ISDG Research Foundation

03/09/2026

Our Team participated at Dhwani Foundation’s graduation cm launching ceremony for the Organization Change Management cohort "Niranthara", hosted at ICAR-CIWA in Bhubaneswar.

The event sparked a deeply insightful dialogue on "Strengthening Social Ecosystem with Shared Responsibility," diving into the real-world organizational capacity required to deliver sustainable, long-term impact.

Industry leaders Reshma Anand (Ford Foundation), Soumitra Mondal (Sattva), Rajkumar Mishra (APF), and Krishna Kumar (Dhwani) provided a wonderfully candid analysis of present sector realities and pressing future needs.

We are excited to bring these valuable perspectives directly into our ongoing mission at ISDG!

27/08/2026

At the ISDG Research Foundation’s Ranchi office, grassroots partners convened today for a pivotal stakeholder meeting. This initiative brings together NGOs to build community-driven, sustainable lac processing enterprises across tribal Jharkhand.

Jharkhand produces most of India’s lac, yet forest-dependent communities rarely capture its true value. Establishing local processing hubs is crucial, transitioning tribal households from basic raw material collectors to sustainable enterprise champions, building long-term climate and livelihood resilience across producing regions.

For smallholder cultivators, decentralized value addition is transformative. Processing raw lac locally multiplies farm-gate realization, shields farmers from price volatility, and retains wealth at the grassroots to drive inclusive rural development.

19/08/2026

Our representative participated in the stakeholders convening organized by GOGLA in Ranchi to brainstorm ways to promote PURE (Productive Use of Renewable Energy).

It was a 360 degree discussion around how to map the DRE potential for livelihoods activities in Jharkhand. Need of PURE and Identification of challenges in it's implementation in Jharkhand were also elaborated upon.

The initiative intends to map the potential, create larger awareness, influence the adaptation and take PURE to grassroots in most effective manner in the State.

15/08/2026

Empowering Communities, Celebrating Freedom.

​Our Team in Aurapath, a PVTG model village in Gumla celebrated India’s 80th Independence Day with immense patriotic fervor.

​Mr. Ramesh Korva (Local PVTG community worker) led the village’s historic first flag-hoisting ceremony, bringing together children, women, and elders.

After distributing study materials and sweets to young learners, villagers pledged to unite for education, sanitation, and sustainable rural development.

​Jai Hind! Vande Mataram! 🇮🇳

15/08/2026

स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं! 🇮🇳

स्वतंत्रता के 79 वर्ष पूरे होने के पावन अवसर पर आज ISDG रिसर्च फाउंडेशन का पूरा परिवार बड़े गर्व के साथ एकत्रित हुआ।

हमारी टीम ने तिरंगा फहराया, पूजनीय राष्ट्रीय नायकों को पुष्पांजलि अर्पित की और पूरे भारत में साक्ष्य-आधारित अनुसंधान, सतत ग्रामीण विकास एवं सामुदायिक सशक्तिकरण के अपने संकल्प को पुनः दोहराया।

आइए, मिलकर एक सशक्त, समृद्ध और आत्मनिर्भर भारत का निर्माण करें। आप सभी को स्वतंत्रता दिवस की ढेरों शुभकामनाएं!

#स्वतंत्रतादिवस #आत्मनिर्भरभारत

07/08/2026

आज हमारी टीम ने झारखंड के गुमला जिले में स्थित नीति आयोग के PVTG मॉडल गाँव 'औरापाठ' का दौरा किया। कोरवा समुदाय के साथ मिलकर काम करते हुए, हमारा लक्ष्य केवल तात्कालिक सहायता देना नहीं, बल्कि दीर्घकालिक सकारात्मक बदलाव लाना है।

हमारी चर्चाओं का मुख्य केंद्र प्रोजेक्ट की समयावधि समाप्त होने के बाद भी प्रभावी रहने वाली 'ग्रेजुएशन रणनीति' (Graduation Strategy) तैयार करना था। गरीबी से स्थायी मुक्ति का अर्थ समुदाय को केवल आर्थिक स्थिरता देना नहीं, बल्कि उनका क्षमता निर्माण करना और उन्हें बाजारों से जोड़ना है।

वास्तविक आत्मनिर्भरता तभी संभव है जब उसकी कमान खुद गाँव के लोगों के हाथों में हो। इसी सोच के तहत, ग्रामीणों के बीच से ही एक 'कॉमन फैसिलिटी सेंटर' (CFC) टीम का चयन किया गया ताकि वे इन आजीविका पहलों की जिम्मेदारी खुद संभाल सकें।

