<a href="https://www.industowers.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indus Towers</a>, one of the world&#8217;s largest telecom infrastructure companies, said its Digital Transformation Van (DTV) has provided digital literacy training to 136,525 people from underserved communities across seven states as the country marks 10 years of its Digital India initiative.



The mobile Digital Transformation Van, part of Indus Towers&#8217; flagship Corporate Social Responsibility program &#8216;Saksham&#8217;, has reached rural and urban slum communities in Delhi, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, the company said in a statement.



Launched in 2018 as the DigiShiksha initiative, the Digital Transformation Van program empowers youth, women, senior citizens and farmers with digital literacy, IT skills, cybersecurity awareness and financial education, aligning with the government&#8217;s <a href="https://www.digitalindia.gov.in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital India Mission</a>, according to the announcement.



&#8220;Indus Towers&#8217; DTV is a commitment to inclusive growth and a belief that technology can be a powerful equalizer,&#8221; said Neeti Wahi, Chief Digital and Information Officer at Indus Towers. &#8220;It is heartening to see over half of our beneficiaries are women.&#8221;



The solar-powered Digital Transformation Van provides free doorstep digital education and public services through a 21-seater mobile classroom equipped with high-speed internet, modern computers, printers and e-learning tools, the company said.



The Digital Transformation Van initiative is implemented by <a href="https://www.niitfoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NIIT Foundation</a>, with expert trainers conducting community awareness sessions on digital safety, environmental conservation and waste management for school children aged 12 and above, women, farmers and senior citizens, according to the statement.



The Digital Transformation Van program represents Indus Towers&#8217; approach to reaching communities where digital infrastructure and literacy gaps are most pronounced, customizing offerings based on local needs rather than relying on static training centers, the company said.



Indus Towers operates 256,074 telecom towers across all 22 telecom circles in India, making it one of the country&#8217;s largest tower infrastructure providers, according to company information.

Indus Towers Digital Van trains 136,525 in seven states

<a href="https://www.hcltech.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HCLTech</a>&#8216;s grant program will expand its focus to include water and biodiversity as it enters its second decade, building on initiatives that have impacted over 300,000 individuals across India, the company said.



<a href="https://www.hcltech.com/corporate-social-responsibility" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The HCLTech Grant</a>, which has supported community-driven development projects over the past 10 years, will add the new themes in its 11th edition alongside existing areas of health and education, according to a statement.



The grant program has aligned interventions with 12 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, addressing challenges in government and rural schools, maternal and child health in remote regions, and ecological restoration in forest-dependent communities, the company said.



 &#8220;Sustainable change is not achieved by charity alone, but by coupling research with empathy, technology with trust, and resources with measurable results,&#8221; the HCLTech Grant statement said.



The grant program&#8217;s strategic roadmap through 2030 includes three phases: consolidation and scaling through 2027, deepening impact and diversification until 2029, and institutionalization and sustainability by 2030.



The HCLTech Grant will strengthen its research framework by implementing Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodologies to quantify outcomes and expand digital monitoring tools for real-time impact tracking, according to the announcement.



Technology integration within the grant program will include satellite-based water mapping, AI-enabled health diagnostics and digital learning platforms to scale community solutions, the company said.



 The water theme under the HCLTech Grant will align with India&#8217;s Jal Jeevan Mission and<a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SDG 6</a>, developing a national model for integrated water resource management, the statement added.



HCLTech plans to establish a Centre for Social Research and Innovation through the grant program to synthesize learnings and contribute to sectoral policy dialogues, while creating an alumni network of grantees for peer learning and mentoring.



The grant program has collaborated with state health departments and the National Health Mission to strengthen public health systems across multiple states, impacting thousands of students and educators across districts.



In environment interventions, the HCLTech Grant has worked with rural and forest-dependent populations to restore degraded ecosystems, revive water bodies, and promote biodiversity-friendly livelihoods, contributing to climate adaptation and ecological resilience.

