rural development

Helping double the profits for a small time farmer using sustainable agriculture techniques or saving endangered species, SST's relentless efforts to drive social transformation and environmental conservation has created massive impact across India

A resident of Thumbur village in Thrissur district of Kerala, Tom Kiron Davis quit his job in Dubai to change the perception towards farming. He now helps several farmers earn in lakhs annually.

“I will never forget the sparkle in the eyes of the children and an old lady when I was visiting our first adopted village back in 2012. The sea of emotions I could see in my audience made me forget about my prepared speech. This is what motivates us.”

Shantanu Pathak, a Mumbai-based entrepreneur, was always motivated to work in the health-tech sector. But an unfortunate incident of a friend's high-risk pregnancy opened his eyes to the lack of access to quality pregnancy care -- a purpose he dedicated his life to. He is now being supported by the Marico Innovation Foundation to take his work forward.

The company provides the farmers with the raw materials needed for agriculture, the procurement and processing of the produce along with marketing and branding.

Without a college degree, the opportunity of getting a proper job had become slim. But he persevered.

“Today, women from all backgrounds and other villages, including those who have B.Ed degrees or more, come to us to join our work.”

“It might have seemed like a crazy idea to many in the beginning but now they see the reality and the potential cultivating this has. I am glad I could be one of the few to bring that to light. After all it only takes one crazy idea to start a new wave of change,"

"We are not only aiding waste management, we are creating a great alternative for wood."

‘SBI Youth for India Fellowship’, an initiative of SBI Foundation provides a platform to the urban youth to participate in Rural Development with their innovative ideas to address the rural struggles and also benefit from the learnings through on-ground experience.