Roots Foundation and Coal India Launch Harit Samriddhi Project to Empower Farmers in Jharkhand
Jharkhand’s agrarian districts, the Roots Foundation, in partnership with Coal India Ltd (CIL), has launched the Harit Samriddhi project in the Chatra district. This initiative, aligned with CIL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, aims to empower local farmers by enhancing agricultural practices and promoting sustainable income-generating opportunities.
The Harit Samriddhi project is currently being rolled out in the Tandwa and Simaria blocks of Chatra. These areas, primarily reliant on agriculture, are home to a population whose livelihood is directly tied to farming. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 2,000 farmers, providing them with valuable training, resources, and technical support to improve their productivity and income. The primary goal of the Harit Samriddhi project is to equip farmers with modern agricultural techniques that can help them face the challenges of today’s evolving agricultural landscape. Farmers will receive training at two dedicated centres, with more than 1,000 individuals already trained and certified by the Agricultural Skill Council of India. The training focuses on a wide range of practices, from modern farming tools to crop diversification and pest management, all aimed at improving yields and income.
One of the core components of the project is introducing farmers to the latest tools and methods that will allow them to optimise their crops and tackle agricultural challenges effectively. As Sunil Kumar, a local farmer, shares, the training has opened doors to a sustainable income, offering hope for a better future for farming families in the region. He noted that the guidance and support from Coal India and the Roots Foundation have not only improved his farming techniques but also given him the confidence to adopt more sustainable practices. In addition to the training, the Harit Samriddhi project has established 60 demonstration farms across the villages in Tandwa and Simaria. These farms serve as practical learning hubs where farmers can witness the application of modern farming techniques firsthand. These demonstration farms also provide crucial agricultural inputs like seeds and fertilisers, which are necessary to ensure that farmers have the resources they need to succeed.
The demonstration farms have become focal points for knowledge exchange, where experienced trainers and local farmers collaborate on tackling common agricultural challenges. These initiatives are vital in shifting traditional farming practices toward more modern, efficient, and sustainable approaches, which can result in better crop yields and enhanced livelihoods. Chatra, classified as an aspirational district, is deeply dependent on agriculture for its economic survival. By focusing on modernisation, crop diversification, and skill development, the Harit Samriddhi project aims to uplift not just the economic conditions of farmers but also their social standing. This effort directly contributes to the government’s wider rural development goals and the vision of improving economic inclusivity for the region’s farming community.
The support from Coal India, one of the country’s leading public sector enterprises, alongside the expertise of the Roots Foundation, marks a significant step towards sustainable rural development. The project’s success will also encourage other corporates to consider their role in local and sustainable development, especially in underdeveloped, rural areas. As the Harit Samriddhi project progresses, the hope is that its impact will ripple through the farming community of Chatra, setting a blueprint for similar initiatives in other districts. The project not only aims to improve the farming practices of today but also to prepare the community for the challenges of tomorrow’s agricultural economy. This collaboration between Roots Foundation and Coal India is an inspiring example of how corporate social responsibility can make a meaningful difference in rural areas, helping farmers overcome obstacles and achieve long-term prosperity. The efforts made in Chatra today are expected to foster a more resilient and self-sufficient agricultural community for years to come.
