Ravi Trivedi

Policy Consulting White Paper under Council on Sustainable Development by GGI Fellows- Unveiling the Potential: Revolutionizing India's Agricultural Sector Through MSP Implementation This white paper critically examines MSP's role amidst India's agrarian challenges, drawing from history and current realities. By analyzing inefficiencies and unintended consequences, we aim to uncover barriers to its effectiveness. Engaging stakeholders and leveraging data-driven insights, we propose strategic interventions to optimize MSP. Authors: Samanvi Bathula and Harsh Vardhan Dewari Mentor:  Vamsi Krishna Mula *** GGI White Papers are our step towards building a sustainable future along with upskilling our fellows towards problem solving. Link: https://lnkd.in/gdwm3Enx

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LinkedinFam looking for responses and connects. Under Women Economic Empowerment Program we are constantly engaging with women collectives and undertand #accesstomarket. We also understand that most #climateresilient practices or #naturebased #adapatation have women at the core.. need to know more.. please fill ik the form. #climatechange #agritech #naturebasedadaptation

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#ArtificialIntelligence (AI) holds immense potential for #transformingagriculture and enhancing #farmbasedlivelihoods. By integrating AI into various agricultural practices, farmers can achieve greater #efficiency, #sustainability, and #productivity. AI can revolutionize agriculture through #precisionfarming, where data from #drones, #satellites, and #sensors provide real-time insights into crop health, soil conditions, and weather patterns. #Machinelearningalgorithms can predict crop yields, optimize planting schedules, and detect pest infestations early, minimizing losses and reducing the need for chemical interventions. AI-driven soil analysis tools can monitor and evaluate soil health, offering recommendations for nutrient management and soil conservation practices. This ensures sustainable soil use, prevents degradation, and enhances fertility. AI helps farmers adapt to climate change by predicting weather events and advising on adaptive measures. It supports the development of climate-resilient crop varieties and sustainable farming practices, reducing the agricultural sector's #carbonfootprint. #AI technologies optimize irrigation by assessing soil moisture levels and weather forecasts, ensuring efficient water use. This not only conserves water but also reduces costs and improves crop yields. AI empowers farmers with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions, improving their productivity and profitability. It facilitates access to markets and credit, enhancing their #economicstability. The integration of AI tools in agriculture to support #sustainablefarming practices such as soil health management, #climateresilientagriculture, and #waterconservation can improve livelihoods and ensure #foodsecurity. These efforts can demonstrate the transformative impact of AI in empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

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Emphasizing that funding is a key issue to make cooperatives self-sustaining, a report by a consulting firm said India’s cooperative sector has the potential to generate up to 5.5 million direct jobs and 5.6 million independent opportunities by 2030. Releasing the report titled “Cooperatives could generate 56 million self-employment opportunities by 2030”, management consultancy Primus Partners on Thursday suggested that a national mission for cooperative development should be launched to integrate multiple strategies into a coherent framework and should be supported by a Special purpose vehicle ( SPV) to drive its implementation. Among the strategies, the report recommended integrating cooperatives on platforms like the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to streamline logistics and expand market reach, establishing Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in partnership with institutions like Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for to offer training in digital tools, entrepreneurship and modern agricultural practices. Primus said priority sector lending should be expanded and partnerships should be formed with international agencies to provide loans and grants on favorable terms. It also suggested that the visibility and reputation of cooperatives be enhanced by developing comprehensive branding strategies and defining long-term goals to raise their profile. However, its recommendation of the ‘One District One Cooperative’ model is at odds with the government’s policy of a primary cooperative in every other village. “To ensure autonomy, self-reliance and democratic governance of India’s vast network of approximately 8.5 lakh cooperative societies with a membership base of 29 crore, it is essential to meet their funding needs and enable them to become self-sustaining,” the report said. According to Primus Partners, the cooperative sector stands as a beacon of hope and potential as India moves towards the ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2030. India’s cooperative network, the largest in the world, represents nearly 30 percent of the 30 lakh cooperative societies globally. It said that India is poised to harness the immense capabilities of the sector to drive economic growth, social equity and inclusive development. Citing the ‘Indian Cooperative Movement’ report, it said cooperatives were responsible for 13.3 per cent of total employment in the economy as of 2016-17, showing a remarkable increase from 12 lakh jobs in 2007-08 to 58 lakh in 2016 -17 , a staggering 18.9 percent annual growth. “Looking ahead, cooperatives have the potential to create up to 5.5 crore direct jobs and 5.6 crore self-employment opportunities by 2030,” it said. By maintaining a growth rate of 5-6 per cent, the sector can generate 5.6 crore self-employment opportunities by 2030 from 3 crore in 2018, the report said. SHARE Copy link E-mail Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Published on November 29, 2024 <a

