You will be glad to know that Gramin Vikas Trust (GVT) in collaboration with Deptt. of Fertilizers, Govt. of India, KRIBHCO and the Department For International Development of the UK has organized a National Workshop on "Partnership for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods in Rainfed Tribal Areas" on 28th January 2004 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Shri M. Shankar , Secretary , Ministry of Rural Development , Govt. of India has agreed to be the Chief Guest for the workshop and Shri Nripendra Mishra, Secretary , Deptt. of Fertilizers, Govt. of India shall preside over the function.
Gramin Vikas Trust (GVT) is an independent legal entity established by Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited - Department of Fertilizers, Government of India. It is currently managing two projects i.e. EIRFP (Eastern India Rainfed Farming Project) and WIRFP (Western India Rainfed Farming Project) with technical and financial support from Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO), Government of India, Department of Fertilizers and the Department for International Development (DFID) of the British Government.
The aim of the projects is to initiate a process of widespread and sustainable renewable natural resources development using flexible, cost effective and participatory approaches to improve the livelihoods of poor men and women in Western and Eastern India through a combination of farming systems development and participatory research aimed at the development of technologies to meet the needs of poor households in the region. Partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations are a critical part of both projects and are central to lesson learning and the wider dissemination and uptake of approaches and technologies.
Based on the experience of working in Rural Development for more than a decade, Gramin Vikas Trust observes that Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods are under-going a process of transformation across the world, hastened by globalizing forces, the integration of markets and other development processes that have opened up avenues for developing countries.
However, although this process of rapid change has been wide reaching, large numbers of people, particularly those in remote, rainfed areas, still remain isolated from the process and are unable to take advantage of these changes and improve their livelihoods. In order to try and address this it is necessary that the relevant and involved organizations together to share experiences and approaches to tackling the problem and to develop strategic partnerships and alliances in order to achieve the objectives of each other and also deliver the services to the farming and non-farming communities in the rural areas especially tribal areas.
Partnership as a mechanism is evolving across the globe and hence could be more intensively utilized in the Indian context also.
The efforts of various agencies like Agriculture, Rural Development, Forest, Water Resources Departments, the Research Organizations, the development administration, the Gramin Vikas Trust (GVT) and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) and other National / International agencies need to be better integrated in order to be effective in improving the livelihoods of the rural poor. The purpose of this workshop therefore, is to try and move towards this more collaborative model of working to achieve a common goal.
The main objectives of the workshop are:
1. To share and comprehend the developmental experiences and expertise available with various Govt. and Non - Govt. and other developmental organizations.
2. To identify the emerging issues and expectations to achieve sustainable livelihoods in rural tribal areas.
3. To explore the possibility of working together with Govt., other National and International agencies.
The workshop is likely to be attended by representatives from Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Forests, Water Resources, Chemicals and Fertilizers, representatives from the State Govts. of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Orissa, MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Research Organizations, NGOs and other National & International organizations.
I would like to request you to participate in the workshop and share your valued experiences in this field. You are requested to kindly confirm your participation so that the list could be forwarded to the security agency for entry into Vigyan Bhawan.
(AMAR PRASAD)
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