Collaboration with Himmotthan Society, Dehradun
Client: Himmotthan Society, Dehradun
Year: 2022, 2023
Geographical Coverage: Tapovan and Pakhi cluster in Joshimath block of district Chamoli, and Hawalbagh cluster of district Almora, Uttarakhand
Green Pahadi Foundation has played a critical role in the Focused Livelihood Development Project (FLDP), and Holistic Rural Development Project (HRDP), implemented by Himmotthan Society with the support of HDFC Bank under their CSR initiative. FLDP and HRDP aimed to improve the quality of life for the rural communities. Green Pahadi Foundation as the technical partner for mushroom cultivation, provided specialized trainings, handholding support, and facilitation to ensure the successful adoption of this livelihood intervention.
Key Highlights
- Technical Expertise and Capacity Building: Promoted mushroom cultivation as an alternative livelihood option by leveraging agro-waste for substrate preparation. Delivered hands-on training programs covering technical aspects like substrate preparation, spawn management, harvesting techniques, disease and pest management, growing room preparation, and the economics of mushroom production.
- Establishment of Demonstration Units: Guided farmers in setting up a total of 79 mushroom-growing units, each equipped with 25 growing bags, enabling sustainable production.
- Cluster-Level Support: Engaged with 79 households across identified geographies, preparing around 2,000 mushroom-growing bags. Provided customized solutions to address cluster-specific challenges, ensuring optimal production and sustainability.
- Continuous Guidance and Monitoring: Established virtual handholding mechanisms, including WhatsApp groups, for real-time support. GPF experts monitored mushroom unit’s performance and provided feedback to foster continuous improvement in production practices.
Project Outcomes
- Increased Livelihood Opportunities
- 79 farmers gained practical skills in modern mushroom cultivation techniques, promoting scalable and efficient farming practices.
- Cluster development with tailored solutions to local challenges.
- Virtual handholding ensured real-time troubleshooting, fostering continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
Green Pahadi Foundation’s role in the FLDP and HRDP exemplifies its commitment to creating sustainable livelihoods for rural communities. By leveraging its technical expertise and fostering community participation, GPF has empowered farmers to adopt mushroom cultivation as a viable and sustainable livelihood option. The collaboration has not only enhanced household incomes but also paved the way for the long-term economic resilience of these communities.
