focus on maternal and child health. In 2011, we also began comprehensive intervention on sanitation issues, collaborating with UNICEF to implement a water and sanitation programme in 73 gram panchayats of Chandrapur district. Sanitation is a key issue in the three villages that we work with in Panvel. ACF has been supporting construction of toilet blocks, and has helped establish shauchalay niyojan samitis to implement and monitor sanitation programmes in the villages. We are also focusing on income-generating activities of SHGs, with three groups taking the lead in creating handicrafts and marketing them to corporate houses in Mumbai. ACF also runs the SEDI in Chandrapur and Panvel, reaching out to rural youth with intensive short-term courses in various trades. In Chandrapur, the SEDI is called the Ambuja Industrial Training Centre and its courses in trades like fitter, welder, electrician and carpentry, are quite popular among youth. To date, 244 trainees completed training, with 80% of the students employed in with various industries in the region. Details about SEDI and its activities are included on pages 76-79 of this annual report.
These efforts are supported by the mobile dispensary that reaches out to 12 villages around Upparwahi. A community-based monitoring system has been initiated in 16 villages that have a population of more than 5870 people. It has been noticed that people now get better health facilities through government functionaries. ACF has been collaborating with UNICEF and the Zilla Parishad, Chandrapur, in implementing a village-level water & sanitation campaign in 73 gram panchayats. The project includes training master-trainers, field supervisors, sarpanchs and secretaries of gram panchayats about water and sanitation. Six cluster level training programmes for PRI members, sakhis and anganwadi workers were also organised as part of this programme. To create sanitation facilities in the villages, ACF has been working closely with families, motivating them to avail of the various government schemes to construct toilets. Sakhis helped in creating awareness on safe garbage disposal, construction of soak pits, and personal hygiene. ACF has also been working to raise awareness on HIV & AIDS by collaborating with students, teachers, peer educators, health workers, and community members. More than 1800 of them participated in a rally on the eve of World AIDS Day in Gadchandur. The popular Chalta Bolta programme was conducted at Upparwahi, Mangi, Kukudsath and Pimpalgaon, featuring quizzes, plays, and interactive sessions, with participation from more than 370 village youth.
Chandrapur
Supporting Education
ACFs language development programme is being implemented in 16 tribal villages, focusing on developing students language skills, based on the curriculum. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their childrens education through regular parentteacher association meetings. Balmitras have been focusing on mathematical skills, the TLM Development Programme, and strengthening of school management committees (SMCs), leading to an improvement in the quality of primary education. Teacher-training, training of anganwadi workers and building capacity of the balmitras are an integral part of the education programme, complemented by exposure visits and support with teaching-learning materials to improve classroom learning. SMC training programmes were organised in Jiwati and
160
Villages
18641
Number of families
83119
Population
180
Number of sakhis working
MAHARASHTRA
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Rajura villages in the Korpana block, to increase community involvement in school management and monitor the quality of education provided. Our infrastructure support to schools included constructing a compound wall at the zilla parishad school at Markagondi and Hardona (Khurd); computer centres and instructors at eight zilla parishad schools; and seven computer window centres. Sports equipment has been provided to six schools; books to 26 zilla parishad schools; and balmelas organised in eight schools to facilitate holistic learning. Anganwadis have been painted with BALA features by volunteers from Ambuja Cements. The village knowledge centre (VKC) at Gadchandur now offers a course under the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Programme,
Agro-Based Livelihoods
To encourage conservation of water in agriculture, ACF has been promoting drip and sprinkler irrigation systems among farmers. Mango and anola are being cultivated for fruits, while indigenous trees like karonda, kranch and teak are planted as border plants to fetch additional income from the wadi. Six landless farmers were supported for goat rearing through the project, as a means to supplement their income. The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) project is being implemented by 179 farmers in Mangi (Khurd), Mangi (Bujrug), Hardona, Kukudsath and Bhendvi. Nearly 744.5 hectares of land are under BCI cultivation during the kharif season, providing farmers with better yields and higher rates in the market. ACF assisted the farmers to identify local ginners and register them under the BCI project. This helped them sell their Better Cotton in the market at higher band rates. This year, ACF introduced integrated pest management (IPM) among farmers through field demonstrations, capacitybuilding exercises, workshops, exposure visits, and various information-educationcommunication (IEC) materials. The focus was on nutrient management, pest management and allied subjects like soil testing for sustainable farming. The workshops and training sessions also addressed social issues like nonuse of child or forced labour, freedom of association, non-discrimination, and the health and safety of farmers. ACF has established a one-acre demonstration plot in each village under the project. Farmers adopted new techniques for pest management using neem pellets, oil and seed extract along with other bio-pesticides on these plots. The survival rate of cotton seedlings is observed to be quite high when neem pellets are used; many farmers in the region have adopted the practice. ACF also supports farmers to develop allied agricultural activities like dairy farming that can supplement their income. Animal health camps were conducted in various villages in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department. The camps included vaccination, treatment and de-worming of animals, and treated more than 950 livestock. ACFs animal husbandry programme incorporates regular sessions on cattle management including infertility, increasing milk yield and nutrition management.
through which youth are trained in computer skills. The VKC is also accessed by other users from the community and the Ambuja Industrial Training Centre to look up employment opportunities or track current rates of agriculture produce via the Internet.
Womens Empowerment
ACF has been empowering SHGs to enhance their capacity through various training programmes on government and bank loan schemes. Many SHGs have taken the lead to take loans to improve their agriculture, set up small enterprises like goat rearing, dairy-farming, flour-mills, chilli-mills and vegetable shops, or produce traditional foods like vadi or papad. In 2011, seven new SHGs were formed, taking the total to 92, with membership of 1103 women. They have availed of a cumulative bank loan of N 173.93 lakhs, and have cumulative savings to the tune of N 69.42 lakhs.
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MAHARASHTRA
Panvel
CHILDREN HAVE BEEN ABLY LEADING THE SWACHHYATA DOOT PROGRAMME, REACHING OUT WITH THE MESSAGE OF HEALTH TO EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE.
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N
102245.00 42417.00 59828.00
Candle diyas
Total turnover Total investment Total profit
N
16000.00 7100.00 8900.00
the involvement of parents. VHSC members were appointed to monitor the mid-day meals provided by the anganwadis to the children.
Womens Empowerment
ACF supports 14 self help groups in three villages at Panvel. Women from these groups have shown keen interest in initiating entrepreneurial ventures. This year, on the occasion of Diwali, SHG members from Targhar handcrafted decorative diyas, selling them at a profit through exhibitions at various corporate houses in Mumbai. Having learnt the ropes of fabric dyeing and screen and block printing from the Womens India Trust, many SHG women are now working at the WIT centre. The ACF run SEDI at Panvel caters to rural youth of the region, and many young boys and girls from these project villages too are enrolled for courses here. With students being placed at various industries and companies in Navi Mumbai, many families from these villages are more financially secure than before.
INSPIRING CHANGE
The women from the 14 SHGs supported by ACF in Panvel are an enterprising lot. In 2011, a few members of the Om Sai Ram and Ekta Mahila Bachat Gat wanted to do something worthwhile. The women brainstormed with ACF officials about activities that they could take up in accordance with their skills and the market demand. After numerous discussions, they decided to tap their cooking skills. They also considered various options of selling their delicacies for a profit. To help them understand the nuances of running a successful business, ACF organised a number of training sessions in accounting, cost effectiveness, soft skills and business ethics. After overcoming their own inhibitions and convincing their families, the women finally began. ACF was able to collaborate with the Lions Club and the Zilla Parishad for the women to put up their stalls in melas and exhibitions in and around Navi Mumbai. These initial attempts were successful, and the women gained confidence in handling the business. The real opportunity came when they were invited to supply snacks to the workers of Ambuja Cements Limited at Panvel. The women took a loan of N 64000 from the group and started their canteen in early 2012. Today, the women prepare 200 plates of snacks on a daily basis. With a turnover of N 110000 per month, the groups monthly gross profit is N 46000. This venture has been a win-win situation for the SHG and the Company, motivating others stake holders across locations. For the women in the group, its a great sense of achievement to have a business relationship with Ambuja Cements.
Supporting Education
Arts and crafts were introduced among school children to combine fun with learning. Through 18 sessions, the students created paper animals, maps, charts, colour-wheels and pictures form alphabets. These sessions helped build conceptual understanding of subjects, and taught new skills in an interactive way. On World Environment Day this year, the children participated in a poster competition and planted trees to commemorate the occasion. More about SEDI and its activities can be found on page 76 of this annual report.
Infrastructure Development
The village of Moha had been suffering from shortage of drinking water. ACF helped replace the pipeline in the village, enabling direct access to water. ACF has also helped in the construction of an anganwadi for young children. Painting was undertaken at the primary school in Moha. A community toilet block was also constructed.
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PUNJAB
PUNJAB
Overview
Over the past few years, profits from agriculture in Punjab have been stagnating due to the high cost of inputs and decreasing level of productivity. Hence ACF has been focusing on agro-based livelihoods, working with farmers on issues related to crop cultivation, market linkages and organic farming. These processes stress on sustainable farming practices to ensure quality produce with higher market value. In 2010-2011, ACF was appointed on the Governing Board of Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), a scheme initiated by the Central Government and implemented by the state government, in Bathinda district. On-field training Drug addiction is another to produce Better Cotton pertinent social issue, especially in Bathinda. ACF works closely with law enforcing agencies, the public health system and the community to provide health care, counselling and a de-addiction programme for drug abusers. The programme is supported by the Punjab Police and strongly backed by the community. ACF has been nominated as a member of the de-addiction committee to monitor all deaddiction centres in the district. Sex selection continues to be a serious issue in the state, with declining numbers of the girl child. ACF has been running strong campaigns against the practice of sex selection through awareness drives, rallies and seminars. This year too, the programme has been able to garner the support of the community in both Bathinda and Ropar. In Punjab, ACF has entered into a public-private partnership with the ITI at Anandpur Sahib, supporting the institute to run vocational courses in various trades for youth. Details about the SEDI intervention in Punjab can be found on page numbers 76-79 of this annual report.
management techniques were organised for farmers. Field demonstrations, and exposure visits to the Kheti Virasat Mission were also part of the capacity building programme. Five cattle health camps were organised for cattle and livestock in the region. As part of ACFs sustainability programme, 1700 saplings were planted; farmers were provided with 531 horticulture plants to supplement their income. The construction of a biogas plant at the ACF demonstration farm paved the way for installation of 28 biogas plants in 10 villages. To enhance availability of water for cattle and fisheries and to recharge the groundwater, a pond in Nahianwala village was renovated in participation with the gram panchayat, under the MNREGA. BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE Implemented by ACF in four states, the BCI initiative in Bathinda has been proving profitable for cotton growers, mainly due to the improved production techniques involved. The process follows sustainable practices and builds the fertility of the soil over time. This in turn positively impacts the environment around the communities and ensures high yield and productivity in the long run. In 2011, ACF reached out to 910 farmers, building capacities through training, and supported them from the sowing to selling stage. The reduced use of fertilizers has had an impact on the yield; the produce was found to be better, and farmers received from 2% to 5% higher rates for their produce. ACF supported four farmers to install sprinkler drip irrigation systems and organised 10 on-farm training programmes in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda and the Agriculture Research Station, Sriganganagar. Based on excellent implementation practices, more than 60% of the cotton produced by this method has been licensed and sold as Better Cotton.
