FLO Bangalore, under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Deepa Bhoopesh Reddy, hosted the “Organic Farming Initiation among Women Self-Help Group (SHG) Members Project on 21st April, bringing together stakeholders from agriculture, community development, and social entrepreneurship. Held under the Social Impact Circle, the initiative was designed to introduce sustainable organic farming practices to SHG women and promote livelihood generation through environmentally responsible and economically viable methods.
The event was led by key dignitaries, including Deepa Bhoopesh Reddy, Chairperson of FICCI FLO Bengaluru, Mr. Sridhar Sagar, Secretary of Gramavikshaka, Mr. Keshava Reddy, Assistant of Agriculture, Mr. Rajanna, Managing Trustee of Samarpaka Seva Trust, Mr. Manjunath Reddy, President of Farmers Association Vahini Suresh, and project coordinator Vahini Suresh. Their collective participation ensured a strong blend of policy guidance, technical agricultural knowledge, and grassroots implementation experience.
The session focused on educating SHG members about the benefits of organic farming, particularly its positive impact on health and soil quality. Speakers emphasized that chemical-free cultivation not only improves household nutrition but also enhances long-term soil fertility, making it a sustainable agricultural practice for rural communities. This was highlighted as a key motivator for adoption among women farmers.
Another important focus area was financial empowerment. The discussions demonstrated how organic farming, with its low input costs, can serve as an accessible livelihood option for SHG women. Participants were encouraged to start small-scale farming activities that can gradually grow into stable income-generating ventures, contributing to financial independence and improved quality of life.
The event also highlighted the importance of collective action and market linkages. SHG members were encouraged to collaborate in groups to improve bargaining power, reduce dependency on intermediaries, and gain access to larger and more profitable markets. This cooperative model was positioned as essential for long-term sustainability.
Key Takeaways
* The Bengaluru Chapter Social Impact Circle conducted an Organic Farming Initiative project for Women SHG members on 21st April.
* The initiative aimed to promote sustainable and chemical-free agricultural practices among rural women.
* Deepa Bhoopesh Reddy, Chairperson FICCI FLO Bengaluru, led the engagement with key stakeholders.
* Mr. Sridhar Sagar from Gramavikshaka provided insights on community development and implementation.
* Mr. Keshava Reddy shared agricultural expertise on soil health and farming practices.
* Mr. Rajanna of Samarpaka Seva Trust emphasized grassroots support and farmer empowerment.
* Mr. Manjunath Reddy highlighted collective farming and market linkage opportunities.
* Vahini Suresh, project coordinator, guided SHG members on execution and sustainability.
* The program focused on health benefits, soil fertility improvement, and economic independence.
* Overall, it empowered SHG women through livelihood creation, financial literacy, and market access awareness.
Impact & Outcome
Organic Farming Initiation session benefited around participants by motivating them to adopt organic farming as a viable livelihood option and strengthening confidence in group-based rural entrepreneurship. Overall, the initiative successfully integrated agriculture, health, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. It empowered 30 beneficiaries directly and created a broader footprint of awareness among 12,000 individuals. The event reinforced the Bengaluru Chapter’s commitment to driving impactful, community-led development through sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices.