Context:
Project Parali implemented by Roots Foundation has ceased stubble burning on over 3 lakh hectares in Haryana over a period of 3 years.
Focus Areas
- Sustainability
- Stubble is made into household products and not burnt.
- Women Empowerment
- Women led initiative with 80% of earned income reinvested into local communities.
- Plastic Waste Reduction
- Creation of eco friendly alternatives from stubble waste.
Agriculture and Sustainability Efforts
- Natural Resource Conservation Programme (NRCP)
- Water efficient techniques Direct Seeded Rice, Alternate Wetting and Drying.
- Safe pesticides and crop residue management.
- Improved farmer livelihoods since 2018, reaching into 10 lakh farmers.
Challenges & Industry Observations
- Technology in Agriculture
- Most agri tech start ups are into valuations, not into real problems for farmers.
Quality and Traceability in Food Processing
- Sustainable Farming and Policy Recommendations
- Demand driven agriculture should be able to give the best profitability.
- Reduce the production costs with proper practices.
- Government schemes should be leveraged for farmer benefits.
Roots Foundation’s holistic approach makes it a true protagonist of environmental conservation and economic empowerment as well as sustainable farming with long lasting effects in India’s agricultural sector.
