Public-Private Partnership in Tamil Nadu Seeks to Improve Solid Waste Management in Leather Clusters

The recent launch of a public-private partnership in Chennai marks a significant milestone in the Solidaridad–EU-SWITCH Asia leather project in Tamil Nadu. The partnership brings together key stakeholders in the leather sector – the Council for Leather Exports (CLE), Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers and Exporters Association (IFLMEA), Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research–Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR–CLRI), the Tamil Nadu Rural Incubator Startup Enabler (TN-RISE) initiative, individual tanneries, and important figures driving sustainability in Tamil Nadu’s leather cluster.

In keeping with the theme of the event (held on 6 November), project partners International Polytechnic for Industrial and Economic Development (PISIE) and Tata International Limited, as well as representatives from common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), discussed probable solutions and approaches to address environmental and operational challenges in the sector, during an interactive session.

Speaking at the event, Dr. P. Senthil Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu, shared his perspective on Solidaridad’s initiative, highlighting its role in promoting circularity within the tanneries. He stated, “This public-private partnership, with the right technology and scientific inputs, will support and improve solid waste management in tanneries, complementing the efforts of the state government.”

Solidaridad Showcases Interventions for the Dairy Industry at Krishi Bharat 2024

Solidaridad recently participated in the CII AgroTech India - Krishi Bharat 2024 event in Lucknow. Under the theme of ‘Indo – Dutch collaboration to promote sustainability in the Animal Husbandry and Horticulture Sector', Solidaridad set up a stall to showcase its interventions in the dairy industry (for GHG emission reduction, health testing of animals, and traceability tools), and displayed products from associated FPOs.

The stall was visited by dignitaries from the Netherlands government that partnered with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the event. "The Netherlands stands ready to support India in tackling challenges like emissions, water quality, and sustainable yield improvement, building a greener future one innovation at a time," said Dr. Hendrik Jan Roest, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer of The Netherlands.

Solidaridad Receives Soy Sustainability Award at the International Soy Conclave 2024

Solidaridad was conferred with the Soy Sustainability Award at the International Soy Conclave 2024 held recently in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The recognition, received by Dr. Suresh Motwani, Regional Head – Vegetable Oil, Solidaridad Asia, highlights our unwavering commitment in promoting sustainable practices in soybean farming.

The event also highlighted Solidaridad's impactful work in promoting health and nutrition through the Good Farming–Good Food–Good Health programme and the Edible Oil programme. An exhibition showcasing products from the Bharatkhand Consortium of Farmer Producer Organizations attracted significant attention from visitors.

A Digital Century of Farmer Empowerment: Celebrating the 100th Weekly Smart Krishi Chaupal

The Smart Agri Project recently observed and celebrated the 100th edition of the weekly Smart Krishi Chaupal. On the occasion, the journey was aptly titled as ‘A digital century of farmer empowerment’.

Over 99 sessions, this initiative has delivered practical, science-backed solutions to farmers, driving transformation through enhanced knowledge of good agricultural practices (GAPs), leading to improved crop productivity. The 100th session, led by experts from the Smart Agri Hub, focused on integrated weed management in rabi crops (wheat, gram, and mustard). More than 500 participants attended the live session, while the recorded event was watched by an estimated 10,000-plus viewers.

During this session, Dr. Shatadru Chattopadhyay (Managing Director, Solidaridad Asia), Dr. Suresh Motwani (Coordinator, Smart Agri Project) and Deepender Kumar (Head, Vodafone Idea Foundation) emphasized the significance of farmer-centric digital initiatives. The event highlighted the programme's success and Solidaridad’s dedication to connecting innovative solutions with rural farming communities.

Talk Show Transforms Perceptions on Palm Oil’s Role in Health and Nutrition

A talk show titled "Palm Oil – Transforming Perceptions for Health and Nutrition" was organized at Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal. The event aimed to address misconceptions about palm oil related to health and nutrition. The show sought to engage future journalists and provide them with a balanced understanding of the myths and realities surrounding palm oil.

Dr. Suresh Motwani and Dr. Sanjit Kanjilal (Senior Principal Scientist at the Centre for Lipid Science and Technology, CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology) led expert sessions, presenting scientific insights and information about palm oil. The event also featured a quiz session, and an activity in which students analyzed the ingredients of various edible and non-edible products containing palm oil. The activities and sessions helped participants understand the vital role of palm oil in the Indian food system.

Awareness Drives in Andhra Pradesh Spread Awareness on IPOS Framework and Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation

Solidaridad, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, and regional oil palm businesses, has launched a mass awareness drive in the state to promote IPOS-aligned sustainable oil palm development. This initiative highlights the Indian Palm Oil Sustainability (IPOS) Framework, focusing on economic, environmental, and social sustainability. This drive also supports India’s National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) to reduce reliance on imported oils by boosting domestic production, with Andhra Pradesh playing a key role.

On 21 November 2024, a stakeholders' event featuring 200 participants was held at the District Collectorate in Eluru, led by district collector K. Vetri Selvi. The following day, around 150 extension officers were trained on IPOS-mandated practices. More awareness events have been planned in different regions of the state over the next two months.

Exposure Visit in Varanasi Yields Useful Insights for Trainee IAS and IPS Officers

A group of 12 trainee IAS and IPS officers visited the Smart Agri project site in Varanasi as part of their training programme. The visit focused on showcasing innovative agricultural practices and technologies for sustainable farming. The trainees interacted with lead farmers at the Bankat farmer field school and learned about the benefits of sustainable farming. They also observed a demonstration of the agricultural weather station (AWS), which highlighted the instrument’s role in providing precise weather data and customized advisory services to farmers.

