In many rural homes, a girl’s education is seen as important, but not urgent; necessary, but negotiable. Education competes with household responsibilities, financial uncertainty, distance, and sometimes with grief.

Yet when the right learning space exists—safe, encouraging, digitally enabled, and guided—something remarkable happens. Education stops being a routine and becomes a turning point.

Across rural India, quality learning spaces are “unchaining” possibility for girls who might otherwise have been limited by circumstance. These spaces are not defined by walls alone. They are defined by access, mentorship, exposure, and belief.

And sometimes, all it takes is one such space to change a life.

Why Learning Spaces Matter

The Physical Barrier: When Access Is the First Obstacle

In many villages, the nearest school may be reachable, but access to quality learning is not always guaranteed. Digital resources are scarce. Libraries are limited. Exposure to career pathways beyond the immediate surroundings is minimal.

For girls especially, mobility can be restricted. Time is divided between studies and household work. Opportunities for structured digital learning are rare.

When digital libraries and structured programs like Digital and Life Skills Awareness (DLSA) are introduced, they do more than add computers to a room. They create access to information, skills, and possibilities.

Sahila, from Mahua Khurd village, first encountered such a space during her school years. Through the DLSA initiative, she was introduced to computer literacy and structured thinking about life skills. For a rural student, that exposure was not common, and it made a big difference.

The Educational Barrier: When Guidance Is Missing

Many girls are first-generation learners. They attend school, complete assignments, and prepare for exams—but often without guidance on what comes next. Career planning is rarely structured. Backup plans are seldom discussed. The idea of mapping out one’s future can feel distant.

However, during a DLSA session on “Goals and Plans,” Sahila began shaping her aspiration. She wanted to become a teacher, to serve. The idea was no longer vague; it became her Plan A. She applied for a Bachelor of Arts program and was selected in the first list.

But life does not always follow a straight plan.

After completing her first semester, Sahila faced health challenges. The disruption meant she could not submit applications for the next semester. Results did not come. The academic path she had carefully begun seemed to be slipping away.

What could have been the end of her education became a pause because she stayed connected to her DLSA instructor. This valuable continued mentorship redirected her. The instructor informed her about applications for a government-sponsored nursing program. Sahila applied and was accepted.

The lesson was subtle but powerful: quality learning spaces do not disappear after class ends. They remain as networks of guidance.

The Psychological Barrier: When Confidence Is Shaken

Sometimes the greatest obstacle is not distance or access but grief, fear, and/or self-doubt.

Divya Verma from Indergarh village experienced this brutally. In February 2025, she lost her father suddenly. She was in Class 12, with board exams approaching. The emotional shock was compounded by financial strain.

For many girls in similar situations, education would have quietly ended.

But Divya was attending the Digital and Life Skills Awareness program at the digital library in her school. The principal and Rekha Madam from the S M Sehgal Foundation did not offer dramatic solutions—but they offered steady encouragement. They reminded her that focusing on her studies would be the strongest support for her future.

She returned to the library daily. She studied. She made notes. On days when motivation faltered, someone was there to remind her why she should continue. She scored 81 percent in her board exams. She became eligible for the Gargi Award. The achievement was academic, but the transformation was emotional. Her confidence had returned.

Quality learning spaces do not eliminate hardship. They make resilience possible.

Beyond the Classroom: When One Girl Moves Forward

Education does not end with an exam result.

Sahila is now enrolled in a government-sponsored nursing program. Her earlier digital training gave her a distinct advantage. Her computer proficiency helped her excel in subjects where others struggled. She completed the RS-CIT (Rajasthan State Certificate in Information Technology) course and secured the top position, which was a quiet but meaningful affirmation of her ability.

More importantly, Sahila has begun assisting other children in learning computer skills through the same DLSA classes that once shaped her. During a school inspection, government officials were surprised by her confidence and proficiency. When she explained that her skills came from the digital library and life skills sessions, that left an impression.

Divya also stands differently today. The loss she endured did not define her future. Instead, she carries her success as evidence of personal determination and the value of structured support.

When girls are supported to learn well, the ripple effect is evident and visible:

Education becomes less about survival and more about aspiration.

What Makes a “Quality” Learning Space?

Not every classroom automatically becomes transformative. Certain elements make the difference.

Quality learning spaces combine infrastructure with human connection. Technology alone is insufficient. Encouragement alone is incomplete. Their combination opens doors.

Why We Need This Now More Than Ever?

The digital divide in rural India continues to shape educational outcomes. While enrollment at the primary level has improved over years, retention and transition into higher education remain uneven for girls, particularly in rural regions.

Interruptions, whether financial, health-related, or social, disproportionately affect girls’ education. Without safe, supportive spaces that offer academic as well as emotional scaffolding, many drop out quietly.

Improving the quality of learning spaces has a direct impact on retention and enrollment. Access to digital literacy, structured life skills education, and mentorship increases confidence and preparedness. This shifts education from obligation to opportunity.

In a rapidly changing economy, these skills are no longer optional.

The Path Forward: Shared Responsibility

Ensuring that girls have access to quality learning spaces requires collective effort.

Communities must value girls’ education not as a secondary priority but as an investment. Schools must integrate digital literacy and life skills alongside academics. Organizations must continue building infrastructure that bridges access gaps. Donors and partners must recognize that education is not charity—education is nation-building.

If one digital library can steady a grieving student’s confidence, imagine what thousands can do.

If one life skills session can redirect a disrupted career path, imagine the compounded impact.

Sahila’s journey from uncertainty to nursing school . . . Divya’s resilience in the face of loss . . .

These are not isolated stories. They are reminders.

When education is delivered with care, structure, and mentorship, it does more than prepare girls for exams. It prepares them for life.

And when a girl learns without barriers, she does not rise alone. She carries her family, her community, and the next generation forward with her.

That is what it means for education to be truly “unchained.”

About the Author

Sonia Chopra
Program Leader Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation

Sonia Chopra is Program Leader, Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation, where she drives outreach, advocacy, and digital storytelling to advance rural development. She holds a Master’s degrees in political science, information & library science, and journalism in digital media.

The post Education Unchained: How Quality Learning Spaces Open Doors for Girls appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

In discussions about improving government schools, attention often turns to infrastructure gaps, teacher vacancies, or learning outcomes. Yet one of the most important mechanisms for strengthening public education already exists within the system—the School Management Committee (SMC).