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Porechoy is a platform designed to connect individuals and organizations in the social sector through a job portal, resource hub, and collaborative opportunities Today we are bringing a list of organizations working in technological interventions in rural areas. Here is a list of organizations working in India that focus on technology interventions in rural areas: Digital Green – Uses technology to support smallholder farmers by connecting them with expert knowledge and enabling behavior change. Agastya International Foundation – Focuses on inspiring creativity and critical thinking among rural children and teachers through hands-on science education and technology. Grameen Foundation India – Works to improve the lives of the rural poor through technology and financial inclusion initiatives. The Barefoot College (Social Work and Research Centre) – Provides solar power technology training for rural women, particularly grandmothers, to install and maintain solar systems. SELCO Foundation India – Focuses on providing solar energy solutions and promoting access to sustainable energy for underserved rural areas. TechnoServe India – Uses technology to empower rural farmers, improve market access, and build sustainable agriculture practices. eKutir – Focuses on providing digital solutions for rural farmers to improve productivity, market access, and livelihood. RuralShores Business Services Pvt Ltd – Offers BPO and IT services from rural areas, empowering local youth with digital skills and employment opportunities. Indian Farmers Fertiliser Coop Ltd. (IFFCO) – Introduced IFFCO Kisan, a digital platform providing agricultural information and services to farmers. Kiva India – A part of the global Kiva network, facilitating access to microloans for rural entrepreneurs and farmers using technology. Village Capital – Provides a platform for rural entrepreneurs to scale their tech-based solutions in rural areas. eGram Vishwagram – An initiative by the Gujarat government to provide e-governance and digital services to rural areas through technology. NABARD - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) – Works with digital financial services and technology to support rural development. Link to Join our broadcast-http://wa.me/918117025081 M S Mahala Shahbaz Baba Maninder Singh Shashank Parimi Lakshita Vohra evitas Jobs #TechForRuralIndia #DigitalInclusion #RuralDevelopment #AgriTech #SolarEnergy #EmpoweringRuralCommunities #SustainableDevelopment #RuralInnovation #TechInAgriculture #DigitalIndia #CleanEnergy #SocialImpact #TechnologyForGood #InclusiveGrowth #RuralEmpowerment #SkillDevelopment #RuralEntrepreneurship #TechForChange #SustainableSolutions #IndiaRuralTech #TechForFarmers

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Alert:  Ananya Birla Foundation (ABF) is inviting applications for projects aimed at enhancing rural women’s participation in the workforce and improving mental healthcare for vulnerable populations. Thematic Areas In this grant cycle, the organization aim to address two pressing societal issues: -         Promoting sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurship support for rural women. -         Access to mental healthcare for vulnerable populations Funding Amount Each program is eligible for receiving a maximum grant of ₹1.2 crores or up to 25% of the organization's annual budget, whichever amount is lower Funding Amount -         Maharashtra -         Karnataka -         North-eastern states of India. Eligibility Criteria -         Must be registered under trust, society, or Section-8 non-profit organizations in India. -         Possess valid 12A, 80G, and CSR registrations. -         Demonstrate a commitment to addressing social challenges with a preferable presence in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and the North-eastern states of India. To apply visit the link below https://lnkd.in/guEaWFWD Note: Grant Guideline is attached Disclaimer: Sharing the opportunity for information and not connected to the opportunity #livelihood #mentalhealth #grant #csr

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New Insights from the ILSS Fundraising Program Evaluation! We’re excited to share our latest evaluation of the ILSS - India Leaders for Social Sector's Fundraising Program, where we uncovered 8 key learnings on evaluating capacity-building initiatives. From understanding the importance of context to tracking both early wins and long-term growth, we explore how sustained engagement with participants drives transformative change in fundraising practices. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve learned: "Early victories are like the first sprout of a seed, but true transformation takes time to fully flourish." "A successful program doesn’t just deliver content—it co-creates a learning journey that evolves with its participants." How do you measure success in your capacity-building efforts? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇 Special thanks to the amazing team at ILSS - India Leaders for Social Sector - Anu Prasad Nikita Gupta Meenal Monolika Mohd Farhan Curious to dive deeper? Check out the full article for practical insights and actionable strategies that can elevate your capacity-building programs. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_G4r_gC Feel free to share this post with your network if you think they’ll find it valuable! #CapacityBuilding #FundraisingSuccess #NonprofitLeadership #SocialImpact #OrganisationalDevelopment #MEL #SectorTrends

