Impact of sustainable models of some of the ongoing programmes conceptualised and implemented by our founder Shri Sita Ram Gupta is as under.
Bee-keeping
20 Years back, agriculture was sole bread earner for farmers. We conceptualized and introduced Beekeeping in Bharatpur district with an aim to provide alternate income for landless farmers. The region experienced exponential upswing in Beekeeping and honey production. We motivated youth and entrepreneurs to set up honey processing & packaging units. We aligned production with procurement, procurement with processing, processing with packaging to transform the region from raw honey production hub to country’s top honey exporter. This production to packaging approach which we fondly calls “Box to Bottle” has created a unique sustainable model.
The Beekeeping initiative changed dynamics of Bharatpur region producing 4500 MT of honey and handles 18,000 MT honey annually involving 4000 farmers and labourers. Bharatpur is country’s no.1 honey exporting district. It’s environment friendly, job-generating and increased crop yield due to cross pollination. It is also nation’s major honey market place and home to one of the biggest honey processing plants.
Pisciculture
In early 1990s Mewat region faced water seepage problem from Gurgaon canal leading to waterlogging in 500 hectares farm land mostly backward area thus making it unsuitable for agriculture. Considering its closeness to Delhi NCR and adaptability by the population of Mewat region, we turned waterlogged farms into multiple small ponds. We introduced unique multilayer fish farming transforming the area into a major fish production hub. To upscale the process we established fish hatchery with state and central government’s help. Further we aligned supply of fresh fish to next door high paying huge potential Delhi NCR market.
The fish production grew quantitatively and qualitatively with the “problem to solution to potential” approach. Mewat currently produces 500 MT of fish and the biggest supplier to Delhi NCR. Gupta’s initiative transformed helpless farm land owners to forward looking successful Pisciculture entrepreneurs.
Soil Reclamation
The soil reclamation in Mewat region transformed 500 hectares of unproductive land to productive. This induced verve and confidence in the community. Later farmers transformed over 5,000 hectares of land at their own.
Natural Farming
Natural Farming Training to 6500 farmers and its adoption by many, Gupta promoted cost-effective, chemical-free practices resulting to nutritious and healthy agricultural produce.
Employment Creation
Through various grassroot innovations have generated over 50,000 jobs, improved Human Development Indicators of Bharatpur district, increased productivity and profitability of agriculture & allied activities. Cluster formation and Multi Skill Centres reduced interstate migration, for example, village Sikri in Bharatpur district, which is a renowned marble statues cluster employs over 500 families. Skill cum Training programs in furniture and garment production turned Bharatpur into a significant manufacturing hub. Barbers training and distribution of barber kits ensured livelihoods to over 2000 families.
Health & Nutrition
Neonatal Respiratory Machines saved over 25,000 infant lives till date reducing infant mortality rate and total nutrition program in Kumher block made over 30,000 children malnutrition.
Natural Resource Management
In Maharashtra’s Dhule district, Gupta’s initiative of making Government’s defunct 222 check dams operational. Rejuvenated small rivers and transformed the region into a hotspot for vegetable cultivation.
Financial Inclusion Project
Under the Financial Inclusion project, 120 mini banking centres bought unserviceable/ backward areas of 761 villages in 9 districts on country’s digital economy map by providing banking facilities & social security schemes. They serve as extended arm of top PSU banks and facilitated opening of 3.44 lacs PMJDY bank accounts. 29,000 families benefitted with APY, 21,000 with PMJJBY and 41000 with PMSBY.