What if a farmer adopts the crop residue management methods promoted to mitigate stubble burning? Sonu’s story from Tharvi village, Haryana, shows how using a combination of in-situ and ex-situ methods helped him stop stubble burning. His journey highlights the importance of looking beyond the immediate challenge of clearing a field quickly and recognising the value of non-burning: lower cultivation costs, water savings and improved soil health which will increase yield over time. Sonu has successfully moved from stubble burning to no burning across his 35 acres. . #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #WasteToWorth #ExSituManagement #CircularEconomy #SustainableAgriculture #CIIFoundation #NoStubbleBurning @moefcc @CII4nr @followcii

Transformed Anganwadi Centres Inaugurated in Wayanad, Kerala On 17 October, 16 Anganwadi centres, refurbished and transformed into child-friendly spaces, were inaugurated by Shri T. Siddique, Minister for Agriculture, Soil Survey & Soil Conservation, Government of Keralam, at Chembra Anganwadi in Meppadi Grama Panchayat, marking an important milestone in the efforts to strengthen early childhood care and education in Wayanad. Supported by Eastern – Orkla India, CII Foundation implemented the Anganwadi Strengthening Program under the Wayanad Flood Rehabilitation Initiative, in coordination with the Wayanad District Administration, the Department of Women and Child Development, and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), to create safer, more conducive learning environments for children. Under the Program, the focus was on upgrading infrastructure using the BaLa (Building as a Learning Aid) approach and building capacity of all Anganwadi functionaries at the district level. At the event, completion certificates were awarded to the Anganwadi workers who completed the training. Watch this space as we take you through the journey of upgrading Anganwadi centres, strengthening frontline capacities and improving learning environments for children in Wayanad. . #ClIFoundation #WayanadRehabilitation #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Anganwadi #BuildingBackBetter @OrklaGroup @cii4sr @followcii @EduMinOfIndia

CII Foundation, in collaboration with the Northern Region Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (@nrfmtti), Hisar, organised the State-Level CRM Stakeholder Outreach & Farmer Connect on Crop Residue Management, bringing together around 200 farmers from Fatehabad and Jind, alongside agricultural experts, government officials and industry representatives. Prof. B.R. Kamboj, Vice-Chancellor, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU), Hisar, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, highlighted the importance of collaboration among government, research institutions, industry and CSR partners in making sustainable alternatives to stubble burning accessible to farmers. Mr. P.C. Meshram, Director, @Nrfmtti_Hisar, emphasised the partnership between NRFMTTI and CII Foundation in strengthening farmers’ knowledge and skills in in-situ and ex-situ paddy straw management. Highlighting the contribution of the corporate sector, Mr. Asim Khan, CSR Head, @CadenceIndia, spoke about the role of CSR in supporting social development and environmentally responsible agricultural practices. The technical sessions featured Dr. Gopi Ram, Assistant Agricultural Engineer, Department of Agriculture, Haryana, and Dr. Todarmal, Department of Agronomy, CCS HAU, Hisar. Industry perspectives were represented by Mr. Sumeet Gupta, Sugreen Biofuels Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Arun Kumar Garg, Shri Shyam Green Fuels Solution LLP. Progressive farmers Mr. Sandeep Kumar from Sirsa and Mr. Sukhwinder Singh from Sultanpuria also participated, bringing valuable field-level experiences to the discussions. The event also explored opportunities to convert paddy straw into valuable resources such as bio-compost and green fuel, while strengthening biomass value chains and creating additional income opportunities for farmers. By connecting technical expertise, institutional support, farmer experiences and industry participation, the program reinforced a collaborative approach to reducing crop residue burning and advancing sustainable agriculture in Haryana. . #CIIFoundation #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #ClimateAction #FarmerConnect #StubbleBurning

From Red Zone to Green Zone: When an entire village adopts a zero-burning approach One farmer can change a field. A community can change an entire village. Jatana village in Punjab has demonstrated what becomes possible when farmers move towards a shared goal of sustainable crop residue management. In 2024 it moved from a red zone of burning to a green zone of no stubble burning due to the farmers and local cooperative leadership working together. A distinguished delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and the @CAQM_Official visited the village Led by Smt. S. Rukmani, Joint Secretary (M&T) and observed firsthand the transformative impact of the initiative. Jatana is an inspiration to other villages, succesfully demonstrating how zero-stubble burning can become a movement. . #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #CommunityAction #FarmerChampions #SustainableAgriculture #NoStubbleBurning #CIIFoundation @followcii @cii4nr