Bathinda
Agro-Based Livelihoods
Communities living in the vicinity of the ACL plant in Bathinda are highly dependent on agriculture. However, indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers over the past few decades has depleted the quality of the soil and water, diminishing yields. To reverse this trend, ACF has been promoting organic farming among 304 farmers, covering 325 acres of land. We also train farmers on allied activities like vermin composting, use of low cost net housing, installation of biogas plants, use of green manure, agro-forestry and horticulture. ACF plans to continue supporting farmers to develop organic farms till they obtain certification of their organic produce by a national level agency; technical support will continue even after the certification. Twenty one training programmes on integrated pest
PUNJAB
55
Supporting Education
The city of Bathinda has seen an upsurge of workers migrating from Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in search of livelihood; most of them end up living in communities around the city. The children from these communities have little or no access to education; we have been working to bridge this gap. ACF supports anganwadis in three slums for children, reaching out to 123 kids aged between two and five. The children then move on to the Ambuja Gyandeep Kendra (AGDK), where they enrol for classes from Stds I to V. They are then mainstreamed into regular schools. ACF has been supporting them with educational material, school fees, bicycles and a scholarship programme for meritorious students. Students of Std VII and above are provided with tutors for Maths, Science and English. The education programme also focuses on building childrens skill in communication, computers, spoken English, Wushu, hockey, chess and music. Students who were compelled to drop out of mainstream education are encouraged to finish their education through the open system. The ACF team also visits parents regularly to motivate them to send their children to school. The programme is monitored and evaluated by the communities education committees formed in each community. Champa Devi, Chairperson of the Oriya Basti, says that with ACFs intervention most of todays children are studying, a far cry from a decade ago when there was zero literacy in their community.
established this year. Events were also organised for ACL employees, including truckers and labourers. Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is an important component of the CTIP. Seventy one STD clinics for FSWs, 18 clinics for MSMs and seven health camps were organised at different intervention sites, reaching out to 2830 patients. The clinics included counselling and referral services. In an evaluation conducted by National AIDS Control Organisation, CTIP has been rated as the best among 43 such projects being implemented in Punjab. To reach out to IDUs, ACF organised a needle syringe exchange programme (NSEP). Most drug users are habituated to exchanging needles, leading to the spread of HIV. To prevent this, the organisation provides them with fresh needles which have to be returned after use. Drop-in centres have also been established in urban Bathinda to provide counselling services. Reports by the Punjab Health Department show that drug
Number
56
PUNJAB
abuse is increasing in Punjab, and affects nearly 40% of the population between the ages of 15-35. ACF has been raising awareness in schools and colleges through plays, rallies and counselling, in collaboration with the District Police and Health Department. This year 10 meetings were held with de-addicted people; follow-up was done on 47 former addicts. Detoxification programmes are conducted at the Red Cross Centre, Bathinda. This year, 225 drug users underwent the programme. ACF also observed International Day against Illicit Trafficking, to raise awareness among the community. The sakhi component of ACFs Comprehensive Health Care was initiated in Bathinda in 2010. Since then, eight sakhis have begun work as health workers, offering basic health care and referral services to mothers, children and the community in the villages of Sivian, Bazigar Basti, Deon, Nahiyanwala and Buladewala. This year ACF introduced a new programme to provide a nutritious diet to pregnant and nursing mothers in slums. In a collaborative effort, sakhis worked closely with the Public Health and Engineering Department to install a reverse osmosis plant in Buladewala village. As part of the sanitation programme, 45 low cost toilets have been constructed in the slums of Oriya Basti and Lal Quarter, and in the villages of Buladewala and Deon. Children are included in the sanitation drive, to create awareness among households through the khelwadis. In an acknowledgement of the work done by ACF sakhis, five of them have been absorbed into the government health system as ASHA workers.
of 302 women, and cumulative savings of approximately N 11 lakhs. Groups that have been functioning for about three years have matured and moved on to accessing loans for activities like agriculture and animal husbandry, thereby contributing to the family income.
Ropar
Agro-Based Livelihoods
ACF has been promoting organic farming in the region. To date, 283 farmers have registered their land to be certified as organic farms. Organic crops include wheat, paddy, maize, fodder and vegetables. We have been able to substitute about 45 metric tonnes of harmful chemical fertilizers costing N 7 lakhs per year, with natural fertilizers. In a huge boost to our sustainable initiative, we received the first In-Conversion Certificate for the land under organic farming in 2011. ACF has introduced the concept of farmer field schools (FFSs) to train farmers on integrated pest management (IPM), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Ropar, as part of a scheme by the Agriculture Technology Management Agency. Farmers learn from field observations and experimentation at the FFSs. This year, we conducted six sessions on effective and environment-friendly pest management techniques for 26 farmers, who in turn trained 25 others, thereby helping to disseminate knowledge. Poplar plantations have been promoted under our agro-forestry project, with ACF distributing over 25000 saplings to farmers for plantation. As part of the crop diversification process, ACF demonstrated how turmeric could be raised between poplar plantations as a low input, high yielding, cash crop. Vegetable farming is being promoted among farmers, providing
Womens Empowerment
Women are making headway with good savings in their respective SHGs. ACF supports 25 SHGs with a membership
PUNJAB
57
AGRO-BASED LIVELIHOODS
Organic Farming Implementation Strategies
Regular village and cluster level meetings with farmers Regular training programmes and exposure visits Promoting construction of vermi composting pits for organic fertilizers Promotion of farmer field schools to enhance learning of Integrated Pest Management
steady income to marginal farmers. In 2011, we helped construct eight low plastic tunnels for vegetable cultivation during the off-season. This helped the crops to mature almost a month earlier than the usual time, and paved the way for a better bargain in the market. The demonstration farm developed by ACF at Miani village is being used to demonstrate various agricultural activities such as organic farming, nursery raising, vegetable farming and crop diversification. Dairy farming is an important allied activity in the region. Under ACFs animal husbandry programme, we constructed nine cattle feeding stalls, organised 14 cattle health camps, and conducted three training programmes at a modern private dairy farm in village Garngan, Morinda, and at the Agriculture Training Centre of Punjab National Bank, Fatehgarh Sahib. ACF supports six dairy cooperatives in Ropar. In 2011, we provided electronic equipment for analysis of milk fat and accounting on a cost-sharing basis. We also distributed 20 female calves of the Holstein Friesian and Jersey breeds on a cost-sharing basis to dairy members in six villages. During the same year, we helped construct two silage pits to preserve green fodder that could feed cattle during the dry season.
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PUNJAB
From left, Ashish John, Ramandeep Kaur, Harbinder Singh and Gurucharan Singh
in Badminton Doubles. Gurcharan Singh won a Bronze in the 15 Km cycling road race, while Ashish John won Gold in Basketball. The World Summer Special Olympics Games, 2011, held from 25 June to 4 July, saw a participation of 7500 athletes from 180 countries, competing in 22 different sports categories. These children have ably demonstrated that the right attitude, supported with excellent training can do wonders. Their win is a testimony that determination can beat all odds.
also successfully rehabilitated our student, Kamaljeet Singh, by helping him to start a Dairy Cooperative in collaboration with Verka in his village. A sponsorship scheme for AMK students has been initiated to enhance the sustainability of our various projects. To date, 43 of our students have been provided sponsorship under the programme. With the support from trained and sensitive professionals and their own determination, the children at AMK are now paving the way for change.
Number
PUNJAB
59
Daburji, Dakal and Ranjitpura panchayats received N 21 lakhs from the government for various health and development activities. As part of its sanitation programme, ACF supported the construction of 30 toilets, while five panchayats received government grant to construct low cost toilets in their villages. The villages of Daburji and Ratanpura have applied for the Nirmal Gramin Puraskar, 2012. ACF has been implementing four projects on HIV & AIDS in collaboration with the Punjab State AIDS Control Society (PSACS) and the Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society (CSACS) in Ropar, Morinda and Chandigarh. We provide preventive measures, care, treatment and support services for target groups. Through our intervention, 127 HIV positive persons have been identified, with 97 of them on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The Roopnagar Network of HIV Positive Persons serves as a platform to bring together 40 persons living with HIV & AIDS (PLWHA), and builds alliances with PLWHA associations from other districts of Punjab. ACF also supports a waste paper recycling unit run by HIV positive women at Anandpur Sahib, Ropar. Paper waste procured from Ambuja Cements and cotton waste from a textile company are recycled to make products like file-covers, folders and note pads, to be sold in the open market. PROTECTING THE GIRL CHILD ACF organized seven school intervention programmes to raise awareness on the issue of female foeticide and gender discrimination. We have been sensitising grass roots level government workers like ANMs, ASHAs and anganwadi staff on the issue. National Girls Day was celebrated with students of eight schools. This year we celebrated Lohri at Lodhi Majra village to honour the birth of girl children, in a positive twist to the traditional practice of rejoicing when a baby boy is born. Families proud of their little girls, and not trying for a male heir, were felicitated publicly.
LEADING CHANGE
The village health and sanitation committee (VHSC) of Rattanpura in Ropar comprising of teachers, ANMs and panchayat members, has shown how an effective VHSC can bring sustainable change into the community. The seven VHSC members of Rattanpura have worked extensively to ensure that they are able to make their village a model for health and sanitation. They faced an uphill task from the beginning. Changing behavioural practices among the villagers was tough, but the team went about their task with determination. They began conducting regular awareness sessions, meetings and discussions, with support from ACF. Gradually, a few families took the lead and set up toilets in their homes; slowly, the movement spread across the village. Today, each family in the village of Rattanpura has a toilet for itself, putting Rattanpura firmly on the road to being opendefecation free. The efforts of the VHSC team have had a direct impact on the hygiene of the village. Open drains have been rebuilt; campaigns are on to reduce the use of polythene bags; health messages are displayed prominently; and the community helps in maintaining cleanliness in the village. Rattanpuras efforts to combat ill health through a sanitation programme have been appreciated across the board. The village has been awarded a grant of N 5 lakhs by the Chief Minister of Punjab. More importantly, the fresh air and clean surroundings have given better health, an invaluable gift, to the villagers.
