Table of Contents

Foreword ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Building Resilience towards Climate Change through Good Governance .............................................. 3
Diversifying Agriculture Practices for Adaptation to Changes in Climate............................................... 5
Invoking Scientific Tempers for Adapting Climate Smart Practices ........................................................ 9
Knowledge Management for Informed Resilience against Climate ..................................................... 12
Invigorating the Concepts of High Value Products for Resilience against Climate Change .................. 15
Diversifying Market Supply Chains for Reduced Risks .......................................................................... 17
New Partnerships & Actions ................................................................................................................. 20
Infrastructure Up-gradation.................................................................................................................. 20
Visitors/Volunteers ............................................................................................................................... 21
Learning ................................................................................................................................................ 21
Future Partnerships .............................................................................................................................. 22
ANNEXURE I........................................................................................................................................ 23
Information of Board ........................................................................................................................ 23

1
Foreword

In its endeavour to sustain the livelihood of marginal farmers of Himalayan region against the
adverse impacts of climate, HARC has been keeping its focus intact on replenishing the agriculture
practices, enhancing scientific temper of the communities, invigorating significance of high value
products and diversifying market supply chains. It is so, because changes in climate over the years
have altered the farming practices by many folds; the rich farmers can at least manage to adapt it.
Left are the ones, who have no means to ascertain their livelihoods with drastic climate challenges.
Many of these small-scale producers are still coping with degraded natural resource base.

To achieve better productive and resilient agriculture practices, major shift in the way land; water,
soil, nutrients and genetic resources of crops are managed for optimum and sustainable production
are required. With climate smart agriculture practices (CSA), the concept of farm related scientific
temper, soil health management systems, diversification of crops, package of practices, pro-poor
climate smart supply chains are promoted. Keeping the trends of erratic behaviour of climate change
in perspective, it is equally critical to enhance knowledge and skills of communities so that they can
courageously adapt against the fickle events of climate. The experiential information and knowledge
from older persons are priceless assets. Its complement to scientific and technological knowledge
can provide an important and enhanced contribution to the development and implementation of
such knowledge management mechanisms.

We are, therefore, truly thankful to our partner knowledge institutions, resource persons,
volunteers, media persons, friends of HARC who have been immensely helping us in achieving and
striving hard to make the society vibrant and resilient against the backdrop of Climate Change.

2
Building Resilience towards Climate Change through Good Governance

Since time immemorial, it

has been always
experienced by the
communities that
challenges of any types or
vulnerabilities can only be
addressed effectively
whence dealt through
organized and well
informed groups. Good
Governance is therefore Producer Groups meeting at Kanseru in Uttarkashi

one of the very important indicators of an organized group. Here, the transparency, accountabilities,
responsibilities of people in a group helps them take appropriate steps against the vagaries of the
climate change. Whence formed and strengthened in groups, farmers have largely been able to
collectively upscale qualities and quantities of their farm production, knowledge and skills
development and collective marketing of their farm produce. Therefore, during 2015-16, total 648
farmer producers groups comprising of 9,960 farmers were formed and strengthened across 264
villages in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Dehradun districts of Uttarakhand. Below pie diagram illustrates
various groups formed and strengthened under each of the intervention districts

Producer Groups Strengthened for Good Governance

2,029
1,522
27
58

Uttarkashi
Chamoli
Dehradun

563
6,409
With a focused vision of
increasing the income of
marginal farmers of targeted
groups, various farm
interventions like grafting of
commercial varieties of Pear
on wild pear, cultivation of
floriculture crops like Lilium,
Chrysanthemum, vegetable Producer Groups meeting at Gudam in Chamoli
crops like Broccoli, Pea, Cucumber, Chilli, Cabbage, Capsicum, French Beans, improved traditional
crop varieties of Wheat, Paddy, Kidney Beans, etc carried out with these organized groups. To
strengthen and enhance the skills of producer groups on production, systematic procurement and
supply chains, 4 procurement plans for Malta (Citrus), Amaranthus, Turmeric & Ginger in Ghat,
Gairsain, Ukhimath, Kaleshwar & Ukhimath clusters were discussed and developed in a participatory
manner with total 85 farmers. Also, the required trainings on internal management systems,
enhanced agriculture practices and supply chains were provided to the farmers which immensely
helped them in transforming their lives and livelihoods. The details on same are mentioned in
subsequent topics.

