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

96 MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD. Integrated Annual Report 2022-23 ● 87% farmers reported an increase in their annual income due to project activities. ● Livestock support led to 26% reduction in livestock maintenance cost due to adoption of better healthcare practices and support from Pashu-sakhi. 9. SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT – JALGAON Mahindra and Mahindra Limited partnered with AFPRO (Action for Food Production) to implement sustainable village development project in 10 drought-prone tribal villages of Chopda block in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. The project aimed to improve the quality of life for tribal communities by using existing resources and opportunities. Out of 2,090 households covered under the project, 98% were from the tribal communities. Interventions included promoting sustainable agriculture practices, developing soil and water conservation infrastructure, empowering women, supporting school infrastructure, and improving community health and hygiene. Consultation with key stakeholders and beneficiaries as part of impact assessment has indicated following outcomes:- ● 88% farmers noted increased water storage and reduced run-off due to check dams and tank desilting. ● 60% farmers saw decreased agriculture costs from vermicomposting. ● 83% farmers reported improved water use efficiency through water budgeting activity. ● 93% farmers acknowledged that using drip/ micro irrigation techniques helped conserve water. ● 15% of the women beneficiaries had backyard nutritional garden. 10. SUSTAINABLE VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT – RAICHUR Mahindra & Mahindra Limited partnered with Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency (MYRADA) to implement sustainable village development project in 7 arid and drought prone villages in Raichur district of Karnataka. The project benefited 3,114 community members of which 83% belonged to SC and OBC communities. Interventions included water conservation, sustainable agriculture, health and hygiene, and improvement in school infrastructure. Interventions for women empowerment included distribution of tailoring machines and training, flour mills and installation of biogas units. Consultation with key stakeholders and beneficiaries as part of impact assessment has indicated following outcomes:- ● 91% farmers observed up to 38% increase in income due to improved access to water. ● 87% farmers witnessed improved soil fertility with sustainable agriculture practices. ● 98% farmers reported improvement in knowledge and skills due to training and capacity building. ● 79% beneficiaries started kitchen garden activity after the project intervention. ● 38% beneficiaries have initiated micro-enterprise activities. 11. DIVERSION BASED IRRIGATION – NASHIK Mahindra & Mahindra Limited partnered with BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development Maharashtra to implement Diversion Based Irrigation and agriculture support interventions in tribal villages of Peint block in Nashik, Maharashtra. A total of 127 tribal farmers were benefitted from this project. This unique model leveraged natural water streams and low-cost structures to store and use water for irrigation. The project also included construction of lined farm-ponds, installation of solar panels for irrigation pump, drip irrigation for horticulture, demonstration of high-density mango plantation and guava plantation. Consultation with key stakeholders and beneficiaries as part of impact assessment has indicated following outcomes:- ● 67% farmers reported increase in yield due to interventions. ● 76% farmers experienced improvement in quality of yield due to improved knowledge and timely availability of water. ● With increased access to water, additional rabi and kharif crop were taken, leading to increase in income. ● The kisan mela and exposure visits have enabled 100% of the farmers to access better information and markets for their produce. 12. SAMRIDDH KISAAN KRISHI MITR Mahindra & Mahindra Limited partnered with SM Sehgal Foundation to implement the Samriddh Kisaan Krishi Mitr project to leverage digital solutions in agriculture. The project was implemented in Aurangabad, Sultanpur and Chhindwara districts of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh respectively to benefit 3,858 farmers. It utilised Takneek plots (demonstration plots) to build capacity of farmers by offering holistic information and digitally enabled services across the entire crop cycle. Furthermore, agronomy advisory, access to advanced farm equipment and digital farming solutions were some of the interventions utilised to reduce farming costs and improve yield. Consultation with key stakeholders and beneficiaries as part of impact assessment has indicated following outcomes:-