Saunta Gaunta Foundation

The apparently straightforward task of weed removal in agricultural fields can be more challenging than it appears. Witnessing the struggles faced by farmers, particularly women, in dealing with persistent weed issues, SG Foundation introduced an ingenious tool crafted from repurposed old and damaged bicycles. This innovative solution proves highly effective in the permanent removal of weeds.

To address the pressing issues of income uncertainty in agriculture and the protection of farmers' rights, there is a crucial need for collaborative action involving all stakeholders, particularly the primary ones. In 2013, the farmers and Self-Help Groups (SGF), with the support of NABARD, established 13 farmers' clubs in the Telkoi block of Keonjhar.
These SGFs and Farmers' Clubs, in partnership with ATMA and RKVY under the Agriculture Department, have been actively engaged in initiatives such as mixed cropping (maize and groundnut), line transplanting of paddy, and maize line sowing in the Telkoi block. These efforts have significantly contributed to enhancing farmers' productivity. Additionally, SGF, NABARD, and banks have collaborated to support farmers in the same block in adopting scientific cultivation practices for cultivating turmeric in a cluster approach.

SGF has introduced a stand-alone Solar Tire Repair Service Provider, offering an innovative off-grid solution to address the two-wheeler service requirements in tribal Keonjhar, Odisha. This initiative also provides an alternative source of income for service providers. The solar-powered setup saves time, conserves fuel, and generates income, all while operating on the principles of clean and sustainable solar energy. This eco-friendly solution eliminates the need for traditional fuels and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, its bicycle-mounted design ensures easy mobility, making door-to-door service delivery possible, thereby enhancing income-generation opportunities.

Promoting the use of efficient tools, machinery, and equipment to enhance farm productivity and reduce costs is essential, especially among small and marginal landholders in tribal areas. The SG Foundation places significant emphasis on encouraging and popularizing improved agricultural implements, including both power-operated and animal-drawn tools. These farm mechanization programs have resulted in the adoption of various farm machinery, such as tractors, power tillers, combine harvesters, irrigation equipment, plant protection tools, threshers, improved implements, and hand tools. The primary goal is to reduce farmers' input costs and increase productivity.
With the support of the Aditya Birla Group, the Agriculture Department, and the Horticulture Department, SGF has distributed tractors, power tillers, pumps, sprayers, and drip irrigation systems to nine farmers' clubs in the peripheral areas of ESSEL mining.

The Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) program is being actively implemented in Odisha, aiming to reduce neonatal mortality rates, which, in turn, will lead to a decline in Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate. This initiative involves training ASHA workers to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for providing essential care to newborns and postpartum mothers in their homes. Following their training, these ASHA workers conduct home visits to deliver home-based care during the postnatal period. SGF organized training sessions for all ASHA workers in two blocks, Saharapada and Patna, located in Keonjhar district. The field training was conducted in four rounds, each spanning five days. The training was fully residential to ensure the effective delivery and absorption of training content during the program.

Honeybees are crucial for biodiversity creation and preservation, but their survival is under threat due to various factors. The use of pesticides in agricultural and horticultural practices has detrimental effects on honeybee populations. Additionally, the unscientific collection and destruction of hives contribute significantly to the loss of bees and biodiversity. Rock beehives are typically located on treetops in forests, and they possess disease-resistant characteristics. However, collecting honey from these hives has been a challenging task. In collaboration with TDCCO Land TRIFED, Government of India, SG Foundation has embarked on the promotion of honeybee culture among indigenous honey gatherers in three districts of the state to address these issues.

A barefoot technician is an individual chosen from the village community and equipped with specific skills and training to become proficient in various techniques such as soil moisture conservation, renewable energy, clean cooking, agriculture, horticulture, fishery, and small animal husbandry. These skills empower them to pursue alternative livelihoods and improve their quality of life. SG Foundation has taken the initiative to transform unskilled laborers into skilled technicians and appoint them as service providers in every village where it operates. The organization identifies individuals with potential and offers project-specific training to enable them to provide valuable services to their fellow villagers and other organizations, thereby earning a livelihood.

SG Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life for women by equipping them with valuable skills and income opportunities rooted in local resources. SGF offers comprehensive training in micro-enterprises, empowering women to establish mango processing units, badi processing units, engage in agarbatti and spice production, and participate in the processing of non-timber forest products (NTFP). These initiatives are developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including NABARD, Odisha Livelihood Mission, ORMAS, TRIFED, and ESSEL Mining's CSR division. SGF's goal is to empower women to generate supplementary income and elevate their living standards.

In collaboration with the Government of Odisha, SGF, with technical support from IPE Global, is actively engaged in facilitating and overseeing a program designed to enhance the effective implementation, management, and maintenance of crucial assets. The initiative spans two distinct districts, Mayurbihha and Keonjhar, encompassing blocks such as Jamda, Sukurali, Bijaitala, Kusumi, Sadar, and Banspal.
The program is focused on raising awareness and delivering training to communities and their institutional and Gram Panchayat (GP) level staff on climate change. It also introduces climate-resilient livelihood practices aimed at mitigating frequent environmental shocks. The initiative addresses essential aspects such as groundwater recharge, soil moisture retention and protection, water provisioning for irrigation, as well as the conservation and regeneration of biomass and carbon stock.

Using the Sensor-Enabled Climate Financing (SCF) model, SGF collaborated with Nexleaf to facilitate mobile payments from a climate fund directly to the women who adopt improved cook stoves. Data collected from these households vividly illustrates the consistent use of clean cook stoves, averaging four hours of daily cooking. SGF has successfully introduced mobile payments for Climate credits through Vodafone M-pesa, ensuring a seamless and efficient process.

SG Foundation is actively involved in advancing renewable energy services to households, offering a wide range of options including Solar PV micro grids, Solar Home Lighting Systems (SHS), Solar Water Pumps, Solar Street Lights, and an Innovative Solar Puncturewala.

Kumidini delivers rural renewable and clean energy services to one of the most underserved populations, particularly women, in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The organization is dedicated to promoting the training and capacity building of rural communities, especially women, who are champions of clean energy technology within their communities.
The primary goals of Kumidini include:
• Establishing a network of local Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) with a particular emphasis on women entrepreneurs.
• Simplifying access to modern energy for tribal communities through community-based clean energy initiatives.
• Integrating energy and financing solutions at the point of sale while providing tailored energy options.

In Mayurbhanj, Khiching is renowned for the Maa Kichekswari Temple and its exceptional black granite stone carving craftsmanship, which has earned a place for Mayurbhanj on the national map. The primary livelihood of over 200 families from two villages in this region revolves around stone carving.
Originally, this craft was practiced by a specific caste, but over time, people from various castes, including tribal communities, have also embraced this profession. Kesna village alone has more than 50 tribal families involved in stone carving. However, their work may not be as refined as that of the traditional stone carvers, leading to lower remuneration for their craftsmanship.

The central aim of the WADI program is to uplift tribal communities, often belonging to primitive tribal groups, by providing them with small orchards (WADIs), implementing soil conservation measures, developing water resources, offering healthcare services, initiating income generation programs for women's groups, and striving to enhance the food and nutritional security of tribal populations. Each WADI comprises a combination of Mango, Sapeta, and Teak trees planted on the outskirts of land holdings. Other developmental efforts related to environmental preservation, gender equity, health improvement, soil conservation within WADIs, water resource development, agricultural enhancement, women's development, and healthcare are interlinked around the WADI project to comprehensively uplift the target communities.