MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD. | Integrated Annual Report 2022-23

94 MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD. Integrated Annual Report 2022-23 Executive Summary of Impact Assessment Reports A brief outline of projects for which Impact Assessment was carried out and the Executive Summary of Impact Assessment Reports are given below: 1. PROJECT HARIYALI Project Hariyali was launched in 2007 as an afforestation initiative with a target to plant a million trees every year. The project aims to increase the green cover, arrest the rising ecological imbalance, protect the biodiversity and in the process has supported the livelihood of marginalized farmers. In 2010, the project was extended to Araku Valley, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and further extended to cover the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab in Northern India in 2021. To date, 22.86 million trees have been planted through Project Hariyali. The impact assessment study for plantation done in FY 2021-22 in Araku Valley, Vishakhapatnam, was conducted by BlueSky Sustainable Business LLP an NABCB accredited “Type A” Inspection Body. As part of impact assessment, Project Hariyali has been awarded the Platinum rating. The key outcomes of the study are as follows: 1. Survival rate of the plants: 94.67%. 2. 97% of the respondents from the survey consisting of 100 tribal farmers agreed that the activities conducted by Project Hariyali led to improvement in knowledge about Farm Management. 3. 77% respondents agreed that the intervention has led to an improvement in the soil quality. 2. AGRI ENTREPRENEURSHIP – UPSKILLING PEPPER FARMERS Mahindra & Mahindra Limited partnered with Naandi Foundation to support tribal farmers in the Araku hills of Andhra Pradesh benefiting 5,773 farmers across 175 villages. 99% of the farmers covered under this project were from below poverty line. The project’s objective was to enhance the profitability of the farmers by ensuring quality pepper harvest and enabling them to become self-sustaining and resilient. The initiative focused on introducing improved farming practices, enhancing the quality of produce, and establishing market linkages, which resulted in higher incomes for the farmers and increased interest from the younger generation in agriculture. Consultation with key stakeholders and beneficiaries as part of impact assessment has indicated following outcomes:- ● 99% farmers confirmed increase in yield after adoption of improved tools and techniques. ● 79% farmers confirmed increase in yield by 40-60%. ● 13% increase in land under pepper cultivation after the intervention. ● Number of farmers with annual income in the range of INR 1-3 lakh has gone up from 2% to 20% during the intervention period. ● 81% farmers were able to earn INR 20,000 per month after the project intervention. 3. VSTF-SMART Mahindra & Mahindra Limited partnered with Maharashtra Village Social Transformation Foundation (VSTF) in establishing Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Latur, Amravati and Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra to strengthen the post-harvest agriculture value chains under the project SMART. The FPOs have benefited 4,361 farmers throughaccess to infrastructure and strongmarket linkages. Interventions included building institutional capacity to support agricultural transformation, expanding market access, supporting enterprise growth, and building risk mitigation mechanisms. Consultation with key stakeholders as part of impact assessment has indicated following outcomes:- ● Access to infrastructure has helped reduce the wastage and post-harvest losses. ● Enterprising activities have created direct and indirect employment opportunities. ● Cost of procurement, operations and harvesting has reduced. ● Risk mitigation for volatility of prices has improved. 4. VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR YOUTH Mahindra & Mahindra Limited partnered with Pratham Education Foundation to provide vocational training to youth in Mohali (Punjab) and Nashik (Maharashtra). The project bridged the skill gap and enhanced employability skills for 615 youth in three streams-welding, electrical and automotive. The training approach involved a centre-based learning, on-the-job exposure for practical training and placement assistance. The project had three stages:- (A) Awareness (B) Foundation skills and (C) Hands-on skills. Consultation with key stakeholders and beneficiaries as part of impact assessment has indicated following outcomes:- ● 96% of candidates secured placements in tier 1 and tier 2 cities. ● 89% of candidates were placed with a salary range of INR 8,000 to INR 15,000 per month.