ACFS ADVOCACY EFFORTS AGAINST FEMALE FOETICIDE HOPES TO BALANCE THE SEX RATIO IN THE COMMUNITY
Womens Empowerment
ACF has been supporting 69 SHGs with a membership of 821 women. In 2011, ACF conceptualized and successfully implemented a new business model. Raw material was sourced from the hosiery market of Ludhiana, and the women created finished products on a pre-decided labour charge. SHG women from four villages participated in a training programme to develop skills on machine knitting. Twenty six women took the initiative to establish their own knitting business.
Infrastructure Development
ACF has helped construct a school room at Daburji Primary School. Drains were constructed at Rattanpura, Lohgarh Fidde and Nuhon. PCC roads have been laid in four villages, while work has begun on establishing a vegetable market at Ghanauli.
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RAJASTHAN
Overview
Soaring temperatures, low rainfall and excessive depletion of water resources have had an adverse impact on agriculture in Rajasthan. Despite this, it is a challenge to motivate and enable communities to come together and work on issues of water conservation. ACF has been working on various development issues with communities in three locations Rabriyawas, Marwar-Mundwa and Chirawa in Rajasthan. We also run SEDIs at Jaitaran in district Pali and at Chirawa. Our focus continued to remain on water conservation and on enhancing agro-based livelihoods among communities in these areas. Our interventions like wadi development, promotion of vermi composting and seed production, along with regular training programmes and workshops for farmers, have enabled them to improve and sustain agriculture in the region. Our water conservation initiatives have included revival of traditional ponds and reservoirs along with integration of innovative systems like subsurface dykes. In 2011, our efforts on water resources development in Rajasthan were recognized by CII and we were conferred with a National Award for Excellence in Water Management-Beyond the Fence. This year, we also began working with farmers to procure bio-mass to be converted into bio-fuel. These efforts have enhanced our ability to integrate sustainable practices in our work. The rehabilitation of project affected people continues to be in focus in Marwar-Mundwa. ACF supports various agrobased initiatives as well as skill-based programmes to reach out to the youth in the region. SEDIs established at Chirawa and Jaitaran in Rajasthan too offer more than 30 short-term, intensive courses in various trades, enabling youth to start their own ventures. Since the inception of SEDI Jaitaran in 2006, over 2267 youths have been trained and more than 80% of total students have been placed or are self employed. Details about the activities of SEDIs can be read on page numbers 76-79 of this annual report.
Chirawa
Water Resource Management
One of the most pertinent issues in the region continues to be the over-exploitation of ground water by those who have access and control over it. More than 85 tube wells are used for almost five hours each day in an agricultural area of just 600 hectares. This has resulted in a drastic decline of the groundwater, making water availability difficult for agricultural or domestic purposes. As a means of conservation, ACF has been working on activities like de-silting and renovation of village ponds. In 2011-12, close to 51079 cubic metres of silt were excavated in the project villages through community participation. The initiative helped 82 families to collect rain water in the ponds and increase their storage capacity. ACF also garnered community participation in eight villages to assist in the construction of 29 roof rain water harvesting structures (RRWHSs). ACF has been constructing percolation wells through which water accumulating in ponds percolates down, maintaining the water level in an area of around 500 metres. During 2011-12, 49 families in four villages benefitted from eight new percolation wells. Construction of tube wells for recharging groundwater, farm bunds, the choka system and small khadins for farms was also carried out. In 2011-12, ACF constructed farm bunds on 2372 cubic metres of farm land in three villages. ACF is working with the community at Dhattarwala Ka Bas to develop it as a model village in water resource management. A common RRWHS is being developed in which roofs of all homes are connected to a pond with a percolation well. This harvests the rain water into the pond, allows it to percolate through the pores, and recharges the water table of the region. Surface run-off is also pooled into the pond. Already, 242.65 million litres of water have been harvested through the percolation well, impacting 57 hectares of agricultural land. ACF has been collecting and testing water samples from various sources and sending them to the district Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) laboratory for analysis. The test results have been discussed with the farmers during meetings and training programmes, resulting in greater
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awareness about the quality of the drinking water they use. Our water resource management efforts are supported, monitored and maintained by the pani samities established in villages. Water users associations have been formed in six villages with 80 members.
Agro-Based Livelihoods
The wadi project, in which fruit plantations are developed on existing farm lands, has been reaping benefits for farmers. Fruit bearing trees like lemon and pomegranate are bringing in additional income; with the installation of drip irrigation systems, the crop survival rate has risen as well. ACFs twoacre farm plot is used to demonstrate the management of mixed orchards and vegetable cultivation in addition to the use of drip irrigation and mini-sprinkler systems. This year, ACF introduced an innovative cattle feeding system (ICFS) that saves time and increases the productivity of cattle. The analysis showed an increase of 500 grams of milk per cow. To date, 127 cattle belonging to 43 families in 8 villages of Chirawa have availed the increased output through the ICFS. The Integrated Cattle Management Programme trains and builds capacities of people in dairy farming, nutrition, and primary care and treatment of animals. ACF conducted animal health camps in eight villages in collaboration with the Government Veterinary Department. More than 1317 animals received treatment and 65 cattle were artificially inseminated, benefitting 180 families. Thirty seven farmers received training in preparing balanced feed at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Abusar. Training programmes were also conducted in collaboration with KVK, Jhunjhunu, the State Agriculture Department and Agriculture University, Bikaner, for 321 farmers. The farmers learned different technologies for producing organic manure and bio-pesticides. The four kisan clubs formed this year actively practise these methods on their farms. ACF reached out to 425 villagers through five general health camps held as part of our Health Programme. We have also been advocating the use of non-conventional energy, and have supported the construction of 35 biogas plants of two cubic metre capacity in 3 villages. With ACFs support, the 19 SHGs at Chirawa have accumulated a corpus of over N 3 lakhs. This year, SHG women from Budania village undertook a 60-day training course on tailoring and cutting as part of their income-generation programme.
Water storage capacity of the pond enhanced through de-silting at village Inana
Marwar-Mundwa
Water Resource Management
Traditional village ponds are a major source of drinking water, since the groundwater in the region contains very high levels of total dissolved solids and fluoride. To ensure that drinking water is available throughout the year, ACF has been working with communities to increase the storage capacity of existing ponds through de-silting. The excavated soil is reused in the fields. Kharif crops rely heavily on the monsoons. But the regions frequent long, dry spells impact crop yields. To address this issue, ACF has been reviving the traditional khadins, to harvest surface runoff for agriculture. The khadin system is based on the principle of collecting rainwater on farmland and subsequent use of this water-saturated land for crop production. Its main feature is a long earthen embankment of up to 300 metres, built across the lower hill slopes, which drains off excess water, saturating the soil below. Similarly, farm bunds are constructed to conserve soil moisture and reduce soil erosion. This year, ACF helped construct a khadin and farm bunds on 241 acres of land in five villages. ACF has been promoting roof rain water harvesting systems (RRWHSs) as an alternative source of potable water and this year, RRWHSs were constructed in six villages, benefitting 147 people. We have also helped construct water storage structures in seven villages, with a storage capacity of 480000 litres. All our water resource projects are carried out with participation from the communities. Repair and maintenance activities are implemented by pani samities instituted in three villages. This year, samiti members went on an exposure visit to the Jal Bhagirathi Foundation, an NGO in Jodhpur, to learn about the functioning of their Jal Sabhas, Jal Samiti and Jal Sansad. The visit helped them develop a community vision for long term repair and maintenance of water sources.
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Agro-Based Livelihoods
ACF has been developing wadis with fruit bearing trees that are resistant to erratic rainfall. Hardy horticulture plants like ber and gunda were planted in five wadis this year, supporting eight farmers. To improve the productivity of the land, 32 farmers in four villages treated 343 acres of land with gypsum, in collaboration with ACF and the government. ACF also initiated a seed production programme for moong on 87 acres of land during the kharif season; and for cumin and wheat on 181 acres of land during the rabi season. In 2011, ACF helped establish seven kisan clubs. These are informal farmers forums that facilitate transfer of technology; strengthen agricultural extension services; undertake collective purchase and distribution of inputs, produce and marketing; and build capacity among their members through training programmes. During the year, 37 events including exposure visits, meetings and training were held, with participation from over 500 farmers.
ACF has been implementing the Integrated Cattle Feeding System (ICFS), an improved version of our traditional feeding system. It provides feed and water on demand by the animal, and saves fodder by 20-25%. In 2011, 50 ICFSs were installed in five villages, with farmers contributing about 75% of their total cost. As part of nutrition management for animals, ACF trained 139 farmers to use home-based animal feed. Regular health camps for animals were held in six villages, where 3182 animals were treated and 2620 cattle vaccinated. BETTER COTTON INITIATIVE The onslaught of pests in cotton has been steadily eroding cotton farming in the region. The BCI project was implemented by ACF as a sustainable means of cotton production for the farmers. The process seeks to improve their economic status by reducing expenditure on inputs, and increasing yield and profit. It also links cotton growers with the market, ensuring
AGRO-BASED LIVELIHOODS
Challenges in Agricultural Production in Marwar-Mundwa.
Crop loss during long dry spells Crop loss due to water logging during heavy rainfall. Low infiltration capacity of soil, preventing recharge. Poor quality of groundwater, impacting crop yield, crop quality and soil health. Lack of interest and technical knowledge about water-saving technologies among communities.
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fair returns on their cotton. BCI is being implemented in the villages of Khajwana, Janana and Gwaloo in the MarwarMundwa block. ACF has adopted the scout model in which youth from villages work as extension volunteers. They are trained in BCI farming, and they implement these practices with farmers in their fields. The farmers have been organized into 27 learning groups that share information, document the practices followed and undergo regular training on various IPM techniques. These training programmes are conducted by scientists from agricultural universities, the Department of Agriculture and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra. The farmers are trained on BCI techniques on four demonstration plots developed by ACF. These demo plots help farmers compare and learn the impact of various cotton growing techniques. BCI methods are being practised by 510 farmers on 3024 acres of land, with licensed production of 1814.625 mt. Out of this, 1582.75 mt (87.22%) reached the supply chain during the year.
These programmes were carried out in collaboration with local institutes and resource centres. ACF organized exposure visits for project affected farmers on better farm management. To complement this learning, farmers also attended state level workshops and training sessions.
