In Vrindavan, thousands of elderly widow mothers face the harsh reality of abandonment and suffering. With no one to turn to, many are left begging on the streets, exposed to heat, cold and rain,Donate so that Maitri can provide shelter, food, clothes and medical support to abandoned elderly mothers now. Give generously.Winnie Singh has witnessed many cases of widow mothers being abandoned on the streets of Vrindavan, one of the holiest places in India. “Children leave their mothers as soon as they become widows. The children start feeling the burden. This has become a practice in today's society that money comes first and everything else later,” says Winnie whose Maitri India, rescues widowed mothers from the streets of Vrindavan.Many widowed elderly mothers often end up living a lonely life and begging to survive on the streets. And Maitri aspires to take care of every widow in need of help, but because of lack of funds, Winnie and Maitri are in a position to do it."Elderly widows don't have shelter. They sleep in cowsheds over sacks. They don't have a blanket. Nights are really difficult for them," shares Winnie Singh. <img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/1abfb906-563b-4747-85b8-8af2071a2856.jpg" />Maitri aims to:<ul><li>Provide shelter and nutritious meals leading to improved health and wellbeing</li><li>Make physical and mental health services accessible</li><li>Offer necessary quality aged care and assisted living support</li><li>Increase awareness and engagement around the struggles of abandoned widow mothers</li></ul>Why donate to MaitriWinnie needs your support to help those in need of food, healthcare and well-being. “Maitri urgently needs your support to provide nutritious food, clothing and healthcare to sustain these widow mothers who are prone to more illnesses as they age,” appeals Winnie. “You can become the family they were denied. Hold their hands so they don't need to beg ever again,” she adds. Let’s rescue abandoned widows mothers from the streets of Vrindavan and give them a better future. Donate now.Our help will enable Maitri to save hundreds of abandoned widows from a life of begging, and restore the respect, dignity, and identity they deserve.

Help provide shelter, food, clothes and medical support to abandoned widow mothers of Vrindavan. Donate now

For a mother who has spent her entire life loving and raising her child, being beaten and mercilessly thrown out onto the streets by her own son is too heartbreaking to overcome. But this is a common story among the elderly residents of the Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram. “I’ve seen mothers in old and torn clothes, their bodies smelling and their hands and feet rotting and covered in maggots,” shares Dr. G.P. Bhagat, founder of the ashram. These abandoned elderly men and women lay starving on the streets hoping for someone to rescue them from their suffering. But most people walk past them without a second glance. “Like this”, Dr. Bhagat explains, “many elders die on the roads.”Since 2003, SHEOWS (Saint Hardyal Educational and Orphans Welfare Society) has rescued over 10,000 elderly people from the streets and given them a home with care and support. The elderly staying at the ashram have all been abandoned by their families and have nowhere else to live. Your support can give them comfort after their abandonment. Donate now.Donate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India). Safe and loving homeFor 20 years, SHEOWS has been providing free shelter, nutritious food three times a day, clothing, medical care, recreation activities and emotional support to abused and disabled elderly people rescued from the streets of Delhi. The Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram has a dedicated rescue team that saves the elderly from the streets and gives them immediate medical care upon their arrival at the home. To tend to the multiple health complications of the seniors, the home has a medical facility with doctors and nurses, a physiotherapy unit, a pathology lab, a digital X-ray monitoring machine and a pharmacy to provide 24-hour care to older adults anytime they require assistance, even during emergencies. Dr. Bhagat prioritizes the health of the seniors and ensures that they receive three balanced meals a day based on their precise health requirements. Need for the fundraiserThe humanitarian mission of SHEOWS is making an impact in the area, as more and more people are being rescued and brought to Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram. To meet the financial costs of running the home, SHEOWS needs support to continue providing the residents with all the facilities that they need. This includes constant care and round-the-clock medical attention, nutritious food and maintaining a hygienic environment to keep the seniors in comfort and good health. Dr. Bhagat explains that as the number of residents is increasing, SHEOWS needs support for food and medicines. “I request you to help these elderly parents lead a peaceful life.”Donate now to help Dr. Bhagat continue caring for the 500 destitute elderly and giving them shelter, food, medical care and the will to carry on living despite their tragic abandonment by their families. Your support will enable SHEOWS to keep serving abandoned senior citizens and help them recover from the trauma of abandonment and life on the streets. “I have been serving these elderly as if they were my own parents”, shares Dr. Bhagat. “I want only one thing - their tears should vanish and they should have a smile on their faces.” To help Dr. Bhagat achieve this dream, your support is critical. Donate now to help SHEOWS care for more abandoned elderly. Donate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest online donation platform, to support SHEOWS in their mission to rescue the abandoned elderly from the streets and give them shelter, food, medical care, recreational activities and emotional support.

