Harsha Trust

Harsha Trust has collaborated with small and marginal farmers and launched an initiative for orchard development and agro-forestry plantations in the untamed uplands. This endeavor not only provides tribal families with an additional annual income of at least Rs. 30,000 but also has a significant positive impact on the environment. The deep tap root system plays a crucial role in retaining nutrient-rich topsoil, particularly as we prioritize the cultivation of Mango and Cashew plants, which contribute to increased oxygen release through their developed canopy.
The incorporation of advanced inter-cropping technologies enhances nutritional food security, provides additional seasonal income, and improves soil health conditions. As part of this program, various soil conservation measures are implemented to enhance the soil's water-holding capacity.

Harsha Trust, in collaboration with the Klorofeel Foundation, has cultivated an empowering environment where learning is both enjoyable and context-specific.
The approach is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge, relevant knowledge. While children engage in their learning journey, Harsha trust places significant emphasis on an integrated method that involves the mind, heart, and hands. It challenges the conventional practices of standardized curriculum selection and teacher criteria. We refrain from the one-size-fits-all teaching approach and rigid grading systems based on uniform assessments.
Within this innovative learning centre, the teacher's role shifts to one of inspiration and the cultivation of curiosity in children, allowing them to explore their unique learning pathways. Parents are actively involved to extend this nurturing environment into their homes.

Harsha Trust collaborates closely with the community to enhance nutritional and food security by implementing improved agricultural techniques and practices. The organization is deeply committed to advancing paddy and millet cultivation, with a specific focus on initiatives such as seed treatment, line transplanting, and diversification of seed varieties.
These efforts have yielded remarkable results, as the average paddy yield has surged from 7 quintals per acre to an impressive 18 quintals per acre. This significant increase has extended a family's food security from a mere 3-4 months to a much more sustainable 9-10 months. Furthermore, the promotion of enhanced millet and pulses cultivation, along with the encouragement of kitchen gardens, plays a vital role in bolstering the nutritional security of households.

The trust maintains a direct partnership with small and marginal farmers to not only ensure food security but also to elevate their income through high-value commercial vegetable cultivation. The primary emphasis lies in fostering a community orientation towards embracing commercial vegetable farming, enhancing the technical knowledge and capabilities of families in advanced agricultural practices, and demonstrating the advantages of micro-irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler systems. These efforts aim to augment annual incomes by at least Rs. 30,000 and beyond.

Several strategies have been implemented to harness the abundant runoff from the region in a decentralized manner, aimed at establishing reliable irrigation infrastructure for the cultivation of homesteads and medium-upland areas. As a result, numerous families now have guaranteed access to irrigated plots ranging from 20 to 30 decimals, ensuring both food security and an additional annual income of around Rs 30,000.
Diverse models, including diversion-based irrigation, farm ponds, dug wells, ring wells, and lift irrigation systems, have been introduced. Additionally, community-led systems for the maintenance and management of these infrastructure assets have been established to ensure long-term sustainability.

This approach follows the "Ridge to Valley" concept, which initiates at the hilltop and gradually descends. The Ridge-to-Valley treatment method effectively mitigates soil erosion and safeguards the lower catchment areas. The treatment area is segmented into three key sections:
• Ridge Treatment: This section encompasses several techniques such as "Staggered Contour Trench (SCT)," "Forest Area Plantation," "Contour Stone Bunding" (CSB), and "Contour Earthen Bund" (CEB).
• Drainage Treatment: It involves the implementation of "Loose Boulder Structure," "Gabion Structure," and various drainage area treatments.
• Land Development: Diverse land development strategies are applied, including field bunding, land levelling, the 30 X 40 model, the five percent model, and additional land levelling measures.

Harsha Trust has set in motion a beneficial cycle that facilitates sustainable access to essential energy for clients at the bottom of the economic pyramid (BOP). This cycle is achieved by integrating social financing and income-generating endeavours. To accomplish this, Harsha Trust has established institutional mechanisms for social financing of solar energy systems, operating through cooperatives and Self Help Groups. They have also put in place an efficient supply chain connecting manufacturers with rural consumers through retailers and clean energy entrepreneurs (CEEs). These CEEs have received comprehensive training in communication, assembly, sales, installation, and maintenance of solar power units.
Harsha Trust is actively promoting various solar power models designed for illumination and other practical uses, all while contributing to income generation activities.

A significant portion of families in the region are landless, relying primarily on wage labour for their livelihoods. Livestock rearing offers a new avenue for improving their quality of life. With the aim of fostering economic progress among the most disadvantaged families in the area, Harsha Trust has championed the establishment of livestock development cooperatives. These cooperatives engage in various activities with tribal families, including broiler poultry farming, goat rearing, and backyard poultry farming.
The cooperative plays a vital role by facilitating both forward and backward linkages, encompassing services such as vaccination, de-worming, medication, and marketing support for its members. Furthermore, village-level youth have been trained and empowered to provide regular services to poultry and goat farmers, contributing to the sustainability of these endeavours.