HCLTech Grant adds water, biodiversity themes in second decade

The <a href="https://www.airtel.in/bharti-airtel-foundation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bharti Airtel Foundation</a> has established a multi-year scholarship initiative with the <a href="https://www.isb.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian School of Business (ISB)</a>, offering financial support to students in the <a href="https://www.isb.edu/en/study-isb/pgp-programmes/pgp-young-leaders.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">institution&#8217;s Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders</a>, the foundation announced.



The program will provide five students from each cohort with full or partial waivers covering tuition, accommodation and meal expenses through a need-cum-merit based selection process, the foundation said in a statement.



The scholarship recipients, designated as &#8220;Bharti Scholars,&#8221; will be chosen based on both financial need and academic merit, according to the announcement.



&#8220;Education is the cornerstone of progress and empowerment,&#8221; said Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Co-Chairman of the Bharti Airtel Foundation and Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises. &#8220;When talent meets opportunity, extraordinary things happen.&#8221;



The memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of Mittal, Madan Pillutla, Dean of ISB, and DNV Kumara Guru, Senior Director of Advancement, Alumni Engagement and External Relations at ISB.



The foundation has supported over 2,000 scholars since its inception, with 44% of recipients being female students, according to the statement. The initiative focuses on creating higher education opportunities for children from underserved communities.



ISB said the partnership advances its commitment to ensuring financial constraints do not limit access to management education for qualified candidates. The Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders is designed for early-career professionals seeking business education.

Bharti Airtel Foundation launches multi-year scholarship program at Indian School of Business

<a href="https://www.hclfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HCL Foundation</a>, the corporate social responsibility arm of technology firm HCLTech, has donated advanced medical equipment to a government hospital in Uttar Pradesh state, the foundation said on Tuesday, as part of efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure in the region.



HCL Foundation provided the equipment to the Government <a href="https://gims.ac.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS)</a> in Greater Noida, including a 3 Tesla high energy inductive therapy system for deep tissue healing, an intermittent compression therapy unit, a computerized balance evaluation system, a high power laser therapy unit, and a DEXA scan machine for bone health assessment.



The new equipment is expected to benefit more than 30,000 patients annually from Noida, Greater Noida, the Delhi National Capital Region and surrounding areas, HCL Foundation said.



&#8220;At HCL Foundation, we believe that quality healthcare should be accessible to everyone,&#8221; said Dr Nidhi Pundhir, Senior Vice President for Global CSR at <a href="https://www.hcltech.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HCLTech </a>and Director at HCL Foundation.



The donation by HCL Foundation supports the Uttar Pradesh state government&#8217;s efforts to strengthen medical infrastructure and expand healthcare access in the region.



Brig. (Dr.) Rakesh Gupta, Director of GIMS, said the support from HCL Foundation would &#8220;significantly strengthen&#8221; the institute&#8217;s healthcare infrastructure and patient care capacity.

HCL Foundation donates medical equipment to UP hospital

In the hot, dry lands of Chhatatand village in rural India, farmers like Bhagywati Devi used to worry every day about rain. No rain meant no crops, no food, and no money. But now, things are different.<a href="https://www.acclimited.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> ACC</a>, a big company in cement and building materials from the Adani group, is working with the <a href="https://www.adanifoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Foundation</a> to bring climate-resilient farming to places like this. They use smart ways to save water and grow food better, even when weather is bad. This helps farmers fight low crop yields and crazy rain patterns through climate-resilient farming practices.



Bhagywati is 47 years old. She has three kids and a husband who works hard as a daily labourer. Life was tough. School fees piled up, and food was always short. &#8220;We waited for rain like kids wait for sweets,&#8221; she says. When it didn&#8217;t come, her fields turned brown. She had to use diesel pumps for water, but they cost too much money and made dirty smoke. Crops failed often, and her family went hungry.



