I spent my summer learning about the connections between human health, natural resources, and international development as a fellow in the Duke University - IIM Udaipur Summer School for Future Development Scholars. For six weeks, I completed coursework alongside Indian and non-Indian graduate students and early-career development professionals, and conducted fieldwork to identify persistent problems in rural villages within 100 km of Udaipur, a hub for development non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in India.
During my time in India, I worked as part of a four-person team to draft a proposal for BAIF, a renowned non-governmental organization focused on improving livelihoods for rural communities in India. Our target village was Tidi, a small, hilly mining community about 40 km from Udaipur. Tidi's residents contend with numerous challenges on a daily basis, and my team and I were identified water scarcity and lack of employment opportunities as two of the most serious issues within our community. My colleagues and I pooled our collective expertise in business, social work, engineering and natural resources management to brainstorm potential ways that our partner NGO could address these needs within the community of Tidi. After conducting in-depth interviews, focused discussion groups, and surveys with hundreds of Tidi's residents, we came up with the idea of connecting small-holder subsistence goat farmers with larger, regional markets for goat milk and meat. Essentially, we proposed scaling up existing goat farming operations--which require small amounts of water, land and fodder to be productive-- using a sustainable model that would connect local restaurants, cafes, grocery stories, and private residents with fresh mutton, milk and other goat products produced by people in the region.
My team and I are grateful for BAIF's support of our project, as their staff provided invaluable us with field support, mentorship, and numerous opportunities for hands-on learning and cross-cultural exchange. We look forward to the NGO's future implementation of the project. Ultimately, we hope that our efforts will benefit the people of Tidi while conserving rural India's natural resources.
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