Eight years. Lakhs of farmers. 1000+ villages across Punjab and Haryana. Project launch in Uttar Pradesh in 2026. A growing movement towards change. The numbers show the scale. The journey shows the progress. But behind every number is a story- a farmer who tried a different practice, a machine that reached a field on time, a village that came together, and a community that began to see crop residue differently. Here is what the journey from 2018 to 2026 looks like in numbers. . #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #ImpactInNumbers #SustainableAgriculture #CIIFoundation #FarmerFirst #NoStubbleBurning @followcii @ciinr @moefcc

Effective crop residue management and well-maintained machinery are essential for preparing fields for the upcoming wheat-sowing season. CII Foundation, under the HDFC Bank Parivartan Project, organised farmer training and machinery demonstration camps in Hanspur and Nikuana villages of Ratia block, Fatehabad, Haryana, on 16 October 2026, in coordination with NRFMTTI, Hisar. Engineer Pankaj Sethi and Training Assistant Mr Krishan Kumar led the technical sessions, covering machinery settings, field operations and preventive maintenance. Through practical demonstrations, farmers were guided on operating the Super Seeder for residue incorporation and wheat sowing, with emphasis on straw distribution, seed placement and suitable operating conditions. The sessions also covered straw collection and baling, along with preventive maintenance practices such as regular inspection, lubrication, cleaning and timely replacement of worn components to minimise breakdowns during peak agricultural operations. Farmers were also briefed on machinery safety, including stopping the tractor, disengaging the PTO and ensuring all moving parts had come to a complete halt before adjusting or clearing blockages. The camps provided an opportunity for farmers to discuss operational challenges with the technical team and highlighted the importance of proper machinery care for timely wheat sowing and stubble-free fields. By strengthening farmers’ practical knowledge of machinery care and crop residue management, the initiative promotes timely sowing, reduces dependence on stubble burning and supports more sustainable agricultural practices. . #CIIFoundation #HDFCBankParivartan #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #FarmerTraining #StubbleBurning @HDFCBankCSR @HDFC_Bank @cii4nr @followcii @moefcc @EnvironmentPib

CII Foundation, in collaboration with @HDFC_Bank under the @HDFCBankCSR initiative, organised a District-Level Dialogue and Awareness Programme on Crop Residue Management in Sangrur, Punjab, on 16 October 2026. The programme was attended by Ms. Narinder Kaur Bharaj, MLA, Sangrur; Mr. Rachhpal Singh, Chairman, Zila Parishad; Mr. Harbans Singh Sidhu, Chief Agriculture Officer, Sangrur; Dr. Man Singh Bagri, Agricultural Engineer, NRFMTTI; Dr. Mandeep Singh, Director, KVK Sangrur; and Mr. Likham Singh, Assistant Registrar, along with representatives from PPCB, agricultural institutions, industry and farming communities. Key Highlights: •⁠ ⁠Approximately 40 agricultural machines, including Super Seeders, Mitter Seeders and Balers, are being provided to cooperative societies in Sangrur during the current season. •⁠ ⁠Around 250 machines have previously been provided in the district. •⁠ ⁠Nearly 250 farmers participated in the programme. •⁠ ⁠Technical discussions focused on in-situ and ex-situ crop residue management and the industrial utilisation of paddy straw. •⁠ ⁠MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj handed over agricultural machinery and flagged off an awareness van to promote alternatives to stubble burning. •⁠ ⁠Exemplary farmers and villages were recognised for their efforts towards sustainable agriculture. Ms. Narinder Kaur Bharaj said, “CII Foundation and HDFC Bank are playing an important role in promoting crop residue management by helping farmers access agricultural machinery, particularly benefiting small and marginal farmers in Sangrur. It is essential that innovative agricultural technologies reach farmers at the grassroots level. Such collaborative efforts can help reduce stubble burning, protect the environment and encourage sustainable farming practices.” Through machinery support, farmer awareness and stakeholder collaboration, CII Foundation and HDFC Bank are working towards reducing stubble burning, improving soil health and building a cleaner, more sustainable Punjab. . #CIIFoundation #HDFCParivartan #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #Punjab #StubbleBurning #ClimateAction @followcii @cii4nr @moefcc @EnvironmentPib