In 2024, everything changed for Bhagywati. She was one of 20 farmers picked for the <a href="https://www.adani.com/sustainability/solar-irrigation-rural-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Foundation&#8217;s solar irrigation project</a>. ACC helped make it happen. Now, a solar pump sits in her small half-acre field. It uses free sunshine to pull water from the ground and send it straight to her plants. No more waiting for rain or paying for diesel. &#8220;It&#8217;s like a magic machine from the sky,&#8221; Bhagywati laughs, her face lighting up.



With steady water, her crops grow strong all year. She plants rice and veggies without fear. Yields doubled fast. Before, she earned just enough to scrape by. Now, she makes an extra Rs 6,000 each month. That&#8217;s big money here—it pays for better food, fixes the house roof, and saves for her youngest girl&#8217;s college dreams. &#8220;I used to work sun-up to sun-down just to eat. Now, I have time for my family,&#8221; she says. She cooks hot meals, helps kids with homework, and chats with neighbors. Her tired hands still work the soil, but her heart feels lighter.



ACC didn&#8217;t stop at water. They taught her trellis farming too. It&#8217;s a simple trick: Grow climbing veggies like beans and gourds on tall frames made from sticks or wire. This saves space on her tiny plot. Plants grow up, not out, so she fits more in. &#8220;My land was too small before. Now, veggies climb high like happy kids on a swing,&#8221; she jokes. Extra harvest means more to sell at the market. Buyers pay good prices for fresh, clean produce. Her income grew again, and people in the village notice. Once, folks saw her only as a wife helping out. Now, they call her for advice on farming. She speaks up in meetings, proud and strong.



Bhagywati&#8217;s story shows the power of climate-resilient farming. ACC brings easy tools like solar pumps and trellis setups to far-off villages. These aren&#8217;t fancy gadgets—they&#8217;re helpers that fit real life. Farmers learn to use less water, grow more food, and earn steady cash through climate-resilient farming methods. No more chasing rain or burning fuel. Instead, they build safe futures.



Take Bhagywati&#8217;s family: The extra money bought new clothes for festivals. Her middle son dreams of being a teacher, not a labourer. The little girl studies without worry. &#8220;ACC gave us more than tools. They gave us hope,&#8221; Bhagywati says, watching her kids play under the green vines.



Across India, thousands like her face the same fights—hotter days, less rain from climate change. But with ACC and Adani Foundation&#8217;s work, rural spots like Chhatatand are turning green again. One farmer, one field at a time, they&#8217;re proving small changes make big waves. Solar power waters the land. Smart farming lifts spirits. And stories like Bhagywati&#8217;s spread, inspiring others to try climate-resilient farming.



In the end, it&#8217;s not just about crops. It&#8217;s about families thriving, kids learning, and villages growing strong. ACC builds more than cement—they build lives that last, rain or shine.

Empowering Climate-Resilient Farming: ACC&#8217;s Solar Boost

By Eldee



Within the busy corridors of India’s corporate world, CSR careers in India are not a specialty field, but an exciting ecosystem with plenty of opportunities. With the national mandated CSR spend exceeding<a href="https://www.csr.gov.in/content/csr/global/master/home/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Rs 25,000 crore in FY 2024-25</a>, young professionals have taken to these career paths, blending ethical impact with enviable paychecks.



Consider a graduate from an underprivileged background finding a way into a CSR careers in India job description, entering as an officer in a fintech space in Mumbai at <a href="https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/csr-officer-salary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rs 4-6 lakh per year</a>, making it to manager in 5 years at Rs 15 lakh. This is not aspirational marketing; this is a real opportunity in CSR careers in India, when purpose and profit create options with <a href="https://www.michaelpage.co.in/advice/market-insights/salary-and-recruitment-trends/salary-guide-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">15-20 % job growth annually.</a>



However, as climate considerations and the demands for social equity ramps up, one insists, can CSR careers in India democratize access or remain locked in privilege, only the urban elite create value from?



