The Company continues to work with 18,000 farmers, whose adoption data for good agricultural practices like intercropping, high density planting, soil management, MIS, etc. has been monitored in a digital portal along with the geo tagging of their locations. This data has enabled us to provide necessary recommendations to farmers to provide prompt solutions in a speedy manner. About 70% farmers actively used these recommendations, which resulted in a 12% decrease in the cost of production.
The fruit and vegetable initiative of the Company has resulted in the development of 60 one-acre wadis with the addition of 24 new wadis during the last financial year, as well as shade nets to replicate vegetable and fruit crops. The average additional income earned by farmers through this intervention has gone up to ` 1 Lac per annum.
To address the issue of reduction in the productivity of cotton crop year on year, which impacted the income of farmers adversely, a dedicated initiative to increase productivity was executed. The Company achieved an average increase of 130% in yield of cotton, compared to national average yield.
The total turnover of the FPO increased significantly from ` 8.38 crores in 2021-22 to ` 13.95 crores for the year in 2022-23 (i.e. resulting in 66% increase). The major part of the margins have been transferred to the farmers.
The FPO has continued to support marginal farmers by providing agricultural equipment at nominal rental rates, in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat through its Custom Hiring Centre, to mainly support farmers of Mota Khuntavada and the adjoining villages. Over 400 farmers have received the benefits. The FPO has continued the collective procurement of groundnuts and gram at Minimum Support Price (MSP), from farmers’ doorsteps. During the financial year 2022-23, a total of 447 Mt groundnuts and 1,494 Mt gram has been procured, so that farmers get better and assured returns. Further procurement is still ongoing.
The Centre has successfully demonstrated agriculture and horticulture of aromatic fruits and medicinal crops. Farmers from 45 adjoining villages have visited the centre to learn the best practices and expand their understanding of agri knowledge and technology. The Centre has trained 10,800 farmers since its inception and in the last year (2022-23) has trained over 2,900 farmers (at the Centre and in the farmers field/land).
The Centre is also focusing on the replication of low cost technologies established last year i.e. cultivation of mushroom, hydroponics, Thailand kitchen garden, mango grafting and others that will ensure an increase in the income of farmers.
The Centre through its concentrated efforts has developed various value-added products, both fruits and vegetables which target the increase in income of farmers and SHG women. The products include mango pulp, tomato puree, aromatic candles, oils and others.
The Centre has during the year 2022-23, provided 380 kg spice seeds to 42 potential farmers who were trained at Manar Centre. A total of 65 acres is covered under cultivation of coriander, cumin, fennel and fenugreek at Maidhar, Sihor, Palitana, Surendranagar and Upleta talukas in collaboration with National Research Center on Seed Spices (NRCSS).
The Company has continued its support to ICCSIR, a non-profit organization under Section 8 of Companies Act, 2013. A consortium is formed with the unified interest to build technology for the production, processing and value addition of selected seaweeds, in partnership with Excel Industries Ltd. and Mamata group.
Under the guidance of ICCSIR, 140 farmers have been trained in seaweed cultivation.
Trials for Gracilaria dura and Ulva lactuca seaweed are in process. The tissue culture lab at Mandvi for Kappaphycus seaweed and Potash recovery has also been initiated.
The Company has continued its support to the Milk and Animal Health Initiative in Mahuva Taluka. The farmers are trained in the best animal husbandry practices like Animal Feeding, Breeding, Health and Cattle Management. We observed an average increase in milk yield by 21% per animal.
The Company supported the treatment of Lumpy Skin Disease (a highly contagious and deadly disease in cattle) and vaccinated more than 3,200 cattle to save their lives.
During the year 2022-23, veterinary doctors treated 3,326 animals, and have cumulatively treated 18,954 animals. Moreover, 25 Mt of special cattle feed, developed by the Animal Husbandry team has also been provided to farmers to increase the productivity of their animals.
Artificial Insemination (AI) service has been performed cumulatively, on over 38,200 cattle, and for this year on over 3,000 cattle.