Other Initiatives
We have undertaken numerous projects under our health, education and womens empowerment programmes. Drainage is a key issue in the villages of Marwar-Mundwa, causing water logging and leading to poor sanitation in the region. This year, 39 soak pits were built in Soliyana, Mundwa and Bhadana villages. ACF also helped construct 20 toilets in Mundwa and Inana villages. Seven health camps, reaching out to 626 people, were held. World AIDS Day was observed in Mundwa as well this year, reaching out to the youth with information through interactive programmes and awareness rallies. ACF provides pictorial books for primary school children under Laher Classes. These classes are conducted by school teachers and the material provided by ACF makes learning fun for children. We have also been supporting libraries in schools. As part of our womens empowerment programme, 103 women were linked with ACF through 8 SHGs in the Marwar-Mundwa block. Eight training programmes on leadership skills and SHG management were organized. The women also went on an exposure visit to Public Education and Development Organisation, Dungerpur, to learn about income generation practices. Our infrastructure development activities included building of roads, water tanks, RRWHSs, public gardens furniture for schools.
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Rabriyawas
Water Resource Management
Traditional ponds are important rainfall catchment areas. However, over time, most of these water bodies have accumulated silt, reducing their water retention capacity. During 2011-12 ACF de-silted 28 ponds, including two check dams through community participation, thus increasing the water storage area in the region by 4.08 million cubic feet (mcft). To date, 88 ponds have been de-silted, with a storage capacity of 86.57 mcft. The fertile excavated soil is reused in farms to enhance productivity. Water conserved in ponds has helped in recharging the groundwater, improving the quality of water, and supporting irrigation during the rabi season. The process also reduces the fluoride content in water, providing safe drinking water to the villages. In 2011, ACF renovated check dams in Modiya Naka (Ras), Patan and Kotariya villages to increase their storage capacity, making water available for up to three months after the monsoons. ACF also constructed two khadin structures in Rabriyawas and Ballupura villages, benefitting 17 farmers. This has enabled direct cultivation of high value crops like mustard and gram on 123.75 acres of land during the Rabi session, without irrigation. ACF supported the deepening of 19 wells in 14 villages, helping farmers to obtain water for irrigation during the dry season. Three farm ponds were constructed on agricultural land in Pratappura and Ghodawar villages, giving the community access to water for irrigation. We also helped construct 42 water storage tanks in 11 villages benefitting 257 households. Farm bunds were also constructed along field boundaries to control soil erosion and improve the fertility of the soil.
Subsurface Dyke
Subsurface dykes for the conservation and utilisation of groundwater in semi-arid regions are a unique feature of ACFs work in Pali district in Rajasthan. They exemplify the value of groundwater conservation technology for rivers choked with sand in arid and semi arid regions. The Pali example has proved that subsurface dykes are one of the most cost effective and feasible methods for the conservation of the groundwater around sandy bed rivers in the district. In 2011, ACF constructed two underground dykes on the Lilari river, recharging 26 wells in two villages and benefitting 369 farmers. The average water column in the surrounding wells has increased by 10-12 feet, enabling additional cultivation on 97 and 37 hectares of land during the kharif and rabi seasons respectively. ACF has also formed 15-member water users associations in five villages. ACF has been entrusted with building capacity of water users associations in the Jodhpur and Pali Circles, through involvement in minor irrigation projects. These projects have been initiated by the Water Resources Department, Government of Rajasthan, in Pali, Sirohi, Jalore and Barmer districts under the Rajasthan Minor Irrigation Improvement Project.
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Agro-Based Livelihoods
Wadis have proved to be successful agro-based interventions,
despite the geographical and climatic conditions in Rajasthan. Through a participatory process, ACF promoted orchards in three villages this year; 1455 saplings were planted by eight small and marginal farmers in over 13.2 acres. The use of low water intensive plants with high drought tolerance can bring additional income at no extra cost to the farmers. In this manner, ACF has been able to create an avenue for sustainable income generation. Wadis have been promoted on 70 acres in 11 villages, with farmers receiving training and technical assistance. Drip irrigation has also been supported in the wadis. ACF developed 118.6 acres of semipastoral land at Gopal Dhuni and Pratappura, on which 3000 plants of dhaman grass, neem, kaner and karanj were planted. Concrete roads were constructed in six villages this year. Farmers are encouraged to grow vegetable crops to sustain their livelihood. Since these are short-duration crops, they bring good profit per unit area. ACF helps farmers procure improved seeds on a cost-sharing basis, and regularly monitors the growth process. ACF has collaborated with the Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation to provide improved quality of seeds to farmers and participatory trials of major crops like moong, bajra, guar and til have been taken up. The objective of the trials is to compare different varieties of the same crop on one field and determine the preferred farming option. This year, ACF also collected soil samples for chemical analysis, following which 28 farmers were provided with gypsum to improve the soil structure and control its fluoride content. Farmers from the community have attended numerous training
programmes at the Community Training and Development Centre, Rabriyawas. The workshops covered issues like azola production, cattle management and wadi programmes, along with exposure visits to various farms and organisations. ACFs demonstration farm, developed this year, also had on-field sessions for farmers on medicinal and herbal plants, orchard development, trials on crop and vegetable varieties, vermicomposting and dairy development. We have also been supporting animal husbandry programmes in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry. In 2011, our activities included health camps for animals, inoculation, vaccination, and breed improvement through artificial insemination. Fodder management was promoted among 119 farmers. Improved variety of crops like rizka, bazri and kashmira jowar chari were grown on 210 acres, enabling availability of good quality green fodder throughout the year. Innovative cattle feeding systems were constructed for 60 farmers. Training on fodder management included preparation of home-based cattle feed; field demonstrations on azola production; and construction of cattle feeding systems. In 2011, two more dairy farms were started among farmer groups. Kisan clubs play an important role in sustaining agro-based programmes. This year we helped establish 18 kisan clubs, facilitating transfer of technology, strengthening of extension services, and building capacities of farmers. In 2011, ACF helped install 20 biogas plants in villages, thereby reducing dependence on conventional energy resources. The community has been participating in the process of wadi development by digging pits; filling it with fertile soil and organic manure along with the plantation work. They also contribute part of the amount to register their lands as wadis.
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We also continued our support to the farmers in 11 villages who had been part of the process for the past three years, by providing inputs on plant protection, nutritional management and optimum water requirement of the crops.
As part of the workplace programme, ACF also facilitated awareness sessions both in and around the Company premises. Sixteen outlets were established to distribute free condoms, along with two condom vending machines in the plant area. We have been working in collaboration with the Pali Marwar Network of Positive People, linking HIV-positive people with the organisation, and conducting regular training sessions. Integrated neo-natal management and child illness programmes have been started for home-based neo-natal care in collaboration with the Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department of Rajasthan. The programme is being carried out with the help of Sakhis in 20 villages as part of the National Rural Health Mission to reduce infant and child mortality rates and to provide health care to pregnant and lactating women.
Supporting Education
ACF has been supporting village knowledge centres in schools at Balada and Rabriyawas, enabling the youth to access information through ICT. This year, ACF helped establish bal sansads in 21 government schools. The objective is to empower children with knowledge and confidence to develop into responsible members of society. Students also went on exposure visits to various historical places in the state. The
WOMAN POWER
Empowerment means increasing the political, social or economic strength of individuals and communities. For Parista, it has defined her identity through education, serving as the sakhi and, recently, opening up a small general store. Meet Parista from Balada village, Rabriyawas, Rajasthan. She lives in a joint family and has four children. She used to be confined to her home, doing most of the housework and taking care of the children. She was extremely shy of strangers. The turning point in her life came when she was selected as a sakhi of her village.
Despite resistance from her family, Parista attended the eight day training programme for sakhis. She realised that before her lay a sea of knowledge, and it was up to her to gather as much as she could. She started taking the help of her own children to begin learning. With persistence and hard work, determination and motivation from ACF, Parista has reached a stage where she is ready to appear for the standard VIII examination. Nothing is tough, if you really want it says Parista. , Along with her studies, Parista started work as a sakhi immediately after completing her training with ACF. She established contact with the anganwadi worker, PHCs and other stakeholders in the health care system. ACF provided her with a health kit to take care of normal ailments. She also started attending panchayat meetings and raised pertinent issues about health and sanitation. Parista today takes care of 290 households in her village. She meets the village women and disseminates information on hygiene and sanitation. Through her persistent efforts and meetings with the women, the immunisation rate in her village has increased. There has also been an increase in institutional deliveries. Apart from this, Parista has regularly counselled a number of families to stop domestic violence. She realised later that her intervention had actually prevented suicides among women undergoing this trauma. Parista joined an SHG to save the money that she earned to repair the roof of her house. Soon after, she decided to set up a small shop selling items of daily use. Parista today has established her identity as an entrepreneur and the didi of her village. She owes her new-found confidence to her work as a sakhi.
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plastic, cheaper alternative fuel, and enhanced business sustainability. For Munshi Nath and many others from his community, this collaboration is just the beginning of a better life for themselves and their families.
programme reaches out to children from poor families through its three balwadi centres as well. On ACFs recommendation, four balwadis in the area have been sanctioned for conversion into mini anganwadi centres (AWCs). We also provided schools in Balada, Ganeshpura and Kesarpura with tables, chairs, books, uniforms, toilets and a bore well for drinking water.
Womens Empowerment
ACF has supported 107 self help groups (SHGs) in villages around Rabriyawas, with a membership of 1170 women and a corpus of almost N 48 lakhs to date. The members have received training in SHG management and leadership skills. These women are now taking the lead in utilising their skills through income-generation activities.
Infrastructure Development
At the peak of summer, nine villages were provided with water through 750 tankers and a 200 metre pipeline was installed in Balada to provide access to water. Five water user associations have also been formed in as many villages to monitor and sustain various water initiatives. We also helped construct 1516 meter of C.C. Road in six villages around Rabriyawas and Jaitaran through support from the local panchayats.
UTTARAKHAND
Overview
ACF works in 16 villages of the Bhagwanpur block of Haridwar district in Uttarakhand. The comprehensive health care is one of our key interventions, with ACF working as a mother NGO (MNGO) and the District ASHA Resource Centre (DARC), facilitating training for ASHA workers in the entire district. In 2011, ACF also purchased a mobile health van, improving access to health care in nine villages, and treating 6827 patients through the year. construction of 75 low cost toilets. Health camps were held in 13 schools, focussing on dental care, and iron and calcium deficiency. These camps reached out to 1746 students; their parents too were guided on nutrition, safe drinking water, and health care. ACF supported the National Polio Surveillance Project in 90 polio booths in 27 high risk villages of the Bhagwanpur block during every pulse polio round in 2011. We conducted surveys to identify unserved and underserved areas of routine immunisation, and helped organise vaccination camps with the Health Department. ACF implements the Targeted Intervention Programme for HIV & AIDS, in collaboration with the Uttarakhand State AIDS Control Society, reaching out to migrant workers in the Bhagwanpur Industrial Area. Activities conducted during the year included awareness sessions for truck drivers and cleaners, distribution of condoms, STI camps in collaboration with ICTC - Roorkee and Bhagwanpur, and counselling at three drop-in centres. World AIDS Day was observed with ACL employees, generating awareness on the issue.
