Jaljeevika: Nurturing Aquatic Livelihoods for Sustainable Future!

Newsletter, May 2024

Welcome aboard this month's Jaljeevika Newsletter! Join us on a journey through the realms of agroecology as we celebrate our achievements and advocate for a future where thriving communities coexist with vibrant aquatic ecosystems. Stay connected and ride the waves of knowledge and opportunity with us, receiving the latest updates on our initiatives, projects, and events.

Capacitating communities through Diverse Training & Workshops

In the bustling month of May, Jaljeevika spearheaded a series of dynamic training and capacity-building programs, empowering individuals across diverse regions with the knowledge and skills vital for thriving in aquatic livelihoods. Here's a glimpse of our impactful initiatives:

1. Seaweed Cultivation Training in Karwar (Karnataka): Equipping the SRLM team of Karwar with expertise in seaweed cultivation, enhancing their capacity to harness this sustainable marine resource.

2. Seaweed Cultivation Training in Ratnagiri: Empowering women in Ratnagiri with the skills needed to cultivate seaweed, fostering economic independence and environmental stewardship.

3. Integrated Farming Training in Purnia: Introducing farmers in Purnia to the integrated farming model, promoting holistic agricultural practices for enhanced productivity and sustainability.

4. Fisheries and Aquaculture Training in Pune: Providing retiring army personnel at BEG Bombay Sappers, Pune, with comprehensive training in fisheries and aquaculture, facilitating a smooth transition into civilian life.

5. RAS Technology Training in Wardha: Empowering women SHG members in Wardha with knowledge and practical skills in Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology, enabling sustainable aquaculture practices.

6. PMMSY Scheme Training in Wardha: Educating CRP members in Wardha about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme, fostering awareness and participation in government initiatives for the advancement of fisheries and aquaculture.

7. Diverse Aquatic Livelihood Training in Sakoli (Bhandara): Conducting comprehensive training sessions on various streams of aquatic livelihoods in Sakoli, enriching participants with a wide array of skills and opportunities in the aquatic sector.

Through these targeted training programs, Jaljeevika continues to catalyze positive change and empower communities, laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and prosperous future in aquatic livelihoods.

Seed and sapling distribution for improvement in nutrition

With the monsoon season drawing near and the kharif crop sowing on the horizon in our project areas, Team Jaljeevika, in collaboration with various CSR partners, has launched an initiative to distribute seeds and saplings. These offerings encompass nutrient-rich plants like moringa, leafy greens, and creeper vegetables, reaching communities in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana. Our goal through these endeavours is to inspire the establishment of household nutrition gardens and facilitate additional income generation from surplus produce.

Furthermore, we distributed kits to the Lead Farmers in Shirur and Velhe taluka of Pune to develop them as a role model for the communities for information dissemination. Our advocacy for the integrated farming model encourages farmers to embrace circular agriculture principles, enhancing production while ensuring sustainability.

Facilitation event for Chakra Scholars at T S Rahman College, Mumbai

On May 8, 2024, an inspiring facilitation event was held at T.S. Rahaman College, Mumbai, for the selected Chakra Scholars under the joint scholarship program by Jaljeevika and Synergy Marine group.

This program provides young, underprivileged girls the chance to pursue careers in the merchant navy through GP Rating and DNS courses. Read more

Camps for various government schemes facilitation

Under the Jaljeevika Seva Kendra initiative, we are dedicated to empowering rural communities by raising awareness and facilitating access to crucial government schemes. Our recent camps, focused on E Shram Card, Ayushman Card, and Abha Card, have been met with an overwhelming response across various project locations in Purnia, Shirur, Velhe, Harpalpur, Vidarbha and Ratnagiri.

Jaljeevika selected as a member of the Rebuild India Fund

The Rebuild India Fund focuses on building and fostering India’s vulnerable communities with flexible funding and need-based capacity-building support

The Rebuild India Fund was launched as a relief initiative at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in India in April 2021. Recognizing the long-term impact COVID will have on India’s vulnerable communities and the need to stand in solidarity and support community-based organizations (CBOs), this fund provides years of flexible funding and capacity-building support to 100 new community-based NGOs each year. Rebuild recognizes and respects the ability and power of local, community-centred civil society leaders to run their organizations in a manner that serves their communities most meaningfully.

Webinar on "Agroecology based seaweed cultivation: towards livelihood security and sustainability"

Chaired by Shri Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, DAY-NRLM, MoRD, and attended by Ms. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary DAY-NRLM, along with Smt. Neetu Prasad, Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries), Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoAFW), the event provided an impetus to the ongoing convergence effort between DAY-NRLM, MoRD, and DoF, MoAFW facilitated by the SuATI project.

Key takeaways included insights into global biodiversity, market trends, and the pivotal role of seaweed in promoting sustainable practices. We discussed the challenges hindering its responsible development, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts and strategic investments. Read more

WE4F SSEA Regional Convening 2024, Bali, Indonesia

Jaljeevika COO Sandeep Kumar participated in the SSEA Regional Convening 2024 organised by Water and Energy for Food Grand Challange in Bali, Indonesia. It was a great opportunity to interact with distinguished Innovators from various Asian countries and learning-sharing our work in aquatic livelihood.

In this three days event, the team reflected on our past experiences scaling innovations and explored future opportunities to refine business operations and services for more-accessible innovations for smallholders farmers.

As we conclude this month's edition of the Jaljeevika newsletter, we are filled with immense gratitude for the continued support and dedication of our community members, partners, and volunteers. May has been a month of significant progress and inspiring stories, from innovative aquatic livelihoods projects to impactful community engagements.

Our collective efforts are making a tangible difference in promoting sustainablility and empowering rural livelihoods. As we look ahead, let's remain committed to our mission, embracing new challenges and opportunities with the same passion and resilience that define Jaljeevika.

Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we are creating ripples of change that will sustain generations to come. Stay connected, stay inspired, and let’s continue to make waves for a better tomorrow.

Until next time, keep flowing with the spirit of Jaljeevika!

Warm regards,

Team Jaljeevika