CSR INITIATIVES

 

“Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) is a management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders. CSR is generally understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives simultaneously, addressing the expectations of shareholders and stakeholders.

Most of the corporates are complying with the CSR policy and implementing various CSR activities/projects for social and environment development in their focused area. Formulation and Implementation of CSR based programmes requires special aptitude, strategy, skills and capabilities for outcome-oriented results. IFFDC has the requisite attributes as well as the  experience of implementing such programmes and has started facilitating Corporates for result oriented CSR commitments. IFFDC's own rural livelihoods approach places people at the centre of development and focuses on building assets and skills so that women and men can access new opportunities for income generation and employment for sustainable livelihood. Accordingly these efforts in partnership with Corporates under their CSR initiatives are also aligned with IFFDCs own priorities of poverty alleviation and sustainable rural livelihood development .

CSR PROJECTS

IFFCO-TOKIO Integrated Rural Development Project (IIRDP)

IFFDC has completed 09 projects of IFFCO-TOKIO Integrated Rural Development Projects (IIRDP) successfully in 32 villages of 7 States i.e. Rajasthan, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bihar. Around 5,171 families (More than 24,800 People) were benefitted directly from these projects.

Major achievements during the period (2015-2024):

The skills of 645 unemployed youth were built in various trades i.e. Computer Operator, Beautician, Carpenter, Electrician, Mechanic, Bamboo craft, Handloom weaving, Sanitary Napkin making, Hair cutting, Food processing etc. The trained youth were supported in undertaking microenterprises, which generated sustainable employment and livelihood.

Under Climate Action, 68 Solar based drinking water units were installed that are ensuring safe drinking water for 2050 families. Additionally  244 Solar Street Lights and 3,386 Solar Home Lights were installed, that have resulted in saving of electricity cost and energy in the project villages.

Under Water Resource Development, 28 Ponds, 10 Check Dams and 118 Well/Ring Wells were constructed/renovated. The water table in wells of the area increased by 4-5 feet and 265-hectare additional area was brought under irrigation. Cattle from nearby villages are also as a result getting sufficient drinking water from these ponds & other water harvesting structures.

The constructed 266 Toilets and 30 Bathrooms are helping in minimizing open defecation. The cleanliness and hygiene in  Project villages has increased and self-esteem of women and girls has enhanced. The women have an appropriate nomenclature "Izzat Ghar" for these facilities.

Under Environment Upgradation, 2,567 Smart Smokeless cooking Stoves (Chulah) were provided to Poor Families of Project villages, which has helped in fuel wood saving, reducing pressure on forests, improving women health and reducing women drudgery as the time of women in cooking is saved by an estimated one hour every day. It is estimated that the consumption of about 4 Kg fuel wood per day/family is being saved.

Under Social Development, the constructed 13 Community Centres have proved very useful for the rural community in organising community meetings, SHG meetings, training and other social & cultural activities. Of note  is the fact that in Odisha State, these community centres are being used by the community as shelter houses during cyclones.

The established 140 Vermi-compost units and 1157 compost units in the project villages are helping the farmers in producing nutrition rich manure to improve the soil health of their fields.

Prior to implementation of the projects in tribal areas, the thatched houses of project villages were in darkness. With little or no ventilation or windows to allow sunlight to enter and very small doors, houses remained in darkness even during the day. To address this severe inadequacy, 1,980 transparent fiber sheets were installed on roofs of 1000 poor family houses. These houses now have natural lighting in the day time, which has made a great qualitative change for these families.

Repairing of Houses of 265 Poor families, damaged due to Amphan Cyclone in Sundarban Area, has also extended immediate relief to the cyclone affected poor families.

To improve the hygiene of project villages, the concerned communities were made aware about the importance of keeping and maintaining cleanness in and around houses. Also, 2,240 Waste Disposal Bins were installed in the project villages. The community is now maintaining cleanliness in the villages and using the waste disposal bins for dumping all waste material.

Under Livestock Development, 475 poor families were supported in undertaking poultry rearing in micro-enterprises, which has created for them an alternate source for generating income and livelihood. The average income per family obtained by selling of eggs & chicken is 1,500-2,000/-per month

Green Belt Development Project

IFFDC has successfully completed 4 CSR projects on Green Belt Development with the support of M/s Mitsui & Co. Ltd. in Haryana and Delhi NCT. The objective of these projects is to increase tree cover for environment improvement thereby contributing toward combating the climate change. The developed green cover with about 11,000 trees is helping in carbon sequestrations and mitigating climate change. Moreover, the biodiversity in these areas has improved.