Over the years, women cooperative based

HARC-Alaknanda Krishi Vyawashaya
Bahudeshiya Swayatt Sehkarita formed
and strengthened by HARC at Karnprayag
block of Chamoli district had been following
up the manual process to plan and track
procurement, processing activities and
supply chain management. But, to ensure Development of MIS to ease & automate work of
Cooperative
that cooperative targets higher procurement, wider market and have good governance and
management system - an efficient information management system was deemed necessary. It is
now developed and proposed to be used by the women cooperative from next financial year
onwards. It is also envisaged that the MIS will also be used additionally to maintain and monitor the
project interventions being carried out by the organization on production and income generation
aspects.
 Diversifying Agriculture Practices for Adaptation to Changes in Climate

Agriculture depends largely on weather and climate for producing food and ensuring food,
nutritional and economic security of communities at large. Climate Change and agriculture practices
are therefore interrelated processes, where the erratic changes in former results in adversely
affecting the agricultural productivity. The challenges become more arduous when the agriculture
practices represent the one being carried out in hill regions where it is largely a rainfed dependent
venture. Crop diversification in agriculture practices and involvement of more farm related technical
aptitudes can leverage the possibilities of viable adaptation against the vagaries of erratic climate.

Women Farmer planting Lilium bulbs Farmers with Broccoli crop at Naugaon
To accentuate the concept
of crop diversification and
reduce the livelihood
related risks among farmers,
floriculture crops like Lilium
and Chrysanthemum were
promoted with marginal
farmers of the Naugaon
region of Uttarkashi district.
Lilium and Chrysanthemum
are hardy plants with very
low input requirements and
Women farmer harvesting Chrysanthemum flowers
abilities to evade stress
conditions owing to its very short life cycle of only 3 months. As a modelling of interventions, initially
Chrysanthemum & Lilium crops were initiated with 50 & 5 farmers respectively at Naugaon region.
The 50 farmers involved in chrysanthemum sold the whopping quantity of 3.5 tonnes of flowers to
the Dehradun market and received income at an average rate of Rs 80 per kg. An option of
alternative income, the cuttings to be prepared from these mother plants were also available with
farmers, which they planted to avail during the next seasons. Similarly, other farmers with whom
Lilium cultivation was modeled - earned handsome income of average Rs 8,000 from the small piece
of land (40 Sq mts) over the period of 3 months.

As an achievement of these interventions and to ascertain economic security of farmers against

climate change, 4 different
cultivars of Lilium with high
market acceptance Pavia,
Courier, Tresor, Blackout are
being promoted with 30
farmers of Naugaon region
whereas 3 varieties of
Chrysanthemum Purnima,
White Star & Yellow Star are
Woman farmer with her Shade Net at Krishna village, Uttarkashi also getting promoted with
(Uttarkashi)
100 farmers of the same region. The newly introduced low cost net-shed technology 50 Sq mts gave
extra impetus to the farmers in promoting more of protected cultivation - thereby reducing the
chances of adverse impact of climate on hill agriculture. Not only the technology, but its installation
and adoption by local youths is further envisaged to help erect these structures among the marginal
farmers who are largely devoid of knowledge and infrastructure to excel and make their
agriculture more sustainable. For further diversification, the introduction of exotic and high value
vegetable crop like Broccoli also worked well with farmers of the Naugaon region and provided them
wider opportunities to systematically plan and implement their livelihood options. The average
broccoli flowers weighed 300-350 gms each and per beneficiary produce was recorded to be approx
2.5-3 quintals with a profit margin of INR 6,000-7,000 from a plot of 200 sq m.

During 2015-16, the practices of transforming 13,950 un-utilized and most thriving forest species -
wild pear tree into commercially viable trees of Pear varieties was carried out with 869 farmers of

Pear Grafting on Wild Pear

the Rajgarhi cluster in Naugaon region. Grown naturally,

these trees have shown high resistance to the changes in
climate and can concomitantly provide handsome return to
Sprouting on grafted buds
the farmers with minimal maintenance and drudgery. The
local paratechs - trained on the grafting technique have further acquired an additional skill that will
eventually help spread the technique and concept among the local communities of the Himalayan
regions.

