Manjari Corner
Business Sakhi training conducted under the Capri project at Kishanganj, Baran. Pulse processing unit inaugurated in Madavra Lalitpur in the presence of SDM Chandra Bhushan. New Production house inaugurated in Nurabad, Muraina (MP), in collaboration with JK Tyres. Insightful interactions between members of Bindi International and our production sakhis during recent field visit to Badabanda & Kankarda Village (Baran) Community Awareness Camp organized in 8 new villages in association with UN Women under 'Build Back Better' project. Goat Farmers Training conducted at Jara and Dangdiroli (Seondha) with KVK scientists. Training and animal feed distribution program organized at the Manjari office in Sarmathura, for 100 scheduled tribe goat farmers. Manjari wins the 'Excellence in CSR and sustainability award for women empowerment, at the 10th National CSR Leadership Congress & Awards.

Agriculture

Market-led Improved Agriculture

Overview

Small agricultural holdings constitute the vast majority of farms in many developing countries. In the Indian context, approximately 86% of our farmers are small and marginal farmers (i.e. owning less than 2 hectares of landholding); approximately 47% of the total arable land is owned by these small and marginal farmers. This data indicates the dominance of small and marginal farmers in the Indian agricultural system and it is therefore imperative to work towards uplifting their status and ensuring them a secure means of livelihood. The Indian agriculture sector employs 80% of all economically active women in India; they comprise 33% of the agriculture labor force and 48% of the self-employed farmers.

Challenge

Despite major technological advancement, small and marginal farmers continue to face basic challenges such as the availability of quality inputs, new technology, capacity building, and exposure. The lack of working capital and asset creation is a major challenge hampering the growth of the sector. Mostly small farmers do not have the equipment, storage, grading, and other marketing facilities which in turn leads to easily avoidable losses, hence discouraging the new generation from working in the sector. There are several reports that suggest that farmers do not see agriculture as a viable livelihood opportunity anymore, as the efforts involved far outweigh the returns.

Strategic Approach

Our livelihoods promotion programs are aimed at interventions to diversify both on-farm and off-farm livelihood streams as well as non-farm livelihood activities. The entire focus has been on improving incomes while reducing risks and vulnerabilities. Our interventions in farm livelihoods are promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, where we are bringing in improved technology, value addition, aggregation, and market linkages to facilitate better prices for farmers through producer organizations and market-led interventions. Our team comprising of subject experts is working in close association with government institutions and other partners, in order to address the complex issues faced by women farmers and improve their overall living conditions.

International Women Day 2019

Promoting Krishi Sakhi - A change agent and farmers friend for transferring knowledge and skills to farmers

A Move Towards A Safe Life

Promoting Farmers Field School – Farmers to Farmers Learning

Despite all odds, she started an atta chakki (flour mill) in her village

Introducing new technology and scientific practices with the active support of KVK and knowledge institutions

Despite all odds, she started an atta chakki (flour mill) in her village

Facilitating and linking with market, mandi, and institutional buyers for marketing from the farm gate

Our Testimonials

What People Say About Us

'Manjari’ literally translates to “seed of Tulsi”, a sacred Indian plant. When women mobilise themselves to form institutions, they are empowered to sow their own ‘seeds of change’.