MoU signed between Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, (MPUAT) Udaipur and Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), Udaipur, and BAIF Institute of Sustainable Livelihood and Development (BAIF LIVELIHOODS).
Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore, Vice-Chancellor, MPUAT, Udaipur, Ms. Anupama Nidhi, Head CSR, Hindustan Zinc Limited, and Mr. BK Kakade, Managing Director, BIAF Livelihood, Udaipur signed a tripartite MoU to improve the livelihoods of rural people in Southern Rajasthan.
Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore, Vice-Chancellor, MPUAT, Udaipur, said that the primary objective of the MoU is to empower the beneficiaries in Southern Rajasthan with the right kind of knowledge and technologies. The MoU will improve the livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities of youth, agricultural women, and farmers through technology, skilling, capacity building, empowerment of the three institutions.
Overall rural development is the goal of this MoU. Hence, need-based interventions in skills, inputs, new technology, and market support would be essential. He talked about low information-based smart farming, food security, organic farming, natural farming, integrated farming system and focus on good farming practices, good water harvesting practices, agro-processing, and value addition. He focused on the skills of rural youth so that they can start their own business.
Bharat Kakade, Managing Director, BAIF Livelihood, said that the objective of BAIF Livelihoods is to enable and empower vulnerable individuals and societies to participate in sustainable livelihoods, better living environment, poverty alleviation, independent holistic living, and creating cooperatives. Its main functions are related programs, projects, development, promotion, undertaking, planning, management, etc.
Dr. SK Sharma, Director Research, said that SALAAM (Sustainable Agriculture Management and Development byManavAction for Nature) is an agro-livestock-based project, a flagship project of Hindustan Zinc Limited, and implemented by BAIF LIVELIHOODS-Rajasthan in which MPUAT will provide technical and skill development support.
Ms. Anupam Nidhi, Head CSR, HZL, facilitated the exchange of knowledge and technology, including experience and ideas, technology exchange, processing plant facilities for post-harvest activities by local people for livelihood, software in the areas of agriculture, and discussed sharing of expertise. Its main functions will be implementing activities of vegetable, floriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry and its allied activities and project resolution.
Senior Project Officer Shri Naresh Kumar said that the project is covering 174 villages spread over five districts. That is, Ajmer, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, and Udaipur of Rajasthan.
Dr. SK Sharma, Director Research, Dr. Dilip Singh, Dean, Rajasthan Agricultural College, Dr. PK Singh, Dean, CTAE, Dr. SR Bhakar, Director Residential Direction, Dr. BK Sharma, Dean, College of Fisheries, Dr. Virendra Nepalia, Vice-Chancellors OSD, Dr. SK Intodia, Controller of Examinations, Dr. Meenu Srivastava, Dean, CCAS, Dr. Jagdish Choudhary, DPM, Dr. NK Jain, Dean CDFT, Dr. Sudhir Jain, SWO, Dr. Manju Bala Jain, Controller, MPUAT, Mr. Surendra Vardia, Chief Program Manager, BIAF, Shri LR Singh, Chief Program Executive, and Shri Naresh Kumar, Senior Project Officer, BIAF, Udaipur were present during the meeting.
