Political

The low-lying area of the Sundarbans in West Bengal is well-known for frequent floods and cyclones. Water stagnates from June-July and remains muddy upto December making it impossible to grow any crop except the low yielding variety.

Image and Content Courtesy: IISWBM

The Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM) Kolkata - is organising an International Conference during 14-15 December 2009, focusing on the critical relationship between Management and Social welfare especially, in the context of worldwide economic recession since late 2008.

Thrust Area: Decisions in Management and Social Sciences for Sustainable Development

Sub themes include: Human resource management & development, financial engineering, behavioral dynamics in organizations and More.

1. Last Date for Abstract Submission: Jun 15, 2009. 2. Last Date for Submission of Full Paper: Sep 15, 2009. 3. Last Date for Author Registration: Nov 15, 2009.

In 1991, MYRADA and the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), Philippines, with support from Ford Foundation, initiated a research-cum-action project in partnership with the farmers of Kamasamudram in Kolar district of Karnataka. MYRADA had already been working in these villages for several years and was familiar with the local people.

Image and Content Courtesy: NABARD

NABARD is set up as an apex Development Bank with a mandate for facilitating credit flow for promotion and development of agriculture, small-scale industries, cottage and village industries, handicrafts and other rural crafts. It also has the mandate to support all other allied economic activities in rural areas, promote integrated and sustainable rural development and secure prosperity of rural areas.

In discharging its role as a facilitator for rural prosperity NABARD invites all individuals, NGOs, community based organisations, SHGs, farmer's club, panchayati raj institutions and corporates who have the expertise and willingness to implement innovative ideas for improving the quality of life in rural areas.

Guiding Principles for the project to be supported under RIF , Innovation 1. Should benefit a large number of rural poor. 2. Should be Replicable / Scalable. 3. Funding support generally not exceeding Rs. 30 lakh. 4. To be grounded in less than 3 years. How to apply? Approach the District Development Manager (DDM) of NABARD in the district or the Regional Office of NABARD at State Capitals. For details of address of the Regional Offices, please Click here.

Nayakateni, a small village of 58 families underwent a process of transformation through the intervention of NYSASDRI. This case study outlines the process by which the community took development into their own hands and were able to design, implement and construct a water harvesting structure.

Image & Content Courtesy: World Water Week Second Announcement for the 2009 World Water Week in Stockholm, August 16 - 22 provides information on the programme of the 2009 World Water Week. The preliminary programme can be accessed here: 2009 Programme The theme for 2009 is Water - Responding to Global Change: Accessing Water for the Common Good with Special Focus on Transboundary Waters. Access the Second Announcement here: Second Announcement Learn more about the 2009 World Water Week here: http://www.worldwaterweek.org

This document by Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) and Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN) deals with experiences with System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Andhra Pradesh. The innovative system of growing rice SRI, with less water was initiated in the state of Andhra Pradesh drawing lessons from the experiences of the farmers in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and in Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In the state, the progressive farmers, NGOs, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and the State Department of Agriculture took active role in promoting this model of rice cultivation. 

The System of Rice Intensification, (Madagascar) method was developed in Madagascar island by the farmers and NGOs under the leadership of a local priest. The concept of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) focuses on managing the soil, water, plants and nutrients in a balanced relationship, enabling maximum growth of rice plants.

Image and Content Courtesy: DryToilet.org

The 3rd International Dry Toilet Conference- 2009- 2^nd announcement: The conference will be held from12^th to 15^th of August 2009 in Tampere University of Technology, Finland . The Conference is organised by The Global Dry Toilet Association of Finland, in cooperation with Tampere University of Technology, TAMK University of Applied Sciences and University of Tampere.

The main theme of the DT 2009 conference will be the evaluation of the achievements in sanitation after the International Year of Sanitation in light of the Millennium Development Goals.

Main topics of the Conference: 1. Health and safety 2. Technical development of dry toilets 3. Prospects and challenges in the reuse of excreta 4. Social, cultural, economic and gender aspects related to dry sanitation All experts are invited to submit their abstracts on any of the above mentioned topics or closely related ones.

In Maragondanaguni micro watershed of Kenganapalya sub watershed, bunding activities were very slow in the beginning. However, an idea was given to the area group members to form a team within the AG and start bunding work.