News

Growing Innovation in Rural Jharkhand

Can tough weather conditions inspire new opportunities? In Jharkhand, they have.

CInI, an initiative of Tata Trusts, is helping farmers adopt grafting techniques under the Lakhpati Kisan Program—combining wild brinjal roots with tomato plants to grow stronger, disease-resistant crops. These grafted tomato saplings are raised in mist chambers and ensure steady harvests throughout the year, boosting farmer income.

Meet Kiran Murmu from Hazaribagh. In her polycarbonate mist chamber, she grafts thousands of saplings—meeting her own needs and earning extra income by selling them to others. Last year alone, she earned over ₹5 lakhs, becoming a local inspiration.

So far, CInI has supported four rural entrepreneurs in two Jharkhand districts to start grafted sapling production. The goal is to expand this model and help more tribal communities build sustainable livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty.

Building Stronger Awareness on Menstrual Health and Hygiene

In July 2025, a 5-day centralized training was held in Jamshedpur to strengthen awareness around Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM). The training brought together 16 passionate participants from Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The sessions covered key topics including:
👧 MHHM modules for adolescent girls
👦 MHHM modules for adolescent boys
👩‍🏫 Orientation for teachers and School Management Committees (SMCs)
🩸 A deeper understanding of menstrual health challenges

Through interactive activities, discussions, and practical tools, the training equipped grassroots facilitators to confidently take MHHM awareness to schools, communities, and families—reaching the last mile with empathy and impact.

Book Launch: Lakhpati Kisan – Transforming Agriculture-Based Livelihoods for Smallholder Farmers in India

We are proud to announce the launch of the book Lakhpati Kisan: Transforming Agriculture-Based Livelihoods for Smallholder Farmers in India at the third edition of the Indian School of Business Governance Summit 2025.

This significant publication captures the inspiring journey of tribal communities across Central India as they pursue the Lakhpati Kisan pathway—built on sustainable, agriculture-based livelihoods and supported by a robust ecosystem of technologies, markets, financing, and government programs.

Blending grassroots experiences with research-driven insights, the book traces the evolution of the Lakhpati Kisan model—a collaborative effort involving communities, field teams, and partner organizations working together for rural prosperity.

We are especially proud that members of the CInI team have contributed as authors, sharing their on-ground experiences and learnings from this transformative journey.

Lakhpati Kisan Featured in National Policy Paper

We’re proud to share that the Lakhpati Kisan Program (LKP) model by CInI has been featured in a policy document by the Central Agricultural University, as part of their efforts to shape Sustainable Futuristic Economies.

Earlier this year, in March, our Jharkhand Team Leader, Mr. Sirshendu Paul, presented the LKP model—highlighting how grassroots innovations, collective learning, and locally-led planning can strengthen rural livelihoods.

This recognition reflects years of dedication by communities and CInI teams across regions. We’re glad to see our field experiences informing policy conversations and contributing to the broader dialogue on rural development and sustainability.

Creating Impact Together: School Transformation in Durg

CInI, in partnership with Durg Shivnath Expressways Private Limited and with support from TRIL, is proud to have enhanced the learning environment in government schools across Durg, Chhattisgarh.

Our joint efforts led to:
🚻 Construction of sanitary blocks for better hygiene
📚 Setup of vibrant libraries to inspire learning
💧 Installation of rainwater harvesting systems for sustainability

Together, these initiatives are benefiting 1,500 students, improving their school experience, health, and environmental awareness.

Bringing Movement Back to Learning

CInI – Gujarat has introduced Physical Literacy activities in schools to promote movement, confidence, teamwork, and holistic well-being among students.

These activities are designed not just for physical fitness, but to build lifelong habits that support healthier and more engaged learners. By integrating physical literacy into the school day, the initiative aims to create a more dynamic and inclusive learning environment.

This marks the beginning of a focused effort to reintroduce the joy of movement into education.