Effective school prabandhan (school management) determines whether policies translate into practice. Without structured governance at the school level, issues such as declining enrollment, irregular attendance, limited parental engagement, and weak accountability persist. SMCs were introduced to address precisely these challenges by embedding community participation within school governance.

Across different states, evidence increasingly shows that when communities are informed and actively engaged, school environments improve, and educational outcomes become more sustainable.

What Is School Prabandhan?

School prabandhan refers to the systematic and participatory management of schools. The concept goes beyond administrative control and emphasises shared responsibility between educators, parents, and the broader community.

In practical terms, school prabandhan involves:

Rather than viewing schools as isolated institutions, this framework positions them as community assets. Parents are not passive observers but rather stakeholders in educational progress. When implemented effectively, school prabandhan strengthens trust between families and schools while ensuring greater accountability.

Understanding School Management Committees (SMCs)

School Management Committees were mandated under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The Act requires all government and government-aided schools serving children aged six to fourteen years to establish SMCs.

The purpose of SMCs is clear: to institutionalize community participation in school governance.

SMCs act as a bridge between the school administration and the local community. They create a structured platform for parents and local representatives to engage with school functioning, monitor progress, and contribute to planning.

By decentralizing certain aspects of oversight, SMCs make schools more responsive to local needs.

Composition of a School Management Committee

The structure of an SMC is designed to ensure representation, inclusivity, and accountability.

This composition ensures that decision-making reflects the diversity of the school community. The emphasis on women’s representation is particularly significant, as it strengthens mothers’ participation in educational governance.

Roles and Responsibilities of SMCs

When functioning effectively, SMCs contribute to multiple aspects of school improvement.

Key responsibilities include:

In many contexts, SMCs serve as early intervention platforms. Attendance irregularities, infrastructure issues, and/or safety concerns can be identified and addressed promptly when community members are involved.

The Importance of Community Participation in Schools

Community participation strengthens accountability. When parents are aware of school plans and performance, transparency improves. Dialogue between teachers and families becomes more regular and constructive.

Local knowledge also plays an important role in addressing challenges. Seasonal migration, agricultural cycles, or socioeconomic constraints often influence attendance patterns. Community members are better positioned to understand and respond to such factors.

Active SMCs foster shared ownership. Instead of perceiving education as a service delivered solely by the state, communities begin to see schools as collective responsibilities.

Evidence from the Field: Strengthening Community Ownership

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The role of community participation in sustaining school transformation was underscored during a district-level conference held in Alwar, Rajasthan. The conference focused on effective community engagement in school development and brought together School Management Committee (SMC) and School Development Management Committee (SDMC) members, gram panchayat representatives, school principals, and officials from the Department of Education.

The event saw participation from 147 stakeholders, including 37 school principals, 21 teachers from Transform Lives one school at a time program schools, and 89 members of SMCs, SDMCs, and gram panchayats.

Senior district education officials emphasised that school transformation cannot be sustained without community ownership. Participants shared practical examples of improving school environments, strengthening monitoring systems, and supporting holistic child development.

The discussions reflected a growing recognition that sustained progress in government schools depends on structured community involvement rather than isolated interventions.

Impact of Effective School Prabandhan

Where school prabandhan is implemented meaningfully and SMCs function actively, improvements are often visible.

Observed impacts include:

While structural challenges remain in many regions, participatory governance models have demonstrated the potential to create steady, long-term improvements.

Advancing School Prabandhan: Strengthening the Next Phase

Strengthening School Management Committees requires continuous capacity-building and institutional support. Initial awareness is often insufficient; ongoing orientation and skill development are essential.

Recent efforts to advance school prabandhan have focused on:

Such measures deepen the effectiveness of SMCs and move participation beyond attendance toward informed engagement.

The objective is to strengthen governance capacity at the grassroots level, ensuring that schools remain accountable, inclusive, and responsive to student needs.

Strengthening Schools Through Collective Effort

School Management Committees represent one of the most significant participatory mechanisms within India’s education system. By formally integrating parents and community members into school governance, SMCs reinforce the idea that quality education is a shared responsibility.

Effective school prabandhan does not rely solely on policy directives. It depends on active engagement, transparency, and sustained collaboration between educators, parents, and local institutions.

When communities participate meaningfully in managing schools, improvements become more durable. Enrollment stabilizes, attendance strengthens, and school environments become more supportive. Sustainable school development rests not only on resources, but on collective commitment.

About the Author

Ms. Pooja O. Murada
Principal lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation

Mass communications master’s; English honors; bridge marketing program (Tuck School of Business); over twenty years in brand management, marketing, and development communications in the corporate and development sector. Spearheaded a community radio in an aspirational district; former chairperson of the gender committee at Sehgal Foundation, invited ICC member, Volvo India, and former governing board member of Community Radio Association.

The post School Management Committees: Why They Matter and How They Work appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Every year, International Women’s Day gives us a reason to stop and look around. Milestones matter, but so does the steady work that continues behind the scenes.

At S M Sehgal Foundation, we’ve learned something over many years of working across villages: real change doesn’t come from the outside. True change grows from within communities. And more often than not, women are the ones who are holding that growth together as farmers, mothers, frontline workers, mobilizers, and so much more.

From Rajasthan to Bihar, Haryana to Uttarakhand, these women aren’t waiting to be called leaders. They already are leaders.

This Women’s Day, we share a few of their stories, not as statistics, but as lived experiences from the field.

Women Lead in Water Management

In rural India, the work of fetching water has always landed on women and girls. Hours every day. Long distances. Heavy vessels. Not a metaphor, fetching water is a daily reality that shapes what else a woman can or can’t do with her time.

In Durga Nagar Township, Dewas district, Madhya Pradesh, a 25,000-liter community water tank was built as part of an Integrated Village Development Project. Our Water Management Program team worked with the community to provide households with round-the-clock access to stored water.

For Anita and others like her in the settlement, this access also means something as simple as time—for family, for rest, and for themselves. The tank infrastructure, now looked after by a community committee is also a model of shared ownership.

Women aren’t only the beneficiaries—they are often the ones driving the community conversations.

