Lipok Social Foundation Partners with Rainmatter Foundation for a Green Economy

[lipok]

A transformative training program focused on building sustainable rural economies was recently held for 20 women farmers in Sangamner Taluka, Ahmadnagar district, Maharashtra. From March 23rd to 25th, 2025, these dedicated farmers participated in the Accelerating Circular Rural Economy (ACRE) training, an initiative designed to empower them within a circular economic framework.

ACRE: Cultivating Circularity in Agriculture

The ACRE training promotes a shift away from the linear “take-make-use-dispose” economy, which contributes to waste, pollution, and environmental degradation. Instead, it champions a circular approach, emphasizing regeneration, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. The program’s core objective is to promote rural circular economy.

Key Training Modules for Sustainable Enterprises

The training in Sangamner provided comprehensive insights into establishing sustainable agricultural enterprises, with a focus on practical applications for the local context. Key modules included:

• Understanding the Circular Economy: Participants explored the principles of a circular economy and their application to agriculture, contrasting it with the unsustainable linear model.

• Soil Health and Organic Management: Given the challenges of rainfed agriculture, the training emphasized organic soil management to enhance fertility and promote sustainable practices.

• Organic Input Production as a Business: Recognizing the potential for local solutions, farmers investigated producing organic inputs to meet local demand and generate income.
  

  

• Farming Activities as Entrepreneurial Ventures: The training encouraged women to view their farming activities as businesses, addressing challenges and identifying opportunities for providing agricultural services.

• Value Addition for Increased Income: Participants explored strategies for adding value to agricultural products to diversify income streams and access new markets.

• Developing Robust Business Plans: A critical focus was placed on developing business plans, covering market analysis, competitor assessment, and financial planning.

At present, our trainings are only in Marathi and Hindi. We could potentially do in Tamil with some advance preparation.

For those interested, here is the structure of the training.
tRAINING OF ACRE for farmers - 3 days.pdf (1013.0 KB)

Here is an example handout for the participants to fill as it is an interactive course.
handouts for ACRE_Sangamner_WL.pdf (855.3 KB)

Look forward to more of such trainings with partner organizations involved in promoting rural agriculture based entrepreneurship.

[nileshhiremath]

Indeed it is heartening to read this.

Eager to know what is the means for cooking fuel used by the smart villagers ??

If they continue to use conventional fire wood , and are open to pilot a novel biomass cookstove Panval Rocket Stove ( PRS-v5) Pānval Rocket Stove (PRS-v5) ~ cookstove for clean cooking on twigsPānval Rocket Stove (PRS-v5). PRS uses only 30% wood that to small dry twigs. In effect saved 100% forest as twigs are lying around!

Would be happy to offer all support for a pilot/extended pilot.

[lipok]

Lipok Champions Menstrual Hygiene with an ACRE Focus

As the world observed International Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28th, Lipok Social Foundation stepped forward with a unique initiative, deeply aligned with our ACRE (Accelerating Circular Rural Economy) mission. We believe that true sustainable development encompasses every aspect of community well-being, including dignified and environmentally responsible menstrual hygiene practices.

This year, Lipok was incredibly fortunate to receive support from a dedicated group of young women in Mumbai, who generously provided us with a supply of reusable and environment-friendly sanitary napkins. This donation was a perfect fit for our ACRE framework, promoting circularity by reducing waste and dependence on single-use products.

Our team then embarked on a series of impactful women’s meetings across several villages. The core objective of these gatherings was to raise crucial awareness on menstrual hygiene, a topic often shrouded in stigma and misinformation. More importantly, we broadened the discussion to integrate the vital concept of environmental protection with personal hygiene. Participants learned not only about the health benefits of proper menstrual care but also about the significant ecological footprint of conventional disposable products and the advantages of sustainable alternatives.

The meetings were interactive and empowering, fostering an open environment for women to share experiences and learn. To conclude these vital discussions, the reusable sanitary pads were distributed, providing a tangible and sustainable solution directly into the hands of those who could benefit most.

Lipok is committed to fostering holistic well-being in rural communities. Our work on Menstrual Hygiene Day, with its strong emphasis on reusable products, is a testament to how practical solutions can align perfectly with larger goals of environmental sustainability and a thriving circular rural economy. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the young women from Mumbai for their invaluable support, enabling us to take another meaningful step towards a healthier, greener future for our villages.

[lipok]

Nilajgaon: From Village Talk to “Gram Chakra Vikas Samiti” Action

On the 9th June, the village of Nilajgaon ( in Paithan Taluka, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) came together for a groundbreaking meeting focused on ACRE – Accelerating Circular Rural Economy. The event marked a significant step towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for the village.

Men and women, young and old, and individuals from every socio-economic background gathered, united by a common desire to improve their lives and livelihoods.

The discussions began with an honest and open dialogue about the challenges currently faced by our farmers. A recurring and significant concern highlighted by many was the escalating cost of agricultural inputs, particularly fertilizers and pesticides. Imagine ₹5000 per acre only on fertilizers! These expenses are a heavy burden, often impacting the profitability and sustainability of farming in our region.

So, what could be the alternatives? Could the village make the farm inputs at lower costs? and for better soil health? Could a group of enterpreneurs produce farm inputs that will be required for around 5000 acres of land that the villagers own? i.e. around 2.5 crores worth of farm inputs!!! How many entrepreneurs will be required to meet this demand?..what about the other demands in the village, say cooking oil? and so on… were what was discussed at the meeting.

This is where the concept of a Circular Economy was introduced, and it resonated deeply with everyone present. The idea of ensuring the optimal utilization of nature’s resources, reduction of carbon footprint and food miles, and helping village entrepreneurs earn better livelihooods, was met with wider acceptance and enthusiasm. It’s a vision that promises both ecological benefits and economic empowerment.

Inspired by the possibilities of a circular rural economy, the villagers expressed a strong desire to take concrete steps forward. This culminated in a pivotal decision: to form a dedicated committee to champion these initiatives.

The “Gram Chakra Vikas Samiti”! This pioneering committee will be at the forefront of implementing circular economy interventions in Nilajgaon. The village committee now has 21 individuals and boasts a remarkable representation of women, outnumbering their male counterparts. This is a powerful testament to the leadership and commitment of the women towards building a sustainable future.

We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the committee and the entire community of Nilajgaon as they embark on this exciting journey towards an Accelerating Circular Rural Economy, setting an inspiring example for other villages to follow.

Stay tuned for more updates on ACRE!