SOFILWM is currently supported by Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust (NRTT), Mumbai under its rural livelihood programme.
The organization is now working in 400 villages of Banaskantha, Mehsana and Patan districts of North Gujarat, in strategic partnership with two grassroots ngo’s, to implement and expand the tested strategies for groundwater management of North Gujarat Initiative Project. The aim of partnership is to strengthen the regional capacities on different aspects of demand and supply side water management options for arid and semi arid regions. SOFILWM is providing financial, technical and resources support to these strategic partners.
Project implementing partners:
A. Cohesion Foundation Trust, Ahmedabad
Cohesion Foundation Trust was setup in 1996, by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, with the objectives to manage and develop natural resources – land, water, forest and indigenous systems and to improve livelihood status of poor farming community. Cohesion Foundation is one of the oldest NGO partners of SOFILWM (since IWMI NGI Project Phase-II) and is currently involved in implementing the groundwater management project activities in 100 villages of Kankrej, Deodar, Sami, Harij and Patan talukas of North Gujarat. (www.cohesionfoundation.org)
B. Naisargik Trust, Palanpur
Naisargik Trust was setup in 1997, by social development professional, to manage the natural resources and to improve the livelihood and health status of deprived communities. Naisargik Trust is the key implementing partner of SOFILWM, working in 50 tribal villages of Amirgardh and Danta taluka of Banaskantha district.
(www.naisargik.org)
C. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development ( NABARD)
To transmit the latest agriculture techniques to the farmers’ field, orienting them to establish better relationship with banks, adoption of latest post harvest handling technology, value addition, etc. and enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining power both for procuring inputs and select their produce the Farmers’ Club Programme is an appropriate and most suitable strategy initiated by NABARD. SOFILWM established the Farmers’ Club to provide the additional advantages of this NABARD initiative. SOFILWM formed 76 clubs at village level in North Gujarat with the involvement of local farmers. SOFILWM is also involved in the mKRISHI project as one of the partners.
Tata Consultancy Services
Tata Consultancy Services provide the assistance in IT service, business solutions, engineering and industrial services and outsourcing industries. TCS and SOFILWM have joined the hands with each other through the mKRISHi project. TCS has designed farmer’s friendly mobile software to get information about agriculture problems on their mobile. The aim of this project is to reduce the input cost in farming and enhance the income through increase in productivity.
Local supporting Partners:
- Sardar Krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Banaskantha, is the key partner for technical assistance and guidance, meteorological information and research support.
- Agricultural/Horticulture Departments Government of Gujarat, along with State Horticulture Mission (SHM) is providing guidance on government schemes available for the development of horticulture in the district plus seeking support of SOFILWM for promotion of horticulture in Banaskantha district.
- Amalsad V.V.K. Sahakari Khedut Mandali, Amalsad is providing valuable guidance in cooperative developmental strategies and technical guidance to North Gujarat Agro Producers Company Limited promoted by SOFILWM.
- District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) also supporting through its various rural development schemes for women SHG supported by SOFILWM, Palanpur.
- Gujarat Green Revolution Company (GGRC) through various training and awareness generation programme to farmers and rural youth on efficient use, operation and maintenance of various water efficient technologies.
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