Ground Report
India’s population spike holds lessons for gender equality
The burden of family planning lies on the woman even as she struggles with patriarchal control over her body, preference for male children, limited access to pregnancy control measures and men’s apathy towards the issue.
Deepening pond to deepen farmers’ pockets
An intervention to make a pond deeper at Surendranagar in Gujarat has brought joy to many farmers in the region by ensuring more water availability and preventing soil erosion.
Digging pits to build lives the Chhattisgarh way
In a planned, coordinated effort by the government and other agencies, the employment guarantee scheme brings positive changes to the lives of tribal people in the extremism-affected Bastar.
How these farmers grow more crop per drop
In Gujarat’s water deficient areas, farmers opt for micro irrigation systems which reduce their production cost and increase their income.
Tribal dairy farmers prosper with ‘solar-irrigated’ fodder
Forest villages that were once a picture of neglect have started prospering, thanks to solar-powered irrigation that helps villagers rear cattle and provide them green fodder.
When natural farming is more viable
Realising that pesticides and fertilisers made with local materials are more effective and cheaper, farmers in Rajasthan are switching to natural farming.
The many gains of a farm pond
Constructing a pond on her farm in Sonpari village of Gujarat has brought many joys for Jayaben, including enhanced income, more cultivable land and enough water for her cattle.
She sowed seeds of a grain bank to feed the poor
The sight of marginalised families struggling to have regular, nutritious meals prompted Urmilaben Vasava of Bedada village in Gujarat to start a grain bank.
Of pani puri and beauty salons: Gujarat tribals turn entrepreneurs
In an unyielding terrain where farming is unsustainable and when migrating to cities is not lucrative, promoting rural enterprises is helping tribal youth become successful micro-entrepreneurs.
Dung ho! Gujarat villagers fired up about biogas
Villagers in the semi-arid region of Saurashtra in Gujarat are turning to greener fuel in the form of biogas, saving not just the environment but also hard-earned money in the process.
How smart farming is helping farmers make cows happy and more productive
Embracing digital tools and modern techniques that track various parameters of cows and buffaloes help dairy farmers in Gujarat keep cattle diseases at bay, increase milk yields and, obviously, earn more.
Tech transforms tribal women’s lives in Odisha, Jharkhand
Tribal women farmers, despite their extraordinary contribution to farm labour, are on the receiving end of multifaceted, systemic discrimination. A tech enabled project by Digital Green is empowering this vulnerable group to become agents of change within their communities.
Women’s Day: These rural women refuse to give up
From picking up digital know-hows to contacting agriculture and livestock experts, and even securing business capital, here are three women who have made an impact on their families and villages.
Celebrating Sant Janabai through Dhrupad and Bharatanatyam
A dance production brings to centre stage the life and teachings of Sant Janabai – the simple woman helped in her chores by none other than Lord Vitthala – through traditional dance and music fusion.
Nalsarovar: The lake of opportunity for Maldhari pastoralists
Nalsarovar Lake, a protected wetland and bird sanctuary, provides a livelihood for the Maldhari pastoralists who depend on it for fodder for their livestock and income through tourism-related activities
The dangerous state of women farmers
Women farmers face discrimination despite their contribution to the agricultural economy and protective laws. Self-help groups and women’s collectives offer them support and hope.
Saving Rajasthan’s villagers from online fraud
After villagers in Rajasthan lost their hard earned money in online frauds, a woman entrepreneur from amongst them decided to change this.
Shrimply Tamil Nadu
Does the sight of shrimp make you hungry? This photo walkthrough shows how shrimp farming is reshaping the environment, livelihoods and social relations in a coastal village of Tamil Nadu.
“Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks as I received the award”
Damayanti Nayak’s inspiring journey is causing many farmers to take up collectivized and synchronized farming. Here Damayanti recalls how she went from growing crops for self consumption to earning 2 lacs from farming - in her own words
SFURTI: Helping farmers to become artisans with a novel scheme
Two-third of India lives in villages with limited access to economic agricultural opportunities. SFURTI, a government scheme, is trying to help villages imagine their lives beyond farming – helping them become earning artisans.