Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF) today signed an MoU with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for implementation of development interventions, which are aimed at socio-economic upliftment of local communities. The MoU was signed by Ajit Menon, Group Head – Human Resources & Corporate Social Responsibility, Dalmia Bharat Group and B.G. Mukhopadhyay, CGM, NABARD, R. Amalorpavanathan, DMD, NABARD and H.R. Dave, DMD, NABARD.
Speaking on the occasion, Ajit Menon said, “Through this MoU we aim to work with NABARD for the upliftment of local communities across our operational areas by providing them a sustainable livelihood. DBF aims at promoting soil and water conservation best practices. This will ensure promotion of renewable energy and fuel-efficient products for optimal utilization of natural resources, reduction in carbon footprint and skilling 60,000 youth with 70% gainful employment by 2025.”
R. Amalorpavanathan said, “This is a milestone arrangement and will help in convergence of other corporate CSR activities to emulate such models. Joining of corporates will provide two-way audit of the developmental works. The MoU also will help imbibe corporate empathy for development and improve ground level delivery.”
As a part of this MoU both DBF and NABARD known for their development role will converge their resources for sustainable livelihood of less-privileged communities. The initial focus will be on Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, North Eastern Region, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Rajasthan. Both these organizations will design and launch sustainable pilot programmes on soil and water conservation, renewable energy and climate change, livelihood and skill training, micro-infrastructure and intra-village infrastructure development.
Dalmia Bharat Foundation has been at the forefront of implementation of several programmes with focus on conservation and judicious utilization of natural resources for co-creation of sustainable livelihood. Presently five projects are under implementation under co-funding arrangements between NABARD and Dalmia Bharat Foundation spread across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh with a focus on integrated watershed development, sustainable cotton cultivation and promotion of Farmer Producer Collectives at a total cost of 110 million. DBF’s recent MoU with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), aims at skill training of 60,000 rural youths through its eight skill training centers and this project will complement to the joint effort of NABARD and Dalmia Bharat Foundation.
NABARD has been in the forefront of implementation of several programmes with focus on conservation and optimal exploitation of natural resources for providing sustainable livelihood, employment generation, women empowerment, financial inclusion, etc. Presently 150 projects are under implementation under co-funding arrangements with 30 Foundations.
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