Help Dr. Bhagat care for 500+ elderly parents rescued from abuse and homelessness

“What will happen to them after me? I am 80+. I spend sleepless nights,” worries ex-Air Force officer, Group Captain AC Barua while talking about the future of the 28 destitute women under his care. “They have nobody in this world, sometimes they don’t remember their own names. They are absolutely alone,” he informs us as he goes from one room to the other meeting all the women who live at Seneh, the only home where they are loved and taken care of. After fighting for his country all his life, this octogenarian is now fighting to rescue homeless and abandoned women from dying on the streets. But he cannot do it alone. “Everyday I keep on getting calls from here and there. ‘Oh! there’s a woman lying here. Can you help?’ But I don’t dare to go and help because I don’t have the money. I don’t have the resources, our resources are very limited,” explains Gr. Capt. Barua who is lovingly called ‘Sir’ and ‘Deuta’ (father in Assamese) by the residents of Seneh. With your help, 80-year-old Group Captain Barua can fulfill his mission of rescuing abandoned and homeless women from dying on the streets, alone. Donate nowDonate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. All donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India), &amp; 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (USA).Seneh- a home filled with love, care and hopeThe residents of Seneh often don’t remember who they are, where they have come from. Many times these are women with mental health conditions and considered being a witch due to superstitious beliefs and beaten up as a result. They are victims of domestic abuse or widow mothers who are considered to be a burden on the family. Group Captain Barua has not only rescued them from critical conditions, he has provided them with urgent medical care, food and above all, a free safe shelter where they can live with love and care. Among these residents is Sarala Kalita who fled to save herself from the tortures of her alcoholic husband only to face neglect and trauma from her brothers- and sisters-in-law. “Both my brothers and their wives urged my father to leave me somewhere as they didn’t want to take care of me anymore. One day my brother’s wife didn’t even let me have food at home. She just wanted me to leave and go away. So that’s why, my father got in touch with Seneh through someone, and handed me over to Sir to take care of me,” says Sarita who has found joy in living at Seneh. “Coming to Seneh, it felt like I got a new life altogether. Sir has given me a harmonium. I love singing. It makes me forget everything and takes me to someplace else entirely,” she adds. More women like Sarala can find their way to a loving home like Seneh. All they need is a little bit of your kindness. “It is difficult to make both ends meet”To sustain their daily expenditure, Capt Barua needs approx ₹3 lakh a month and arranging the funds is a mammoth challenge for the NGO. “Our expenses are growing day by day. Residents are growing older, their sicknesses are increasing. At times we have to give them special food. They require more care so we have to get more employees. About half of them require leading around, 1-2 has to be fed also. It will be very difficult to sustain it unless we get help,” he added. One act of your kindness can save these abandoned women, with no one in this world, from struggling on the streets to survive. At 80+ Gr. Capt. Barua cannot sustain Seneh on his own. “With folded hands, I appeal to all. Please come and please help us. Let us help these people, these old people who have nobody in this world. They are dying. They will die on the streets,” he urged. Donate to this fundraiser by Give.do to support retired Air Force officer, Group Captain Barua in his mission to rescue abandoned and homeless women from dying on the streets.

Help ex-IAF officer rescue abandoned women and provide them with food and shelter

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Disaster Relief

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Isha Outreach, Isha’s social outreach initiative, implements several large-scale human service projects to support individual growth, revitalize the human spirit, rebuild communities, and restore the environment.Isha Outreach includes several path-breaking Environmental, Educational, Health and Community Revitalization Efforts. Working primarily in Southern India, Isha Outreach has become an example of the transformation that human intention and effort can bring about. The programs are meticulously planned and manned mostly by over 2 Million Volunteers, offering their time and effort for their fellow human beings’ benefit.

Sofia Yuldasheva

Vikas

Aravind

Isha Outreach

Here are few of the most inspiring updates in the Karnataka &amp; Tamil Nadu, during the 2 year pandemic.

2020-2021 Updates - Despite the pandemic!