The magnetic pull of CSR careers in India stems from regulatory firepower and market evolution. <a href="https://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/CompaniesAct2013.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Companies Act 2013’s 2% profit directive</a> has morphed into a strategic imperative, with education gobbling 30% of funds, healthcare 25%, and sustainability initiatives claiming 20%. This fuels diverse CSR careers in India, from impact analysts crunching data for <a href="https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/regulations/oct-2021/business-responsibility-and-sustainability-reporting-by-listed-entities_53193.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SEBI’s BRSR reports</a> to coordinators spearheading rural skilling programs in Gujarat’s arid belts.



Salaries for CSR careers in India are better than in many traditional sectors: entry-level CSR careers in India are between Rs 3-6 lakh, mid-management salaries are at Rs 8-15 lakh, and C-suite management salaries in the tech corridors of Bengaluru are Rs 25-40 lakh, with raises at 9.5% that are substantially over the national average. When reviewing<a href="https://in.linkedin.com/jobs/corporate-social-responsibility-jobs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> LinkedIn&#8217;s job pulse report for CSR careers in India</a>, over 600 live opportunities exist for a wide range of matters, including renewable energy in Chennai to community outreach in Delhi, catering for Gen Z&#8217;s quest for SDG careers.



What makes CSR careers in India must have? Digital disruption &#8211; we are no longer phenomenon-driven philanthropy, nor CSR careers in India. CSR careers in India require full fluency in the use of technology for social change whether it is estimating <a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/ai-for-everyone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">community change outcomes using artificial intelligence</a> or engaging in blockchain interaction with NGOs towards accomplishing a transparency agenda to raise aid. In this hybrid, new CSR careers begin to appear: ESG specialists auditing supply chains, or sustainability leads on circled economy initiatives.



Salaries in CSR careers in India are superior to that of many more traditional career sectors: starting salaries for beginners in CSR careers in India range from Rs 3-6 lakh; mid-career salaries for managers are Rs 8-15 lakh; and senior executives or C-suite roles in tech hotspots in Bengaluru can make Rs 25-40 lakh with annual raises of 9.5% that outpace national averages. LinkedIn&#8217;s data shows there are over 600 live resumes in the CSR careers in India field of practice—ranging from renewables in Chennai to community outreach programs in Delhi—symbolizing some of the most exciting employment opportunities for Gen Z students looking to advance careers in CSR and the SDGs.



What makes CSR careers in India exciting? The answer is digital disruption. Gone are the days of executing passive philanthropy. CSR careers in India today require a level of fluency in technology—using AI to track outcomes in communities or employing blockchain to work with NGOs. This technical fusion is creating exciting and innovative CSR careers in India, such as ESG (environmental, social, governance) specialists working to assess supply chains of products or sustainability lead working with companies on circular economy projects in Maharashtra.



Further, CSR careers in India that focus on climate action will continue to be a growth area due to India&#8217;s goal of <a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1984063" target="_blank" rel="noopener">net-zero by 2070</a>—everything from training in renewable energy to community drive for water conservation, all straddling corporate priorities with national goals. Newly emerging locations like Bihar offer a wide-open frontier for students seeking CSR careers in India, and the potential of jobs that shape policy and increase mobility and world exposure is very exciting.



Although CSR careers in India are seen as exciting, there are important factors that take away from the experience. There are not enough qualified people for CSR careers. Seventy percent of the CSR jobs are in the Rs 15-50 lakh salary category. Barriers for entry also prevent many people from Tier-3 towns or non-elite institutions from getting CSR jobs. Examples of barriers include extensive certifications like GRI and field experience with NGOs.



While women dominate social change work at the grassroots level, many get stuck in glass ceilings in senior CSR jobs in India. Regulatory hurdles can lead to long decisions that help organizations accomplish their CSR goals. Corporations express the need for more analytical and engagement skills, yet underinvest in training initiatives, leading to underwhelming outcomes from well-intentioned plans.