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🌌 Reflecting on an Insightful Event: The 2nd Edition of the Space Applications Adoption Workshop (SAAW) 🌱 I recently attended (online) the Space Applications Adoption Workshop (SAAW) focused on Agriculture and Food Processing, organized by IN-SPACe last week. This dynamic event united a diverse set of stakeholders—from Central and State Government representatives and organizations to renowned industry players, start-ups along with associations and cooperatives. The experience was immensely insightful and constructive. Many government officials provided valuable feedback on the pitches by startups, particularly around the use of geospatial technology, AI/ML in agriculture. Their feedback underscored the critical role of ground truthing and deeply understanding ground realities to create impactful solutions. It was encouraging to see this collaborative spirit aimed at refining and aligning tech solutions to the real-world needs of the agricultural sector. Key Takeaways: Constructive Feedback as Growth: The engagement from officials was constructive and focused on helping startups fine-tune their approaches, ensuring Applications of Space Technology/GIS/remote Sensing/ AI/ML are rooted in real-world accuracy. Empowering Solutions: The workshop offered startups a clearer view of practical challenges, paving the way for technology that truly addresses user needs. Start-ups also showcased their achievements, capabilities and deliberated about challenges they face during ground work. The Future is promising! Strengthening the Future of Agri-Tech: It’s inspiring to see IN-SPACe’s commitment to fostering a thriving space economy by empowering diverse stakeholders in governance, industry and retail. A big thank you to IN-SPACe for creating this platform! It’s exciting to witness and be part of such meaningful collaborations that promise to advance the Indian space economy and deliver impactful sustainable agri-tech solutions. Accolades to Air Vice Marshal Dhananjay Khot (Retd) sir and IN-SAPCe team Rohit Singh Nikhil Nainawatee C. P. Singh! #GIS #Agriculture #FoodPrcoessing ##Space #Farmers #Sustainable #GeoNomads

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Digital Swaraj Fellowship One Year Program for Digital Immersion for Rural Development For the last more than two decades, I have been wondering and waiting if some institution could develop holistic ecosystem to start and offer executive and practical course on “digital society” that would create a cadre to know how the digital tools, and digital ecosystem help in developing marginalised communities and thus the bottom up development of any country. All those that we hire at Digital Empowerment Foundation, hundreds of them, all end up learning from the ground but had never come having been trained or experienced. Everyday we need scores of people who claim they have lots of experience and expertise in various digital domain, but hardly meet people who say that “I have experience in how to relate digital tools for the development of society - in health, in rural development, in financial inclusion, in agriculture, in reducing gender digital divide, in developing cyber capacity among the Dalits or tribals or health workers, etc. That prompted us to start this one year fellowship called Digital Swaraj Fellowship. Started last year and with a lot of learning from running this program for one year with a dedicated cohort of 10, 7 passed out; we are now into second year. This year we are looking for 20 in not more. My humble request from all of you to please refer to someone, nominate if you know any one, suggest to someone you think would like to make a change among communities through digital contextual integration. Details are here in this appended document, but in a simple link you can click here and know more. https://lnkd.in/gb2we9W4 #fellowship #hardship #learningbydoing #immersion #ruralimmersion #digitalimmersion #digitaldivide #digitaldevelopment #digitaldividend #egov #digitaltools #techforgood #education #experience #swaraj #

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In my column for News18 India, I discuss how path dependency has shaped India's agricultural policies, particularly the entrenched focus on wheat and rice production, despite changing consumption patterns. Drawing from the 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) analyzed by the EAC-PM Working Paper, food expenditure has dropped below 50% of household consumption for the first time, with significant declines in cereal spending—driven by free grain schemes—and rising consumption of higher-value foods such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins. This shift calls for recalibrating agricultural policies, moving public support from cereal-centric models to more diversified cropping systems that align with evolving consumer demand.

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A Policy Framework to Boost AgriTech: Vital for India's Agriculture Transformation!! India's agriculture sector is at a pivotal juncture, with AgriTech startups playing a transformative role in driving efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. However, for these startups to truly scale and make a lasting impact, supportive policy interventions are critical. 1. Tax Structure Reforms AgriTech startups aren't just another business; they are instrumental in safeguarding food security and farmer livelihoods. Under the Startup India Program, startups are eligible for a three-year tax holiday within a block of seven years. For impact-driven AgriTech startups, this should be extended to a five-year tax holiday in a block of ten years, recognizing their essential role in the larger agricultural ecosystem. 2. GST Reduction for AgriTech Solutions Currently, AgriTech services and solutions face an 18% GST rate, which stifles the adoption of crucial digital and biotech-driven innovations. By capping the GST at 5% for such socially important services, we can foster greater adoption of AgriTech solutions that hold the potential to revolutionize farming. 3. Expanding Subsidies for Smart Irrigation Government subsidies on micro-irrigation aim to promote water efficiency. However, these incentives should be expanded to include IoT and remote-sensing-based smart irrigation systems, which offer even greater water efficiency than traditional drip or sprinkler systems. 4. Leveling the Playing Field for Market Linkages To encourage market innovation, the government should offer pan-India licensing and incentives not just for public entities like eNAM but also for private AgriTech companies, ensuring a level playing field and fostering technological advancements in market linkages. 5. Incentivizing Bio-Based Startups India's future lies in sustainable farming. By providing the same incentives for bio-nutrients as for chemical fertilizers, we can encourage the shift to eco-friendly solutions, reduce reliance on imports, and improve soil health for future generations.