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The name “Cauvery” literally means “one who brings abundance.” But this once mighty river is mighty no more. In the last year, the suffering of farmers and their suicides in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the Cauvery basin, have made national headlines. The depletion of Cauvery and the distress of farmers are two manifestations of the same problem.Cauvery’s Depletion<ul><li>Cauvery has depleted over 40% in the last 70 years</li><li>87% of the basin’s original tree cover has been lost</li><li>During the summer, Cauvery is unable to reach the ocean</li><li>70% of the Cauvery basin’s soil suffers erosion</li></ul>Farmer Distress<ul><li>83% of farmers in Tamil Nadu and 77% of farmers in Karnataka are in debt</li><li>17 districts in Tamil Nadu were drought-hit in 2019</li><li>15 of the last 18 years have been drought years in Karnataka</li><li>Almost half of the Cauvery basin suffers critical groundwater depletion</li></ul>Why Cauvery Is DyingCauvery, like almost all rivers in India, is forest-fed. Historically, this region was covered in forests and tree cover. The soil was constantly replenished with nutrients and organic matter by animal waste and plant litter. Organic matter allowed the soil to absorb water, and thus feed Cauvery.As Trees Disappear...Growing human populations and inefficient agriculture practices have led to an extreme loss of tree cover and the soil is no longer sufficiently replenished. The soil no longer absorbs water efficiently and suffers erosion instead. The soil, having lost its ability to retain water, is unable to sustain Cauvery. As a result, the river is drying up. The falling water levels and dying soil are taking a devastating toll on our farmers, who suffer failed harvests and crippling debt. 
 Cauvery Calling (Sep 2019 – Sep 2032)Cauvery Calling is a unique eco-restoration initiative that has the potential to turn the environmental tide for the entire tropical world. A movement of gargantuan impact, the initiative launched by Isha Outreach, aims to enable 5.2 million farmers to plant 2.42 billion trees in 83,000 square kilometers of the Cauvery River Basin in southern India. Over 84 million people depend on the water from the Cauvery River.A paradigm shift that Cauvery Calling presents in tackling ecological issues is that it is fundamentally an economic model with ecological benefits. The project focuses on privately owned agricultural lands for tree-based agricultureIsha’s all environmental outreach initiatives to date engaged with more than 125,000 farmers among other groups to plant over 62 million trees. Isha has 32 nurseries where we can raise nearly 10 million organically grown saplings annually.<a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/cauvery-calling" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/cauvery-calling</a> <a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/cauvery-calling/tropical-world-blueprint" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/cauvery-calling/tropical-world-blueprint</a>.• 62 million+ trees planted• 125,000 farmers shifted to tree-based agriculture• 3-8 times boost to farmers’ incomes estimated• 1/3rd of the 83,000 km2 river basin to be brought under green cover• 9-12 trillion liters of water to be sequestered• 200-300 million tonnes of CO2 to be sequestered, meeting 8-12% of India’s targetsOverview of the solutionToday, after much deliberation and research, expert bodies such as the United NationsConvention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has arrived at an understanding that massive afforestation is the single, most effective solution for the present soil, water and livelihood issues. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) directives for planting of a Trillion Trees and the Bonn Challenge all point to the same scientific solution. A massive tree-planting initiative, Cauvery Calling aims to execute this vision.World’s largest farmer-driven ecological movementAt its heart, the core idea underpinning Cauvery Calling is breathtakingly simple and scalable. The pitfall of many environmental initiatives around the world is that they often work at odds with people’s livelihoods, pitching the environment vs. economy. In the context of India, where the 680 million people dependent on the agrarian economy live in relative poverty, it is clear that immediate economic imperatives will trump long-term ecological considerations. A paradigm shift that Cauvery Calling presents in tackling ecological issues is, that it is firstly and foremostly an economic model with ecological benefits. The project focuses on privately owned agricultural lands for tree-based agriculture.With the pressures of expanding population, increasing the tree cover in forests (currently21% of India’s area) is a far cry. However, transitioning farmers (who own over 80% of thecountry’s available productive land) to lucrative tree-based agriculture will serve the dualpurpose of addressing ecological concerns and economic gains. In the market economy of the 21st century, any profitable project will organically pick up momentum. A steady source of income ensures the sustainability of this ecological solution.The success of Cauvery Calling lies in its ability to marry the ecological needs with the economic benefits. That is why this solution is scalable and sustainable, over the long term. 
 Cauvery Calling will support farmers to plant 242 crore trees in the Cauvery basin, across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.Soil: It will replenish the soil’s nutrients and carbon content. The increase in green cover will bring land under tree shade. This will play a pivotal role in transforming the soil quality, allowing it to absorb water and making it fertile again. This will revive the river ecology and also improve the farmer’s economic situation.River: It will increase water retention in the Cauvery basin by an estimated 40%. When the land is under shade, organic material in the soil builds up. The soil will then retain water and allow it to percolate underground, which then feeds the river throughout the year.Farmer: The presence of trees provides valuable services on farmland, which means better harvests and more income for the farmer. Isha has converted 69,760 farmers to agroforestry which has increased their incomes by 300-800% in 5-7 years.Isha’s Engagement With The Environment<a href="https://isha.sadhguru.org/rally-for-rivers/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Rally for Rivers</a> - Supported by over 162 million people, Rally for Rivers is the world’s largest ecological movement today. Rally for Rivers provides a comprehensive solution to save India’s rivers and is unique in its structure as a primarily economic program with a significant ecological impact. <a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/project-greenhands" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">Project Greenhands</a> - Project GreenHands, a pilot project of Cauvery Calling is a grassroots ecological initiative, awarded India’s highest environmental award for taking corrective measures to increase the green cover, restore soil health and manage natural resources appropriately. PGH has enabled the planting of 35 million trees across Tamil Nadu.

