Madhubani, India Project - supported by Elanco

In this reporting period, we focused on building families’ capacities and improving the conditions at the family, social and political levels. Project families reported a decrease in domestic violence as more participants—and other families in surrounding villages—began adopting the values they learned through our trainings on gender justice and the 12 Cornerstones. A total of 550 people (200 women and 250 men) participated in gender training, and 250 families received training on selfhelp group management.

Self-help groups provide an outlet for women to manage savings and loans, and gain the skills needed to serve as leaders in their communities. Women participants reported an increase in their contributions to family decision-making, and also to community development planning, management and monitoring. Furthermore, project participants reported that both boys and girls are receiving the same opportunities for growth in the home and at school.

We held a two-day Animal Health Camp for 550 participants who learned to deworm and vaccinate livestock. Moreover, three selfhelp groups established a Farmer Field School (FFS) where families can share their experiences in agriculture. Similarly, the target community of Maini village began farming collectively. Activities like these allow participants to Pass on the Gift of knowledge and build social capital.

Trainings were also provided for 300 POG families on establishing and managing kitchen gardens, and learning the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and the System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) technologies. SRI/SWI methods improve rice and wheat production by increasing the use of compost and widely spacing plants to allow for improved root and shoot growth. This is an advantage for farmers during the monsoon season when excessive rains could damage crops.

Furthermore, two milk collection centers were established in the 1st Rampur and 2nd Belha villages. Together the two villages collected about 7,110 gallons of milk, earning producer cooperatives about $16,166 during this reporting period.