During last year, vegetable crops of improved varieties like Capsicum, Chilli, Beans Cabbage, Pea,
Cucumber carried out with farmers of both Naugaon and Pokhri blocks in Uttarkashi and Chamoli
districts respectively. While these crops were demonstrated with farmers to one diversify their
agricultural practices, the other necessity was to enhance their economic security in the wake of
emerging
erging erratic climate challenges. Moreover, a new oil variety of Basil, which is rich in oil content
Euenol was demonstrated with 20 women producers in Karnprayag block Chamoli district.
district Further
for introducing improved package of
o practices on nursery raising, sowing, manure and transplanting
transplanting,
interventions were organized with 74 women producers on both Basil oil and Sweet Basil varieties.
variet
As a result, these crops received greater acceptance among hill farmers of the region. The high value
crop Quinoa and Kidney beans was also procured to be promoted with target farmers of the Chamoli
and Uttarkashi regions.

During last year, it was also opted to

rejuvenate Perilla a high omega content
native crop as an alternative income
generation agriculture crop.. Hence, an action
research based surveys were carried out in
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh & Arunachal
Pradesh. Through these surveys, 47 samples
from different villages, their package
packag of
Survey for Perilla as an alternative crop in Himalayas
practices, various indigenous uses, etc were
recorded for its development into High value products. After carrying out analysis of collected
samples for physical and chemical characteristics, the collected seeds from these different regions
exhibited varying proportions of omega content. The variety having high nutritional and omega
content is therefore planned to be demonstrated with around 50 women farmers of the Chamoli
district. Below graph represents the various agricultural diversification practices
ces carried out with
farmers of Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts during 2015-16.
2015

Diversification of Crops
840 869
900
800
700
600
500
400 250
300 200 180 160
200 30 40 50 35 74 Total
100 Farmers
0
Invoking Scientific Tempers for Adapting Climate Smart Practices

Can the diversification in agriculture crop practices itself provide cushion to the erratic challenges in
climate? Well, no, the nourishment of soil health and availability high standards seed are also one of
the overarching factors which can greatly assist
farmers in adaptation to the changes in climate.
Uttarakhand on an average shows low to medium
fertility status especially in the hills. Due to
exposures to continuous runoffs, the hills
constantly lose their top soil and the lower, lesser
fertile layers lay bare. It therefore becomes
imperative to test the soil for fertility and levels of
nutrient present in the root zone. Before jumping
Testing of Soil for Nitrogen Content in Kjeldhal
to defining agricultural practices resilient to
climatic hiccups, we therefore, must walk with the approach of ecosystem compatibility. Soil is one
such component which forms the base layer for nurturing all life forms. The hill farmers are unaware
about the importance and nature of their soil, whilst the events of climate change add to their
doldrums by further degrading the qualities of soil. The erratic changes caused by the events of
Climate Change, therefore, makes it very difficult for farmers to assess their farm productions and
hence food and economic security.

Nitrogen and Potassium are largely deficient in most hilly parts and their deficiency symptoms are
largely confused as diseases by
farmers, prompting the use of
unnecessary chemicals (fertilizers,
pesticides, insecticides). Hence, a
sophisticated soil testing lab was
established at Naugaon. Presently,
this is the only lab in Uttarkashi
which tests for Nitrogen. The lab Promoting Soil Testing & Analysis for Climate Smart Agriculture

operates with a testing capacity of 6 parameters viz pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Nitrogen (N),
Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Organic Carbon (OC). These 4 nutrients apart from being the major
macronutrients also form the structural framework of the plants. Since they are required in major
quantities, they need to be addressed first while evaluating soil health. Their deficiencies are more
pronounced and acutely affect growth.

