Roots Foundation

Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Innovations and Successes in Rural Communities by Roots Foundation

Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, employing over 50% of the population and being a key contributor to national GDP.

Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, employing over 50% of the population and being a key contributor to national GDP.

Yet, rural farmers in India grapple with an array of critical challenges, from water scarcity and soil degradation to market inaccessibility and the growing impacts of climate change. These challenges threaten not only agricultural productivity but also the long-term sustainability of rural livelihoods.

Despite various efforts to improve agricultural practices, a central question remains that how can sustainable agricultural practices address the challenges faced by rural Indian farmers such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and market access while also promoting environmental sustainability and economic stability?

The Roots Foundation has taken a proactive approach in introducing sustainable farming techniques, focusing on empowering farmers with tools like water conservation, natural soil management, and direct access to markets. However, the success of these initiatives requires overcoming key hurdles, including slow technological adoption, poor infrastructure, and limited financial resources for small-scale farmers.

Roots Foundation’s Vision and Goals

At Roots Foundation, our vision is straightforward – building an environmentally sound, economically viable farming sector through implementing ecological farming methods, preserving environmental resources, and cultivating community engagement and awareness.

Our goals include:

  • Sustainable Soil Management: Achieve top-tier sustainable soil management by teaching organic farming and facilitating the use of natural fertilizers to improve agricultural output and combat environmental deterioration, which are important sustainable agriculture practices in India.
  • Water Management: Improved water conservation in farming by strengthening efficient flooding systems and water-holding techniques.
  • Biodiversity and Agroforestry: Help farmers implement biodiversity and agroforestry to diversify crop production.
  • Community Empowerment: Empower local farmers through regular training sessions and resources.
  • Partnerships and Collaboration: Form strategic partnerships with local governments, NGOs, and international organizations to scalable, sustainable agricultural programs.

Key Sustainable Agriculture Practices Promoted by Roots Foundation

Roots Foundation engages at the intersection of knowledge, practice, and policy to build sustainable agriculture practices in India. Our climate-resilient agriculture solutions cater to the most pressing challenges within the agriculture sector.

These programs include:

Natural Resource Conservation Program (NRCP)

This initiative focuses on reducing water usage and increasing efficiency through techniques like Direct-Sown Rice (DSR).

By training over 10,00,000 farmers in DSR, the Roots Foundation has drastically reduced water usage in rice cultivation, contributing to the conservation of over 1,125 million liters of water​. This technique not only cuts costs but also enhances resilience against water scarcity, a critical issue in Indian agriculture​.

Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Program (APEP)

Through the promotion of precision farming and integrated pest management, APEP has improved crop yields for over 10,000 farmers. The Roots Foundation leverages technology to enhance productivity, demonstrating the importance of using digital tools in agriculture.

For example, Project Bhoomi includes a technology transfer component where farmers are introduced to mobile applications for farm management and soil health monitoring​.

Farm Produce Market Linkage Program (FPMLP)

One of the greatest challenges rural farmers face is market access. The Roots Foundation has helped over 6,000 farmers create direct links with food processing companies, allowing them to sell their produce without intermediaries, thereby increasing their income​. It not only boosts economic independence but also helps farmers scale their operations sustainably.

Technology Transfer Program (TTP)

Our Technology Transfer Program introduces farmers to the latest technologies like farm management and precision agriculture tools that have helped over 10,000 farmers double their productivity and align with sustainable agriculture practices in India.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

At the heart of the Roots Foundation’s initiatives is community engagement, ensuring that rural farmers and their families are actively involved in implementing sustainable agricultural practices. The Foundation’s approach emphasizes training and capacity building to create long-lasting change.

  • Farmer Education and Technology Transfer: The Foundation has facilitated over 484 farmer meetings to introduce sustainable farming practices and technologies, providing practical training on tools such as crop residue management and Direct Seeding of Rice.
  • Inclusive Participation of Women and Youth: Recognizing the pivotal role women play in rural communities, Roots Foundation also focuses on skill development for women through programs such as Project Unnati. This program has trained women in tailoring, candle-making, and eco-friendly product manufacturing, enabling them to contribute financially to their households while supporting sustainable practices.
  • School and Infrastructure Development: The Foundation also engages in broader rural development efforts, including village school renovation projects. By improving school infrastructure and integrating technology into classrooms, the Foundation ensures that children from farming communities receive a quality education, which is vital for long-term sustainability​​.

