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The Diplomat
5 days ago
- General
- The Diplomat
Self-Help Groups Are Transforming Women's Lives in India
For decades, men ruled the farms in Bihar. Now, it's women who are reshaping the agricultural economy. Young women who are part of one of Heifer International's Self-Help Groups support and learn from each other. Gunja Das and a younger assistant whom she is training to become a Community Agricultural Veterinary Entrepreneur. Gunja Das leaves her home on her scooter to travel to farms around the local area. Gunja Das, her husband and two children sit outside their home in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar, India. Gunja Das stands behind the counter of her pharmacy, serving customers medicines for their farm animals. One of Heifer International's Self-Help Groups created to improve the literacy and basic mathematics of disadvantaged women in Bihar, India. 'I was always just my husband's wife. My father's daughter. The mother of my son.' Gunja Das cleared her throat. The air is thick and filled with dust in Muzaffarpur, a district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is one of India's most disadvantaged states, where 80 percent of the population work in farming and agriculture. 'I was a traditional housewife here, and I never left my home,' continued Das as her young children listened intently through a crack in her front door. 'My dream was to be able to send those two to a good middle school, where they could learn English.' Recent financial constraints, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, made her dream difficult to imagine. At the same time, extreme heat and unpredictable monsoon seasons were becoming more prevalent year on year, endangering Muzaffarpur's agricultural economy and the fragile livelihoods of millions of India's most vulnerable people. But Gunja Das received a lifeline. In 2022, she was invited to join a 'Self-Help Group' for women in her community. She recalled not knowing what it was and was wary of the invitation. Her husband, she said, was the one to encourage her to leave the home and attend the meeting. The Self-Help Group she was invited to was one of several hundred small, women-only community groups that have been created in Muzaffarpur by Heifer International, a non-profit organization working on the ground in Bihar to support the livelihoods of over 70,000 rural families. Heifer International had selected a local NGO partner called Pragati Gramin Vikas Samiti to help organize the Self-Help Groups. The aim was to identify specific problems facing rural women in agriculture and provide them with the support to overcome them. In Muzaffarpur, there was a shortage of qualified veterinary and animal workers, vital to protecting key value chains in the agrarian economy. Heifer International offered to train women to become Community Agricultural Veterinary Entrepreneurs, CAVEs for short. 'It was an exciting process to be a part of, but it had significant challenges,' said Randhir Kumar, a senior project manager at Heifer International in Bihar. 'Many women felt it would be too much responsibility for them, especially without the support of their husbands.' Other women were forbidden from attending further meetings by their husbands But for Gunja Das, the first meeting was 'life-changing.' She was selected to attend a seven-day residential training course led by veterinary professionals shortly after. While fearful and anxious about leaving her home and family for the first time in 11 years, she described how much she began to enjoy the 'intensive training in farmstock vaccinations, diagnosis, deworming, and animal care.' The gender divide in Bihar is stark. While 80 percent of the population work in agriculture, only 13 percent of landowners are women. The oppressive caste system has been part of Bihar's social fabric for centuries. For women belonging to the low Dalit caste like Gunja Das, there are societal barriers to education, medical care, and even basic employment. Modernization is needed to support the state's agricultural economy. Sonmani Choudhary, program director at Heifer International, explained that she thinks 'smallholder women should be the backbone of rural transformation in Bihar.' Centuries of extreme inequality within the state's agrarian economy have left a painful legacy that runs deeply through the roots of Bihar. Feudal governing since medieval times allowed the ruling nobility called Zamindars, to control vast swathes of land in Bihar. Wealthy high-caste landlords effectively owned the workers from the lower rungs of the caste system. Corruption combined with the deeply entrenched caste discrimination continued through the 20th century, with violent land disputes reaching fever pitch in the 1990s. Today, landless farming families belonging to a lower caste and often earning no more than enough to feed themselves have little option but to continue to live off the land they do not own. Pradeep Priyadarshi is the secretary of Pragati Gramin Vikas Samiti. He has advocated for land reform and gender equality for decades in Bihar. He explained: 'Before the Heifer project, nobody in the community knew Gunja Das' name. Few would even speak with her. Now 4,000 people here know who she is!' After several weeks of training provided by Heifer International, Gunja Das began treating animals in need of vaccination in her first week. 'I was travelling on a scooter, which Heifer organized across Muzaffarpur to treat animals. It made me nervous, but my confidence grew and grew,' she said. Last year, Gunja Das treated over 18,000 farm animals – from water buffaloes to lambs – across Bihar. Her work is so in-demand that she recently traveled to Jharkhand and Delhi to conduct workshops for animal care in both states. To date, Heifer International has trained more than 1,300 CAVEs like Gunja across India, Nepal, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. Opening the front door to her home, Gunja's young children and husband joined her on her porch. 'Now, they call me Gunja's husband,' her husband said, with a broad smile. 'Being able to send my children to a good middle school is still one of my proudest achievements,' said Gunja Das, holding her husband's hand, before adding: 'And training other local young women, some not so much older than my daughter, to become veterinary entrepreneurs like me, is one of the most humbling experiences of my life.'