In order to carry out soil health management activities with marginal farmers, 30 sampling, testing
and analysis was carried out with farmers - who had cultivated Lilium, from different fields varying in
elevation, aspects, slope and exposures. In addition to this, a rough survey of physical conditions of
soil such as structural, drainage patterns, irrigation sources, profile depth, etc was also accounted.
These types of information became handy when customized recommendations were provided to
farmers through customized soil health cards and SMS services. A cumulative bank of these
collected data is also maintained and color-coded as a village-wise representation of soil nutrient
and fertility status. To replenish the soil with organic inputs so that gaps between soil and plant
health systems are minimized qualitative and quantitative production, Phosphorus Solubilising
Bacteria (PSB), Azetobactor, Decomposing Cultures (DC), Neem cakes and Vermi bags were
demonstrated with all the farmers under flower and vegetable promotional activities at Uttarkashi
and Chamoli districts.
On the other hand, Tissue Culture technology
adopted and promoted by the organization to
assist farmers of the Himalayan region in adapting
against climate change does exactly that. The
rootstocks and plants of Apple and Potato
respectively were developed through in-vitro
propagation inside the Tissue culture lab and
thereafter hardened in open lab. When grown on
the farmers field, these developed plants have
started showing significant adaptation and Hardening of Disease resistant potato sapling

achievements. While the main focus on

propagating Potato seed is given on Kufri
Chandramukhi and Kufri Jyoti, the varieties of
apples are also getting developed at the lab
for diversification on intermediary varieties.
These high quality inputs have therefore
come as a rescue to the farmers, who are
striving hard to maintain and sustain their
Plantation of Potato saplings in Polyhouse for getting nucleus
seed lives and livelihood. Under the given period,
1000 saplings were given to 2 seed farmers for propagation of seeds in the valley. Modes of these
diversification practices in agriculture have thus helped farmers employ high value crop options
along with traditional and other vegetable crops thereby enhancing their resilience against the
climatic vulnerabilities.

Potato sapling plantation by seed farmer

Knowledge Management for Informed Resilience against Climate

Information concerning climate change,

change forecasting, adaptation options and other agricultural
production activities remains an important factor in enhancing resilience against the climate change.
change
It is because the lack
ack of information increases high downside risks from failures
failure that are typically
associated with uptake of new techniques and adaptation measures on farm fields. During 2015
2015-16,
extensive information was provided to farmers and communities on routine
outine information sharing
mechanisms through SMS services,, support knowledge transfers and wider sharing of information to
different stakeholders at field levels.
levels Total 180 unique messages and 20,773 advisories were sent to
4,500 farmers on crop promotions, farm techniques, soil health management, weather & climate
information, institutions building interventions,
interventions, market information through Short Service Messages
(SMS). Below graph represents number of information sent to target farmers during 2015
2015-16.

Information Dissemination (SMS)

16,000 14,403
13,008
14,000 12,435
12,000
10,000 No. of farmers
Numbers

8,000 Total Msgs

5,281
6,000 5,027
4,253 3,700 4,915 3,730
4,000 2,843
2,102 2,523 1,4863,009
1,773 649
894 1,014 1,163 1,467
2,000 599 369
--
-

Months

In addition to mobile communication, last year another means of digital

digital communication was
developed in an innovative manner,
manner initiated and shared among the targeted farmers at Naugaon
block of Uttarkashi region.. Movie snippets on
on critical cultivation practices and climate smart
practices were developed and shared with the farmers at their own fields. It worked wonders for
farmers during their busy schedule when farmers were not able to manage time to attend critical
knowledge information evident for them to reduce their risks towards climate change
change.

Information and education materials

aterials in the form of folders, pamphlets, posters were developed on
pear grafting, importance of soils, nutrients and their deficiency and disseminated to the targeted
farmers of both Naugaon and Pokhri blocks.
To instantly assist farmers with agriculture
related challenges and issues in the fastest
way possible, a customized Mobile App is
being developed and updated with
agriculture, market and climate related
matters. With the help of this App, it is
envisaged that farmers will be able to get
their issue resolved in record less time and
Folders for knowledge development
hence increase their produce quality,
production and eventually income.

During last year, information dissemination and community awareness on interventions carried out
by the organization were also floated on Social Media platforms like facebook and twitter.
Moreover, the website of the organization was also updated project interventions. To assist the
vulnerable farmers with updated knowledge, linkages and relationships were explored and
developed with scientists, experts and knowledge institutions on climate smart agriculture practices,
strengthening upper & lower land market linkages, etc. Hence, for smooth implementation of
interventions and assisting farmers against the erratic challenges of climate, networking with Central
Potato Research Institute for soil testing and analysis, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM,
Jammu) for Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on institutional support on Basil cultivation,
quality measures and package of practices, Florance & Flora a premier agency for floriculture,
Krishi Vigyan Kenrda (KVK) at Gwaldam for vegetable and spice cultivation, etc.