Crop Residue Management and Project Bhoomi

Project Bhoomi addresses one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Indian agriculture: stubble burning. This harmful practice, common in states like Punjab and Haryana, contributes to air pollution and poor soil health.

The Roots Foundation’s Crop Residue Management (CRM) initiative aims to reduce the negative impacts of stubble burning by providing farmers with sustainable alternatives:

  • Baler and Happy Seeder Technology: The Foundation has provided tools like balers and happy seeders to farmers in 120 villages in Haryana, allowing them to manage crop residue more effectively. This has not only improved soil health but also significantly reduced air pollution.
  • Farmer Empowerment Through Market Linkages: In addition to providing new technologies, Project Bhoomi links farmers with stubble buyers, ensuring that farmers can sell their crop residues and gain economic benefits while contributing to environmental sustainability​.

This program has already had a significant impact, with over 3 lakh acres of crop residue managed sustainably, making it a flagship example of how sustainable agriculture can benefit both farmers and the environment​.

Challenges and Adaptive Strategies

Despite our efforts, we faced a few concurrent challenges, like the everchanging climatic conditions, economic pressures, and the slow adoption of new technologies.

At Root’s Foundation, we address these challenges head-on by adopting flexible strategies that accommodate environmental changes and fostering economic models. One such initiative was the ‘Carbon Credit Program’. This initiative not only mitigates carbon emissions but also turns into a viable financial model for the farmers​.

Success Stories and Impact

The impact of the Roots Foundation’s initiatives can be seen in the success stories of individual farmers and communities:

  • Bhupinder Singh, a farmer from Sherpur Kalan, Ludhiana, Bhupinder faced significant challenges due to labor shortages for pesticide applications. Through Project Sahyog, he was introduced to a tractor-mounted boom sprayer, which revolutionized his farming practices by making pesticide application easier and reducing his reliance on expensive labor. Bhupinder’s income doubled as he rented out the sprayer to other farmers in his community​.
  • Dayanand, a farmer from Shahpur Village, Haryana, partnered with Project Bhoomi to manage stubble over 250 acres of land using a baler. His participation in the project allowed him to contribute to reducing air pollution and earn a decent income​.

These stories illustrate the transformative potential of sustainable agricultural practices, both in terms of productivity and financial stability for rural farmers.

Conclusion

The Roots Foundation’s commitment to sustainable agriculture practices in India has renewed hope and resilience in rural communities. Our journey towards attaining sustainability now has been long and fraught with challenges.

Still, with continuous effort and innovation, our sustainable agriculture programs expand their reach and refine their strategies, ensuring every farmer has the tools and knowledge to grow crops and a sustainable future for himself and the people.

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Sahil Sharma

 

With a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Maharishi Markandeshwar University and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Sahil is an Agriculturist committed to leveraging his skills and experience for organizational success. His passion lies in Sustainable Agriculture, and he is dedicated to driving positive change in farming practices.
Throughout his career, Sahil has excelled in promoting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and raising awareness about Crop Residue Management (CRM). His expertise encompasses various aspects of agriculture, including crop maintenance, agronomy, organic farming, beekeeping, and rural development.
Currently, Sahil is actively involved in implementing Agriculture strategies across four Haryana districts, namely Jind, Sonipat, Hisar, and Fatehabad, implementing innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions.

Dr. Vinod Aggarwal

Dr Vinod Aggarwal is a 1980-batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer who retired as Secretary of the Government of India. His last posting was Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Prior to joining the Indian Administrative Services, he completed his MBBS from AIIMS. He has also graduated in International Trade from Australia and recently completed a PG Diploma in Geriatric Medicine. Post-retirement, he has been associated with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as a Rapporteur, where he is evaluating various government-run programs like ICDS, MGNREGA, etc. His passion lies in designing innovative solutions that assist specially abled individuals. He is pioneering a telemedicine venture to make healthcare more accessible, especially for people living in rural areas.