Cauvery Calling

Action for Rural Rejuvenation (ARR) is a pioneering social outreach program that seeks to transform the lives of India’s rural population. Initiated by Sadhguru in 2003, ARR takes a comprehensive approach to the complex challenges faced by rural communities by implementing a range of health, livelihood, and community revitalization programs. ARR’s primary objective is to revitalize rural societies, create sustainable opportunities and transform the lives of rural poor.In order for initiatives to become self-sustaining, communities need to be inspired and motivated, with all parties benefiting through their fullest inclusion and participation. Self-sufficiency and dynamism replace dependency and helplessness, reigniting hope through highly successful engagement strategies that invite and inspire participation. As such, community capacity building is core to all of Isha’s interventions.Women’s participation is also of paramount importance in the overall improvement in community health and well-being. Women are considered the main force in a village community, charged with housework, earning income, organizing community activities and child rearing. If women are convinced about incorporating a simple herbal supplement into the family diet, then it becomes certain that the nutrition of the family – and of children in particular – will be positively affected. 
 Action for Rural Rejuvenation (ARR) is a multi-pronged, holistic, outreach program. ARR has been creating waves of positive change in the lives of people in rural areas. Its success can be attributed to its multi-faceted approach which envelops healthcare, sports, yoga, sanitation, livelihood, community development and social bonding. ARR works towards the short-term wellbeing of villagers, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project by instilling a sense of ownership in rural communities. Below are our projects &amp; initiatives:Free Mobile Health ClinicsFree Mobile Health Clinics (MHCs) are specially designed vehicles equipped to serve the medical needs of remote rural populations who are deprived of basic health care facilities. MHCs offer free primary healthcare on a weekly basis to these villages<a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation/project/free-mobile-health-clinics" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">KNOW MORE</a>Isha Rural Health ClinicsIsha Rural Health Clinics responds to a community's needs for affordable and quality healthcare. The clinics are centrally located in rural areas, and serve up to 30 surrounding villages.<a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation/project/isha-rural-health-clinics" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">KNOW MORE</a>Arokiya AlaiArogya Alai (Wave of Health) is a grassroots public health awareness campaign that was introduced in 2008. Health awareness events and general &amp; multi-specialty medical camps are conducted across Tamil Nadu.<a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation/project/arokiya-alai" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">KNOW MORE</a>Isha GramotsavamIsha Gramotsavam is a celebration of village life, showcasing the essence of rural Tamil Nadu through an elaborate display of rural talent, rural games, art, drama, dance, music, and food specialties.<a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation/project/isha-gramotsavam" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">KNOW MORE</a>Sports for TransformationSports in conjunction with yoga programs have helped to renew the rural spirit, enthusiasm, and motivation of the old and young alike. Sports has become our first step towards introducing any developmental activities in rural communities.<a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation/project/sports-for-transformation" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">KNOW MORE</a>Clean Villages-Clean ToiletsThrough our solid waste management and toilet construction projects we are working to keep villages clean, hygienic, and litter-free.<a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation/project/clean-toilets" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">KNOW MORE</a>Clean Villages - Solid Waste ManagementIn India, especially in rural areas, waste is a severe threat to public health and cleanliness.<a href="https://www.ishaoutreach.org/en/action-rural-rejuvenation/project/solid-waste-management" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">KNOW MORE</a> 
 Planned Activities &amp; Expected Impact from the Intervention Mobile Health Clinics● Healthcare support to about 48000 rural and tribal people from around 255villages in Coimbatore district● Multispeciality Camps covering over 6 specialities to benefit 1200 people● Monthly Awareness program for pregnant women● Medical Services to impact over 10000 villagers in Chikballapur district,Karnataka Rural Health Clinics● Healthcare consultations to about 22000 people from around 95 villages inCoimbatore and Salem districts● Speciality Consultations covering specialities like Ophthalmology, Diabetes,Orthopedics, Dental, Cardiology, Neurology, Dermatology and Gynecology Health Camps● 30 Eye Camps planned across Coimbatore, Salem and Chikaballapurdistricts. Eye and dental screening camps for government schools childrenin Coimbatore district● 56 Multispeciality Camps planned in the new villages surrounding Farmerssupport locations in TN and Karnataka to benefit around 7800 peoplePreventive Healthcare● 30 Sessions on Herbal Awareness (Mooligai Mutram) planned● 50 Sessions on Siddha consultations planned● 100 Herbal Gardens for villagers with 20 different herbs