Reforms are necessary to strengthen CSR careers in India. Governments should finance the establishment of CSR academies within public colleges that will provide ample education, combining analytical frameworks with hands-on programs, improving both the number of people in the CSR pipeline and knowledge. Companies should establish and uphold diversity of talent mandates, shifting gaps in CSR talent to a workforce pipeline of diverse talent.



For prospective pioneers yearning for CSR careers in India, the formula is straight forward: Start with an internship from <a href="https://www.tatatrusts.org/careers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tata Trusts or an initiative </a>with HUL on sanitation; take examples from free <a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/esg-reporting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coursera modules on ESG frameworks</a>, and include data informed wins like &#8220;I orchestrated a Rs 5 crore initiative that impacted 10,000 lives&#8221; in your CV. The compassion and execution in the context of CSR careers in India is not replaceable in a world shape by AI.



With CSR spending expected to reach <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/csr-spending-in-india-to-touch-rs-50000-crore-by-2030-report/articleshow/112345678.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rs 50,000 crore by 2030</a>, India is gearing up to create lakhs of CSR careers that will connect urban prosperity with rural resilience. And this green-collar transformation is not only economic; it’s cultural, changing the notion of work toward the lens of equity. For India’s youth, CSR careers in India beckon not as a sideline, but as the main event: Wear the mantle, and lead the legacy.

Empower CSR Careers in India: 2025 Prosperity Surge

<a href="https://wcd.delhi.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Department of Women and Child Development of the Delhi </a>government and <a href="https://www.soschildrensvillages.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SOS Children’s Villages</a> India signed a five-year partnership on Wednesday to implement the government’s <a href="https://wcd.delhi.gov.in/sponsorship-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sponsorship Scheme</a>, aiming to provide holistic care for 350 children without parental care in the capital.



The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by Mitali Namchoom, Director of the<a href="https://wcd.delhi.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Department of Women and Child Development</a>, and Sumanta Kar, CEO of <a href="https://www.csrvoice.com/post/woman-and-child/sos-village-come-to-aid-of-women-in-need/267" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SOS Children’s Villages </a><a href="https://www.soschildrensvillages.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a>, at the department’s New Delhi headquarters, focuses on enhancing family-based care through SOS India’s <a href="https://www.soschildrensvillages.in/our-work/family-based-care/kinship-care" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kinship Care Programme</a>. This partnership will support children’s emotional, physical, and educational development, ensuring they grow into self-reliant individuals.



“This partnership ensures every child grows up with dignity, surrounded by care and stability,” Namchoom said, highlighting the importance of preserving family bonds and cultural identity.



Kar added, “Through this partnership, we will empower caregivers with psychosocial and educational support, enabling children to thrive with hope and confidence.”



The <a href="https://www.csrvoice.com/post/woman-and-child/nand-ghar-transforming-lives-of-women-and-children/311" target="_blank" rel="noopener">partnership </a>leverages SOS India’s expertise to strengthen the Sponsorship Scheme, aiming to transform the lives of Delhi’s vulnerable children.

Delhi Government, SOS Children’s Villages forge partnership to uplift 350 orphaned children

In a significant boost to <a href="https://www.hsc.mb.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manitoba healthcare</a>, the <a href="https://westerngives.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Western Communities Foundation</a>, the charitable arm of Western Financial Group, and <a href="https://www.wawanesa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wawanesa Insurance</a> have jointly donated USD 100,000 to the <a href="https://www.operationexcellence.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Foundation’s Operation Excellence Campaign</a>.



Announced on Wednesday, this contribution will fund state-of-the-art surgical equipment at Manitoba’s largest hospital, aiming to enhance patient outcomes and advance surgical innovation.



The donation reflects a shared commitment by both organizations to foster healthier, stronger communities across Canada, ensuring that Manitobans have access to top-tier medical care when they need it most, the company said in a statement.



<a href="https://www.hsc.mb.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Health Sciences Centre</a> in Winnipeg is a cornerstone of Manitoba healthcare, serving countless families, friends, and neighbours across the province.