Read Full Story:

Kunti Gupta, project coordinator, S M Sehgal Foundation

Kunti Gupta, a project coordinator with S M Sehgal Foundation, was recognized as a Women Water Champion by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for her work in water conservation, quality, and wastewater management across Haryana and Bihar. She started as a community mobilizer. Over years of working directly with villages dealing with scarcity, salinity, and fluoride contamination, she became someone people naturally turn to for help. Her work in community sessions, awareness drives, and slow, patient capacity building is not glamorous. But the impact is real.

When women are part of water governance, the solutions tend to last.

Read Full Story:

Women in Agriculture: Doing the Work and Finally Getting the Recognition

While women have long contributed to farming in India, their access to resources, markets, and formal recognition has often remained limited. In Champawat district, Uttarakhand, the Champawat Monal Farmer Producer Company, formed under our Agriculture Development program, is working to change that by supporting small and marginal farmers with high-yielding seeds, skill training, and connections to markets.

Today, the company has 1,124 shareholders, including 1,119 women and 5 men. In the past year alone, 450 new women shareholders have joined. Women are also part of the leadership, with five women serving on the Board of Directors and five women as promoters.

Godavari Kaloni used to describe herself mainly as a homemaker. Now she travels to neighboring villages, guiding other farmers through crop planning, pest management, and fertilizer use. That’s a real shift in role, in confidence, in how she sees herself.

Geeta Devi says she used to be afraid to speak in public. But not anymore! Farmer Interest Group meetings gave her a space to talk, ask questions, and push back when something didn’t seem right.

Pushpa Chaubey has taken on something even harder by going village to village, encouraging women farmers to step forward and speak in the first place. That kind of mobilization is slow, unglamorous work. But it’s also the work that makes everything else possible.

The fields of Champawat are changing the crops they grow, the methods they use, and the people who have a say in how agriculture is handled and how decisions are made.

Read Full Story:

Education Takes a Whole Community

In Alwar, Rajasthan, eighteen-year-old Afseena was studying from a single worn-out textbook. That was before Project Umeed brought a solar-powered digital library to her school with computers, a smart board, and access to resources she hadn’t had before.

Afseena is one of nearly 4,000 children across multiple states who now have that access—but the technology is only part of the change.

School Management Committees that include mothers and community members are taking on the responsibility for these spaces—showing up to monitor what’s working and pushing for better attendance. When mothers become genuinely invested in schools, schools become better institutions. That’s not mere theory, we’ve seen it happen in real time.

Afseena’s story, more than about digital literacy, demonstrates what happens when a community decides that their children deserve more.

Read Full Story:

Community Is Where Leadership Actually Starts

In Kultajpur, Haryana, Pinki Devi signed up for Pashu Sakhi training under an agriculture initiative. Some villagers were initially hesitant to accept livestock health advice from a woman. Time was needed for trust to build through consistent effort, practical demonstrations, and results that spoke for themselves.

Within a year, she had treated and dewormed more than a hundred animals. As a result, goat prices in the village went up because the animals were healthier. She now earns an independent income. People call on her because she knows what she’s talking about.

In Bihar’s East Champaran district, a different kind of work is happening. Nutrition workshops for frontline workers, including anganwadi workers, auxiliary nurse midwives, and community health staff, are building awareness around maternal and child nutrition. These aren’t headline-making interventions, but they shift how communities think about food, health, and preventive care–which matters.

Taken together, these aren’t isolated stories. They’re part of a pattern: when women are given knowledge and a real place in decision-making, entire communities grow stronger.

Read Full Story:

To the Women of S M Sehgal Foundation

None of this happens without the people doing the day-to-day work.

Women field coordinators travel village to village. Program leads figure out what actually works. Researchers ask the harder questions. Community mobilizers hold meetings under trees or in panchayat halls. Their work doesn’t always make end up in reports. But their work is what holds everything together across more than 1,000 villages in multiple states.

We see it. We’re grateful for it.

Meet Our Team

Her Story Is Our Story

The stories described here are just a small slice of what’s happening across rural India.

In water committees, farmer cooperatives, classrooms, livestock groups, and health workshops, women are shaping their communities in ways both visible and quiet. Their strength may not be loud or dramatic. But their influence is practical, persistent, and consistent.

Something real continues to build by the day.

If these stories stayed with you, many more are waiting in the Stories section of S M Sehgal Foundation’ Read More

Happy Women’s Day

To every woman who keeps showing up for her village, her family, her community—we see you. We celebrate you. And we’re with you.

Priya Chaudhary
Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development

Priya Chaudhary is an expert in Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development with a focus on gender equity, social inclusion, and evidence-based change. With extensive experience in project management, storytelling, and qualitative research, she has worked on various NGO marketing and development projects.

The post Her Strength Is India’s Future: Women Who are Changing Rural Communities appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

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The use of water in food production is becoming an increasingly critical issue due to the impacts of climate change and a rising global population. As water scarcity intensifies, the agricultural sector, which consumes the majority of our planet’s finite water resources, must adopt more efficient irrigation methods. Agriculture accounts for 70% of the global freshwater usage and up to 95% of water withdrawals in some developing nations.

How does a drip irrigation system work?

Unlike surface and sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation wets only a portion of the soil root zone, potentially as little as 30% of the volume wetted by other methods. The wetting patterns that result from dripping water onto the soil vary based on discharge rates and soil types, such as sand and clay.

Despite only wetting part of the root zone, this is essential to meet the crop’s full water needs. Drip irrigation does not reduce the water consumed by crops; rather, it ensures precise water application to support optimal growth.

The primary water savings in a drip irrigation system come from minimizing deep percolation, surface runoff, and soil evaporation.

How can Modern Technologies Help Indian Farmers Improve Agriculture?

Explore Modern Agriculture Technology

Why should farmers consider the drip irrigation system?

The short answer is water conservation. However, if you are looking to understand the ‘why’ behind the farmer’s preference for drip irrigation, take a look at these 7 ways in which drip irrigation conserves water:

How S M Sehgal Foundation supports drip irrigation adoption

S M Sehgal Foundation’s Agriculture Development Program enhances mechanization adoption among small and marginal farmers by offering farm machinery at subsidized rates. Farmers invest in the machinery, fostering ownership and entrepreneurial spirit. Training is provided for operation and maintenance, enabling farmers to generate additional income by leasing equipment to fellow farmers.

