Caritas India shared the SAFBIN Program status during a first program review meeting at Vienna, Austria on 10^th – 14^th of December 2018.

Fr. Jolly Puthenpura, Assistant Director, Caritas India, and Mr. Pradipta Kishor Chand,  National Program Coordinator, SAFBIN represented Caritas India in the review meeting to share the program achievements of the first quarter.

The meeting kicked off on 10^th of December 2018 with keynotes from Secretary-General Mr. Christoph, Caritas Austria followed by the introduction of partner members from South Asia.

It is found, more than 75% smallholder farmers in Mandla, 52% in Sagar and 70% in Vidisha are still under rain-fed agriculture practices. In our country, almost 79% women who work as agriculture labour out of which only 9% of them have own agricultural land holding whereas, stunted and wasted among children below 5 years are ranging from 30%-40% and anemia among women of all age ranges from 48%-75% either due to lack of local food and nutritional security or their present food intake practice (NHFS 15-16).

Using world cafe presentation methodology, Caritas India presented the program achievements of the first quarter in line with the six program outcomes, keeping eyes on the above facts and figures. SAFBIN program is presently working with 25 most marginalised communities of Mandla, Sagar & Vidisha districts of Madhya Pradesh through its implementing diocesan partner organisations covering 1378 small farm families by introducing 442 women as part of smallholder farmers for the first time in SAFBIN. Sharing the learnings of SAFBIN (phase -1) with regards to increase in local food security days (from 6-10 months) and diversification of local food basket (from 12-21 local food items) by low-cost adaptive farming practices was one of the major learnings shared Caritas India during the review meeting.

Father Jolly shared about the collaboration effort made to explore possibilities of local resource mobilisation from potential organisations like NABARD and Caritas India’s presence and visibility along with its implementing partner organisations those working at the grass root level to bring transformation in lives.

Detail program implementation plan was discussed, and an action plan made for the action research during the next quarter to ensure the qualitative implementation of program activities. Delegates from Caritas Bangladesh, Caritas Nepal, Caritas Pakistan, Caritas Switzerland, Caritas Austria, and South Asia Regional Enablers (SARE) team along with Caritas India participated to share and exchange their learnings during the said event.