Dholpur, Rajasthan: The innovative women’s empowerment initiatives of Manjari Foundation in Dholpur have captured international attention. A recent visit by a delegation of seven experts from Germany, Canada, France, and Mali underscored the global interest in replicating the organization’s successful model of women entrepreneurship.
The delegation, composed of agroecology experts, representatives of the National Directorate of Agriculture in Mali, and technical experts, was particularly impressed by Manjari Foundation’s ability to empower women through sustainable livelihood activities. During their visit, they witnessed firsthand the production processes of essential products like pickles, paneer, and mustard oil, explored the innovative Smart Village Pipret project, and interacted with women entrepreneurs from Apni Saheli Producer Company Limited and Gram Vikas Samiti.
Manjari Foundation’s approach has garnered significant global recognition. Just last month, a 15-member delegation from West Africa visited Dholpur to study the organization’s initiatives. The foundation’s model has been instrumental in empowering over twelve thousand women in Senegal and Mali, enabling them to save approximately ₹17 crores annually.
The international visitors expressed their enthusiasm for learning from Manjari Foundation’s experiences and implementing similar models in their own countries. Sanjay Kumar, the Executive Director of Manjari Foundation, provided the delegation with a comprehensive overview of the organization’s initiatives, including its innovative livelihood enhancement approaches, agricultural practices, and other activities.
They went to Maloni pawar village and twas a interaction with VO, a women institution in Maloni pawar village and they got the knowledge about the Village Organization members about their Meeting Structure and Agenda, Leadership and Facilitation, Financial Management and Transparency, Record Keeping, Group Dynamics and Leadership, Social and Community Impact, Challenges and Issues etc.
*After they went to Basai nabab *village for the Federation Leader’s meeting and they got the clarity about the Federations Journey, socio economic profile, coverage, activities and its management Leadership and Governance, Financial Management and Transparency, Impact on Member Organizations and Community, Strategic Planning and Vision.
Then they visited the Apni Saheli Producer company Limited, in Bijoli A women led FPO and there was a interaction with Board of Director about the understand their experiences, marketing branding, challenges, and economic growth as well as socio-economic development etc.
They visited the Pipret village to see the holistic development approach in the Pipret Village and interacted with Village development Committee members, Women entrepreneur also about the their role and duties about the village development approach
Before the Dholpur visit this delegation met in Jaipur with Water Resource Department’s representatives of the Rajasthan government shared the ongoing efforts related to water conservation and irrigation with a foreign delegation. The delegation also learned about the impact of the Narmada Canal Project.
Professor Laya Kansaye explained that the Dholpur model ensures women’s participation in all sectors of the economy, from agriculture and animal husbandry to industry and water conservation. This not only enhances women’s capacities but also improves their work efficiency, leading to greater productivity.
Alou kieta, the president of CAMIDE, Mali-a developmental organisation emphasized the importance of promoting women’s entrepreneurship in her country and expressed admiration for the Dholpur model’s sustainability. Given the similarities in geographical and social environments between Dholpur and West Africa, the delegation sought to understand how they could increase women’s participation in agriculture, animal husbandry, and livelihoods in their region.
The seven-member delegation included Professor Jenifar, Agroecology Manager Ramadan Sylla, and Head of PAESOL Technical Assistance Team Stefano Capotorti.