Roorkee
Agro-Based Livelihoods
In 2011, ACF conducted training programmes for farmers in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pant Nagar Agriculture University, Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttarakhand and other development professionals and progressive farmers. Themes covered during the sessions included all processes involved from sowing to harvesting of kharif and rabi crops, organic farming, vegetable production, horticulture, sugarcane farming, integrated pest management, integrated nutrition management, dairy development and apiculture. Fourteen kisan clubs were established to enable transfer of agricultural technology to the farmers. We also organised exposure visits to demonstration farms to study organic farming and dairy production activities that could be adapted in Haridwar district. An ACF-supported kisan club received a state level award by NABARD for its work in agriculture. This year, 80 farmers took up organic farming on 75 acres of land; they have been awarded the 1st year convergence certificate, and efforts are on to market the organic produce in the open market.
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After being trained and witnessing demonstrations on systematic rice intensification (SRI), 44 farmers adopted the SRI technique on 50 acres of land. Demonstration plots for ginger and turmeric have been started on farmers fields on a trial basis. ACF promoted kitchen gardens by distributing seeds procured from NAFED to farmers clubs and self help groups (SHGs). ACF organised seven cattle health camps in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department, where 218 cattle were treated. A cattle insurance programme has also been initiated to minimise the risk of losses in livestock development. As part of the bee-keeping project, 345 empty bee boxes were procured and distributed to farmers to expand their bee-keeping activity. ACF in collaboration with MART, Noida conducted a feasibility study to understand the market for processed honey. A revolving fund of N 4 lakhs has been provided to the bee-keepers cooperative society to enable collective marketing. All the farmers have been registered under the National Bee Board for a period of three years.
boundary wall was constructed for the Sherpur village school, while three schools were provided with benches and furniture. We also supported the Education Department in organising the annual block level sports event at Bhagwanpur in 2011.
Womens Empowerment
To date, ACF has helped establish 51 SHGs in the Bhagwanpur block, with a total membership of 572 women, and a corpus of N 23.44 lakhs. Income generation activities pursued by the womens groups include sale of cosmetics, bangles, groceries, spices, agriculture and other allied activities.
Supporting Education
ACF supports seven non formal education-cum-skill building centres in seven villages, with special focus on the girl child. To date, 153 adolescent girls are enrolled at the centres. These centres focus on developing literacy as well as enhancing other skills like embroidery, henna design, craft and stitching. With support from the Education Department, 48 students have appeared for the standard VIII exam. Fifty eight students successfully cleared their standard V exams. Importantly, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan agreed to take over the running of these centres on their own from January 2012. ACF took up the development of infrastructure, including whitewashing and water-proofing, in the anganwadi centres. A
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UTTAR PRADESH
Overview
ACF works in six villages around the ACL plants in Dadri. There are a number of industries in the region, bringing a large inflow of migrant workers. ACF focuses on skill development of youth in villages and provides educational support. The SEDI at Dadri was established in 2010, and given its proximity to the National Capital Region, has been able to successfully place its trained students in relevant industries. Courses offered at the SEDI in Dadri include hotel management, fashion designing, beautician course, mobile phone repair, computer hardware & networking and videography with an enrolment of 213 students across all courses. More details about SEDI and its activities are included in the chapter on Skill Training on page 76 of this annual report.
DADRI
identify development issues and find ways to solve them. It helped us to plan and implement health related activities in a need-based manner. As a follow up, we facilitated an interface meeting to highlight the various government schemes that the community could apply for to aid the development process. Among other activities, ACF conducted awareness programmes on health care and sanitation with the communities. Special gynaecological camps were organised in four villages, treating 305 patients. ACF also works closely with the district government for sustaining health care in Dadri. ACF assisted the Health Department in the pulse polio campaign in programme areas. The 1st refresher course for ASHAs was also conducted in partnership with the health department. To improve sanitation in the villages, ACF supported the construction of 49 low cost toilets in six villages. Training programmes were conducted with members to strengthen VHSCs. ACF works on the issue of HIV & AIDS, in collaboration with other organisations like Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust, reaching out to employees of ACL, truck drivers, police staff, migrant workers and the community. Our mobile medical van provides services to the six villages we work in, and reached out to 4600 patients through the year. A two-day distribution camp for the differently-abled was organised at the Ambuja Cement plant, in collaboration with the Institute of Physically Handicapped. Tricycles, wheel chairs, callipers, ortho-shoes and other aids were distributed, along with disability certificates. ACF also organised a blood donation camp in collaboration with Rotary Noida Blood Bank, in which 67 units of blood were donated by ACL employees, workers and transporters.
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Regular training sessions for teachers included multigrade, multi level teaching for the government teachers and balmitras, and exposure visits to the Bodh Shiksha Samiti in Jaipur to facilitate new teaching-learning practices. Members of the School Management Committee were trained in capacity building in Bisahara Primary School. Thirty eight health camps were conducted in 19 schools for 1870 students. Infrastructure was upgraded in schools; BALA features were painted in 12 schools to create an interactive learning environment. Academic material was provided to 19 schools.
Womens Empowerment
ACF has been working with and strengthening SHG groups at Dadri. Till date ACF has supported 15 self help groups (SHGs) with a strength of 162 members and a corpus of over v 13 lakhs. In 2011, we continued with regular capacity building programmes and facilitated linkages with banks. To enhance nutrition, ACF promoted 130 kitchen gardens among SHG members. They were trained to grow and maintain kitchen gardens in collaboration with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
Supporting Education
ACF works to promote quality education among 1435 children in 15 government primary and four government middle schools in six villages. In 2011, we signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the school support programme in 19 Schools with the District Education Department, G.B. Nagar. Our education programme is implemented on the ground by 12 balmitras, who conduct sessions on health and hygiene with the kids. They help students understand various concepts through interactive techniques. A language development programme was implemented in 19 schools and anganwadi centres. Three hundred and twelve children went on an exposure visit to the science museum, Delhi. Other activities included a bal mela and a pravesh utsav rally in 19 schools to ensure enrolment of every child.
Agro-Based Livelihoods
ACF conducted regular training programmes for members of six farmer clubs on issues related to crop management. We also conducted cattle health camps in five villages in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department, treating 433 and vaccinating 3850 cattle. The camps helped generate awareness and enhanced the knowledge and skill of the farmers to manage cattle through interaction with them. ACF supported farmers in planting saplings of various trees to promote social-forestry. In 2011, 2831 saplings were planted on 3.2 acres of land. These included 624 plants at school and gram panchayat land under our social forestry drive. Ten farmers in Bisahara village were provided with 1200 poplar plants.
WEST BENGAL
Overview
ACF addresses the issue of agro-based livelihood as well as skill development through its activities in Farakka. Agriculture has been the traditional occupation in the region. Sadly, over the years, with dwindling returns from farming, migration seemed inevitable and many people opted to leave. By focussing on skill development and entrepreneurship through its Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institutes at Sankrail and Farakka, ACF has been enabling youth from the region to develop skills, start their own ventures, and transform the rural economy. Details of these institutes are available from page no. 76-79. In Sankrail, agricultural practices have been changing with time. It is imperative today to work with the farming community on devising appropriate strategies to ensure food security, enhance livelihood opportunities and contribute to economic stability in households. ACFs intervention in agro-based livelihood in Sankrail and Farakka focuses on reaching out to small and marginal farmers to enhance their productivity on a sustainable basis. Sankrail is geographically close to Kolkata, and as an industrial region, attracts a lot of migrants. Our integrated Comprehensive Health Care has a strong focus on HIV & AIDS, reaching out to the large workers population in and around the Companys plants. This year, with the initiation of the Employee Volunteerism Programme, many of our interventions in Sankrail and Farakka saw the participation of volunteers from Ambuja Cements. They were part of the various events conducted during the World AIDS Day, as well as other activities conducted under the health and education programmes.
Farakka
Agro-Based Livelihoods
Despite reliance on agriculture as the primary source of income, there has been a lack of technical knowledge and awareness about scientific methods of farming in the region. This has resulted in increased costs, depleted soil fertility and poor crop productivity. ACF has been working closely with farmers, training them how to reduce inputs while increasing yields. Over 725 farmers participated in 26 training sessions through the year, learning about best practises to be followed for kharif and rabi crops, vegetable production, soil management, use of fertilizers, organic farming, integrated pest management for paddy and mustard, as well as systematic rice intensification. Farmers also had the opportunity to visit the Pulses and Oilseeds Research Station, the farms of Comprehensive Area Development Cooperation, Government of West Bengal, and SEVA, North 24 Parganas. They interacted with scientists, and got answers to their questions about crop management and organic farming. Systematic rice intensification is a method of farming paddy that enables small landholders to maximize the yield, while maintaining low input levels. In 2011, 159 farmers adopted the SRI method of paddy cultivation in 27 villages, on approximately 55 acres. The farmers reported a yield of 8-9 quintals through the SRI method, as against a normal yield of 5-6 quintals. This year, ACF introduced lentil and jute cultivation on 96 acres during the rabi season. The farmers underwent training to learn about organic methods of growing vegetables and planted onion, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato & chilli on 22 acres of land. ACF has also been promoting aquaculture among members
WEST BENGAL
73
of farmers groups and SHGs. They have been trained in all aspects of aquaculture like pond-cleaning, rearing of fish in ponds, transportation of fingerlings, netting and post stocking management. Animal husbandry is being promoted as an allied activity for income generation. ACF conducted regular health camps in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department in eight villages, benefitting 450 families with livestock. We have also been developing horticulture farms with farmers; this year we enabled 214 households to plant 3050 mango trees.
Supporting Education
ACF runs a non-formal school for out-of-school children in three villages of the Bahadurpur gram panchayat. We also work on strengthening the school education committees. Currently, we have 136 children between the ages of six and fourteen enrolled in our non-formal school. Our focus remains on exposing children to the joys of education through an experiential process of learning.