यह समर्पित टीम अब उच्च गुणवत्ता वाले पौधों के लिए पॉलीहाउस नर्सरी का प्रबंधन करेगी और छोटे मवेशियों के स्वास्थ्य के लिए वैक्सीनेशन कोल्ड चेन का संचालन करेगी। ये प्रयास आवश्यक पशुधन की रक्षा करेंगे और ग्रामीण परिवारों की आय को मजबूती देंगे।

जब स्थानीय लोग खुद अपने विकास का नेतृत्व करते हैं, तो बाहरी सहयोग स्थायी आत्मनिर्भरता में बदल जाता है। औरापाठ को अपने उज्ज्वल भविष्य की कमान खुद संभालते देखना प्रेरणादायक है।

06/08/2026

Our Team went to a few villages in the tribal areas of the aspirational district of Gumla in Jharkhand. They talked to the villagers at length about soil health. People are aware that soil health is degrading.

They have an appreciation for the fact that good soil will have life within, and the soil lives (earthworms, arthropods, nematodes) are dwindling fast.

Since the land in these areas is undulating and the farmers work mostly around sustenance farming, they still use oxen for ploughing, and that leaves them with a good amount of farmyard manure. Despite the application of FYM, they use small amounts of urea, mostly out of the feeling that it is the last effort that will ensure good production and also out of FOMO.

Even if they get a soil test report, they do not exactly know what clear steps to take to correct the findings. The results are often lengthy and complicated, and the recommendations are normally for one particular crop.

The agricultural extension at the last mile is often negligible. Also, any initiative around soil needs a good nudge and handholding. While grassroots extension workers are capable of reaching the last mile, they lack the comprehension to decode the soil test results and farmer-friendly recommendations. Also, motivating farmers to spend a small amount beyond their routine for some unknown reward is a tough task.

The tribal areas of Jharkhand have good potential to produce FYM and bio resources, as the use of bovine animals in agriculture is still rampant due to undulating terrain, rainfed farming, and capital barriers to mechanisation.

There is no reward for healthier and chemical-free food in the local value chains, but the farmer knows that soils are getting drier, harder, and having less life over the decades.

Having observed the above, there is empathy and a need among farmers to improve their soil. But why and how to break the inertia and get into initiative, and also what is the exact direction to move? And if there is an additional cost involved, who will pay for it?

In a socio-economy, we get what we pay for. We incentivised soil testing, and we have the reports. We did not incentivise soil health, and we do not know where we are moving with soil health!

03/08/2026

22/07/2026

As a partner of the SAARTHI - Jharkhand Just Transition Network, our team participated in the inauguration of "Jalvayu Akhra" - Resilient Jharkhand Summit 2026, chaired by Chief Guest Mrs. Kalpana Soren, MLA.

The inaugural session brought together distinguished leaders, including PCCF Mr. A.T. Mishra, CGM NABARD Mrs. Deepmala Ghosh, CEO JSLPS Mr. Ananya Mittal, CEO ASAR Ms. Vinuta Gopal, and ED PHIA Mr. Johnson Topno, and several community champions and development experts from across the nation.

In line with the Jalvayu Akhra vision, Our Team moderated an impactful panel on "Apna Gaon Apna Rozgar," hosting national development experts to discuss resilient rural economies, local value addition, decentralized rural manufacturing, and sustainable employment.

Our stall on biofortification emerged as a central attraction, engaging Mrs. Kalpana Soren in an inspiring dialogue on expanding biofortified crops and products to enhance community health and nutrition.

Together with Saarthi, we remain committed to connecting grassroots voices with policy for an equitable, climate-resilient future!

17/07/2026

The District Development Manager (DDM) of NABARD and a Regional Office official recently visited the Bishunpur Hariyali Farmer Producer Company (FPC) in Gumla, an aspirational district.

Promoted by the ISDG Research Foundation under NABARD’s PODF-ID scheme, the FPC hosted detailed, productive discussions between the visitors, the Board of Directors, and local farmers. The officials provided valuable suggestions to improve the FPC’s administration and expand its overall business scope.

The team also toured the FPC's seed store and visited several business enterprises run by its directors and members, encouraging growth and stronger collaboration in the Bishunpur block of this key region.