The Company has also continued with the innovative project of sexed semen which ensures the delivery of a female calf. For the year 2022-23, 289 cattle have been given sexed semen doses of which 45% cattle were found pregnant. Cumulatively, 600 cattle have been given sexed semen doses of which 46% cattle were found pregnant. Based on the conception till date, the success rate is 100%, with female calves being delivered by pregnant animals.
During 2022-23, the Company helped form, nurture and develop 110 new Self-Help Groups (SHGs) - Mahila Mandals- in Bhavnagar, Talaja and Amreli districts of, Gujarat. More than 1,100 additional women became members of these SHGs. With this, the total number of SHGs reached 748 with the member count growing to 7,853 women. These SHGs serve as a platform for women to gain financial freedom, a source of credit that acts as a stimulus for income generation, and as a buffer to absorb various household financial crises
TOTAL STRENGTH OF WOMEN
WOMEN MEMBERS THIS YEAR
NEW SELF HELP GROUPS DEVELOPED
TRAINING SESSIONS IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR
PARTICIPATION ON WOMEN’S DAY EVENT
To make all these SHGs self- sustainable, institution creation was necessary. Hence, the Company helped to create 6 cluster federations of 41 village organisations (5 new VO and 5 Cluster Level Federations formed in the last financial year 2022-23).
SHGs Training and Quality Assessment Centre focuses on expanding the technical, managerial and financial skills of women to operate a business. In the last financial year, the Company has conducted over 190 such trainings to more than 400 SHGs (over 3,900 women), resulting in various mini businesses that help these women earn a dignified livelihood.
Cumulatively, SHGs now run and manage 6 units of khakhra and other units for different products such as sanitizer unit, wooden toys unit, aloe vera unit, pickle unit, masala unit, bakery unit, bio phenyl unit, jute and cloth bags unit, soft toys, bio-pesticide unit, seaweed value added products and banana fibre processing unit.
To support the mini businesses with logistics and sales, a fully functional warehouse is operational in Mahuva. The warehouse takes care of receiving orders, delivery to respective vendors, inventory management and other important activities.
The Company has collaborated in Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Government of Gujarat, and Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission for the development of infrastructure for SHGs. This wil enhance the creation of jobs and better livelihoods in Kikariya and Mota Khuntavada village. Machines worth ` 52 lac have been purchased, in collaboration with the Government, to automate and mechanise the production process for various products manufactured by SHGs.
In addition to the aforementioned initiatives, a massive event was held on International Women’s Day to celebrate the success and achievements of SHG women. More than 1,500 women participated and the Collector and DM of Bhavnagar -Shri D K Parekh (IAS), felicitated 44 SHGs women for their accomplishments.
The Company has continued its support for water management activities (check dams, ponds, etc.) with the Department of Narmada, Water Resources, Water Supply and Kalpsar Department of the Government of Gujarat, in the PPP (Public Private Partnership) model.
In 2022–23, 56 check dams and the, deepening of 13 ponds and 36 farm ponds were completed.
With the assistance of the Company, a total of 269 check dams, and the deepening of 114 ponds and 726 farm ponds have been completed The Company has also completed check dam repairs and canal linking work across 300 kms.
The Company has also initiated the development of water structures (62 check dams and 17 ponds) for the coming year, and further water structures are under discussion with the Government for the next year.
During the year 2022-23, 310 hectares of additional farmland were converted into micro irrigation and more than 34 additional wells, spanning over 50 villages, were recharged, for the improvement of the groundwater quality.
Cumulatively, over years, it has translated into 4,439 hectares of micro irrigation on farmland and 1,436 well recharges in 100 villages.
With all such initiatives in 2022-23, the Company has helped to conserve on surface, 226 million litres of water in the state of Gujarat. When this conservation is considered as against the Company’s consumption of water in manufacturing operations located in the state, the Company is net positive in water conservation/utilisation.
The Company has collaborated with the State Forest Department of Gujarat and initiated a massive plantation drive with the help of the community.