Jameel adopts drip irrigation and tomato staking methods

Jameel, a farmer from Tauru block in Nuh district, Haryana, attended an S M Sehgal Foundation meeting in August 2021 and learned about drip irrigation benefits to address critically low water levels. He adopted the technique in December 2021, leading to a 40% increase in his tomato yield. Inspired by the success, he invested INR 1,00,000 in February 2022 to expand drip irrigation and staking for bottle gourd cultivation.

His success highlights the importance of drip irrigation for improving yields and farmer incomes.

Read Jameel’s full story here.

About the Author

Ms. Pooja O. Murada
Principal lead, Outreach for Development, S M Sehgal Foundation

Mass communications master’s; English honors; bridge marketing program (Tuck School of Business); over twenty years in brand management, marketing, and development communications in the corporate and development sector. Spearheaded a community radio in an aspirational district; former chairperson of the gender committee at Sehgal Foundation, invited ICC member, Volvo India, and former governing board member of Community Radio Association.

The post What is a drip <span>irrigation system</span> and how does it help to save water? appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

When conversations turn to food security, women are often spoken about as beneficiaries. Rarely are they acknowledged as producers, planners, and decision-makers who hold food systems together.

Across rural landscapes, women sow seeds, preserve grain, manage livestock, and ensure that households eat—even in years when crops fail. Their contribution to food security and sustainability is not marginal. It is structural. Without women in agriculture, global food systems would simply not function.

Despite this, women continue to farm without recognition, land titles, or equal access to resources. As climate pressures intensify and food systems grow more fragile, acknowledging and strengthening women’s role in agriculture is no longer optional. Their role is essential to sustaining food security and sustainable agriculture.

This is a story about that invisible backbone and what happens when women are finally given space, support, and voice.

Why Food Security Cannot Be Separated from Gender

Food security goes beyond producing enough food. It is about access, nutrition, stability, and resilience over time. Sustainable food systems ensure that today’s needs are met without undermining tomorrow’s capacity to produce.

Globally, women make up a significant share of agricultural workers, especially in smallholder farming systems. In India, women are involved in nearly every stage of food production—from sowing and weeding to harvesting, storage, and processing. Yet the gender gap in agriculture remains stark.

Women farmers often lack:

This gap directly affects food security. Studies repeatedly show that when women farmers have equal access to resources, farm productivity improves, and household nutrition outcomes strengthen. Gender equality, food security, and sustainability are deeply linked.

Women’s Contributions to Food Security on the Ground

In rural India, women’s role in agriculture extends far beyond labor.

Women working in agriculture are often responsible for maintaining kitchen gardens, preserving seeds, managing household nutrition, and ensuring dietary diversity. Their knowledge of traditional crops and local ecosystems supports biodiversity conservation in ways formal systems often overlook.

Women in farming also play a critical role in adapting to climate stress. Through crop diversification, seed saving, and careful water use, women contribute to agriculture and did so long before the term entered policy vocabulary.

In households, women are the first to adjust food consumption during shortages to ensure that children and elders eat adequately. This “invisible” labor is central to nutrition security, even as it remains largely unrecognized.

When Empowerment Takes Root at the Grassroots

If women’s contributions are so central, why are they so often unsupported?

Part of the answer lies in how agricultural systems are designed around land ownership, market access, and credit structures, which have traditionally excluded women. Change begins when these systems are reimagined at the local level.

In Champawat district of Uttarakhand, such a reimagining is slowly unfolding.

Nestled between forests and hills, Champawat is rich in biodiversity but constrained by limited irrigation and wildlife pressures. With nearly 65 percent forest cover and only a small share of irrigated land, farming here has always been demanding. Crop depredation by wild animals, lack of modern inputs, and limited market access have made agriculture an uncertain livelihood.

What stands out in Champawat, however, is the way gender roles have evolved. Women work the fields, manage households, and increasingly step into leadership roles, and men participate in domestic responsibilities more openly than in many other regions.

This balance became the foundation for a different kind of agriculture intervention.

From Kitchen Gardens to Leadership Schools

Under a CSR-supported initiative implemented by S M Sehgal Foundation, agriculture in Champawat began to be viewed not just as production, but as an ecosystem.

Kitchen gardens were promoted to improve household nutrition and reduce dependency on markets. Women grew vegetables close to home, strengthening food security while supplementing income.

At the same time, leadership training programs for women were introduced—spaces where women not only learned farming techniques, but also how to speak in public forums, manage groups, and participate in decision-making.

Livestock management training added another layer, equipping women with skills in animal husbandry, dairy practices, and sustainable care, activities traditionally handled by women but rarely formalized or rewarded.

Together these initiatives created something rare: a system that recognized women not just as workers, but as farmers and leaders.

The Champawat Monal FPC: Women at the Center

A turning point came with the formation of the Champawat Monal Farmer Producer Company.

Built on regular community meetings and Farmer Interest Groups across fifty villages, the FPC was designed to support small and marginal farmers through better inputs, skills, and market access. The crucial component: women were not add-ons. They were central.

Today the company has more than 500 female shareholders.

The establishment of a modern nursery under the FPC provided access to high-quality seeds, fertilizers, and planting material, reducing risk and improving yields. Women farmers were trained in selecting crop varieties that could withstand climatic stress and pest pressures, ensuring uniform growth and better market prices.

For many women, this marked a shift not just in farming practice, but in personal identity.

Finding Voice Alongside Livelihood

Godavari Kaloni, a shareholder from Khedikot village, describes this change simply. Earlier, she saw herself only as a homemaker. Now she travels across villages, advising farmers on crop varieties, pest management, and fertilizer use.

Geeta Devi, who had earlier worked on a tea farm, speaks of overcoming her fear of public speaking through regular group meetings. These meetings, she says, gave her confidence to advocate sustainable agriculture practices among fellow farmers.

Pushpa Chaubey, working across four villages, now mobilizes women farmers to participate actively in discussions and decision-making. For her, economic independence and social confidence have become intertwined goals.

These women are not exceptions. They are indicators of what happens when empowerment is structured, sustained, and rooted in local realities.

The Barriers That Still Remain

Despite these advances, barriers persist.

Gender inequality in agriculture continues due to unequal land rights, limited access to credit, and their exclusion from formal extension services. Climate change further intensifies women’s vulnerability, as they are often the first to absorb the shocks from crop failure or water scarcity.