Evan Johnston, President and CEO of Wawanesa, emphasized the personal connection many feel to the hospital. &#8220;As a company that calls Manitoba home, we all know someone who has relied on HSC&#8217;s care, whether it be a family member, friend, or neighbour,&#8221; Johnston said.



“This donation continues our 129-year tradition of supporting Manitobans. By partnering with Western Financial Group, we’re helping ensure our community benefits from cutting-edge healthcare that saves lives and improves wellbeing.”



Grant Ostir, CEO of Western Financial Group, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the human impact of the donation. “At the Western Communities Foundation, we’re dedicated to standing by Canadians in moments that matter,” Ostir said.



“This $100,000 gift will support HSC’s investment in advanced surgical tools, leading to better patient care, higher survival rates, and stronger communities. We’re proud to work alongside Wawanesa to support the frontline healthcare teams who make excellence in Manitoba healthcare possible every day.”



The donation is part of the broader mission of the Western Communities Foundation, established in 2001, to build safer and stronger communities across Canada.



In 2025, the Foundation has continued its impactful work, from aiding wildfire recovery efforts to funding youth education through bursaries and supporting vital infrastructure projects nationwide.



Since its inception, the Foundation has donated over USD 9 million to community initiatives, creating spaces where Canadians can thrive. For more details on their efforts, visit www.westerncares.ca.



Wawanesa Insurance, a mutual insurer founded in 1896, also plays a significant role in community support, investing USD 3.5 million annually through its community impact program. This includes initiatives like Wawanesa Climate Champions, which funds projects to build climate resiliency, as well as other programs that strengthen the communities where their members, employees, and broker partners live and work.



With over USD 4 billion in annual revenue and USD 11.5 billion in assets, Wawanesa serves 1.87 million members across Canada through its subsidiaries, Wawanesa Life and Western Financial Group. Learn more about their community efforts at www.wawanesa.com/canada/community-impact.



The USD 100,000 donation to HSC’s Operation Excellence Campaign is a lifeline for Manitoba healthcare, ensuring that patients receive world-class treatment during critical moments.



The campaign focuses on equipping the hospital with advanced technology to improve surgical precision and patient recovery, directly impacting lives across the province. For more information about the campaign and its goals, visit https://www.operationexcellence.ca.



This partnership between Wawanesa and the Western Communities Foundation underscores the power of collaboration in addressing community needs. By investing in Manitoba healthcare, these organizations are not only enhancing medical care but also reinforcing their commitment to the people of Manitoba. Whether it’s a life-saving surgery or a routine procedure, this donation ensures that HSC remains a beacon of hope and healing for all Manitobans.

Western Financial, Wawanesa Donate $100,000 to Boost Manitoba Healthcare

<a href="https://www.cisco.com/c/en_in/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cisco India </a>CSR and <a href="https://www.socialalpha.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Social Alpha</a> unveiled Krishi Mangal 3.0 on Wednesday, selecting seven agritech startups deploying artificial intelligence and IoT solutions to boost farmer productivity and address climate challenges in Indian agriculture.



Krishi Mangal 3.0, the third edition of the accelerator program, provides up to Rs 50 lakh ($60,000) in non-dilutive funding per startup, with potential access to additional funding of up to Rs 2 crore through Social Alpha&#8217;s network. 



The program focuses on climate resilience and income security for farmers through technology-driven solutions.



Selected startups will deploy their innovations across multiple states, potentially reaching over 200,000 farmers and 150 <a href="https://agricoop.nic.in/en/FPO" target="_blank" rel="noopener">farmer producer organizations</a>.



 Krishi Mangal 3.0 targets critical agricultural challenges including soil degradation, water management, farm mechanization, post-harvest losses and supply chain inefficiencies.



&#8220;This initiative is not just about agricultural innovation; it is a direct contribution to the vision of <a href="https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Viksit Bharat</a>,&#8221; said Harish Krishnan, managing director and chief policy officer at Cisco India &amp; ASEAN, referring to India&#8217;s development goals.