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"If you want to drive significant impact, you have to think about philanthropy differently; looking at actual outcomes and not just attribution." Ashish Dhawan, Core Founder of Accelerate Indian Philanthropy (AIP) & Founder-CEO of The Convergence Foundation (TCF). Ashish exemplifies purpose-driven giving, focused on driving transformative impact. In this video as part of our #CelebratingPhilanthropy series, he shares powerful insights on rethinking philanthropy - to look beyond immediate results and channel resources scalable over time toward meaningful, long-term outcomes. His journey is testament that true change happens when we place purpose over recognition and collective progress over individual milestones. Let’s celebrate #philanthropy that fuels shared responsibility and visionary leadership!  #TransformativeGiving #SharedPurpose #VisionaryLeadership #SystemicChange #ImpactPhilanthropy #LegacyAndImpact Watch the full video - https://lnkd.in/gDga_iZA

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Greetings from CSA.. In light of the recent emphasis on Natural Farming/Agroecology in the 2024-25 budget, NITI Aayog is advancing the scaling up of Natural Farming across India through the approach of collaboration among different stakeholders that support different and successful models. To enable this, NITI Aayog has requested a comprehensive national-level database of key actors in the ecosystem to build visibility and support successful models across different regions. GIZ India and the Consortium for Agroecological Transformation (CAT) are working together in response to create a detailed database of stakeholders involved in Agroecology and Natural Farming. This database will map initiatives across states, districts, and blocks, helping NITI Aayog identify priority districts and potential partners for engagement. We are inviting CSOs, donors, market participants, and financial entities to contribute to this effort by completing a short Google Form, which will take approximately 5 minutes. The information they provide will be consolidated and presented to NITI Aayog. This is a valuable opportunity for them to showcase the diversity of their work across India and on various thematic areas of Natural Farming and Agroecology. https://lnkd.in/gw_HhEUC

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Presenting 'Bytes: Practical Research for CSR'. A simple idea born out of Give Grants's daily interactions with friends, clients and colleagues in the #CSR world. There is a massive amount of evidence-based-research out there that can guide grant-makers on what works and what doesn't. But, it is not readily accessible by the person who needs it most. Bytes is a small step in that direction. The first one in this series is about 'Trail bridges and gravel roads' ... a low-cost yet highly effective intervention. If you ever wondered what 'leverage' really means, this is the answer. PS: Tell us what you think about #Bytes ... no other way for us to know if this is indeed useful ! atul satija #bytesforCSR #bytestrailbridges

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Thank you ET Edge for capturing my post-budget thoughts on the significant boost to India's agriculture sector! The Union Budget 2024-25 has made a landmark allocation of INR 1.52 lakh crore. This is a game-changer for our #smallholders and the #ruraleconomy. Imagine a smallholder who has battled unpredictable rains, low yields, and the constant worry of where to sell his produce now has a glimmer of hope. The same smallholder can now get real-time updates on the best time to sow his seeds, access low-interest loans to buy farm machinery, and sell his produce directly to consumers at larger markets. It's a long road ahead, but this budget is like a strong wind at his back, pushing him towards a brighter future.   To achieve the #ViksitBharat target by 2047, the agri sector must contribute at least 25 percent to the GDP by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040. I'm optimistic about its potential to enhance farmers' incomes, boost agricultural productivity, and ensure food security. Now it’s our turn to together to realize this vision for a prosperous and sustainable agricultural India. #Budget2024 #IndianAgriculture #Farmers #DigitalIndia #ClimateAction https://lnkd.in/d9xZtb4H

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AP headline today -"India’s capital chokes as air pollution levels hit 50 times the safe limit" We need to act on #air #pollution with a focus on implementing incentives that work better without allowing ourselves to get immune to these escalating hazards to health that will disproportionately affect the poor, in #India and elsewhere. Read our research summary on how we can reduce crop burning to reduce these spikes in air pollution in the national capital region - https://lnkd.in/eHsCAxmC

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Strategies to enhance earning and sustainability of people under these categories are discussed at a livelihood promotion meeting in Mayurbhanj, Odisha. Mayurbhanj, the largest district in Odisha which has giant tribal population and higher number of endemic flora and fauna can harness the livelihood generation prospects through agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, handicrafts, and small scale industries. The proposed meeting would be held to unite local governments, NGOs, financial sector representatives, community leaders, and rural entrepreneurs to chart a way forward for implementable plans specific to socio-economic conditions prevailing in Mayurbhanj.

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