Without addressing these systemic issues, progress remains fragile.

Women-Led Innovation and Collective Solutions

What Champawat demonstrates is that women-led solutions are not limited to subsistence.

Through cooperatives, regenerative agriculture practices, and organic farming initiatives, women farmers are redefining what sustainable farming looks like. Women farmer cooperatives strengthen bargaining power, reduce costs, and enable collective learning.

Food waste reduction, seed preservation, and diversified cropping systems are often driven by women’s groups—quietly reshaping food systems from the ground up.

Scaling these models requires institutional backing, not reinvention.

The Path Forward

If food security and sustainability are the goals, empowering women in agriculture must be the strategy.

This means:

The Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Zero Hunger and Gender Equality, are not separate ambitions. They are mutually dependent.

The story unfolding in Champawat shows what is possible when women are recognized not as support systems, but as central actors in agriculture. The sacks they carry uphill are not just “produce.” They are proof of resilience, agency, and a future where food security is built on equality.

Priya Chaudhary
Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development

Priya Chaudhary is an expert in Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development with a focus on gender equity, social inclusion, and evidence-based change. With extensive experience in project management, storytelling, and qualitative research, she has worked on various NGO marketing and development projects.

The post Spotlight on the Role of Women Farmers in Food Security and Sustainability appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Seventeen years is a journey marked by significant milestones and measured in trust built slowly over time, that has resulted in bountiful harvests, harnessed water, changed lives, and more.

Change doesn’t always move in straight lines, is often invisible, and always negotiated. Sustainable development to be realized must be led by the communities themselves.

Krishi Jyoti (enlightened agriculture), a partnership between Mosaic India Pvt. Ltd. and Mosaic Company for Sustainable Food Systems together with S M Sehgal Foundation, began in 2008 with a simple intention: to support farming families so they could grow better, earn more steadily, and live with dignity. With an overarching theory that agriculture is the center of rural life, and strengthening it can unlock change across many dimensions, Krishi Jyoti has grown alongside the communities where the work is done.

What began as a focused agricultural project expanded gradually into water management, better nutrition for women, supporting schoolchildren, and strengthening local institutions. The emphasis has remained on relevance, presence, and learning as conditions change. This is what seventeen years of sustainable development looks like on the ground.

Where the Work Took Root

In many villages, farming is more than a livelihood. It shapes food availability, school attendance, migration patterns, and community confidence. Krishi Jyoti’s early agriculture development efforts focused on everyday practices, building on what farmers were already doing and identifying small adjustments that reduce risk.

As the work expanded into regions across seven states, one reality became clear early on: no single approach works everywhere. Soil behaves differently. Rainfall patterns vary. Social relationships shift from village to village.

Rather than imposing uniform solutions, the project adapted to the needs. This flexibility allowed local action to align naturally with broader sustainable development goals.

Working with Small and Marginal Farmers

For small and marginal farmers, every decision carries weight.

A delayed monsoon, an unsuitable input, or a failed experiment can undo an entire season’s effort. With limited and fragmented landholdings, the margin for error is narrow. Land size directly influences how much risk a farmer can afford.

Krishi Jyoti chose to work alongside farmers to address these realities.

Instead of pushing for immediate adoption, farmers were encouraged to observe, compare, and decide. Learning occurred in the fields over the seasons, not through external instruction.

Challenges were discussed openly, including soil quality, long-standing traditional practices, and dependence on weather and timing.

Acknowledging these constraints helped to build trust with small farmers. Over time, that trust translated into willingness to try, adapt, and share their learning with others.

Tools, Technology, and the Capital Question

Tools change outcomes when they fit local realities.

Much agricultural equipment is designed for larger landholdings, which often limits their adoption by small farmers due to cost, maintenance, and usability. Krishi Jyoti focused on tools suited to small plots and encouraged shared use through local entrepreneurial farmers and groups.

Adoption was gradual. Confidence developed through training, peer learning, and repeated use. Comfort with new tools was built over time.

Along with the use of equipment came an important conversation about capital. A focus on soil health, planning and understanding input costs, and making informed choices reduced the need for borrowing money, which was a common last resort. In many cases, improved productivity reduced the need for high-risk borrowing altogether.

Water Management Required Patience

In several project areas, water scarcity was highly visible and deeply felt.

Borewells were dry. Ponds held water only briefly. Fields were left uncultivated because irrigation could not be assured. These long-standing challenges resisted quick solutions. Water management efforts focused on long-term thinking. These included community dialogue, collective responsibility, and structures designed to deliver results over years, not months.

These were not dramatic turning points.

But gradually, groundwater recharge began to show results. Borewells once abandoned showed signs of revival. Ponds retained water longer. Irrigation became more predictable. The lesson remained consistent: shared resources demanded shared accountability.

When Villages Began Deciding Together

Infrastructure alone cannot sustain change.

What strengthened outcomes over time was village-level decision-making. Through village development committees, communities discussed priorities, planned interventions, and reviewed progress collectively.

This shift made the difference.

Instead of waiting for direction, villagers began asking their own questions. What should come first? How should resources be managed? Who is responsible for upkeep? Sustainable development became less about projects and more about process.

Nutrition for Women and Everyday Health

Nutrition conversations did not begin with data; they began in kitchens.

Krishi Jyoti’s work around nutrition for women focused on practical understanding of what a balanced plate looks like, why dietary diversity matters, and how nutrition during pregnancy shapes long-term health.

Discussions were simple and grounded, without technical language, just shared knowledge and everyday examples.

Over time, these conversations led to small but lasting changes at home, healthier women and children, better food intake, and reliance on seasonal food availability and nutritional outcomes.

Such changes endured because they made sense.

Kitchen Gardens and Women in Agriculture

Kitchen gardens became one of the most grounded interventions across villages. They required minimal investment, space, seeds, and regular care. Families growing their own vegetables experienced immediate benefits:

Women in agriculture played a central role in sustaining these gardens. Many worked collectively, sharing seeds, exchanging ideas, and supporting one another. This collaboration built confidence, not only in food production, but in public participation.

The kitchen garden became more than a source of nutrition. It became a shared space for learning.

Children, Education, and Changing Environments

When livelihoods stabilize, other shifts begin.