During last year, 38 trainings on pre

Harvest knowledge management for
Malta, Basil, Garlic; havesting, grading
and sorting; pear grafting, soil health
management, drying yard technology
for basil and internal management
systems for cooperative was carried out
and participated by 938 farmers. Apart
from this, 22 resource person visits, on
Exposure visit of farmers & HARC staff to IIIM, Jammu
Malta post harvest management, soil
and water conservation and climate smart practices, Lilium plantation, vegetable nursery
management and cultivation,, broccoli and development of supply chain for fresh vegetables were
also undertaken and issues and challenges raised by 328 farmers.. The 7 exposure visits of 97 remote
farmers from Chamoli districts and other farmers of Uttarkashi came as very enthusiastic experience
for all these farmers. Their visits to Himachal Pradesh on fresh vegetables and high value crops, New
Delhi for marketing of their produce, visits to Jammu for understanding intricacies of medicinal and
aromatic plants like Basil helped these farmers adopt and replicate the technologies and practices
on their farms.

Resource Person
Trainings/Workshops Exposures
Visits

38 trainings 22 field visits 7 exposures

938 farmers 328 farmers 97 farmers

Floriculture Expert visit for Lilium sowing at

Resource person visit for vegetable cultivation at Chamoli Uttarkashi

Apart from this, networking

etworking with TATA motors at Pantnagar,
gar, Local Banks (Punjab National Bank,
State Bank of India, District Cooperative Bank) and The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and
Small Business Development (NIESBUD) an
n autonomous institute under ministry of skill
development and entrepreneurship, G
Government of India developed for financial support, technical
support and skill
ill & job role certification respectively.
Invigorating the Concepts of High Value Products for Resilience against
Climate Change

Indian Himalayan region is a repository of nutritional and exquisite agriculture and horticulture
produces. These produces, be it fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, medicinal and aromatic plants, etc
shows characteristics of wider acceptance among communities. But the terrains of Himalayan hill
areas are treacherous and harsh in terms of vulnerability and structure. To add to that, Climate
change fragile ecosystem of the Himalayas, remoteness of terrains, small and scattered
landholdings, low fertility of soils, improper irrigational facilities, non-exposure of producers to farm
related technical interventions leads to meagre production and higher logistic cost for marginal
farmers of the region.

As a result and with the challenges of hovering climate change events, it has become very difficult
for hill agriculture to compete directly with the quantity and prices of the produces from low land
regions. Hence, the sustainable livelihoods in hill areas can be streamlined only with the
development of high value products that offer advantages of some niche and hill specific products.
To develop high value products, interventions like introduction of innovative low cost drying
technology were also promoted with Tulsi (Basil) producers of Chamoli district which helped in
enhancing both quantity and quality of basil produce. To address the challenges caused by climate
change, 4 new value added products
i.e. Mix Fruits Chutney, 2 Basil Tea
variants & 1 Periila Chutney, were
developed into high value products
at Common Facility Centre (CFC) in
Karnprayag block of Chamoli district.
These interventions have helped
farmers promote their livelihood,
both by marketing their produce and
Low cost Drying yard for improving Basil Quality
earning incomes through primary
and secondary value additions.

Further, to establish quality norms in every product which are being processed by the co-operative
at Common Facility Centre (CFC), total 337 product lots of Basil tea, Basil oil, Mango, Ginger, Chilli
Pickle & Malta Squash were tested in in-house laboratory. Besides in house testing, 14 samples of
pulses, cereals & spices also tested through an external lab SGS, Mumbai for analysing nutritional
value and chemical constituents. The analysis of value added products from internationally
recognized lab (SGS, Mumbai) for physical and chemical identification, barcode registration of all
products (GS1 India), and organic certification of the processing unit from Uttarakhand State Organic
Certification Agency (USOCA) has helped these high value products acquire wider market and higher
customer segments.

