Self-Reliant Initiatives through Joint Action(SRIJAN)

15/06/2026

This week is about The initiative in is demonstrating how restoring traditional water bodies, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and strengthening rural livelihoods can create lasting impact for communities facing water scarcity and climate challenges. A powerful example of how collective action can turn vulnerability into .

Link of the article - https://therift.in/article/biwals-sustainable-development-and-climate-resilient-initiatives

United Nations I UN Environment Programme I Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR I RRA Network I National Coalition for Natural Farming I CARD INDIA I Akhil Bhartiya Samaj Sewa Sansthan I Arunoday Sansthan Mahoba I HARITIKA-For A Greener Cause I Yuva Kaushal Vikas Mandal I

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BIWAL’s sustainable development and climate resilient initiatives have offered a model that increases hope of farmers with just 1 to 4 acres of land by reducing their costs and increasing their net income.

12/06/2026

After four years of consistent care and patience, the of three women farmers—Savita from Goiya Khurd, Sona Pal from Atri Majra, and Santoshi from Mau block of districts , have begun delivering encouraging results.

Their mixed orchards, comprising 27 guava plants, 27 lemon plants, and 6 Aamrapali mango plants, demonstrate the potential of diversified fruit cultivation as a sustainable livelihood option.

This year, the Aamrapali mango trees produced their first harvests. Savita harvested around 19 kg of mangoes, while Sona Pal harvested approximately 16 kg. Santoshi’s orchard delivered particularly promising results, producing 26 kg of mangoes from four plants, with harvesting still ongoing.

The produce has supported both household consumption and local market sales at around ₹60 per kg, contributing to improved family nutrition as well as additional income generation.

The successful fruiting of these guava, lemon, and Aamrapali mango orchards marks an important milestone. As the trees continue to mature, yields are expected to increase significantly, creating greater opportunities for income generation through local market sales while strengthening household , nutritional security, and long-term .

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India I Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India I Chief Minister Office Uttar Pradesh I Government of UP



Story credit- ABHISHEK THAKUR

08/06/2026

Mango cultivation is emerging as a sustainable livelihood opportunity for farmers across project locations, including block in Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh. Supported by HDFC Bank Parivartan and Prompted by

During 2020–21, mango orchards were established among selected farmers to promote long-term income generation and agriculture practices. Today, 170 mango orchards have entered the fruiting stage, with trees producing an average of 18–20 kg of mangoes per plant. Based on current field assessments, the total mango production this season is expected to reach nearly 72,000 kg.

To ensure better market access and improved returns, the project team facilitated linkages with buyers from nearby cities. Through these efforts, most farmers have been able to sell green mangoes at an average rate of ₹25 per kg, creating a dependable source of seasonal income.

One such farmer is , who established an orchard in 2020–21 with 35 and 5 mango plants. This marks the second year of fruiting for the orchard, which yielded approximately 7–8 quintals (700–800 kg) of mangoes this season. Out of the total harvest, around 6 quintals (600 kg) were sold through project-supported buyers, generating an income of nearly ₹15,000 at the prevailing market price of ₹25 per kg.

The remaining produce supported household consumption and local sales, while the income has strengthened the family’s financial security and confidence in -based livelihoods. With the trees maturing further, production and income are expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

HDFC Bank I Parivartan I Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India I Bihan-SRLM, Chhattisgarh I Jashpur District Administration I CG Horticulture - page I Scheduled Tribe & Scheduled Caste Development Department, Chhattisgarh

Story credit- Manoj Dhakad

05/06/2026

This , we are proud to share that has been contributing towards restoring biodiversity and creating climate-resilient communities.

Through our (Sacred Groves) initiative, barren and underutilized communities and common lands are being transformed into dense native micro forests. Our one-of-a-kind project in Dor village of Tikamgarh District, Madhya Pradesh, transformed a barren patch of land into a thriving Tapovan .

Today, the site is home to over 1,200 trees, attracting birds, reviving biodiversity, and improving the local , demonstrating the transformative potential of community-led ecological restoration.

Building on this success so far, SRIJAN has established 85 Tapovans across 65 villages in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, covering nearly 15 acres and nurturing around 1,11,000 native plants. With the support from communities, local institutions, and government departments, and our generous donors, we are witnessing that nature thrives when we act.

Today, these Tapovans are not only contributing to the plantations, they are helping communities adapt to climate change, regenerating ecosystems, and bringing back the native birds and fruits that were grown here years back.

United Nations I UN Environment Programme I Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India I Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India I RRA Network I Collector Tikamgarh I PRO Tikamgarh I Collector Shivpuri I PRO Jansampark Niwari I Collector Office Niwari I Jansampark Madhya Pradesh I



[World Environment Day, Tree Plantation Drive, Climate Change Solutions, Community Forest Restoration, Environmental Sustainability, Rural Development India]

27/05/2026

Our article, 'Women’s inclusion in water governance is heavily layered, as research in and shows', has been published in Down to Earth.

This paper is a culmination of a examining the role of women in the management and governance of water resources. Based in the Karauli district of Rajasthan and Tikamgarh in Madhya Pradesh, the article unveils diverse insights. Women's bodies continue to bear the toll of water insecurity – and yet, there is no adequate recognition of women's knowledge and active involvement in water management committees.

Our findings reveal the layered and social nature of water. Caste remains heavily embedded in water systems and structures – dictating who has access to resources and who gets left out.