Korea Herald
26-06-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
'Milky way' project: Korean cows propel Nepal's milk production sixfold
Three years on from Korea's heifer donation to Nepal, the impact is visible: more milk, better income and empowered women SINDHULI, Nepal — In the hillside town of Kamalamai in Nepal's Sindhuli District, the arrival of two Korean heifers turned dairy into a chance at a better life for Nisha Karki. As one of 51 households gifted with cows in the Korea-Nepal Model Dairy Village, she raised two Korean cows, named Sanee and Hwanggol, which produce five to six times more milk than indigenous breeds. 'I'm truly happy knowing I already own high-yield dairy cows,' she said. 'Thanks to livestock management training, I clearly understand when, how much and what kind of feed to provide to keep them healthy.' They have proven a boon not only to her family's income, she added, but, more meaningfully, to Nepal's broader progress in the dairy sector. Standing next to Karki, Lee Hae-won, executive director of Heifer Korea — the Korean branch of the non-profit Heifer International — hailed her farm as a model of excellence: 'She's one of the best in livestock care, from water management to overall animal husbandry.' From recipient to donor Named the "Milky Way" project, the initiative traces back to December 2022, when South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation; and Heifer Korea jointly transferred 100 Holstein heifers and eight breeding bulls to Nepal. It endeavored to uplift Nepal's dairy productivity, where dairy comprises 9 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, while initiating a far-reaching transformation across the country's dairy value chain. It in fact marked Korea's first official development aid of its kind, a shift from aid recipient to donor, and harks back to the years between 1952 and 1976, when Korea received over 3,200 animals, including dairy cows, bulls and goats, from Heifer International. Korea now exports elite dairy cattle, with its high-performing Holsteins ranked sixth globally in milk productivity. Behind Korea's cow breeds are decades of investment by the Agriculture Ministry in breeding programs, genetic evaluation and farmer education, reflected in a 1.5-fold increase in average annual dairy yield, from 6,868 kilograms in 1995 to 10,301 kilograms in 2022. Korean cows outperform Nepal's native breeds by a wide margin, producing an average of 7,000 to 8,500 liters over a 305-day lactation period as of May, compared to just 950 liters from local cows. Follow-up assistance The project continues to offer post-donation support, from training in feed management and hygiene to veterinary services like vaccination and artificial insemination. Also taking shape is deeper collaboration with the Nepalese government across infrastructure, genetics and technical capacity-building. Sustained support is vital for farmers with cows as well as those still awaiting their turn. For instance, when the Korea Herald visited the village's farmer field school on June 14, a group of 39 farmers and aspiring farmers were learning how to produce total mixed ration using locally sourced forage. In particular, the calving of Korean cows has been a blessing for new farming households, thanks to the Passing on the Gift initiative, under which families that receive Korean cows donate their first female calves to neighbors without one. According to Lee, the goal is to foster a self-reliant model to build a future where everyone can thrive together. The first to give birth was Tosilee, who delivered a female calf in February last year. In a gesture of gratitude, the family named her Gamsa, the Korean word for 'thank you.' According to Guna Kumari, owner of Tosilee and president of the Kamalamai Social Entrepreneur Women Dairy Cooperative — a women-led group representing 310 households — she and her fellow dairy farmers actively share knowledge and expertise. 'Turning milk into dairy products has become our goal for the future,' Kumari remarked. She also observed a positive shift in Nepal's traditionally patriarchal society, where women were once largely confined to housework and childcare. 'Now, husbands are helping run the cooperative and supporting women's participation in society."