In 2022-23, 3 lac trees have been planted through mobilisation of Farmer Clubs, Schools and SHG Women, and cumulatively 8 lac trees have been planted to increase green cover.
The Company, during the financial year 2022-23, supported the building of 1,114 new toilets (taking the total to over 18,107 till date) in Mahuva taluka. It has continued to work closely with the Government and provides support to households to achieve the open defecation-free status for the villages of Mahuva Taluka.
The habit of reading among children is declining due to various reasons, especially in rural areas. This also impacts the learning ability at a young age.
The Company has supported the development of 8 libraries, 3 of which are community libraries, 4 school libraries, and one large scale library at Gujarat University Ahmedabad, which caters to approx. 800 students per day.
The Company has further upscaled the initiative that focusses on learning through Shri Giju Bhai Badheka Methodology in collaboration with Daxinamurti Bhavnagar (preprimary education initiative) by emphasizing more on teaching young children (aged 3–5) following the concept of self- manifestation through rhymes, stories, action songs, outings, games and other interactive methods that are effective in sparking curiosity among children. Initially, 20 Aanganwadis were covered showing an exponential increase in the attendance of children from 25% to 75%.
Seeing a positive response from children during 2022-23, 125 new Aanganwadis have been covered in Mahuva taluka in Phase 1. The Company has continued its collaboration with Navneet for the digitization of 155 Primary and Secondary schools in Mahuva.
The Company has continued the WaGaLe initiative in 143 schools which has been instrumental in helping students learn the basics of reading, writing and counting.
The Company has supported the beautification of 200 Government Schools (51 new schools) in Mahuva and Jesar Talukas.
The Company has also signed an MoU with the District Panchayat of Amreli and Bhavnagar, respectively, for the renovation of over 220 Aanganwadis along with development of 2 Gram Panchayats, library and computer lab buildings under the PPP model.
The Company has continued its support to 5 schools of Shri Triveni Kalyan Education Trust (TKET) and Parekh College. Huge infrastructure is being developed i.e. classrooms, science laboratories and other basic and advanced amenities, on the TKET campus for students. In Parekh college a dedicated building is being developed for the recently initiated engineering course. Through Shri N. N. Mehta Memorial Education Trust, the Company has provided scholarships amounting to more than ` 41 lac to 258 deserving students for higher education, in the year 2022-23.
The Company is working with Shri BKP Science City (a modern science museum) in Bhavnagar City to ensure the development of analytical learning in students.
Shri BKP Science City, in collaboration with Augustya Foundation, has upgraded the Science museum and the mobile van. It has also Introduced new verticals like the mini innovation hub, planetarium, tod-fod-jod corner and others to spark curiosity among children to learn various concepts of Science.
The Company has continued its collaboration with the Directorate of Employment and Training (under the Labour and Employment Department), Government of Gujarat, for the ninth year, to strengthen the skill ecosystem in the State. During the current year, a total of 18,609 trainees from 199 ITIs were benefited through carpentry, plumbing, electrician and construction technician courses. Moreover, in Rajasthan, the Company is supporting 4 ITIs in their plumbing and carpentry courses.
The Company has also commenced its operations for skill initiatives in Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra where it has covered 113 ITIs from 11 districts, 4 Train to Trainers (ToT’s) in Himachal Pradesh and Courses in Carpentry and Plumbing in Maharashtra. The Company is also promoting Art and Craft Trainings in women ITIs of Maharashtra and so far, conducted 4 workshops till date.
Under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) scheme of the Government, the Company has been the Industry Partner to 18 ITIs in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, where efforts are focused on strengthening trades and training delivery, both in scale and quality.
A MoU has been signed with the NSTI (W)-Vadodara, under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, to provide skill training in Plumbing to women.
The Company has continued its support as an Industry Partner in Gujarat for the World Skill Competition 2022 in Carpentry, Joinery and Plumbing and Heating trades.
An Advance Skilling Centre is being established on Woodworking and Plumbing at Ahmedabad under the aegis of Kaushalya – The Skill University, Government of Gujarat where Certificate, Diploma, Graduation and Post Graduation courses in Woodworking and Plumbing will be offered to students.