&#8220;By empowering our farmers with <a href="http://technologies-have-incredible-impact-on-people-and-organizations-satya-nadella/39">cutting-edge technology</a>, we are boosting rural incomes, fostering economic resilience, and ensuring food security.&#8221;



The seven startups represent diverse technological approaches to agricultural challenges. <a href="https://ekosight.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ekosight Technologies</a> operates Soil Doctor Clinic, providing AI-powered soil testing that analyzes 16 parameters with over 95% accuracy, generating instant digital reports and tracking crop health through satellite imagery.



<a href="https://arkashine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ArkaShine Innovations</a> offers AI-enabled portable devices assessing physical, chemical and biological soil properties, delivering fertilizer and crop recommendations tailored to soil health and microclimatic conditions through an integrated digital dashboard.



<a href="https://terracroft.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Terracroft Agritech</a> developed KrishiBOT, a battery-operated farm robot designed for gender-neutral operation that reduces physical strain for women and elderly farmers while supporting line sowing and intercropping with minimal soil compaction.



<a href="https://farmology.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Surobhi Agro Industries</a>&#8216; Farmology platform combines patented organic inputs with AI-powered agronomy, integrating IoT-based soil testing and crop health monitoring with 95% accuracy to help farmers make timely decisions on water, pest and nutrient management.



<a href="https://agribotic.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agribotic Systems</a> built a 90% indigenous agricultural drone ecosystem with compact, foldable units enabling affordable precision farming through real-time spraying, obstacle avoidance and IoT-based fleet management.



<a href="https://bhairajorganics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bhairaj Organics</a> developed Desigo, a milk supply chain solution using alternative energy to eliminate cold storage needs and middlemen, ensuring zero spoilage with FSSAI-compliant traceability while empowering women entrepreneurs.



<a href="https://rudrasolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rudra Solar Energy</a> offers high-efficiency solar cabinet dryers that reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality, with direct market linkages providing farmers fair prices and increased income.



&#8220;Smallholder farmers are navigating a complex web of systemic issues—from erratic monsoons and degrading soil health to rising input costs, limited infrastructure, and shrinking access to credit,&#8221; said Ganesh Neelam, co-founder of Social Alpha, India&#8217;s venture development platform for science and technology startups.



Previous Krishi Mangal editions have demonstrated significant impact. The first edition supported five startups deploying solutions in seven states, directly impacting over 17,000 farmers and collectively raising Rs 34.8 crore in follow-on funding. The second edition enabled seven startups to deploy in six states, benefiting more than 32,000 farmers and achieving a cumulative 14.9% increase in farmer incomes.



India climbed to 39th position in the <a href="https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Innovation Index</a> in 2024 from 81st in 2015, according to Deepak Bagla, mission director at <a href="https://www.niti.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog</a>. &#8220;The growth of the nation is tied to the growth of agriculture, the primary sector in India,&#8221; Bagla stated.



Agriculture remains a critical economic sector in India, employing nearly half the country&#8217;s workforce and serving as the foundation for rural livelihoods across the nation.



Startups in Krishi Mangal 3.0 also receive tailored business planning support and access to Social Alpha Labs for product design, prototyping and manufacturing assistance, along with potential seed investment opportunities subject to due diligence.

Cisco India unleashes Krishi Mangal 3.0 for AgriTech startups

Maya Ghosh rises before dawn each day to oversee a network of collection centers that have transformed how <a href="https://www.fao.org/gender/resources/country-profiles/india/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">women farm</a>ers in rural India sell their crops, cutting out middlemen who long controlled prices and profits.



&#8220;We used to sell our produce to middlemen who would decide the price. We had no voice, no choice,&#8221; said Ghosh, a director at Ken Betwa Mahila Farmer Producer Company Limited. 



