Improving Livelihoods through Integrated Watershed Management
Approach at UltraTech (APCW) – ICRISAT Watershed
Patnikota Watershed
With a view to providing skills that will aid in generating incomes while supporting agricultural value chains (inputs, outputs and byproducts), a baking training class for 25 young and married women on baking biscuits, breads, puffs, cakes, etc., was conducted in the watershed (Figure 44). Mr. Nagabhushanam, from Rajahmundry, A.P, who have 20 years of experience in training women groups in baking products was taken classes to all the trainees for one week in the watershed. Importance was given to millet based baking items to improve nutrition in women and children. During the training program the classes were taken on baking items such as breads, cake, sweet and salt biscuits, dilpasand, egg and curry puffs, etc. The trainees were supported with all materials required for a month to have hands on experience and to concentrate in quality, hygiene, safety and taste. The program increased the confidence levels in the trainees, made them think towards extra income during their free time at home.
UltraTech CSR villages
The success of the above training program led to have similar kind program to women in CSR villages at Vikas Centre of UltraTech cements. A Three-day training program under the leadership of Plant and Unit heads, UltraTech cements was conducted by Food and Housing Services (FHS), ICRISAT, who have international standard expertise in baking and cooking. The training was not only on millet based basking products and also millet based kitchen products. Millet based kitchen products are easy to cook at home with available house hold utensils. Nearly, 40 women were attended to this program from CSR villages near to the plant (Figure 45). The trainees are supported for a month by CSR wing to train the trainees and to have hands on experience on the products.
Training in ICRISAT campus
The success of the above training programs in Patnikota village and at Vikas centre of UltraTech cements led to have similar kind program at ICRISAT centre for fine tuning their skills on hygiene and mixing ingredients in right proportions. A Three-day training program under the leadership of ICRISAT Theme leader was conducted by Food and Housing Services (FHS), ICRISAT, Patancheru, Hyderabad. Nearly, 15 women were attended to this program from both the watersheds and the trainees were trained to have hands on experience on the products. All the participants were trained on preparing aerobic and vermi compost culture using crop wastes after the crop harvest, and also trained on raising goats in the backyards to gain extra income