The Company has also been instrumental in organising District, Regional and State level sports events to achieve the objective of holistic development of the students and the ITIs.
During the year 2022-23, the Company continued its support to Hanumant Hospital in Mahuva, enabling them to treat 45,582 outpatients, perform over 3,179 surgeries and successfully handle 12,639 emergency cases. Four educational training programs were conducted for the medical fraternity.
The Hospital is enrolled under the Ayushyaman Bharat scheme of the Government of India. Under this, cashless treatment to 1,365 beneficiaries has been provided during the year 2022-23.
During the year 2022-23, Hanumant Hospital, under the urology cluster, provided cashless dialysis service to 7,420 patients under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Cumulatively 8,577 beneficiaries have availed the benefits of various cashless services.
The Hospital has also conducted free eye and paediatric checkup camps through mobile ophthalmic vans in 46 villages of Mahuva and surrounding areas and has screened 4,250 patients.
The Hospital has also conducted 289 free cataract surgeries with Intraocular lenses (IOL) in collaboration with Vision Foundation, Mumbai.
Furthermore, the Hospital is running three schemes namely, Chitrakutdham Arogya Scheme, Jaswant Mehta Arogya Scheme and Arogya Sanjivani Scheme under which they are providing free treatment to 8,886 beneficiaries.
The Company has continued its collaboration with Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Government of Gujarat and Mahuva Nagar Palika for the cleanliness drive.
The Company has continued its tri-party collaboration with the Regional Commissionerate of Municipalities of Bhavnagar and Mahuva Nagar Palika to set up a Material Recovery Facility at Mahuva for waste segregation, processing and recycling (which is near completion).
An expert agency has been roped in for segregation at source, removal, collection and recycling of both organic and plastic waste into value added products. The total waste segregated in the last year is 348 MTs, from which compost was prepared and provided to farmers. The value addition of plastic waste has also been undertaken. To facilitate this process, 14 Plastic Collection Centres (PCCs) have been established in Mahuva City. These centres are responsible for purchasing the scrap materials from the rag pickers. A total of 82.5 tonnes waste has been collected and 53.8 tonnes were sold to recyclers for value addition.
The Company has also extended the drive to the villages of Mahuva taluka in a phased manner. To ensure community involvement, SHG women have been roped in, along with the Panchayats, for the collection of plastic waste.
The initiative focuses on addressing the need for modernization, spinning, weaving, dyeing and value addition along with training and testing, to make the khadi weaving process profitable for the community.
The Company has continued its association with Mahuva Khadi Bhandar.
An SHG has been formed that takes care of the entire production of the Khadi unit for end-to-end operations. The unit has produced over 4,000 metres of khadi cloth, which is ready for sale.
The training of 200 women is under process for operating these solar charkhas and looms. Based on their initial learnings, they have already started the production of quality yarns and Khadi fabric, and have produced about 1,000 metres of high quality fabric.
The Company continues to support the rehabilitation of people with Parkinson’s disease, and their caregivers with the aim of improving their quality of life.
BKPPDMDS proudly launched its 10th Gujarat PD Support Group Centre in Bhuj in July, 2022. It is now functioning in 10 centres across the state of Gujarat and 2 centres in Pune, Maharashtra. As the Covid-19 pandemic has settled, we have successfully transitioned back to the offline physical platform, while continuing the online platform for patients who live in the outskirts of the cities or are unable to travel to the physical centres due to health reasons, etc.
Through the hybrid online and offline model of rehabilitation, various services continue to be offered such as Psychoeducation on Parkinson’s, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychological services, diet and nutrition, creative therapies, yoga and specialised online support program for caregivers.
The Company continued its association with CPAA and assisted more than 300 cancer patients and their families in financial hardship thus giving them a chance of treatment and survival.
The children with cancer were helped with medical aid, diet supplements, transportation, and a job for a family member. Additionally, all their psychological, social and spiritual needs were addressed.
CANCER PATIENTS TREATED