Womens Development
ACF has been working with and strengthening 28 SHGs in Farakka. All SHG members participated in training on entrepreneurship development and went on exposure visits. This year, six SHGs were linked with the -Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana and received revolving funds under the scheme.
Infrastructure Development
ACF also supports rural communities around the Companys plants with infrastructure, based on their needs. Roads were laid in Kendua and Srirampur villages. Construction work was undertaken at the Kendua Primary School and Swarnmayee Junior Primary School. ACF also helped construct the B S S Hostel building for orphan and tribal children. At the community level, the construction of two open-stage-community centres was completed at Dhulipahari and Tildanga villages.
74
WEST BENGAL
Sankrail
Agro-Based Livelihoods
In West Bengal, one of our key interventions has been the promotion of the systematic rice intensification (SRI) method of farming, which supports small and marginal farmers. In 2011, ACF promoted SRI cultivation on 531.33 acres of land with 800 farmers and also expanded its outreach to 6 more blocks in the Howrah district. We promoted nine vermi-compost pits to increase the health and moisture retention capacity of the soil, and also bring additional income to the farmers. We helped establish six farmers clubs that ensure dissemination of information and technology to the farmers. This year, members of the farmers clubs underwent training on setting concepts, book keeping, and leadership skills; they also went on farm visits to learn more about sustainable farming techniques. ACF facilitated training of 2430 farmers on issues like plant protection measures, organic composting, SRI methods, aquaculture practices and vermi composting with technical support from scientists from the Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya and the Krishi Vigyan Kendras. Nine progressive farmers from the region are being groomed as krishi bandhus, who in turn will provide technical inputs and support to other farmers in their villages. This initiative is part of an effort to create a sustainable pool of resources in the villages for our agro-based and allied interventions. With dwindling numbers of cattle due to rapid industrialisation, many agriculturalists have lost a sustainable source of secondary income. ACF has been providing farmers with information on ways to increase milk production; veterinary camps are organised to build awareness and treat livestock. These interventions reached out to 114 farmers with 807 livestock. Aquaculture is being promoted as an alternative source of livelihood. This year, 54 farmers participated in a programme on scientific cultivation of fish. We worked in eight new ponds; 46 old ones were supported partially to ensure sustainability of the programme. With the confidence gained from the previous years experience and profits they earned, 10 SHG members from Mahesgote village practiced aquaculture in two ponds with good harvests.
Womens Empowerment
In 2011, we focussed on enhancing livelihoods of SHG members through regular training and exposure visits. Training included aquaculture, ornamental fishery, duck-rearing and making incense sticks. Out of 237 trained women, 20 women took up ornamental fishing and incense stick-making. The 46 SHG groups supported by ACF currently have a membership of 471 women, and a corpus of N 10.86 lakhs.
Supporting Education
ACF supports education programmes for both adults as well as young children in Sankrail. ACF has five adult education centres run by SHG members, enabling the 60 enrolled women to improve their literacy and book keeping skills. Ten of them have passed part-one of the literacy and numeracy tests conducted by the State Resource Centre, Government of West Bengal. ACF also supports two non-formal schools for children from the slum communities. In 2011, 23 new students were mainstreamed into formal primary education. In collaboration with school authorities and village panchayats, students from the economically weaker sections were provided with books and educational material.
Infrastructure Development
ACF has been working with schools, panchayats and local community-based organisations on various infrastructure development projects in the villages. Schools have been provided with 200 benches, and classrooms have been plastered and painted. Computers have been provided to four primary schools. At the community level, ACF helped construct pathways to unconnected areas of villages; installed eight tube wells for drinking water; set up 10 solar-powered street lights at strategic locations; and constructed two community toilets.
AGRO-BASED LIVELIHOODS
Impact of SRI
I Average recorded increase in yield is 40%; maximum yield is 107% I Cost of cultivation is reduced by 11% I Food security of the farmers has increased from 15 months to 21 months per average land holding of 0.45 hectares I Adoption of practices like seed selection, seed treatment and line sowing I Improvement in soil health and soil fertility due to green manuring I Reduced usage of water for agriculture especially in the summer season
WEST BENGAL
75
has developed a more rounded personality, incorporating her learnings from the field in her life. Coal and wood fires have been replaced with a bio-gas connection, and her joint family now has access to a toilet at home. She continues to inspire other women with her inner-strength by working towards building a new, dignified life for herself and her family.
76
SKILL TRAINING
SKILL TRAINING
Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (SEDIs)
In 2011-12, the number of fully-functional, ACF-run SEDIs rose to 14. With this, the number of students trained across locations has risen to 6701. The placement rate is now well above 74%. SEDIs address the huge demand for trained and skilled personnel in various industries around the country, by training of rural youth for wage or self-employment. The courses offered through the SEDIs cater to those who are marginally educated and have limited options for a decent livelihood. The short-term, intensive courses are developed after reviewing factors such as local demand, scope for local employment, and market linkages. SEDIs have been instituted in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan in collaboration with the Punjab National Bank and the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, respectively. ACF has also formed a public-private-partnership with the ITI at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. The rest of the institutes are independently run by ACF. Currently, more than 47 courses in various trades are being offered across the various SEDIs; this year, based on demand from location-specific industries as well as students, we introduced many new courses including Bedside Assistant, Food and Beverage Services, Industrial Sewing Machine Operator, Hosiery and Retail Management. Besides the skill-training component, each SEDI offers courses in competencies like spoken English, basic computers and soft skills to enable the students to compete in the job market. We have also partnered with several companies to fulfil their need for a skilled workforce, by inviting them to design a relevant curricula. Industry-experienced faculty are invited to conduct sessions, offer their workshops for apprenticeships and retain the graduating trainees. Some of these courses are affiliated with the National Council for Vocational Training and the State Council for Vocational
Training; while others are certified under the Modular Employment Scheme of the Central Government. The SEDIs in Chandrapur, Ambujanagar, Bhatapara and Farakka are also registered as vocational training providers and assessment centres under this scheme. SEDIs have also entered into partnerships with companies for inputs in specialised courses. TATA Motors are our partners for the course on Light and Heavy Commercial Vehicle Driving at Bhatapara. The course on Food and Beverage Service, offered at Ambujanagar, Dadri and Jaitaran, is supported by the Taj Group of Hotels. India Skills supports the programme on
SKILL TRAINING
77
Front Desk and Retail Management, offered at Sankrail. The Apparel Training and Design Centre supports the course on Industrial Sewing Machine Operator at Chhindwara and Chirawa. These and similar partnerships have enhanced the quality of the courses and brought in greater opportunities for the trainees. In 2011-12, ACF trained over 2700 trainees with 75% placement. ACF seeks to build capacity within the faculty, introduce newer courses, strengthen the available infrastructure and improve partnerships in the coming years. The impact of the SEDIs in various locations is seen in the high number of employed students, and in the confidence with which they have approached their careers. The impact has underlined the importance of the SEDIs, and ACF is committed to create more such institutes. We have been working closely with local industries, communities, and local NGOs to reach out to more youth and give them an opportunity to transform their lives.
Mason Training
The booming infrastructure sector continues to face a paucity of skilled workers, with a large number of construction workers having little or no formal training. ACF has been working with the Tribal Development Department of the Government of Gujarat, with technical
expertise from Ambuja Cements, to implement a mason training programme in Dahod, Gujarat. For generations, the large indigenous population here has been migrating to the cities seasonally, to work as unskilled labourers on construction sites. They have the basic knowledge required for work in the construction industry, and ACF seized the opportunity to upgrade them as trained masons. ACF implements the programme through a mobile approach: a team of trainers travels to the villages to conduct the training. The training camp provides basic masonry training for 60 days
and advanced masonry training for 30 days. Basic masonry aims to convert unskilled labour into a semi-skilled construction force; advanced mason training upgrades trained masons to specialists for tile-fitting, design plastering and pointing. To date, more than 1000 masons, including 314 women, have been trained. In 2011-12, ACF trained 600 masons, including 92 women. Additional training modules have been included in the programme to help the trainees improve their literacy, communication skills and address important issues such as safety on the job.
SKILL TRAINING
79
As part of their practical training, the trainees build and renovate existing common structures such as panchayat buildings and village schools. Community assets worth N 7.10 lakhs have been created in the villages through the practical component of the training. In 2011, the trainees built homes for socially vulnerable people in the villages with the support of the Gram Panchayat. Eleven homes were built and handed
over to the families. The programme has grown in scale and is now being replicated at other locations through the SEDIs. The success of the training can be seen in the 80% placement rate and the increase of up to 200% in the daily wages of these trained masons. For the women, it is a tool of empowerment. They are now earning, and contributing to their families, making a difference in the true sense of the word.
No.
10 14 47 74% 6701
82
Govt. Funds N 625.68 Lakhs 12% Peoples Contribution N 676.41 Lakhs 13%
Our budget process follows a bottoms up approach. ACF teams conduct participatory appraisals and reviews of existing projects at all locations, prior to planning new programmes. Inputs are received through in-depth discussions with the community and other stakeholders, including government and non-government organisations in the region. The compiled and moderated budget is approved by the
Members of the Board of both ACF and Ambuja Cements Limited. All our expenditures, across location are closely monitored through a strong management information system. ACF has also consistently strived to maintain low overheads and administration costs which were 11% of the overall annual budget in 2011-12.
