Over the last few decades, chemical farming had taken over the entire farming landscape worldwide. This caused serious health hazards not only to the farmers who were directly exposed to the lethal chemicals, but also to the consumers. The untamed usage of fertilizers and pesticides in farming has not only seriously affected the health of all stakeholders but also severely damaged the entire eco system. The most affected elements are the most important elements of the nature viz: soil, water and air. The soil health has gone down to the level of extinction and Vasudha has taken an initiative to restore the natural eco-balance. Ground water has been severely contaminated and air quality has worsened due to this chemical pollution.
Once farmers were totally dependent on market for farming inputs, Vasudha Organic, an initiative of PratibhaSyntex Ltd, a leading apparel manufacturer in India, attempted to bring a change in the farmers’ lives and livelihood. With efforts of Vasudha, farmers are trained to produce farm organic inputs by themselves. The effort has impacted on farmers’ life significantly, as this has reduced cost of cultivation by 40 percent. And dependence on market has also reduced substantially.Endorsing the promotion of just, peaceful and inclusive society, Vasudha also encourages cooperatives, democracy, and working collaboratively to create shared values.
Vasudha Organic aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs), which are adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. SDGs provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. For revitalization of the global partnership for sustainable development, Vasudha collaborates with brands for different initiatives like Fairtrade, Peace India, Textile Exchange, SAC, Cotton Connect, C&A Foundation, BCI, India Organic etc. A fundamental element of organic cotton production is its strong commitment to global partnerships and cooperation -recognizing the interdependencies at play.
Vasudha Organic adopts a strategy to focusits vision to achieve the following: no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, life below water, life on land, peace, justice, strong institutions and partnership for the goals, which are also known as the Global Goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that everyone enjoys peace and prosperity.
It is recognized that the Goals are all inter-connected. One cannot aim to achieve just one goal. All these goals must be achieved together. Therefore, among other goals to be achieved, holistic development is also at the core of the initiatives that Vasudha Organic implements. In association with Fair trade and brands, Vasudha runs Vasudha Vidhya Vihar School for 500 children of farmers in Karahi village. It is supporting 50 schools of Friends of Tribal Society. Vasudha aims to commence a college in Karahi by 2020.To ensure well-being of all, health awareness and check-up camps are organized at different places. Through its various health programs, Vasudha Organic has organized various check-up camps for eyes, dental health, pulse polio, etc. and awareness camps such as diabetes, gynec, cholesterol etc, benefitting several communities, in the last three years.
Life in water is as important as life on land. By eliminating toxic and persistent chemicals, organic cotton production is a proactive contributor to clean and healthy water used locally, which ultimately runs into the oceans.This not only has positive economic impact but also enhances biodiversity, efficient utilization of water and other resources. Vasudha Organic encourages sustainable forest management practices too.
One of the major aims of Vasudha Organic is to promote organic farming to ensure that farmers earn more, spend less on inputs such as agrichemicals, and reduce dependency on the commodity market thus reducing their costs. Till 2020, Vasudha Organic aspires to double the farmer’s income from present level. “Farmers used to procure agri-inputs from market, but after making the organic inputs at their farms, the cost has been substantially reduced. Farmers can spend this money for the wellbeing of their families” said Sardar Mathu, a farmer in Malwa region.
Vasudha Organic promotes organic farming in rural regions of Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan with intent that one and all get high nutritional food. Organic cotton is grown in rotation with food crops, ensuring adequate supply of high nutritional food. Engaging 35,000 farmers over 160,000 acres to produce sustainable cotton, Vasudha Team is working with farmers to develop innovative multi-cropping system for both seasons, which have potential to increase the income per acre substantially.