To ascertain that the developed

high value products target high
segment markets and customers,
new and vibrant packaging of
Switch On products of Basil
varieties, Spices, Cereals, were
also developed and promoted. It
has therefore helped
cooperative outreach and
diversifies their market supply New Packages developed for cooperative products

chains to many different market segments.

Development & Labeling of New High Value Products

Diversifying Market Supply Chains for Reduced Risks

At Himalayan hills, very little is known among the producers about supply-chain management
systems. But it is quite pertinent for small land holders who are primarily concerned for managing
their farms to look for sufficient savings for their own needs and subsequently market any surplus
produce at the best available price. It was also pertinent because previously farmers were never
considered an innate entity of supply chains.

During last year, Cyclopentene panel or Eco-friendly mini cold store was established at our Naugaon
centre. The 5 tones capacity cold store was established to primarily manage and regulate changes in
supply chains of fresh vegetable produces and storage Lilium bulbs and potato tubers. It is also
envisaged to utilize this cold store for the storages of cut flowers based on fluctuating market
demand and supply requirements.

During 2015-16, HARC worked on minimizing

the major obstacles which arise in
development and marketing of mountain
produces. These obstacles were insufficient
realization of produce potential by
stakeholders- from producers to retailers, and
in-efficiency of some existing supply chains in
response to consumers interest. Hence, the
Inauguration of Mobile Processing Unit by DG, UCOST
planning, knowledge development and
diversification in marketing acted as the keys that helped in providing leeway to the farmers thence
developing their aptitude and adaptation towards change in climate. As a result, during the last year,
an innovative mobile
processing unit was
introduced for strengthening
highland-lowland supply chain
of the hills and creating
employment opportunities for
hill farmers at their door-
steps. Further to implement
idea with target groups, semi
Semi-processing of Rhododendron at Village Road Heads
processing or primary value addition of rhododendron carried out at Ghat cluster. Through this
initiative, total 60 women farmers were benefited and earned an extra income
ome of INR 12,160.
Focusing on primary value addition, m
major activities on various commodities (Mango, Baiel)
Baiel will be
carried out during May to October months.
months In continuation of primary processing at decentralized
levels, 3 seasonal warehouses at Gairsain,
Gairsa , Ghaat & Ukhimath cluster were hired. Through these 3
seasonal warehouses, 612 farmers were benefitted through procurement, primary value addition of
citrus and cereal crops.

Beneficiary Income through Processing

1600 1467
1400 1177
Average Income

1200
1000 755
800
600 401 406 No of beneficiaries
400 Average income (INR)
115 72 73
200 10 20
0
Squash Pickle Basil Spice Pulses
(Tulsi)

Value Added Products

During year 2015-16, total 177 women beneficiaries were engaged in various value chain operations
e.g. processing of Malta and packaging. Through the operations, these women earned total INR
3,24,000. Additionally, 458 farmers also earned daily wages from selling Agriculture, Horticulture,
and meicinal produces as well as through processing and packaging activities. The
he minimum of INR
70 to maximum INR 35,000 earned by the women farmers, thereby resulting in earning an income of
INR 3,31,430. It eventually contributed in providing sustainability to the household income of these
marginal farmers.

During the reporting period, the co-operative

co procured total 44,521
,521 kgs of Basil, Citrus, Fresh Ginger,
Chilli, Coriander, Turmeric, Banyard Millet, Jakhiya, Tor, Gahat, Amaranthus, Kidney Beans, Sesame
Seed, Perilla directly from the associated
ociated farmers. The cooperative also facilitated indirect supply of
Amaranthus,
ranthus, Fresh Garlic, Kidney Beans, Potato to various local and outside buyers. The total sum of
INR 33,11,095 also earned by the farmers associated with cooperative in Chamoli districts. During
the financial year and out of total amount, farmers earned INR 9,48,419 through direct supply of
produce
duce to cooperative while INR 23
23,62,676
,62,676 earned through produce supply to local and regional
level buyers. HARC-Alaknanda
Alaknanda Krishi Vyawashay
Vyawashaya Bahudeshiya
udeshiya Swayatt Sehkarita (HAKVBSS),
recorded INR 30,66,860/- sales turnover through marketing of Himalayan value added products
products.