At the onset of the crop residue burning season, the CII Foundation has intensified its on-ground work to mitigate farm stubble burning. The crop residue management project has been launched in Uttar Pradesh this year. A farmer training programme on Crop Residue Management (CRM) was organised at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Bagahi, Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, on 12 October 2026. The session focused on improving soil health, promoting sustainable farming practices and encouraging practical alternatives to stubble burning. The training highlighted the importance of soil organic matter in improving soil fertility, moisture retention and long-term agricultural productivity. Farmers also received guidance on maintaining Jot Bahi (land and cultivation records), crop cycles, crop rotation and selecting quality seeds suited to local agro-climatic conditions. The session covered in-situ and ex-situ residue management, the appropriate use and maintenance of agricultural machinery, and efficient field operations. Farmers also explored alternatives to stubble burning, including biochar production and the sale of paddy straw to paper mills and other industries, highlighting the value of crop residues as a resource. By strengthening farmers’ technical knowledge of crop planning, machinery use and residue utilisation, the initiative encourages sustainable agricultural practices that conserve soil resources, support productivity and contribute to a healthier environment. . #CIIFoundation #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #FarmerTraining @upcar_lucknow #StubbleBurning @cii4nr @followcii @moefcc @nvidia

What if crop residue could be managed as a resource, rather than treated as waste? The Crop Residue Management initiative supports both in-situ and ex-situ approaches to managing residual biomass. - In-situ: Through machines the residual biomass can be managed within the field to enhance the quality of soil. - Ex-situ: The residual biomass is collected and used to create biogas, biocompost and biomass pelletisation plants- creating pathways for residual biomass to be put to productive use. Together, these approaches create pathways from residue to resource supporting healthier fields while opening up opportunities to derive value from what was once considered waste. Because sustainable residue management is not only about stopping burning. It is about making what remains after harvest useful. . #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #WasteToWorth #SustainableAgriculture #CircularEconomy #NoStubbleBurning #CIIFoundation @MoEFCC @CII4nr @follo

We’re live from Sangrur, Punjab! Join us for the District-Level Crop Residue Management Dialogue & Awareness Program bringing together stakeholders to discuss sustainable agricultural practices and solutions to stubble burning. 📺 Watch the live session here: youtube.com/live/kh6OmN6d7vE… . #CIIFoundation #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #Punjab

📍Watch this space for live updates from 10:00 AM onwards as we bring you key discussions, insights and highlights from the District-Level Crop Residue Management Dialogue & Awareness Program. The dialogue will spotlight practical solutions, agricultural technologies and collaborative approaches to reducing crop residue burning and supporting farmers in adopting sustainable practices. . #CIIFoundation #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #Punjab

Preparing fields for the next crop starts with managing the residue left behind. CII Foundation, under the HDFC Bank Parivartan project, organised farmer training camps in Ladhuwas and Babanpur villages of Fatehabad, Haryana, in collaboration with NRFMTTI, Hisar. The sessions focused on the effective use and maintenance of crop residue management machinery, particularly the Super Seeder, along with practical guidance on in-situ and ex-situ residue management. Farmers were also sensitised to safe machinery operation, timely maintenance and the benefits of retaining paddy residue to support soil health. By strengthening farmers’ technical knowledge and confidence, the initiative encourages sustainable alternatives to stubble burning and supports the transition towards more responsible agricultural practices. . #CIIFoundation #HDFCBankParivartan #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #StubbleBurning @cii4nr @followcii

Building Collective Action for Sustainable Agriculture 🌾 As the stubble burning season begins in Punjab, the need for practical solutions and collective action becomes more important than ever. Tomorrow, CII Foundation brings together government representatives, agricultural experts, farmers, machinery manufacturers and industry stakeholders for a District-Level Dialogue on Crop Residue Management in Sangrur, Punjab. The dialogue will focus on sharing best practices, addressing field-level challenges and exploring solutions to strengthen sustainable crop residue management. 📍 Sangrur, Punjab 📅 16 October 2026 Watch this space for updates from the dialogue. . #CIIFoundation #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #Punjab @followcii @cii4nr

Sometimes, the biggest barrier to change is: access. For sustainable crop residue management to become part of everyday farming, farmers need more than access to the right machinery. They need access to solutions that are timely, practical and suited to their needs. Through 248 Tool Banks equipped with crop residue management machinery, the Crop Residue Management initiative is helping farmers overcome a key barrier to mechanised stubble management. But access is just the beginning: farmers are also supported through machine demonstrations, training on machine use and guidance on maintenance helping turn access into confidence, and confidence into adoption. Because adoption grows when farmers have both: access to the right tools and the confidence to use them. . #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #FarmMechanisation #ToolBanks #SustainableAgriculture #FarmerFirst #CIIFoundation #NoStubbleBurning @followcii @cii4nr @moefcc

