Farmers struggle with small and scattered land holdings and the increased incidence of wild animal attacks on crops. A dearth of quality vocational education institutes, large high-school dropouts, and a negative perception towards skilling has been fueling unemployment.
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.
Consume safe drinking water
Use water for irrigation purposes
In groundwater level
Water minars constructed
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
Bigha land covered
Demonstration plots
Farms under vegetable cultivation
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
Associated with Milk
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.
Reached through NCD intervention
Now use Sanitary Napkins
Adolescent Peer Educators
Ambuja Foundation’s skill training program has centres in Haridwar, Roorkee and Bhagwanpur. Apart from regular training courses based on market needs, Ambuja Foundation also offers training in Medical Lab Technician, General Duty Assistant, CNC Machine Training and Industrial Wiring. With an Army Cantonment based in Roorkee close to SEDI, Ambuja Foundation has organised skill training programs for injured and unassigned army officers.
Youth Trained
Placed
Average Salary
Placement rate
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
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.