Banda, Uttar Pradesh | August 25, 2026: The Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a leading FMCG conglomerate and multi-business corporation, launched the “Avartansheel Kheti Margdarshika”, a practical guide book documenting field experiences and learnings from the implementation of the Avartansheel Kheti model in Bundelkhand as part of its CSR activities. The launch brought together 25+ NGOs, development organisations and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for wider adoption and replication of the approach.
As part of its CSR initiatives, DS Group has been implementing the approach across four clusters in Banda and Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh, and Naugaon and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. With technical support and guidance from Mr. Prem Singh and Mr. Pushpendra Singh, DS Foundation, the CSR arm of DS Group has trained more than 1,150 farmers through structured training programmes on Avartansheel Kheti. The process begins with village-level meetings and orientation programmes to familiarise farmers with the approach, followed by training and sustained field-level support to help translate the learning into practice. The field intervention encompasses several aspects of integrated farm development, including farm planning and design, vegetable cultivation, preparation and use of organic manure and bio-pesticides, farm fencing, and convergence with government schemes, particularly those related to farm ponds and solar energy. Together, these interventions are designed to help farmers gradually develop integrated and more self-reliant farm systems suited to their local conditions.
The Avartansheel Kheti Margdarshika has been developed to capture and consolidate these field experiences and make them accessible to a wider development community. The guide is intended as a practical reference for NGOs, development organisations, practitioners and other stakeholders seeking to understand, adopt and replicate the approach in their respective geographies.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Prem Singh shared his experiences of practising and promoting Avartansheel Kheti and elaborated on its underlying philosophy of coexistence. Participants also engaged in discussions on the core principles of the approach, its field implementation and the opportunities and considerations involved in taking it to more farming communities.
The participation of the organisations and the interest expressed in exploring adoption and replication of the approach highlighted the potential for greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing among development organisations. Through continued collaboration among development organisations, practitioners and farming communities, the DS Group aims to contribute to the advancement of sustainable, resilient and self-reliant farming systems, particularly across the Bundelkhand region.