Adwait Nautiyal

 

Adwait Nautiyal is an accomplished professional with a robust background in Communication Design and Brand Marketing. With a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Communication from NIFT and an MBA in Digital Marketing from MICA, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field. Adwait has successfully designed and led digital campaigns in the beauty and fashion industries, and has developed comprehensive communication strategies for the retail sector. His passion for sustainability and circular economies drives his approach to marketing, ensuring that his strategies are not only innovative but also environmentally conscious. Adwait believes that the role of a marketeer extends beyond brand building to include a commitment to safeguarding our people and planet. His work reflects a harmonious blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep sense of responsibility.

Shekhar Anand

Shekhar Anand, with an M.Sc from the London School of Economics, UK, and a postgraduate diploma in Rural Development from India, boasts extensive experience with organizations like Oxfam, CARE, CIDA, and national governments across South and East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and ex-Soviet countries. Formerly based in the UK for over eight years as Global Advisor Resilient Livelihoods, he specializes in leading economic justice, food security, and gender value chain development programs. With a strong background in managing large-scale initiatives on sustainable economic and social development, livelihood recovery, and private sector engagement, Shekhar is also dedicated to supporting young adults with mental health conditions and advocates for Autism awareness through his son's journey.

A.P. Sinha

A.P. Sinha has more than 20years of experience in the agribusiness domain in Asia, Africa, and Europe, as well as global conglomerates and start-ups. A Dairy Technologist from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) – Karnal, AP has a PG Diploma in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. In the past, AP has headed marketing and sales functions for prominent agri-input companies like Bayer, P.I. Industries, etc. He has also worked with McCormick (World’s largest spices, seasoning and flavour conglomerate), where he was instrumental in launching McCormick products in India. He has worked as a supplier to many corporates in their agri-supply chain ventures – Mahindra Shubh Labh, ITC e-Choupal, etc. AP has overseen, as CEO, the setting up of India’s largest integrated (from grass to glass) dairy project. AP is currently working on a farm-to-fork food supply venture.

Ritwik Bahuguna

Founder and General Secretary

Ritwik has 15 years of experience in the global agribusiness and sports industries. In the past decade and a half, Ritwik has collaborated closely with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, contributing to the drafting and updating of guidelines for flagship schemes like Mega Food Parks and Integrated Cold Chain, as well as participating in the formulation of the 12th Plan Document for the food processing sector's development. Furthermore, he has served as an advisor to numerous central and provincial governments across Asia and Africa, assisting in policy formulation, and consulted for the World Bank Group on agribusiness and dairy development initiatives in India and Africa.

Ritwik has played a pivotal role in establishing some of India's most successful mega food parks and large-scale food processing units while driving market expansion and business growth for leading FMCG companies. As a former national-level football player and an economist by training, Ritwik ensures that his entrepreneurial ventures prioritize business growth and social impact.

Ridhima Bahuguna

Founder and President

With over 10 years of experience in the textile and apparel sector in India and the United Kingdom, Ridhima is a seasoned textile designer currently employed at one of India's leading luxury design brands. Her expertise stems from training at renowned institutions like the London Business School (Creative Entrepreneurship) and Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of Arts London (Future Textiles), following her graduation from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi in textile designing. Ridhima has held roles at prominent Indian brands such as Fab India, Satya Paul, and Taurus Exports/Address Home, where she contributed to product development, sourcing, designing, branding, and marketing. Additionally, Ridhima has been empanelled as a Designer at the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) since 2008, overseeing integrated design projects and collaborating with artisans and craftsmen nationwide. She has actively participated in MoT schemes and conducted workshops and seminars to promote the Government of India's skill development initiatives in the textile sector.

Anmol Pandey

Head – Finance

Anmol is a Financial/Accounting professional with over 10 years of experience. He possesses multiple skills covering many financial areas, such as laws, cost control principles, ledger analysis, financial statements, budgeting, taxation and economic regulations. Superior analytical skills with expertise in transaction/workflow details in support of process and profit improvement.
Anmol obtained his undergraduate degree from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, and pursued his postgraduate studies at Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune.