Associated Press
11-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
AYuTe NextGen 2025 Comes to Kampala: Africa's Boldest Youth-Led Agri-Tech Innovators Set to Take the Stage
Africa's brightest young agri-tech innovators are heading to Kampala, Uganda, for the AYuTe NextGen 2025 Conference, set to take place from June 17 to 19. 'We are spotlighting youth as the true architects of Africa's agricultural future and giving them the tools and partnerships they need to scale solutions that build resilient, inclusive food systems.' — Adesuwa Ifedi KAMPALA, UGANDA, June 11, 2025 / / -- Africa's brightest young agri-tech innovators are heading to Kampala, Uganda, for the AYuTe NextGen 2025 Conference, set to take place from June 17 to 19. Created and organized by Heifer International , this high-impact event is a flagship platform designed by youth, for youth, where technology meets agriculture and the continent's most promising agtech entrepreneurs take center stage. With the theme 'AgTech Generation Rising,' the 2025 conference which convenes young innovators, investors, policymakers, and development partners is a clarion call to recognize and support the game-changing solutions Africa's young minds are building to revolutionize food systems. The Challenge: A Growing Youth Population, a Stressed Food System Africa's population is the fastest growing globally, projected to reach 4.3 billion by 2100. Home to the world's fastest-growing youth population—with more than 60% under the age of 25— the continent is simultaneously grappling with a food system strained by climate change, market volatility, and outdated infrastructure. Young people are often locked out of the agricultural sector, facing barriers to capital, mentorship, and viable markets. Many young Africans also view agriculture as outdated and unprofitable, resulting in a skills shortage in a sector critical to continental food security. AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth, and Technology) is Heifer International's strategic answer to these critical challenges. By focusing on youth-led innovation, the initiative reframes agriculture as a modern, profitable, tech-enabled industry, and positions young Africans not as beneficiaries, but as the architects of Africa's agricultural renaissance. AYuTe NextGen 2025: Innovation Meets Opportunity The 2025 AYuTe NextGen conference follows an intense, continent-wide competition that drew over 100 applicants from 10 countries. Through rigorous technical assessment sessions in Lagos and Nairobi, 11 finalists emerged, armed with solutions that are climate-smart, market-ready, and laser-focused on access to finance and scale. These finalists will pitch live before a distinguished panel of investors, policymakers, and ecosystem enablers, with the chance to secure catalytic seed funding, mentorship, and a place in the innovation ecosystem being provided by Heifer and its strategic partners. From drone technology to AI-driven analytics, the solutions on display reflect the ingenuity, passion, and drive of Africa's next generation. 'This is the AgTech generation rising, ready, capable, and already leading,' said Adesuwa Ifedi , Senior Vice President for Africa Programs, Heifer International. 'With AYuTe NextGen, we are spotlighting youth as the true architects of Africa's agricultural future and giving them the tools and partnerships they need to scale solutions that build resilient, inclusive food systems.' Dayo Aduroja, Africa Youth and Innovation Lead at Heifer International, added that young people are proving that Africa's agriculture can be both innovative and profitable. 'This year's competition generated many bold, creative solutions from across the continent,' he said. 'The conference provides a platform where ideas meet opportunity, and solutions gain the capital and support needed to scale.' Youth-Led. Youth-Focused. Transformational. What makes AYuTe NextGen unique is its focus on youth leadership at every level. This is not a conference where young people are on the sidelines, they are the speakers, designers, moderators, and creators. Interactive forums, fireside chats, and investor conversations will be led by youth, tackling issues from digital disruption and climate resilience to policy reform and inclusive financing. These are authentic, unfiltered conversations designed to spark investment and scale innovation. Why It Matters • For Youth: A rare opportunity to showcase ideas, learn from peers, and connect with partners who believe in your potential. • For Investors: Access to pipeline-ready innovations and the next wave of AgTech startups shaping Africa's food economy. • For Policymakers: A first-hand look at what youth-led innovation can achieve with the right policies and ecosystem support. From Local Ideas to Continental Impact Now in its fourth year, AYuTe NextGen has supported dozens of startups across Africa, whose innovative solutions have impacted more than 650,000 direct beneficiaries and over 1.2 million indirect beneficiaries across the continent. Past winners like Thrive Agric (Nigeria), Thur Biotech (Ethiopia), and Digicow (Kenya) are scaling their businesses and bringing transformative change to smallholder communities. The 2024 Uganda winner of the country level competition, Assumpta Nakalema, developed a solar-powered egg incubator that is already reducing post-harvest losses and energy dependency for poultry farmers. As she puts it: 'The AYuTe NextGen platform doesn't just identify innovations, it builds the ecosystem needed for sustained growth and impact.' SVP Ifedi acknowledged the support of Heifer International's existing partners and called for increased stakeholder collaboration to enable youth-led agricultural development. She urged investors, funders, and governments to recognize that supporting young innovators today means securing Africa's food future tomorrow. 'To Africa's young innovators, your time is now,' she said. 'Step forward with your vision. The continent is ready. To investors, policymakers, and funders, be part of this movement. The future of African agriculture is tech-driven, youth-led, and unfolding in real time. Let's work together to co-create an inclusive, resilient food future.' About Heifer International Since 1944, Heifer International has worked with more than 52 million people around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way, while caring for the Earth. Heifer currently operates in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, supporting farmers and food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income. For more information, visit Media Contact Muthoni Ngure, Regional Communications Coordinator [email protected] Mark Foxwell Lantern Comitas email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