ACTION FOR RURAL REJUVENATION

Over the 30-year period from 1990, the cost of crop cultivation in India increased at a faster ratethan the increase in the value of the output. This has led to dwindling farm incomes. The averageincome for agricultural households from cultivation is just Rs.90/day for a family of five.The main reason for this sharp decline in incomes is the depletion of soil fertility. The minimumorganic content in agricultural soil must be 3-6% to keep the soil fertile. But 62% of India’sagricultural soils have less than 0.5% organic content. When the soil is so severely depleted,farmers are not able to gain from any crop and hence nearly 52% of the farm households in Indiaare in debt. This problem is compounded by climate risks and market risks which make thefarming community the most vulnerable community across the country and probably the globe.When farmers cannot pay the debt, either they migrate to cities for employment or they areforced to sell their land and become landless labourers. The landless labourer's population hasincreased by over 400% in the last 50 years. In fear of becoming landless, nearly 1 farmercommits suicide every hour in India leaving 4-5 members of his family in acute suffering for therest of their life.In this condition, there is no pride left in farming. Hardly 2-3% of the farmers want their childrento get into agriculture. Most of their children migrate to cities for employment leaving behindonly the older generation on farmlands. The average age of Indian farmers has gone up to 50.These farmers have the agricultural skills that we as a civilisation have acquired over manymillennia. This intrinsic knowledge that our farmers have cannot be passed down throughacademic training or social media. It is passed down from generation to generation. But the nextgeneration of farmers is vanishing from our villages. 
 Sadhguru initiated the “Thaimannu Kappum Vyavasayam” which was earlier known as Isha AgroMovement in 2008 with the objective to create economic well-being for the farmers. He alsoemphasised improving soil fertility for the overall well-being of humanity. Since then TKV hasbeen ceaselessly operating to change farmer mindsets, identify and provide economically morebeneficial and ecologically holistic farming methods, create model farms and farmers anddevelop a platform for the farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing across Tamil Nadu and UT ofPondicherry.The mission of TKV is to create service platforms for training, farm schools, consumer awarenesscampaigns and agri-marketing services. It also focuses on enhancing farmers’ knowledge aboutcrop techniques and helping them to increase productivity. This is done through one-to-manyand one-on-one programs such as training courses, farm schools, on-farm trials, farmer groupreview meetings, farm visits to individual practising farmers, and consultation through whatsappand other social media platforms including helplines. TKV covers a broad area including crop-basedtraining, input preparation, better livestockmanagement, efficient water management and weedand pest management among others. Whereappropriate, TKV is planning to help build up localfarmers’ groups or clusters so that they can benefitfrom the offerings. TKV, therefore, provides thevaluable elements that farmers need to improve andstabilise their agricultural productivity and stable netincomes through natural farming systems. 
 The impact expected is to make natural farming a mainstream phenomenon through policy legislation and create economic well-being for the farmers while improving soil fertility.