Trapti Moonat

Head – Programs & Partnerships

Trapti is a development professional with multidisciplinary work experience in banking, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and business development. She has extensively worked in the research and development of Agri-lending policies for Agri-processing and Agri-input companies under priority sector lending for India. She has over 7 years of experience working with companies such as Axis Bank, WWF – India, and Roots Foundation in significant roles.
She completed her Postgraduate Diploma from the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM, Bhopal) and a postgraduate diploma certification in Digital Marketing from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA). Trapti is passionate about driving positive change for the underprivileged sections of society, with a focus on fostering sustainable development.

Vidula Chopra

Program Manager

Vidula is a former Gandhi fellow who has worked extensively in aspirational districts in Jharkhand in the education sector. Her areas of expertise include community engagement, education, gender, and women’s empowerment.
She holds a graduate degree in Business Economics from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from Ambedkar University, Delhi.

Bhoop Singh

Program Manager

Bhoop possesses nearly six years of hands-on experience within the development sector across Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. His proficiency primarily revolves around executing development initiatives in agriculture, education, sports, and healthcare domains. He is equipped with an M. Tech. in Electronics and an MBA in Marketing Management, underlining his academic prowess and professional versatility.

Debolina Ghosh

Senior Program Manager

Debolina Ghosh is a development professional, with a decade of experience working in the social sector. She has collaborated across different organizations ranging from local NGOs, International NGOs, and the CSR wing of the corporate organization. She has worked with diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries on managing and leading robust and large-scale employability, skills development, and entrepreneurship programs.
Further her education in Political Theory from DU and a specialization in Women Studies from TISS, Mumbai have given her added impetus to analyze and study the development issues from a gendered lens and lay a critical framework thus challenging the existing structure towards equity and empowerment of the disadvantaged.

Prashasti Yadav

Assistant Manager – Communications

With 4 years of experience in the development sector, Prashastiis a branding and communication professional. She has demonstrated proficiency in formulating comprehensive 360-degree communication plans designed to enhance awareness, foster engagement, and showcase impactful outcomes.
During her tenure with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and L&T, she has gained experience in stakeholder mapping and the strategic execution of communication plans. Her journey in the sector encompasses diverse areas such as CSR, Geriatric Social Work, Correctional Social Work, and Psychiatric Social Work, enabling her to bring to light the complexities of the development sector from the margins to the mainstream.

Anamika

Anamika focuses on creating engaging and informative agricultural content aimed at benefiting farmers. Her primary responsibilities encompass data management, analysis, research, and content creation, all geared towards assisting farmers in making informed decisions and optimizing their yields and income. 

Anamika holds a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture and a postgraduate diploma in Food Safety and Quality Management. She had been actively engaged in the agriculture sector, collaborating closely with farmers and stakeholders.

Anirudh Singare

Associate Program Manager

Anirudh Singare, a seasoned development professional, started his journey in the social development while pursuing Gandhi Fellowship by Piramal Foundation. During this tenure, Anirudh spearheaded two pilot projects focused on equipping senior secondary students in government schools in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, with essential life and entrepreneurship skills in alignment with the PISA framework.
Subsequently, Anirudh's expertise earned him the role of National Specialist UNV for a flagship initiative led by UNDP and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. His responsibilities as a District Youth Officer at NYKS Sarguja, Chhattisgarh, included fostering inclusive youth engagement and advocacy by establishing Sports Youth Clubs.

Vijay Singh

Vijay has over 21 years of working experience in different capacities in the voluntary, humanitarian as well as the private sector. Vijay holds a Post Graduate Diploma in CSR & Sustainability from the Swedish Institute, Stockholm. An M.A. in Public Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Human Rights Law from The Indian Academy of International Law & Diplomacy.
Vijay has worked with the voluntary sector in Canada, U.K. and India. In the CSR Domain, Vijay has worked as Lead CSR with Times Group, DLF Ltd and Sahara Group as CEO for Sahara Welfare Foundation and now with PI Industries Ltd and the likes.