Social Development is at the core of every project or intervention that NAF undertakes, creating dynamic, vibrant and sustainable rural communities who work in the spirit of cooperation, equity, equality and collective ownership. NAF strongly believes that rural prosperity can be achieved through effective participation of rural communities in the management of their own social, economic and environmental needs.
Most rural communities are in transition, taking on the new globally inflicted challenges and are at cross roads of development. Despite the many constraints of lack in infrastructure, growth and opportunities, rural communities have proven to be resilient in times of challenges and have come together to display skill and leadership.
NAF has adopted an inter disciplinary and inter sectoral approach to address the diverse social dynamic in play in rural India, by, organizing the rural people into grass-root level community-based institutions, and encouraging informed decision making, equal participation by women and demand driven development.
NAF is promoting and nurturing various community-based institutions like Farmers Clubs, Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups, Farmers Producer Organizations, Farmer Producer Companies, Water User groups, Watershed committees etc. for inclusive decision-making and collective-action.
These institutions has helped the communities in achieving a sense of ownership for the development interventions, accumulation of capital & resource mobilization for institutional growth, ease-of-access to government schemes, gender equality and other social benefits.
Focus Areas:
NAF has been at the forefront reaching out to marginalized sections in rural areas during the pandemic, providing not just financial support, but handholding support as well to women and farmers to help build their lives during the crisis period. Rebuilding livelihoods has been a major focus during the pandemic, especially empowering women through financial inclusion projects, income generating projects and micro entrepreneurship, thereby ensuring that new streams of income are sustained and people are able to cope with sudden loss of mainstream incomes. Some of the initiatives are listed below..
Highlights of COVID-19 Relief Initiatives to communities across India
National Agro Foundation, with support from its CSR Partners has been able to reach out to scores of people across 8 states during the Pandemic in delivering not just essential items and groceries, but also much needed medical equipment and medical kits to frontline workers from the medical and police departments. It has been a humbling experience to facilitate relief and aid to the most needy, especially during a crisis period, but the organization worked on war footing to take these essential services to the communities in the most critical phases of the Covid 19 pandemic.
COVID 19 Relief Initiatives Supported by BNY Mellon
Bank of New York Melon (BNYM), in partnership with National Agro Foundation, has acted on humanitarian grounds to respond to the crying needs of its stakeholders during the COVID 19 pandemic in India. Through their multiple forums, they were actively supporting various relief measures carried out with the support of NAF across the country.
COVID-19 Relief Activities under Corporate Social Responsibility supported by Pershing India Operational Services
Pershing LLC through their CSR initiatives in association with National Agro Foundation supported the state and the public in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic through various relief measures in the form of donation of PPEs, Dry ration kits for the front line workers and vulnerable population.
Covid 19 Relief Activities Supported by Bay Area Tamil Mandram (BATM) San Francisco
The Bay Area Tamil Mandram provided 2.35 lakh to support the frontline workers of the Madurai police department, by providing 430 PPE kits, which were handed over to the Superintendent of Police, Madurai.
COVID-19: Farmers Livelihood Project Supported by Bay Area Tamil Mandram (BATM)
The impact of COVID 19 was felt all around the globe, with far reaching negative consequences to the small and marginal farmers, who lost their only source of income and livelihood during the crisis period. Reeling in heavy losses and unable to cater to their basic requirements, the farmers were in a desperate situation.
Twenty one farmers from three villages were severely impacted as they were not able to transport the harvested vegetables due to covid related lockdown in April - May 2020 thereby making loss in farming. NAF selected such severely affected farmers from Marakkanam block and provided high quality seeds with high yielding potential and market preference for the ensuing season. Nutrients and IPM kits were also provided to the farmers free of cost. Due to continuous monitoring of NAF and regular field advise to the farmers, they were able to earn Rs.1,19,920/- as profit and an yield of 19 tonnes of vegetables, during the crisis.
Covid 19 Relief Activities Supported by KLA Tencore
KLA Tencore supported various activities for farmers in Villupuram district of Tamilnadu through the following activities:
COVID-19: Farmers Livelihood Project Supported by KLA Tencore
This project is being implemented in Olakkur block for the farmers who are victims of COVID-19 related lockdown in 2020. Twenty farmers from six villages were selected and provided with quality seeds of brinjal, bhendi, chilli, bottle gourd, ridge gourd and snake gourd. The farmers have sown these seeds in 9.65 acres of land. Fertilizer distribution for these farmers has been planned. NAF Experts are visiting the fields and providing need based advisories and support in a timely manner despite the pandemic.
Covid 19 Relief Activities Supported by NABARD, TN-SFAC, TN-Collective Farming, TNIAMP FPOs in various Districts in Tamilnadu
National Agro Foundation promoted FPOs under various state machinery came together to support the farmers and the rural community during the pandemic by harnessing all resources and making essential items available to various communities across Tamilnadu.
Farmers in Tamilnadu were the worst hit due to COVID-19 crisis. They were forced to abandon their produce due to lack of transport facilities during the severe lockdown imposed in the state making it impossible to reach the consumers. Supply chains across the state witness a total collapse in distribution channels and forced farmers to desperate measures. While farmers had available produce that they could not sell because of the lockdown, on the other hand, consumers could not buy vegetables, and they were either facing scarcity or forced to pay a high price for farm goods.
To overcome the unprecedented situation, a joint initiative of Tamil Nadu Agri business and Agricultural Marketing and National Agro Foundation through its Farmers Producer Organizations� (FPOs) linked the producers and consumers by aggregating the produce of member farmers, and collectively transporting them for sale in nearby towns and urban establishments. Among NAF promoting 73 FPCs, 27 FPCs from 12 districts came forward voluntarily to operate and supply vegetables, fruits and other essential commodities during the COVID-19 crisis by procuring and marketing 1689 tonnes of farmers' produce worth Rs 88 Lakh, and were able to provide their shareholders with a much needed income.
NAF facilitated the setup of a supply chain system to connect the producer farmers and the consumers during the strict COVID-19 lockdown through multiple channels. The direct sales and marketing to the consumers helped the farmers to realize better value for their produce. The customers also benefitted through quality products at nominal price amidst the lockdown.