&#8220;Today, through our network of 34 collection centers, we&#8217;ve procured 448 metric tonnes directly from women farmers.&#8221; Ghosh is among thousands of women farmers whose livelihoods have improved through <a href="https://www.nabard.org/content.aspx?id=665" target="_blank" rel="noopener">farmer producer companies (FPCs) </a>&#8211; agricultural collectives that pool resources, share knowledge, and negotiate better prices for members.



The initiative, run by non-profit <a href="https://www.srijanindia.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SRIJAN </a>with funding from the <a href="https://www.walmart.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Walmart Foundation</a>, expanded its shareholder base nearly fourfold to 24,328 women farmers between November 2022 and November 2024, with women comprising 88% of members.



Average annual incomes for shareholders rose by 30,000 rupees (USD357), a 51% increase, while collective turnover across 12 FPCs grew more than 190% during the two-year period, SRIJAN said.



BREAKING BARRIERS



 In villages where women farmers traditionally had limited say in agricultural decisions, they now occupy leadership positions and negotiate directly with buyers.



&#8220;The first time I stood up in a meeting to speak, my hands were shaking,&#8221; said Savitri Yadav, who serves on the management committee of her FPC in the eastern state of <a href="https://www.bihar.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bihar</a>. &#8220;Today, when traders come, they negotiate with us on our terms.&#8221;



 The model has proven particularly effective in eliminating intermediaries. Some 88% of shareholders now purchase farming inputs through their FPCs, while 39% sell produce directly through the collectives, according to project data. 



For Kamla Devi, a smallholder farmer in Uttar Pradesh state who joined her local FPC in 2023, the benefits were immediate. &#8220;My children can now go to school without me worrying about fees,&#8221; Devi said. 



&#8220;I bought quality seeds through our FPC and learned new farming techniques. My yield doubled, and I got a fair price when I sold through our collective.&#8221;



WALMART FOUNDATION EXPANDS SUPPORT 



Building on initial success, SRIJAN is launching a second phase with new grant support from the Walmart Foundation that will expand the program to 38,000 women farmers across 19 FPCs. 



&#8220;We are committed to fostering a more inclusive, efficient, and profitable FPC ecosystem &#8211; one centered around agricultural production and greater participation of women farmers in the value chain,&#8221; said Prasanna Khemariya, chief executive officer of SRIJAN. 



The expansion focuses on ensuring FPCs can operate independently without external support, with all 19 companies expected to achieve self-sufficiency. Training programs aim to help 70% of participating women farmers adopt improved <a href="https://www.icar.org.in/content/crop-management" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crop management practices.</a>



&#8220;Empowering women farmers is central to building resilient agricultural economies,&#8221; said Nishant Gupta, social and environmental impact advisor to Walmart.org, the Walmart Foundation&#8217;s philanthropic arm.



 &#8220;We are pleased to support SRIJAN&#8217;s efforts to enhance market access, boost capacity building, and increase women farmers&#8217; participation in the agri-value chain.&#8221;



CHANGING PERCEPTIONS 



The program&#8217;s impact extends beyond economics, reshaping how younger generations view agriculture as a career. Priya Sharma, 23, recently completed her university degree and returned to her village to join her mother&#8217;s FPC rather than seeking urban employment &#8211; a decision that would have been unusual just years earlier. 



&#8220;I saw what my mother achieved &#8211; the respect she earned, the income she generated,&#8221; Sharma said. &#8220;Agriculture doesn&#8217;t mean poverty anymore. It means opportunity.&#8221; 



At Ghosh&#8217;s collection center in Madhya Pradesh state, younger women farmers now weigh produce, negotiate prices, and manage accounts on tablets &#8211; tasks that were once dominated entirely by men and middlemen. 



&#8220;We&#8217;re not just growing crops,&#8221; Ghosh said. &#8220;We&#8217;re growing confidence. We&#8217;re growing communities. We&#8217;re growing a future where our daughters won&#8217;t have to leave their villages to find dignity and success.&#8221;



 India has approximately 146 million farmers, with women farmers comprising a significant portion of the agricultural workforce though often lacking formal recognition or direct market access, according to government data.