Total Expenditure
(Total N 5330.30 Lakhs)
Co-ordination & Administration N 620.20 Lakhs 11% Rural Infrastructure N 812.90 Lakhs 15%
83
Chhattisgarh
Bhatapara Ambujanagar
Gujarat
H.P Nalagarh Chandrapur Maharashtra Panvel Ropar Punjab Bathinda Rabriyawas Rajasthan Mundwa Chirawa Uttarakhand U.P Roorkee Dadri Sankrail W.B Farakka TOTAL
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
86
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
g. Khadine Bund B Drinking Water Projects a. RRWHS Construction b. Drinking water wells / Bore wells / Renovation of Saline Wells / Bouris c. Installation of Hand / Submersible pumps d. Installation / Repairing of pipelines e. Overhead / underground sump / cattle through f. Villages benefited under Jalswarajya, Swajal Dhara scheme
412 6
2,818 84 24 77381 21 27
1 3
46 16
3 450 0
94 450 2
11 18914 11 0
468
4151.5
g. DDFU Distribution (Flouride Project) h. Water Filter Kits to BPL Families i. Community Based Safe Drinking Water Project Families benefited C Soil and Water Conservation a. Area Treated (Gully Control / Gabion / loose boulder structure / weir crates / Khadine) 2A Agriculture Development a. Agricultural Demonstration b. Horticulture Plantation c. Micro Irrigation system, Drip and Sprinklers d. Kitchen Gardening e. Bee Keeping (Farmers) f. Organic Farming
3 4469
3 4530
4 250
4 250
Acre
102.5
635
11,876
90
8447
Acre Acre Acre No No Acre No No Acre Acre No Acre Farmers No Acre No Acre Acre No
0 0
9 2
62 0
390 11
93 453.43 692
1120
497
907
401
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 197 2678 49 728 30 8 42 0 115 19 563 21 79 1914 105 51 2623 27 0 0 418 21106 141 650 172 3 11 190 3
g. Training and Exposure visits / Agricultural awareness sessions Farmers trained h. Nurseries:Vegetable- Promotion i. j. Integrated Crop Management (IPM/ INM/ IDM promotion) Vermi / NADEP Composting
198
122
m. Aquaculture n. Area under SRI cultivation Farmers benefited in SRI o. Seed Production programme p. Better Cotton Initiative - Area covered - Farmers covered B Wadi Development Programme a. Wadi Developed No. of households benefited
300
554
0.2 4
0.2 4
1192.32 249
2717.78 984
880 515
1836.15 1020
Acre No
52
247.32
113 113
113 113
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
87
83
3 0/10 0 2 7 26 35 4
17
808
107 3
0 7 10 0 0 0
54 45 48 222 13 10 0 0 6 98 3 6 1 1
53 1 2 200 2
380 7,790
380 7,790 18
4935
2000
7000
7483
137
137
69
321
21,416
1 0 24 284
17.3 2 10 200
0 0 10 200 44
0 3.36
8 11.36
96 68
421.33 317
130
258
573
11,712 44
289 7 356 0 5 0 270 76 902 15 7 339 271 83/110 3928 20 2454 160 2425 0
0 57 1143 15 0 0 0 0
75 28/10 565
0 2 17
2.5 51 1395
0 57/80 3155 22 0
374
20
27
63 50 44 0 744.5 179 3019.5 483 567 510 7 2456.7 910 873 2737 510 873 2,737 510 55 55 586 959 0.33
218 276
270 328
0 0
45 135
90 91
565 567
1240 1,143
88
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
g. Milch cattle to BPL families h. Dairy Development i. Dairy co-operatives formed Members of co-operatives j. Travis
k. Drinking water tank for cattle / Innovative cattle feeding system l. Pashu Swasthya Sevika (PSS) / paravets Cattles Treated by PSS 4 Non Conventional Energy a. Biogas Plants b. Smokeless Chullahs / Solar Cookers / Solar Lights c. Solar Water Heater System 5 Education Development a. Quality Education Programme in schools Children benefited b. Non Formal Education Centre / Balsanskar Centres / Anganwadi (Balwadi ) Children benefited c. School Support Programme Children benefited d. Community strenghening (VECs / SMC supported / trainings/ exposure visits, PTA, MTA Strengthening) No. of participants e. Balmitras trained No. of trainings for Balmitras f. Government Teachers Training & Workshops No. of participants g. Construction and Repairing of School Building h. Scholarship for Higher Studies / Support to Needy Students i. j. Village / School Library / Reading corners Village Knowledge Centre / Computer education
No No No
17 0 0
132 1109 5
0 0 0
530 1165 2
4 0
26 203
No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No 0 1 1 26 0 0 0 1/3 1 26 1 40 3 1/3 1 44 0 5 24 1070 11 135 1 5 167 7811 0 0 6 1243 26 5262 26 5262 2 100 5 580 3 83 11 1,927
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
89
14.7 55.306
0 0
9 977 1981 0 2
19 965 15 0 2
93 7,282 576 0 3
7 218 3,692
44 5995 10,947
6 433 3850
31 21824 14102
10 2,007 214
49 11,831 214
70
69
3811 710
401
5034
313 20
825 0 0 1 30 0 0/162
365
4759
114
1674
3 0 0 0
0 0
16 0/91
50 0 43 49097
1/5
4/8
0/9
0 0
29 606
28
168
51 0 0
297 646/1 1
26 3789 38 3691 29 4139 107 650 35 6 16 316 33 1 29 3 54 1 3 1 5 2 2 214 8 964 9 460 22 7 18 6 12 632 0 8 0 3 78 3 0 0 1 13 248 2 5 201 1 350 8 261 1 350 10 400 45 3220 0 13 520 45 3220 89 7 153 3 270 7 562 3 670
19 1435 27 540 19 3050 43 294 12 15 5 83 22 4 0/58 35 115/648 6 159 2 750 6 389 11 1950
76 10,331 137 9,517 181 24,361 249 1,648 152 35 43 834 137 115/897 115/28 20/11 1 56 5 111 473 11,417
26 1/8 9 97
19 3 13 312
22 6 20 427
90
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
m. Co-curricular activities (Balmela, summer camps, sports events) Children benefited 6 7 Special Education- Ambuja Mano Vikas Kendra Health and sanitation Programme a. No. of camps organised (include all general and speciality health camps) Patients benefited (general, speciality, daignostic centre beneficiaries) b. Villages benefited under mobile & weekly dispensary Patients treated c. Sakhis (Village Health Functionaries) / Villages covered by Sakhis Patients treated by Sakhis d. Khelwadi sessions conducted by Sakhis e. Health intervention trainings for stakeholders (include trainings of Sakhis / public health/public health provider/ VHSC/ PRI members) No. of stakeholders participitated in trainings f. Construction of Toilet Blocks / Sulabh Sauchalaya / Soak Pits
No No No No No No No No
No No No No No No No No No
248 20
306 812
1308 598/0/25
7919 2629/0/29
g. Garbage Pits / Vermi composting pits for Solid Waste Management Programme h. Villages where Total Sanitation Campaign initiated i. j. No. of Village Health Sanitation Committees activated No. of drug addicts treated / referred
1 9
3 9
3 7
8 7
3 5
k. People benefited from IEC ctivities on drug deaddiction l. No. of IEC activities done to save girl child Population reached out to 8A HIV/AIDS Awareness Programme (Community) a. Awareness session for CSWs / MSMs/ IDUs / Migrant workers b. Condom Distribution c. Peer Educators d. Cases treated under STI clinics e. Identification of HIV +ve Person f. One to One sessions
0 0
1 410
1 500
1 500
No No No No No No No
2 1500 0 0
17 6000 20 2
g. No. of health centres B Workplace Programme a. Awareness session for Staff / Families / contract staff / laboures / Truckers / Students / Rural community b. Master Trainers / peer educators c. Peer Educators Training Programme d. Street Kit and Play / One to one sessions e. Doctors CME (Continous Medical Education) W/for Doctors f. People benefited from HIV Testing
No
247
154
0 No No No No 0 0
25 2 16
0 0 0
56 5 20
23 1 4
23 1 59
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
91
19 2259
84 7225
29 1627 15 7678
7 406 6 4600
15 750 6 9688
231
246 223 0 55 4
672 90/0/0
721 351/2/9
490 20/0/354 3
706 20/0/354 7 5 21
198 75
418 506
16 49
5 0
0 4
3 4
1 1
1 1
0 3 690
11 0 0 0 0
3 5070 40 23 4 1800
17
528
26
5299
139
21
286
34
259
408
7,098
47 1 304
50 12 2534
16 1 40/5 22
17 4 371 38
0 2 10 0 39
78 9 2569 3 233
15 12 24
17 13 36997 2 384
271 46
1527
1662
7,615 41
787
787
2318
3772
2625
5023
9815
92
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
g. Development of Play Grounds / Retaining wall h. Construction of Panchayat Bhawan/ Ayurvedic Hospital i. j. Support for Social and Cultural Events Bus Shelters / compound walls
m. Low cost housing project 12 Gir Forest Conservation project a. Construction of Parapet wall around wells to protect wild animals 13 Krishi Vigyan Kendra - Kodinar a. Off campus / On Campus / Sponsored trainings No. of Participants b. Field Days / exposure visit No. of participants c. Front line demonstration / no. of technology demonstrated d. On farm testing No. of participants e. Training of extension functionaries No. of participants f. Technology week celebration No. of Participants g. Krishi Mela No. of Participants h. Soil / Water sample analysis
No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No
988
124/305/34
3071/17677/1034
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
93
1/10 0 0
2/10 194 69
8/5 94 53
9/5 106 64
34/633 2/22 87 0
18/331
39/1207
18/469 0
0/0 0 0 0
2/38
22/560
24/396 5/75
0 0
0 17
456.4 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0
512 2 272 1 8 0 0 0 2 1
1441.75 17 1190 2 13 6 4 2 9 5
2462 0
3129 1
1629
150
2645
1449 0
4756 17 465 8 12
126
0 0
1 1 18 1
1 4 1246 1 1 3
6225
9,138 192
30 1 1 1 4 2 2 0 5 0
218 1
1 0
1 129
1 3
17 132
988
124/305/34
3071/17677/1034
94
STAKEHOLDERS SPEAK
A visit to o th was a gre e institute at the institu experience, te imparting is not only livelihood but making tr ue citizen s
K. K. Sax ena, DGM NABARD , Shimla, Himacha l Pradesh
It was indeed a very pleasant event. It was fun d to be with the tiny tots. It gives an immense pleasure to do something for those children who are deprived of normal luxuries of life. Thanks for arranging such events. Looking forward for the next event.
SHARMILA TANDON Asst. Manager, Marketing (Finance), on her experience of volunteering
95
OUR PUBLICATIONS
I Experiences of Livelihood Promotion, Learning from the
field
I The story of an NGO Network, Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan I Sealing Salinity, An Innovative Drinking Water Project in
Check Dam
I Enriching Experience A step forward by women farmers to
I Salinity Prevention and Mitigation Initiative agriculture and water resource development in salinity ingress affected coastal areas I Integrated Development of the village Valadar through Wasteland Development Initiative Managing CPRs (Common Property Resources) Through Community Participation I Health Services at Rural Doorsteps Creating a cadre of village health functionaries I Village Education Committees: Recharging School Education Systems I Water Resource Management in Junagadh: Transforming Lives I Ocha Pani ane Vadhu Utpadan (Gujarati) I Krishima Bio Technology (Gujarati) I Krishi Adharit Udyog ane Mulyavruddhi (Gujarati) I Jal Sanchay ane Teno Karyasham Upyog (Gujarati) I Sajeev Kheti Uttam Kheti (Gujarati) I Mishra Kheti Kariye, Jokham Ghatadiye (Gujarati) I Coastal Salinity Ingress Prevention and Mitigation: Experiences and Challenges I 10 years of Ambuja Manovikas Kendra: World Disability Day Souvenir, 2010 I Reversing the Tide : The story of Water Management in Kodinar I Together we Can
OUR TEAM
98
OUR TEAM
ACF ORGANOGRAM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
PROJECT TEAMS
PROGRAMME MANAGERS
COORDINATOR COMMUNICATIONS
COORDINATOR HR
PRINCIPALS (SEDI)
IMPLEMENTATION TEAMS
IMPLEMENTATION TEAMS
OUR TEAM
99
400
50
Total
Slab of Gross Annual Salary plus benefits paid to staff including retainers.
