Grasim Industries ltd has launched a livestock development programme in the semi-arid Malwa region of Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. The company’s CSR initiatives are focused on providing sustainable livelihood options for rural people by creating more employment opportunities in areas where its facilities are located.
After a detailed situation analysis of the Malwa plateau region around Nagda, an important railway junction in Ujjain district, the Company decided that animal husbandry/dairy farming could generate additional income for 5,000 families by doubling the output of milch cattle owned by not only small and marginal farmers but landless labourers as well
Grasim takes its social responsibilities seriously and works actively to improve the lives of the communities and stakeholders in the areas where it operates. Previous government-backed animal husbandry initiatives in the Nagda area had failed due to lack of proper skill training and inculcating scientific knowledge among the villagers, forcing many to migrate to cities for employment.
After picking up the gauntlet to improve the lives of the communities and stakeholders in the area where it operates, Grasim mandated Pune-based BAIF Development Research Foundation to identify and suggest suitable opportunities for improving animal husbandry in the Nagda area.
On the success of the programme, Siddhartha Banerji, President of Grasim’s Nagda plant said, “Dairy farming plays a major role in the livelihood of people in semi-arid regions. As a responsible corporate, we are happy to pave the way for a socio-economic change in the region by improving the standard of living of rural population with better employment opportunities through improved animal husbandry practices.”
Sarpanch of Bhatisuda village Ratanlal Parmar expresses gratitude towards Grasim Industries for this initiative; the centre is providing better guidance to farmers on how to increase milk yield from their animals.