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BIRD-K


BIRD-K

BAIF Institute for Rural Development-Karnataka (BIRD-K) is a voluntary organisation involved in Rural Development. It is a society registered under the Karnataka Society Registration Act , 1860.

In 1946, Mahatma Gandhi established a nature cure centre (the present Nisargopachar ashram) in Urulikanchan, a small village near Pune. He entrusted the responsibility of working for the up-liftment of the surrounding villages to his trusted disciple Manibhai Desai, the ashram being its centre. During his long association with the rural people, Manibhaiji studied their problems and designed suitable programmes to tackle the complex problems of unemployment, under employment, community health, hygiene, sanitation and other social evils. The rich experience motivated Manibhai to expand the rural development programme beyond Urulikanchan.

Consequently, BAIF group of rural development organisations was born. BAIF (Bharatheeya Agro-Industuries Foundation), the mother unit was registered on 24th August 1967. The organisation was later renamed as BAIF Development Research Foundation. To ensure administrative efficiency the organisation is decentralised into autonomous units at state levels, which are generally known as associate organisations. BAIF group of organisations today, operates in 15 states in India. It has 12 associate establishments as on date.

BAIF Institute for Rural Development -Karnataka is BAIF's unit that is currently implementing development programmes in Karnataka.

MISSION

To create opportunities of gainful self-employment for the rural families, especially disadvantaged sections, ensuring sustainable livelihood, enriched environment, improved quality of life and good human values.

This will be achieved through development research, effective use of local resources, extension of appropriate technologies and up-gradation of skills and capabilities with community participation.

BAIF Institute for Rural Development-Karnataka will be a non-political secular and professionally managed organization.

APPROACHES

The vast experiences of the organisation has resulted in evolution of unique approaches to rural development and emphasis on certain key areas. This includes:

  • Sustainable development of agriculture sector through promotion of tree based farming systems
  • Integrated development of degraded watershed areas and wasted land
  • Promotion of Eco-friendly and cost efficient technologies for soil fertility management
  • Promotion of rain fed sericulture
    Upgrading of cattle and other livestock resources and promotion of improved livestock management practices
  • Promotion of micro-enterprises through group initiatives
  • Promotion of community based systems for management of natural resources and common properties
  • Problem oriented research programmes to identify better solutions

Salient features of BIRD-K's development approach

  • Research based planning process
  • A multi-disciplinary, integrated approach
  • Focus on creating sustainable livelihood systems
  • Stress on eco-friendly technologies
  • Promotion of self-help through capacity building
  • Participatory technology development
  • Programme implementation through community based organisations
  • Emphasis on farmer to farmer extension

RECOGNITIONS

The commitment and contributions of BAIF group of organisations and its founder Dr.Manibhai Desai has been recognised by various agencies. It inspires us, the present generation of BAIF family, to perform better for it is faith that has been bestowed up on us. A few such inspiring recognitions that came on the way of BIRD-K and BAIF family in general, are mentioned in this page.

  • 'INDIRA GANDHI PARYAVARAN PURSAKAR – 2007' conferred by ministry of environment, Government of India
  • Parisara Shree Award 2002 (Department of Forests, Govt of Karnataka) to BAIF Institute for Rural Development-Karnataka for its contribution to ecology and environment.
  • Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service (1982,Philippines) to BAIF's Founder President Dr.Manibhai Desai
  • Padmashree Award (1968) for Rural Upliftment and Community Development to Manibhai-ji
  • Jamanlal Bajaj Award (1983) to Manibhai-ji for application of Science and Technology for Rural Development
  • BESI Man of the Year Award (1986) to Manibhaiji by the Bio-Energy Society of India for outstanding contribution in the field of Bio-energy
  • D.Sc (Honors Causa,1977) to manibhai-ji by Mahatma Phule Krishividya Peeth Rahuri (Maharashtra)
  • G.H.Watumull Memorial Award (Hawai,1982) to manibhai-ji for dedicated devotion to gandhiyan principles in rural development
  • D.Litt (Honoris Causa, 1984) to Manibhai-ji by South Gujarath University, Surat
  • FICCI Award (1978) for Rural Development to BAIF.
  • Indira Priyadarshini 'Vriksha Mitra' Award (1986) for Afforestation and Wasteland Development to BAIF.
  • Vasantha Rao Naik Award for Rural Development (1988) for contribution to the Development of Animal Husbandry and Dairy.
  • Gopal Ratna (1962) to the Goshala in BAIF's campus at Urulikanchan, Maharashtra by the Central Council and Gosamvardhan, New Delhi
  • Indira priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award (1996) to BAIF's Gujarath unit.
  • The Best Vetirinarian Award to Dr.G.N.S.Reddy (1998)- The Chief Programme Co-ordinator, BAIF (Karnataka) by the Veterinary Association of Karnataka