A habit that has been followed for years rarely changes overnight. For farmers, the decision to manage crop residue differently begins with having the right information, understanding its relevance, and having the opportunity to consider a different approach. The CII Foundation therefore engages with the farmers through intensive door-to-door awareness campaigns, village-level community meetings, on-farm machinery demonstrations and other ways to build awareness and encourage informed decision-making. Because lasting change begins with awareness that dispels myths and brings clarity, leading to a change in habit. #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #FarmerAwareness #SustainableAgriculture #FarmerEngagement #CIIFoundation #NoStubbleBurning @followcii @cii4nr

An enterprise run by a nano woman entrepreneur can exist for years without being recognised as a business. Through the Empowering Champions of Change Program, supported by #ApraavaEnergy, CII Foundation is working with 15,000 grassroots women across 10 districts of Rajasthan, where Apraava Energy has a business presence across renewable energy, transmission and advanced smart metering. During Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) trainings, a key gap emerged: many women were running businesses but lacked the basic documentation needed to formalise and grow them. Some did not even have PAN cards, while others needed support to navigate the formalisation process. To address this gap, an enterprise formalisation component was added to the community interventions. In September 2026, CII Foundation, along with its implementation partners, organised a 2-day hands-on training for 50 women entrepreneurs in Tonk, Rajasthan, covering the basics of formalising and strengthening their businesses. This was just the beginning. CII Foundation is now taking these trainings across all 10 districts of Rajasthan, covering practical areas such as Udyam registration, basic documentation, WhatsApp Business, product cataloguing, and reaching the right customers. More than 200 women have already reported completing their Udyam registration in just 2 districts. . #ChampionsOfChange #WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenLedBusinesses #MSMEs #UdyamRegistration @followcii @CII4WR

What makes a farmer change a long-standing practice? Awareness matters. But for change to take root, the alternative must also be accessible, practical and economically viable. Prabhjot Singh’s story shows how the right combination of awareness, access, and support can help make a different choice possible. Because change lasts when the alternative works. . #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #FarmerStories #SustainableAgriculture #FarmersOfPunjab #CIIFoundation #NoStubbleBurning @cii4nr @moefcc @FollowCII

Cleaner public spaces are an important part of healthier communities—but lasting change begins with everyday waste-management practices. As part of the Air Pollution & Health project in Faridabad, CII Foundation and Sanofi Consumer Healthcare India Limited, in partnership with the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF), are working with communities to strengthen waste management and collective action. On 7 October, 1,000 dustbins were distributed across Ballabgarh market, encouraging responsible waste disposal and helping reduce littering in busy public spaces. The event received encouraging participation from the local community. Sh. Moolchand Sharma, MLA, Ballabgarh, and Mr. Karan Bhagoria, Joint Commissioner, MCF, also joined the initiative and introduced the project to the public, highlighting the importance of collective action for a cleaner and healthier Ballabgarh. This is one step towards creating cleaner surroundings, stronger community ownership and healthier public spaces. Cleaner streets. Better waste management. Healthier communities. 🌱 . #CIIFoundation #Sanofi #SanofiConsumerHealthcare #Faridabad #Ballabgarh #AirPollutionAndHealth #WasteManagement #CommunityEngagement #PublicHealth #CSR #Sustainability #MCF @cii4nr @FollowCII

For persons with locomotor disabilities, access to mobility can be the first step towards greater independence and economic opportunity. Livelihood on Wheels is a collaborative initiative led by @Maersk as the donor partner, CII Foundation as the implementing partner, @neomotionlife as the mobility partner, and @zomato as the livelihood partner. Together, the partners are working to bridge this gap by combining customised mobility solutions with pathways to sustainable livelihoods. In Kolkata, beneficiary assessment camps identified individuals who would benefit from customised NeoMotion wheelchairs and livelihood support. On 3 October, beneficiaries received their wheelchairs along with hands-on training on operation and maintenance and orientation on livelihood opportunities through Zomato. By connecting mobility with opportunity, the initiative aims to enable greater independence, dignity and economic inclusion for persons with disabilities. . #LivelihoodOnWheels #CIIFoundation #Maersk #NeoMotion #Zomato #DisabilityInclusion #InclusiveLivelihoods #MobilityForAll #EconomicEmpowerment #Accessibility @followcii @CII4ER