Read more through this link: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/womens-inclusion-in-water-governance-is-heavily-layered-as-research-in-rajasthan-and-madhya-pradesh-shows

Authors: Prarthana Lumba, Stutilina Pal

RRA Network I Down to Earth I CSEP I The Policy Edge I Collector Tikamgarh I PRO Tikamgarh I Jansampark Madhya Pradesh

‘Ek garbhvati mahila ke baare mein sochiye - usse kaantedar, ghas bhare raaston se, jahan zameen bhi dikhai nahin deti, apne sir par pani ke 10 bartan le jaane

25/05/2026

This week’s is not just about one inspiring journey, but three powerful stories published in Weekly — each emerging from different locations, different thematic areas, and different lived experiences, yet all connected by one common thread: .

From climate-resilient farming practices to innovative natural farming models, these stories highlight how rural communities are creating solutions rooted in local wisdom, hard work, and determination. Whether it is Saroj Kushwaha’s creative farming approach or the efforts of tribal farming families building livelihoods, each story reflects the strength that exists at the grassroots.

These are not just stories of agriculture; they are stories of hope, adaptation, and transformation. They remind us that real change often begins in villages, in fields, and in the everyday efforts of small farmers who continue to innovate despite challenges."

Read the full stories below.- https://janataweekly.org/climate-resilient-farming-organic-natural-and-community-led-models-showing-the-way-forward-4-articles/

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India I Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India I United Nations I UN Environment Programme

Indian farmers’ income has remained a cause for concern with stagnant yields and rising costs. Crop yields’ responsiveness to fertilisers has declined over a period leading to more and more application of fertilisers. Similarly, continuous and excess use of chemical pesticides is leading to pest...

22/05/2026

In the tribal heartlands of Kotra Block, , access to nutritious food has long been a challenge for many rural families. For households like Puja’s in Sulao village, daily vegetables meant regular trips to the market and constant financial strain on limited incomes.Through ’s Nutrition Garden initiative, supported by HSBC India, this began to change.

With seeds for 9 vegetable varieties, hands-on training on management, organic bio-inputs, and continuous field support, Puja transformed a small backyard space into a thriving nutrition garden. Today, her family of eight consumes home-grown vegetables, reducing market dependency while improving food safety and dietary diversity.

“Bazaar nahi jaye, aane jane ko kharso baso, ghar ki sabji kha rhe, (We don’t need go to market, it saves time and money plus we get to eat home grown organic vegetables)” shares Puja — expressing pride in the savings and her family now experiences.

What makes this journey powerful is not just the garden itself, but the shift in confidence and ownership. Farmers are adopting organic practices, preparing their own bio-fertilisers like jeevamrit and beejamrit, and building long-term food resilience from their own homesteads.

Like Puja, over 1500 farmers across 39 villages are now cultivating vegetables in their backyards and moving towards nutritional and economic .

HSBC India I Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India I Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India

Story Credit- Surbhi Rai

18/05/2026

This story is about how just 2 acres of land, nurtured with determination and opportunity, transformed a family’s life with hope, stability, and happiness.

From uncertainty to confidence, this journey reflects the power of and in rural communities.

Do read the full story here: https://countercurrents.org/2026/05/two-acres-of-land-and-all-the-sky/

RRA Network I Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India I Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India I Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India I United NationsI UN Environment Programme

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If the most important development, livelihood and environment protection question is to be identified, then it is likely to be this—can small farmers cultivate their land in economically viable ways while also protecting soil and water base for sustainability, producing enough healthy food for the...

15/05/2026

In Jakhaura village of Bamaur block, Jhansi district, access to safe drinking water was once a daily struggle. Women walked long distances to fetch water, families spent heavily on purchasing water, and basic hygiene often became difficult during peak summers. With funding support from HDFC Bank Parivartan , facilitated the establishment of a community-managed , creating reliable access to safe and affordable drinking water for rural households.

Today, nearly 1000 people have access to affordable clean drinking water at just ₹10 for 20 litres. What once took hours now takes only a few moments. The intervention has not only reduced the burden on women but also improved household health, hygiene, and dignity.

A key strength of this initiative has been the formation of a women-led (WUG), which is managing the system with ownership and responsibility. Through mobilisation, technical support, and community planning, worked closely with villagers to ensure that the Jal Minar became more than just infrastructure—it became a symbol of collective leadership and resilience.

As one community member shared: “Hamare paas pani nahi tha... kabhi kabhi aisa hota tha ki do din tak nahaye nahi, kyunki pani bachana tha.”

The Jal Minar reflects how rural infrastructure, when combined with community participation, can create lasting social change.

Parivartan I Jal Jeevan Mission, India I Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India I Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR

Story credit- Kumari Srishti

13/05/2026

Under ’s Capri Loans Project, a powerful shift is taking place in Pathra Khokar village, (MP), where women farmers are moving towards and profitable agriculture.

Archana Jawarkar, a woman farmer owning 4.5 acres of land, was earlier dependent on traditional crops like wheat and maize, resulting in limited and irregular income. Through the (trellis-based vegetable cultivation), supported by training and quality inputs, she transitioned to improved vegetable farming practices.

With facilitation and technical support from and funding from Capri Loans. , Archana adopted vegetable cultivation, leading to better crop quality and increased productivity.

Impact:

• Current earnings: ₹15,000

• Expected full-cycle income: ₹50,000

• Participant coverage: 1 woman farmer, 1 village

This intervention has strengthened her income stability, enhanced skills, and built confidence, enabling her to emerge as a and progressive farmer.

Capri Loans I Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India I Department of Agriculture, Madhya Pradesh I Collector Chhindwara I PRO Jansampark Chhindwara i Jansampark Madhya Pradesh

Story credit - Atul Dhotare