Value Added Products wise Turnover

1,688,530
1,800,000
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
Turnover

1,000,000
800,000
600,000 481,245 463,331
300,200 Sales ( in INR)
400,000
100,384
200,000 16,100 17,040
-

Value Added Products

For expanding retail network of products and

strengthening supply chains,
ains, networking with 1
distributer
stributer who in turn covered 63 retailers at
Dehradun & Mussoorie was also established. In
addition, linkage with 1 retailer at New Delhi
has also been developed. Further visualisation
and sales of products at prominent shops at
Cooperative products kept at Retail Outlets
Dehradun, 6 retail outlets were identified for
space hiring.

To define and set up the progressive approach of cooperative A long term 5 year business plan for
HARC-Alaknanda
Alaknanda Krishi Vyawashaya Bahudeshiya
Ba Swayatt Sehkarita was developed in participatory
manner. The main purpose of developing the plan in this manner was to develop aptitudes and
attitudes of cooperative women office bearers on availing financial
ancial support from banks and
expansion of their businesses.
In Kalsi & Chakrata blocks of Dehradun district and under the ILSP project, commodities of Livelihood
Collectives like kidney beans and ginger of 527 Kgs were marketed out of which INR 1,20,760 was
earned by these farmers. Earlier beneficiary were largely dependent on marketing their produce to
mediators while now they are able to sell their produce to cooperative. It is therefore creating
healthy trading competition between local traders and cooperative. As a result, farmers are also now
directly negotiating with buyers that has not only increased their negotiation skills but also providing
them leverages to get higher market returns on the produce and cushion to livelihood risks.

New Partnerships & Actions

During 2015-16, HARC started working with American India Foundation to enhance livelihood
and increase income for 1,500 disaster affected women beneficiaries of 4 blocks i.e. Ghat,
Karnprayag, Gairsain and Ukhimath of remotely located districts Chamoli and Rudraprayag
respectively in Uttarakhand. The activities which were planned and carried out with women
cooperative and beneficiaries revolved around knowledge and skill development, technical
interventions, product development, marketing, etc on 6 value added Himalayan commodities of
Tulsi , spice variants and supply of raw traditional produce.

During the financial year, HARC started working in partnership with The Hans Foundation (THF)
in a project titled Investing in Climate Smart Agriculture Practices for Better Livelihood. The 3
year project aims to enhance and ascertain the livelihood opportunities of 3,000 marginal
farmers from approx 60 villages in Uttarkashi & Chamoli district. Under the project, agriculture
related activities through diversified means like grafting wild species (Pyrus pashia) with
commercial variety of pear, promotion of disease resistant staple crop Potato, floriculture and
introduction of new crop Quinoa, Basil, vegetable & traditional crops, etc were initiated and
carried out.

Infrastructure Up-gradation

Under the project supported by The Hans Foundation, a Tata Xenon vehicle was procured to assist
the implementation of program activities. The purpose of this dual function vehicle was to transport
the raw materials and also carry the project staffs to field areas. Under the same project, up-
gradation of training centre for enhanced knowledge development activities at Naugaon &

20
Dehradun centre was initiated. The purpose of this development is to accelerate proper
dissemination of knowledge to the intended farmers. As an investment on this activity, no boarding
and lodging fees will be taken by the organization from farmers for training activities and resource
person visits.

Visitors/Volunteers

During 2015-16, 71 different visitors made the scheduled visits to our centers at Dehradun, Naugaon
& Kaleshwar region to learn about the activities undertaken and implemented by the organization.
As visitors, District Magistrate, SDM, Director of Horticulture, various scientists, officers from
international agencies, army officers and academicians were part of the groups who came and
appreciated the work organization has been doing on climate change and supply chain development.