A field visit to the demonstration plot highlighted the impact of practices like applying pheromone traps and sticky cards. For the trainees, the visit provided valuable insights into agricultural challenges, the role of technology, and the importance of farmers’ training. The positive outcomes of the visit are expected to inspire future policy initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture.

Biogas Units Installed Under Gram Samruddhi Project Reduce Environmental Pollution

The Solidaridad Regional Expertise Centre (SREC) is in the process of installing 1,000 biogas units in the villages covered under the Gram Samruddhi Project in Gujarat. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by converting organic waste into biogas and a nutrient-rich byproduct (slurry) that can be used as fertilizer.

For smallholders, procuring the biogas units independently was not financially feasible. To address this, SREC has integrated a carbon credit programme in this ongoing project, creating a sustainable solution for small farmers.

Each biogas unit installed in the project areas has a capacity of 2 cubic metres. With an average usage of about 150 days per year, each unit can potentially generate 300 cubic meters of biogas in a year. Furthermore, by utilizing manure and food waste, the units prevent nitrogen pollution and runoff into water resources. Biogas also helps mitigate methane emissions that would have otherwise escaped from landfills or manure lagoons.

Farmer Trainings in Maharashtra Emphasize Importance of Proper Cotton Picking and Storage

Solidaridad orients farmers on different topics and builds their capacities on different agricultural aspects. With Solidaridad’s intervention, many farmers become aware of different components of regenerative agriculture such as integrated nutrient and pest management, and bio input preparation. As a result, they are now able to reduce their production costs, identify harmful pests and insects, and stay well prepared for difficult circumstances.

Such training sessions were organized on 4 November 2024 at Gonhi village and Jatamzari village in Nagpur district, Maharashtra. During the sessions, Solidaridad experts discussed standard cotton picking and storage practices, and compost preparation from cotton residue. The sessions also addressed and raised awareness on the ills of cotton-stubble burning that results in increased carbon dioxide emissions and loss of soil microorganisms leading to the deterioration of soil health. A similar session was also held on 7 November 2024 at Donduda village in Wardha district. Here too, the Solidaridad staff discussed the importance of proper cotton-picking and -storage practices to ensure good quality and better prices for produce.

Empowering Small Tea Farmers Through Mechanization and Skill Development

Under the Smart Agri Project, Solidaridad established demonstration plots for 38 small tea farmers in Tinsukia district, equipping them with modern agricultural tools, including a high-efficiency pruning machine capable of covering large plantation areas at reduced costs. However, many farmers struggled to utilize the equipment effectively due to a lack of technical expertise.To address this challenge, Solidaridad engaged Ajit Chetia, a skilled farmer and fellow demo plot holder, as a resource person. Spanning four days—November 14, 15, 18, and 19, 2024, Solidaridad conducted phased field training sessions for farmers and machine operators where Ajit was the primary instructor. These sessions were held in clusters across various locations within the district.

The initiative aimed to empower farmers with the skills needed to operate and maintain the equipment efficiently, especially as demand peaks during the winter season. Skilled demo plot holders can not only maximize the machine's potential for their own use but also offer services to other farmers for a nominal fee, addressing the need for trained operators. This arrangement significantly reduces overall costs for farmers, as mechanization proves more economical than traditional labor.Through Smart Agro Enterprise Tinsukia, this initiative seeks to enhance farmers' incomes, particularly during the lean tea-growing season, by promoting efficiency, reducing operational costs, and fostering community-driven solutions.

A Digital Transformation

Datta Sambhaji Shinde, a small-scale farmer from Loni village in Maharashtra’s Nanded district, faced an uphill battle having to sustain his family entirely on the modest holding of 4 acres that he owned. Degrading soil conditions, overreliance on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and steadily declining yields compounded matters even further, bringing him perilously close to debt.

However, his entry into the Smart Agri Project in 2022 marked a turning point in his journey. In particular, the installation of an Eco D3 automated weather station on Shinde’s farm led to a remarkable reversal in fortunes. This modern equipment provided him with real-time data on variables such as soil moisture, rainfall and weather conditions. He also began to receive timely advisories and phone calls, guiding him through every stage of crop management – from planting schedules to pest control. Workshops, demonstrations and hands-on sessions on different aspects of sustainable farming – soil testing, land preparation, seed treatment, intercropping, crop diversification, integrated pest management, among others – helped Shinde overhaul his farming practices and adopt modern, scientific ones in the process.

The favourable results were visible within the first year of Shinde’s participation in the Smart Agri Project, by which time the yield on his farm had risen by as much as 10 per cent. And by the end of the second year (2024), Shinde has emerged as a catalyst of change and a beacon of hope in his village, inspiring other villagers to participate in the Smart Agri Project, avail of the advisory service, and embrace the practices that had rescued and immensely benefitted him.

WELCOMING NEW COLLEAGUE

S Mohamed Shafee, joined us on 4 November as a Field Coordinator in our Leather programme based at Ambur, Tamil Nadu.He has more than eight years of work experience in the leather industry. He was previously working with Habeeb Tanning Company as Dye House Incharge. He has experience of working in wet end, article development and field operations. He has done his B.Sc in Chemistry from C. Abdul Hakeem College of Arts and Science Melvisharam and holds a Diploma in Leather Technology from KAR Polytechnic College Ambur.

Ramanand Tiwari
General Manager – Programme Systems and Coordination