450
MALE STAFF
FEMALE STAFF
TOTAL STAFF
400
50
100
OUR TEAM
TEAM ACF
Corporate Offices
MUMBAI
HEAD OFFICE Pearl Tiwari Director, ACF Elegant Business Park, M.I.D.C., Off Andheri- Kurla Road Andheri (East), Mumbai-400 059 Ph: (022) 40667500/66167000, Fax: (022) 30827794 Email: admin.acf@ambujacement.com
DELHI
COORDINATING OFFICE V. K. Jain, Director, ACF 248, Okhla Industrial Estate Phase- III, New Delhi-110 020 Ph: (011) 41613001/41615040, Fax: (011) 41613929 Email: v.jain@ambujacement.com
KOLKATA
REGISTERED OFFICE 216, A.J.C.Bose Road, Kolkata, West Bengal- 700 017 Ph: (033) 22470818; Fax: (033) 22473564
Management Team
Deputy General Managers
AHMEDABAD
Chandrakant Kumbhani chandrakant.kumbhani@ambujacement.com
MUMBAI
Anagha Mahajani anagha.mahajani@ambujacement.com
NAGPUR
Ravi Nayse ravi.nayse@ambujacement.com
WEST BENGAL
Prabhat Kumar Mishra prabhat.mishra@ambujacement.com
RAJASTHAN
Manoj Agarwal manoj.agarwal@ambujacement.com
OUR TEAM
101
Locational Contacts
ANDHRA PRADESH
NADIKUDI
HIMACHAL PRADESH
DARLAGHAT Bhupender Gandhi, Team Leader Vill. - Suli, P.O-Darlaghat, Teh. - Arki, Dist. - Solan, Himachal Pradesh-171 102. Ph: (01796) 246238/246243, Fax: (01796) 248335. Email: acf.darlaghat@ambujacement.com NALAGARH Bharti Parihar, Project Executive Vill. - Nawagaon, P.O. - Jhajhra, Teh. - Nalagarh, Dist. - Solan(H.P) Ph: (01881) 672247 Email: acf.nalagarh@ambujacement.com
V.Rama Raju, Team Leader 10 651, Near Railway Station, Narayanapuram, Nadikudi, Dachepalli, Dist. - Guntur. Andhra Pradesh-522 414 Ph: (08649) 246222 Email: ramaraju.varakavi@ambujacement.com
CHHATTISGARH
BHATAPARA Sanjay Kumar Choudhary, Programme Manager P.O. - Rawan, Teh. - Baloda Bazar, Dist. - Baloda Bazar Bhatapara Ph: (07727) 220064, Fax: (07727) 220004 Email: acf.bhatapara@ambujacement.com
KERALA
Gino Thomas, Project Coordinator Health Care Centre Ground floor, Lobo Brothers Building, Naval road, Willingdon Island, Cochin, Kerala-682 003 Email: acfatfcochin@gmail.com
GUJARAT
AMBUJANAGAR Vikramsinh Dahima, Programme Manager P.O. - Ambujanagar, Tal. - Kodinar, Dist. - Junagadh-362 715 Ph: (02795) 237829/30/31/32, Fax: (02795) 232163 Email : acf.ambujanagar@ambujacement.com DAHOD Kirit Jasani Ph: 09879 561 829 Email: acf.dahod@ambujacement.com GANDHINAGAR Kirit Jasani, Principal SEDI SEDI-Ambuja Cement Foundation, Sadvichar Parivar Campus, Vill. - Uvarsad, Gandhinagar-382 422. Ph: 09879 561 829 Email : kirit.jasani@ambujacement.com SANAND Ramsibhai Chouhan, Team Leader 5, Nandanvan Society, Nal Sarovar Road,Sanand, Dist. - Ahmedabad-382 110 Ph: (02717) 222800 Email:acf.sanand@ambujacement.com SURAT Chhagganbhai Patel, Team Leader Survey No. 39/40, Magdalla Port Road, Vill- Gavier, Tal.- Choryashi, Dist. - Surat Ph: (0261) 2720531/0530/0780 Email: acf.surat@ambujacement.com
MADHYA PRADESH
CHHINDWARA Mithun Paliwal, SEDI In charge Skill Entrepreneurship Development Institute Jail Road, Amarwara Dist. - Chhindwara (M.P)-480 221 Ph: (07167) 297834/98261/61984 Email: mithun.paliwal@ambujacement.com
MAHARASHTRA
CHANDRAPUR Pramod Khadse, Programme Manager Ambuja Cement Foundation, Transport Nagar, P.O. - Upparwahi, Tal. - Korpana, Dist. - Chandrapur, Maharashtra-442 908. Ph: (07173) 240046 Fax: (07173) 240056 Email: acf.chandrapur@ambujacement.com PANVEL Manoj Sakte, Project Executive Vil. - Moha, P.O. - Ulwa, Tal:Panvel, Near Reti Bunder, Raigad-410 306 Ph: (022) 27574300/05, Fax: (022) 27574360 Email: acf.panvel@ambujacement.com
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OUR TEAM
PUNJAB
BATHINDA Tanu Agrawal, Programme Manager Near GNDTP, Malout Road, Dist. - Bathinda, Punjab-151 002. Ph: (0164) 6706205, Fax: (0164) 2273484 Email: acf.bathinda@ambujacement.com ROPAR Sanjay Sharma, Programme Manager Vill. - Daburji, P.O. - Lodhimajra, Dist. - Ropar, Punjab- 140 113 Tel: (01881) 672247, 672568 Fax: (01881) 274152 Email: acf.ropar@ambujacement.com
UTTARAKHAND
ROORKEE Rajan Kapoor, Programme Manager Vill. - Lakeshwari, Block- Bhagwanpur Teh. - Roorkee, Dist. - Haridwar, Uttarakhand-247 661 Ph: (01332) 282228, Fax: (01332) 282214 Email: acf.roorkee@ambujacement.com
UTTAR PRADESH
DADRI Chandra Prakash, Project Executive Vill. & P.O. - Dhoom Manikpur & Badpura, N.T.P.C. Road Dadri, Dist. - Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh- 203 207 Ph: (0120) 280 9958 Email: acf.dadri@ambujacement.com
RAJASTHAN
CHIRAWA Anil Kumar Gupta, Team Leader Opp. Sekhsaria Haveli, Station Road, Dist. - Jhunjhunu, Chirawa- 333 026 Ph: (01596) 220136 Email: acf-chirawa@ambujacement.com MARWAR MUNDWA Brajesh Tomar, Programme Manager Opp. Railaway Station, Marwar Mundwa Dist. - Nagaur, Rajasthan-341 026 Ph: (01584) 283655 Email: acf-mundwa@ambujacement.com RABRIYAWAS Kunwar Viqar Naseem, Programme, Manager Village Rabriyawas, Teh. - Jaitaran, Dist. - Pali (Rajashtan)-306 709 Ph: (02939) 288277, 288161, Fax: (02939) 288030 Email:acf-rabriyawas@ambujacement.com
WEST BENGAL
FARAKKA Debapriya Ghosh, Team Leader Vill. - Kendua, P.O. - Srimantapau, Farakka, Dist. - Murshidabad, West Bengal-742 212 Ph: (03485) 252281, Fax: (03485) 252281 Email:acf.farakka@ambujacement.com SANKRAIL Rajeev Lochan, Project Executive Jaladhulagori, Vill. & P.O. - Dhulagori, Sankrail Dist. - Howrah, West Bengal-711 302 Ph: (033) 65501767, Fax: (03485) 252281 Email: acf.sankrail@ambujacement.com
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ABBREVIATIONS
ACF ACL AGDK ANM ASHA ATMA AWC AWW BALA CADP CTIP FFS FSW HBNC ICTC IDUs IPM ITI KVK MNREGA MSM NABARD NAFED NFE NGO PRA PSS RRWHS SHG SRI SPPWHP TI VHSC VKC Ambuja Cement Foundation Ambuja Cements Ltd. Ambuja Gyan Deep Kendra Auxiliary Nurse Midwife Accredited Social Health Activist Agriculture Technology Management Agency Anganwadi Centres Anganwadi Workers Building As Learning Aid - a class-based learning tool The Coastal Area Development Programme Composite Targeted Intervention Project Farmer Field Schools Female Sex Workers Home Based Neonatal Care Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre Intravenous Drug Users Integrated Pest Management Industrial Training Institute Krishi Vigyan Kendra Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Men having Sex with Men National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited Non-Formal Education Non-Government Organisation Participatory Rural Appraisal Pashu Swasthya Sevika Roof Rain Water Harvesting Systems Self-Help Groups Systematic Rice Intensification Sardar Patel Participatory Water Harvesting Programme Targeted Intervention Village Health and Sanitation Committees Village Knowledge Centre
104
GLOSSARY
Anar Anganwadi Bajra Balmela Balmitra Balotsav Balsabhas Balwadi Bal Sansad Didi Diwali Diya Gram Sabha Gram Swachhata Abhiyan Gram Panchayat Guar Henna Karonda Kashmira Jowar Kharif Khelwadi Kisan Kisan Clubs Karanj Lohri Mamta Diwas Mela Moong Nirmal Gram Puraskar Panchayat Pashu Swasthya Sevika Rabi Sakhi Shramdaan Til Wadi Zilla Parishad Pomegranate Play-school for children below the age of six Pearl millet Childrens Fair ACFs village-based education-worker Student-centric festivals Student lead meetings Pre-school Childrens Parliament Sister Indian festival of lights Lamp Joint meeting of all villagers conducted by the village-based local self government institution Village Cleanliness Drive Village-based local self-government institution Cluster bean Paste from a flowering plant used to create temporary tattoos Berry commonly used as a condiment A variety of fodder Crops planted for the monsoon harvest Childrens playgroup Farmer Farmers Clubs A species of tree in the pea family Harvest Festival, celebrated in Northern India Nutrition Day celebrated at Anganwadi Centres A fun fair Green gram Ideal Village Award - a state award given to open-defecation free villages Five-member council of the village-based local self government institution Animal health care aide Crops planted for the winter harvest ACFs village based health-workers Doing some voluntary work through physical effort Sesame Orchard Local government body at the district level
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