As water access improved and farming outcomes became more reliable, families were better able to prioritize education. By upgrading school infrastructures as part of the project, children attended school more consistently, and learning improved. Schools became spaces of engagement rather than obligation.

Children spoke about enjoying school, about playing, learning, and feeling encouraged.

All these changes were enhanced by improved stability across the household.

Local Work, Global Meaning

Krishi Jyoti’s work is rooted firmly in villages, but the outcomes reflect the intent of global sustainable development goals.

Food security. Water access. Empowered women. Community participation. Health. Education.

When communities experience tangible improvements, global frameworks find relevance naturally.

This alignment has been quiet, organic, and deeply contextual.

Looking Ahead

Seventeen years of work through the Krishi Jyoti project has demonstrated that sustainable development is built through patience, humility, and partnership.

There are no shortcuts. No universal solutions. Only steady effort, shared learning, and the willingness to stay present through uncertainty.

Looking ahead, the focus of Krishi Jyoti remains unchanged. Supporting farmers. Strengthening nutrition for women. Protecting water resources. Enabling communities to shape their own paths.

Progress will continue gradually, one village, one season, one harvest at a time.

About the Author

Arti Manchanda Grover
Senior Manager, Public Relations at the S M Sehgal Foundation

Arti Manchanda Grover, Senior Manager, Public Relations at the S M Sehgal Foundation, where she leads communication strategies, media outreach, and storytelling initiatives that support impactful rural development programs. With experience of more than 18 years in the nonprofit sector, she brings strong expertise in corporate social responsibility, community media, and development communication.

The post Celebrating 17 Years of Sustainable Development Success with Krishi Jyoti appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Water is something we may take for granted until it becomes a problem.

From early morning chores to late-night cleaning, households generate wastewater continuously. In many places, this water quietly flows into open drains, streets, ponds, or low-lying areas. Over time, this creates unhygienic conditions, damages soil and water sources, and exposes communities to serious health risks. This reality is where the conversation around wastewater management becomes unavoidable.

In rural settings especially, centralized treatment systems are either absent or extremely limited. Expecting complex infrastructure in such contexts is unrealistic. What is needed instead are decentralized, low-cost solutions that communities can easily understand, build, and maintain. Soak pits are one such solution. Simple in design, effective in function, and rooted in ecological principles, soak pits offer a practical way to manage domestic wastewater while supporting environmental health.

This article unpacks what soak pits are, why they matter, and how they fit into broader efforts around sustainable wastewater management.

Why Wastewater Treatment Deserves Attention

In the new episode of Let’s Connect podcast, Salahuddin Saiphy, principal lead of Water Management, talks about Soak Pits with Sonia Chopra, program lead of Outreach for Development at SMSF. A large portion of the water used in households does not disappear after use. In fact, nearly most of it turns into wastewater—including water from kitchens, washing areas, and laundry. When unmanaged, this wastewater accumulates in open spaces and drains, creating stagnant pools.

The consequences are well known in many villages and small towns:

The wastewater treatment importance lies not just in cleanliness, but in public health, environmental protection, and personal dignity. Without a proper wastewater drainage system, communities are forced to live alongside waste they did not choose to generate.

While several wastewater treatment methods are available globally, many are expensive, technology-heavy, or dependent on electricity and skilled operation. This makes them unsuitable for decentralized rural contexts.

What Are Soak Pits and How Do They Work?

Soak pits are among the simplest forms of decentralized wastewater treatment structures.

At their core, soak pits are underground chambers designed to receive domestic wastewater (excluding toilet waste). The water passes through a basic filtration layer and slowly percolates into the surrounding soil. This natural process allows the soil to act as a filter, reducing pollutants while safely dispersing water underground.

A typical soak pit tank:

Unlike open drains, soak pit drainage is contained and controlled. There is no surface stagnation, no foul smell, and significantly reduced exposure to disease-causing organisms.

Soak Pits Compared to Other Wastewater Treatment Methods

It is important to understand that soak pits are not meant to replace all wastewater treatment systems. They are one option among several wastewater treatment methods.

In urban areas, centralized sewage treatment plants may be feasible. In institutions, constructed wetlands or advanced filtration systems may work. However, in villages and peri-urban areas, such solutions often fail due to cost, maintenance challenges, or lack of ownership.

Soak pits, and in some cases leach pit systems, work well because they:

Their strength lies in being context-appropriate rather than technologically complex.

The Role of Community Soak Pits in Villages

While individual soak pits work well for single households, there are situations where community soak pits are more practical. In dense settlements, shared washing areas, schools, or community centers, wastewater generation is collective. The design of a soak pit in a village setting needs to keep shared usage in mind.

Community soak pits help:

However, community systems demand stronger coordination. Without shared ownership and clarity on maintenance, even well-built systems can fail.

Key Considerations in Soak Pit Construction

Soak pit construction is not just about digging a hole in the ground. Several factors influence whether a soak pit will function effectively over time.

Some of the most important considerations include:

A poorly designed soak pit may work initially but will likely fail within months. This is why understanding local conditions is critical before construction begins.

Why Maintenance Is Often the Weakest Link

Many soak pits stop working not because the idea is flawed, but because maintenance is ignored.

Over time, soap scum, oil, and fine silt accumulate inside the filtering chamber. When this material blocks pore spaces, infiltration slows down. Eventually, water starts stagnating inside the pit, defeating its purpose.

Regular soak pit maintenance is essential. This includes:

However, because cleaning a soak pit can be unpleasant, many households tend to delay or avoid it. When maintenance is neglected, systems fail.

Improving Design to Make Maintenance Easier

One of the most important lessons learned from long-term field experience is that systems must be easy to maintain, not just technically sound.

Innovations in soak pit design now focus on separating filtration chambers and introducing mechanisms that allow sludge to be flushed out without direct contact. This reduces the hygiene concerns that previously discouraged regular maintenance.

Such improvements do not change the basic principle of soak pits. They simply make soak pit maintenance more practical for everyday users, including women, who often manage water-related tasks at the household level.

Environmental Benefits of Soak Pits

From an ecological perspective, soak pits offer specific advantages.

By allowing water to percolate naturally, soak pits support groundwater recharge rather than surface runoff. At the same time, soak pits reduce pollution load in surface water bodies. This is especially valuable in areas where groundwater levels are declining.

From a wastewater management standpoint, soak pits:

These benefits are not always immediately visible, but over time they contribute to healthier living environments.