During last year, the organization also hosted 3 students from Delhi School of Social Work for
internship activities. During their internship with the organization, the students learned and
provided their assistance through conducting surveys and analysis of climate resilient commercial
and traditional crops, developing case studies of farmers on farm related technical interventions and
Self Help Groups

Learning

During 2015-16, staff from the organization attended various interactions and training programs vis-
conducted in and outside the organization. Among many workshops and trainings attended by the
staffs of the organization, the workshop on Communication strategy and use of social media was an
eye opener for the organization, as it helped organization in making its presence in social media like
facebook, twitter for showcasing and exhibiting its work across different platforms. The training
program on improving internet presence and fundraising capacity at Dehradun was also attended to
get know-how of the same. Being the partner of The Hans Foundation, the organization also
attended Synergy workshop 'Uttarakhand UK 2020 organized by The Hans Foundation at Dehradun
to bring synergy to the development efforts in the state. To develop linkages with experts, input
providers and market agencies, the organization also visited and developed institutional linkages at
Horti Expo 2016 in Pune, India.

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Future Partnerships

In its new partnership to promote resilience of communities against the risks, HARC will be
teaming up with Wetland International South Asia to promote concept of Integrated Risk
Management (IRM) in Naugaon watershed at Upper Yamuna Catchment of Uttarkashi district.
For program period of 2016-20, it is envisaged that the IRM related interventions will be carried
out in the region such that one who is needy get the most and as the outcome of the program,
the model will be developed, replicated and engage practitioners and policy makers to adopt the
same.
For enhancing livelihood of Himalayan communities through action research and transforming
wild produces into high value products, HARC will be working with Uttarakhand Council for
Science & Technology (UCOST)& cooperative (HAKVBSS) under National Mission on Himalayan
Studies during the period of 3 years from 2016-19 with 3000 Himalayan community members at
Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts of Uttarakhand.
In next year, HARC will be working with Uttarakhand Gramya Vikas Simati (UGVS) for field
oriented Action research interventions of 2 years to enhance livelihood of rural poor of
Uttarakhand under the Challenge Fund of Integrated Livelihood Support Project (ILSP). Under
this project, HARC will be promoting 100 direct members of PG/VPGs of Ghat & Pokhari block of
Chamoli district by Upscaling of Basil as an agriculture crop for with marginal farmers through
technological interventions & promotion of high value products.

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 ANNEXURE I

Information of Board

HARC BOARD MEMBERS

S. NAME DESIGN. OCCUPATION Phone No./Email Address Age
N
O
1. Shri. Chandi Prasad President Environmental Dasholi Gram Swaraj 80
Bhatt ist 9410770421 mandal, Mandir Marg
S/o. Late Sh. Ganga cpb_dgsm@rediffm Gopeshwar Chamoli
Ram Bhatt ail.com

2. Shri. Mahendra S. Secretary Environmental 103 Engineers Enclave 58

9412075996
Kunwar ist GMS Road
kunwarms@yahoo.
S/o. Shri Kundan Dehradun
com
Singh Kunwar
3. Shri. Uday Shankar Treasurer Consultant 100 Anand Lok 61
Gupta 7827310490 New Delhi
S/o. Late Sh. Amiya udayshankar.gupta
Shankar Gupta @gmail.com

4. Prof. Ajay Rawat Member Professor, Joy Villas Compound 67

9410332822
S/o. Late Thakur D.S. Kumaon Tallital
ajaysrawat13@gma
Rawat University, Nainital
il.com
Nainital
5. Prof. D.R. Purohit Member Professor, Vidhyadhar Shri kala 52
9456329046
S/o. Late Sh. Urbi HNB Garhwal Veer chand Garhwali
badri_supreme@ya
Datt Purohit University, Marg
hoo.in
Srinagar
6. Dr. Vandana Member State Director Shiv Krippa 51
9816026295
Thapliyal Sangam Vihar Chauras
vandanathaplyal@g
W/o. Shri Praveen P.o- Kilkeshwar
mail.com
Thapliyal Tehri Garhwal
7. Dr. Shailendra Member Ayurvedic Village Kandoli 57
9410100458
Kumar Dimri Doctor Sahastradhara Road
shailkrdimri@yaho
S/o. Late Sh. J.P. D.Dun
o.com
Dimri
8. Dr.Chhaya Kunwar Member State Director 9412304051 103 Engineers Enclave 52
W/o Mr. MS Kunwar chhaya_kunwar@y GMS Road Dehradun
ahoo.com
9. Shri. Ajay Agrawal Member Business D-10 Tulas Garden 8 54
S/o DL Agrawal 9897237215 Kalidas Marg.
Dehradun.

23