Save Soil Movement - Thaimannu Kappum Vyavasayam (TKV)

In 2021-22, the share of agriculture and allied sectors in National Gross Value Added (GVA) is only 18.8% while the agri workforce is around 55% of total workforce, resulting in the per capita income of the agri workforce being very low [Source: DAC &amp; FW Annual Report 2021-22]The small and marginal farmer land holdings (holdings &lt;5 acres) constitute a substantial 86% of the total farm holdings in India as of 2015-16. However, the land area under their operations is only 47%. Fractionalised land holdings are the biggest deterrent to profitable farming operations at scale.The Ecosystem for Small and Marginal Farmers has been quite disabling:·      Focus of past agriculture policies has been on production (food security) even at the cost of the producer (farmer), resulting in farmer distress and suicides·      There has been limited / no access to critical farm inputs - quality seeds, fertilizers at nominal prices·      Lack of timely availability of labour at viable cost·      Lack of access to technical intelligence on various aspects of farming - related to mechanization in the farming process, proper use of nutrients, crop rotation etc.·      Lack of market linkage to end consumer·      Excessive intermediation resulting in exploitation of farmers and poor realization for farmers against their produce·      Inadequate government subsidies and leakages in reaching farmers and lack of awareness and ability to avail of the Government schemes·      Poor access to timely nominal credit and insurance services to mitigate risksAs a result, farmers especially small and marginal farmers have been facing acute suffering since their farming operations have not been able to provide them with a sustainable livelihood. 
 In the context of deep distress faced by farmers for decades, collectivizing farmers into Producer Organizations (POs) is one of the key ways to address the challenges of small and marginal farmers. Isha Outreach (IO) incorporated its first FPO - Velliangiri Uzhavan Producer Company (VUPC) in Coimbatore district in 2013 with the aim to collectivise farmers of that area into a Producer Organisation.VUPC was built top down by engaging prominent farmers in the region with an appeal to rope in the SMFs in their neighborhood. This resulted in creating a balanced membership mix of over 1000 farmers (of whom 70% are SMFs and 35% are women)Key Value Differentiators of VUPC, making it the Top FPO in Tamil Nadu are:a. It is a farmer-driven organisation ably supported by IO volunteers and industry experts providing it access to the requisite technical, management and business expertiseb. It is oriented towards agricultural entrepreneurship and has inspired farmers to change their farming culture and come together as “We” instead of functioning as “I”c. VUPC is a full-service provider working across farm inputs to farm produce and has a robust engagement with producer members and external market participantsd. It has a strong focus on capacity building of farmers and has built a strong and transparent governance mechanismAs a result, farm produce sales of VUPC has grown from less than INR 1 lac in 2013-14 to INR 17.69 crores in 2021-22 and VUPC is now a financially sustainable, zero debt organisation with a net worth of over INR 1 crore as of March 31st, 2022Owing to the success of the VUPC FPO, Isha Outreach (IO) has been appointed as a Cluster Based Business Organization (CBBO) by NABARD and SFAC (Government of India) to develop 24 new FPO’s across 5 clusters in 8 districts in two states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This has been initiated under the “Central Sector Scheme of Formation and Promotion of 10000 new FPOs” launched in 2020-21 by the Prime Minister of India to ensure economies of scale for farmers.Drawing on its rich experience of successfully running VUPC, IO is committed to bringing together farmers in these allocated cluster areas under 24 FPO’s to achieve scalability and sustainability of their farming operations thereby bringing wealth and wellbeing to the farmers.Isha Outreach is also developing an FPO Management Resource Centre (FMRC) as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) with a panel of professional experts to provide technical and management support to the CBBOs &amp; FPOs. This will provide superior value addition to the farmers and the rural economy.  
 The organisation of farmers by IO under FPO’s will enable:·      aggregation of services from farm inputs to farm produce·      better market access,·      support the farmers with the requisite management and technical intelligence ·      enable farm produce and sale of value-added downstream products.·      cultural reorientation, changing the culture of farming from ‘I’ to ‘We’·      Enable small land holding farmers to achieve economies of scale,·      increase their bargaining power,·      access to the network for gaining knowledge and receiving best practices of agriculture. This will result in farming becoming a profitable and sustainable means of livelihood.The impact under this project can be quantified as below :·      20,000 farmers will benefit directly as FPO members·      2.5 lac non-member farmers will benefit indirectly·      1.2 lac acres of land will be covered by 24 FPOs in 480 villages across 8 Districts, 2 States,·      60% of members registered are Small and Marginal Farmers; 20-25% women farmers·      13 different crop varieties will be under coverage

Isha Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) Project

the-river-cauvery-is-calling-do-you-have-a-heart-to-hear-support-isha-outreach-by-donating-to-the-cauvery-calling-project