Looking Ahead: Small Solutions with Lasting Impact

Soak pits are not a universal solution to all sanitation challenges. But they are a powerful reminder that wastewater management does not always require expensive infrastructure or complex technology.

When designed well, constructed thoughtfully, and maintained regularly, soak pits offer a low-cost, eco-friendly way to handle domestic wastewater that improves hygiene, protects water resources, and reduces health risks—especially in villages where alternatives are limited.

Decoding soak pits ultimately means recognizing their value as practical, human-scale solutions. In the search for sustainable answers, the most effective ideas are sometimes the simplest ones, rooted firmly in local realities.

About the Author

Sonia Chopra
Program Leader Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation

Sonia Chopra is Program Leader, Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation, where she drives outreach, advocacy, and digital storytelling to advance rural development. She holds a Master’s degrees in political science, information & library science, and journalism in digital media.

The post Decoding Soak Pits: An Eco-friendly Approach to Wastewater Management appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

S M Sehgal Foundation (SMSF) has been working since 1999 with a mission to strengthen community-led development initiatives across rural India, leading to positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes. SMSF partners with corporates, treating each partnership as a shared-value endeavor where corporates bring CSR budgets and strategic mandates, and SMSF generates rural know-how and implementation capacity backed by community trust.

S M Sehgal Foundation’s Approach to Partnerships

For corporates seeking long-term impact across rural development, S M Sehgal Foundation has emerged as a partner of choice, given its rich experience in the rural development sector, a strong expert team, and transparency and credibility in the sector.

Going the Extra Mile: Innovation, Accountability and Long-Term Partnerships

S M Sehgal Foundation work goes beyond implementation, leading communities to take ownership of the work results. The objective is to make all SMSF partnerships and collaborations robust with key components:

Over to You

Within India’s evolving CSR landscape, companies seek impact, alignment with Sustainable Development Goals, and credible partnerships beyond compliance. S M Sehgal Foundation provides a proven model rooted in rural transformation that addresses water security, agriculture development, women’s empowerment, better futures for schoolchildren and rural livelihoods. The SMSF approach aligns CSR with national priorities, builds shared value, and ensures measurable outcomes through long-term, community-owned projects.

Partnering with SMSF enables corporates to move beyond traditional philanthropy, creating sustainable development partnerships that drive lasting and scalable change across rural India.

About the Author

Arti Manchanda Grover
Senior Manager, Public Relations at the S M Sehgal Foundation

Arti Manchanda Grover, Senior Manager, Public Relations at the S M Sehgal Foundation, where she leads communication strategies, media outreach, and storytelling initiatives that support impactful rural development programs. With experience of more than 18 years in the nonprofit sector, she brings strong expertise in corporate social responsibility, community media, and development communication.

The post How S M Sehgal Foundation Works With Corporate Partners for Sustainable Impact appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

When we talk about transforming education, we tend to focus on curriculum and teaching methods. But the spaces in which students learn—classrooms, art rooms, and playgrounds—play an equally pivotal role. Schools with strong infrastructure improvement not only foster academic growth, but also nurture emotional well-being, safety, and a sense of belonging.

A well-designed learning environment can reduce absenteeism, increase school enrolment, especially among girls, and empower youth to engage fully with their education. Efforts to build better learning spaces are central to any school transformation program aiming for holistic development in education.

What Is the State of School Infrastructure in Rural India?

Before exploring stories of change, let’s look at rural schools in India:

These facts show that while broad infrastructural improvement is underway, gaps remain—especially in digital literacy, play areas, and rural regions where resources are more constrained.

Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Why Environment Shapes Learning

How does improved infrastructure translate into better educational outcomes?

Some insights:

“How does good school infrastructure help rural education and digital literacy?” The answer lies in both the hard infrastructure and the softer aspects of environment.

The Transformation of Doddashivara High School, Kolar District

Here’s a real-life example of what happens when a school transformation program is implemented well:

Before the change

Doddashivara Government High School in Malur Taluk of Kolar District, Karnataka, served about 190 students (105 girls, 85 boys) with 12 teachers. Many of them came from underprivileged backgrounds with limited alternatives for education. But the school infrastructure was seriously deficient:

These deficits posed major educational challenges: attendance dropped, students felt unsafe or uncomfortable, and the learning environment was uninspiring.

Transformation under the Rural School Transformation Project

S M Sehgal Foundation, with support from First American (India) Private Limited, stepped in with a holistic plan:

Impact & Voices

“Earlier we used to struggle without proper toilets, but now I feel comfortable and safe in school. We have a clean place to sit and eat, and even our walls teach us through colorful paintings that arise our curiosity to learn and explore.” – Abhishek M, Grade 8

“We had broken toilets, no proper handwashing station. . . . Today, students come to school with a smile . . . The new infrastructure has boosted student attendance, improved hygiene, and increased parents’ trust . . . ”- Mrs. Mamatha, headmaster

The result of this school transformation is not just physical; it is emotional and behavioral. Improved enrolment is expected; more parents are trusting the institution; academic performance will rise in coming years given the safer, more engaging learning space.

Key Elements of an Effective Learning Environment

From national data and the Doddashivara example, effective school infrastructure improvement measures typically include:

The Power of Partnerships: NGOs, Corporates, and Communities

Transforming schools requires collaboration. Some ways these partnerships make a difference:

The Rural School Transformation Project of SM Sehgal Foundation and First American (India) is an example of a project that integrates these partnership strengths to achieve holistic change.

Measurable Impact: What the Numbers Say

These changes contribute to higher school admissions and enrolments and improved learning outcomes, especially in rural education settings where deficits were previously pronounced.

Lessons from Doddashivara: Building Sustainable Change

From the Doddashivara transformation and national data, some lessons emerge:

These lessons help in scaling similar models across rural schools, making transforming schools not just a slogan but a practical roadmap for transforming the lives of schoolchildren.

Building a Future Where Every Child Thrives

Transforming education is far more than updating curriculum or hiring teachers. School infrastructure improvement plays a foundational role in empowering youth, supporting rural education, and tackling educational challenges that hinder academic progress.

The story of Doddashivara High School under the Rural School Transformation Project shows that when underprivileged students gain access to clean toilets, safe classrooms, digital tools, and inspiring spaces, everything changes for the better. Increased school admissions, rising attendance, and smiling students are the signs of true transformation.

