Farmers face challenges such as fragmented landholdings, frequent wild animal attacks on crops, erratic rainfall, and rising input costs, all of which threaten their livelihoods. Unemployment continues to rise due to a lack of training centres, high school dropout rates, digital illiteracy, and low awareness of emerging job opportunities. These interlinked issues underscore the urgent need for integrated interventions in health, education, agriculture, and skilling.
With groundwater contamination, Ambuja Foundation created awareness about safe drinking water – colour coding handpumps as ‘safe and unsafe’ for consumption. A water minar, powered by solar energy, was built in the centre of the village - making free drinking water available 24x7, and accessible, in areas previously contaminated with iron. Revival of traditional water systems has enabled abundant water for irrigation purposes. Additionally, the depth of ponds has increased and the surrounding areas have been beautified.
Water Minars constructed
Pond Renovated
Increase In groundwater level
Hand Pumps Installed
families use water for irrigation purposes
Our primary focus is to promote engagement in the Farmer Producer Company and sensitise farmers on organic farming in the area. Due to animal attacks, we have encouraged farmers to practice turmeric cultivation and install solar fencing systems. We have also encouraged vegetable cultivation, kitchen gardening, and natural farming. Through the FPO, farm machinery has been procured which the farmers can rent at a minimal rate. Additionally, Ambuja Foundation has also encouraged women farmers to participate in providing quality milk to milk collection centres which have been established, to earn additional income.
Farmers Associated
Farmer clubs
Milk Collection Centres
Women Farmers Associated
Demonstration plots
Farms under vegetable cultivation
Farm Machinery Banks
Area Covered Under Organic Farming (ha)
Solar Fencing Systems Provided
Ambuja Foundation forms Self Help Groups as the backbone of women empowerment – training them on various skills to start their own enterprise, individually or collectively. Every woman in the Self Help Group has a bank account and are taking advantage of social security schemes like PMSBY, PMJJBY and Sukanya Yojana. Women are taking precautions for seasonal disease and are actively educating their children. One Women’s Federation has been formed in the region and works collectively on financial support to start-up micro-enterprises.
Self Help Groups
Linked with NRLM
Women’s Federation
Micro Enterprises
Ambuja Foundation executes its health program with a strong focus on Behavioural Change Communication. We conduct various screening camps on NCD, anaemia, and menstrual hygiene management along with awareness and counselling sessions. Ambuja Foundation also creates health volunteers like Adolescents Peer Educators and provides them with capacity building and training to create awareness among other adolescents on nutrition, anaemia and menstrual hygiene.
NCD (HB/Sugar & Hypertension) Screening Camps
Beneficiaries Covered
Now use Sanitary Napkins
Adolescent Peer Educators
Awareness Sessions on NCD
There are 3 Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (SEDIs) currently operational in Roorkee, Bhagwanpur & Dehradun districts. The objective of the program is to make youth employable through skill-based training and provide them with gainful employment or self-employment. Through these SEDIs we are training youth every year, in different trades like Spa Therapist, Assistant Electrician, Customer Care Executive, Entrepreneurship Development Program, General Duty Assistant, Fitter Fabrication, Business Correspondent / Business Facilitator & Future Skills.
Youth Trained
Placed
Placement Rate
Average Starting Salary
Ambuja Foundation provides infrastructure support to Government Schools and Anganwadis by installing WASH systems, SMART class equipment, BaLA paintings and investing in school repairs. Teachers are also provided with training and teacher learning materials to enhance the quality of education. Additionally, sports education is encouraged.
Primary Schools Transformed
Wash Systems Installed
Smart Class Equipment Installed
trained in Digital Literacy
Ambuja Foundation Uttarakhand raised a total of Rs. 9.5 lakhs to provide loan assistance, via the formation of a revolving livelihood fund, to needy SHG members who were impacted by COVID-19. This revolving fund was set up as a returnable grant providing loans to 25 SHG members to help them get back on their feet by kickstarting or reviving micro-enterprises.
Wild animal attacks were the cause of approximately 60-70% of crop damage, creating heavy losses for farmers in the region. Ambuja Foundation worked with farmers to install a Solar Fencing System with a mild electric current which helped keep animals away. As an alternative solution, turmeric cultivation was another option provided to address the issue, as the root smell helps to keep animals away – increasing income by Rs. 80,000.
In Majri village, farming was a seasonal activity with minimal profits and restricted cash flow, where families struggled to rent LPG gas cylinders for fuel. Ambuja Foundation encouraged families with cattle to start a Biogas Plant, to harness animal and agricultural waste to make fuel. Through this waste they were able to create renewable energy, and the slurry from the Biogas Plant was used as manure to improve soil fertility. Today the money once spent on LPG cylinders has turned into savings of Rs. 25-30,000 a year.
In Missarpur village Hardiwar, 90% of farmers have small land holdings and limited resources. Seeds, being a vital source for production, were not always available and the quality of inputs was dubious. This was until the Mahadev Kisan Club formed, encouraging small and marginal farmers to produce their own quality seeds using a Seed Drill Machine as a collective resource.
Primary Education is every child’s basic human right. But in Saidpura of Roorkee, school infrastructure was so poor that parents refused to send their children to school. To tackle the issue, Ambuja Foundation improved the conditions of 20 Government Primary Schools. By providing infrastructure including SMART class equipment, investing in school repairs and also building toilet facilities, students returned to the classroom. Mid-day meals were provided, Bala paintings adorned walls and teachers were also provided with Teacher Learning Materials to enhance the learning environment and outcomes.
During a participatory rural appraisal done by Ambuja Foundation, it was found that non-communicable diseases were prevalent in the 20 adopted villages of Haridwar – despite awareness, people were ignoring the warning signs. The team chose a Behaviour Change Communication approach and conducted various activities. Health screening camps were also organised in every village. Yoga sessions were introduced, awareness on following a nutritious diet was encouraged and a medicine depot was also set up – impacting 52,000 people.
Sudesh, a strong and spirited woman from Lavva village, used to work long hours as a daily labourer in farms and factories nearby to support her family. Life was tough, but she kept going until one day, after being unfairly scolded at work, she made a decision that changed everything. “I won’t work under anyone again,” she told herself. That day was the beginning of a new chapter. With the support of her Self-Help Group and a loan of ₹50,000 from the Naari Shakti Federation, Sudesh bought 5 goats and 5 sheep. She built a small shelter for them, took care of them every day, and slowly grew her business. It wasn’t easy. But with patience, hard work, and faith in herself, Sudesh made it happen. Today, she owns 40 sheep and 20 goats, and earns around ₹20,000 every month by selling wool and goats. Her income has brought stability to her home but more importantly, it has given her confidence and pride.