In the end, transforming schools into better learning spaces is not only about buildings—it is about providing every child with dignity, safety, opportunity, and hope. Through such holistic development in education, a nation builds its future.

About the Author

Sonia Chopra
Program Leader Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation

Sonia Chopra is Program Leader, Communication at S M Sehgal Foundation, where she drives outreach, advocacy, and digital storytelling to advance rural development. She holds a Master’s degrees in political science, information & library science, and journalism in digital media.

The post Transforming Schools into Better Learning Spaces for Students appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have emerged as a strong support system for India’s small and marginal farmers. By coming together under one umbrella, farmers get access to collective bargaining power, better markets, and modern practices. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, India aims to create 10,000 new FPOs by 2027 to empower rural communities and improve farmers’ income security. This highlights the government’s focus on farmer-led institutions as a pathway to sustainable growth.

An FPO is essentially a collective of farmers registered under the Companies Act. It allows farmers to pool resources, share risks, and market their produce at better prices. Through this system, small-scale farmers, often left behind in the open market, gain a stronger voice. FPOs also play a key role in providing inputs, training, and access to financial support.

Many people often confuse FPOs with Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). While both serve farmer interests, the difference lies in their legal structure. An FPC is a registered company formed under the Companies Act, whereas an FPO can be registered under different legal forms, including cooperatives or societies. In short, every FPC is an FPO, but not every FPO is an FPC.

Why FPOs Matter in Indian Agriculture?

Smallholders struggle with fragmented landholdings and buyer exploitation. FPOs unite them under a common banner – collectively negotiating prices, securing supplies, and accessing credit. Research notes that FPOs aim “to solve the problems encountered by small and marginal farmers, especially access to capital, technical improvements, and inputs and markets.” (Source: Nature ). States like Maharashtra and Bihar have seen surging FPO growth thanks to these advantages (Source: JSRR ).

What are the Common Challenges Faced by FPOs

The reality is not rosy. Common challenges include:

Strengthening Governance

Strong governance breeds trust and efficiency. Clear member roles, regular audits, and annual strategy reviews help. Village-level farmers interest groups can feed into these structures, amplifying transparency. Training leadership teams in accounting, decision-making, and stakeholder communication is essential. This not only strengthens FPO operations but helps build the farmer producer company into a trusted entity.

Power of Federations

Individually, FPOs are small. Federations bring scale. Grouping multiple FPOs into federated structures improves access to capital, opens new markets, and enables bulk branding. Federations consolidate produce, reduce marketing costs, and attract larger buyers, amplifying FPO business and its viability.

Embracing Digitization

Digital tools can be a game-changer. Web platforms – like ONDC – allow FPOs to sell value-added goods directly. For instance, nearly 5,000 FPOs have listed their products via ONDC with promising sales from commodities like millet, honey, and GI-tagged turmeric. Digitization also helps in performance tracking, transparency, and capacity building. Boosting digital literacy among members is crucial to modernize FPO systems.

Women-Led FPOs: A Transformative Force

Women-led FPOs are gaining recognition. In Karnataka, for instance, 336 FPOs are functional, many fully run by women. That includes the Mahila FPOs with strong regional membership. Women leadership spurs inclusive growth, particularly in rural markets and decision-making (Source: The Times of India). Boosting women participation magnifies benefits to households, communities, and wider agrarian systems.

Sustainable Growth Pathways

To ensure long-term viability, FPOs must embrace sustainable practices: climate-resilient farming, organic produce, crop diversification, and value addition. Branding with GI tags, like turmeric and mango, adds value. For example, FPOs in Odisha exported mangoes directly to Europe, bypassing intermediaries https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/50-quintals-of-balangir-mangoes-exported-to-europe/articleshow/121554301.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com. UP’s public–private initiative supports FPOs with cold storage, grading infrastructure – all vital for sustainable growth (Source: The Times of India).

Policy & Institutional Support

India’s government has launched schemes like the Formation of 10,000 FPOs, led by SFAC, NABARD, and SFAC, assembling nearly 8.3 lakh small farmers into over 800 FPOs by 2019. Institutional bodies such as SFAC support capacity building and professionalization. UP recently created an FPO cell under a state-level unit to deliver tailored business training to FPOs (Source: The Times of India).

Sustainable Growth in Action (Summary Table)

Case study: Vrishabhavati Agriculture Farmer Producer Company

The story of Vrishabhavati Agriculture Farmer Producer Company in Karnataka illustrates both the challenges and the transformation possible with the right support.

Initial Struggles

The FPO, formed with 300 members and a corpus of ₹3,00,000, struggled to mobilise farmers due to poor awareness of FPO operations and sustainable farming practices. Farmers associated membership only with the ₹1,000 share contribution, expecting seasonal inputs in return, while still depending on traditional cultivation methods.

Interventions and transformation

In 2021, the S M Sehgal Foundation, with CSR support from the Walmart Foundation, began working with the FPO under the Bolstering Farmer Producer Organizations project. Regular training, demonstrations, and exposure visits introduced farmers to scientific agricultural practices. For example:

Building Sustainable Business

The FPO overcame the challenge of lacking a business plan by setting up multiple income streams:

With a turnover of ₹35 lakhs in the last financial year, the FPO’s operations now serve as a model of resilience.

Increasing Women’s Participation

Through apiculture, goatery, sheep rearing, agarbatti-making, and polyhouse farming of capsicum, women farmers were empowered with skills and income opportunities. For example, capsicum grown in a polyhouse worth ₹32 lakhs is expected to generate ₹25-30 lakhs in business.

Key Lessons from the Case

Over to You

To truly strengthen farmer producer organisations, we must align governance, federations, digitization, women leadership, and sustainable practices. Backed by policy support and institutional ecosystems, FPOs can drive inclusive growth, empower small farmers, and ensure food security. Strengthening the FPO, for real.

Priya Chaudhary
Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development

Priya Chaudhary is an expert in Social Impact, CSR, and Gender & Development with a focus on gender equity, social inclusion, and evidence-based change. With extensive experience in project management, storytelling, and qualitative research, she has worked on various NGO marketing and development projects.

The post Strategies to Strengthen FPOs: Federations, Digitization, and Sustainable Growth appeared first on S M Sehgal Foundation.