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

Changing a practice takes an ecosystem that enables a different choice. For farmers to move towards sustainable crop residue management, the right knowledge, tools, support and local partnerships need to come together. Through its crop residue management initiative, the CII Foundation brings these stakeholders together to support farmers mitigate farm stubbble burning and adopt environment-friendly alternatives to create a zero stubble burning movement. Each stakeholder plays a role. Together, they help turn an alternative from an idea into a practice that farmers can adopt. Because lasting change is built together. . #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #CIIFoundation #FarmerFirst #NoStubbleBurning @followcii @cii4nr @moefcc @AgriGoI

Strengthening healthcare infrastructure means enabling faster, more accurate and more informed care. With the support of BorgWarner Cooling Systems India Pvt. Ltd., CII Foundation has strengthened diagnostic services at Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, a Regional Cancer Centre serving patients from across the region. As part of the initiative, a Digital Fixed X-ray Mastro 500MA HF system with dual flat-panel detectors was installed and formally handed over. The advanced system enhances image quality, supports faster diagnosis, and enables healthcare professionals to make more informed and timely treatment decisions. The initiative also included IEC and branding boards to improve patient awareness, communication and navigation within the hospital. By strengthening diagnostic infrastructure in a government healthcare facility, the initiative contributes to more accessible and efficient cancer care for communities across the region. This is what meaningful industry–government–development sector collaboration can enable: stronger public health systems and better access to quality healthcare. . #CIIFoundation #HealthcareForAll #StrengtheningHealthcare #CancerCare #HealthcareInfrastructure #DiagnosticServices #HealthSystemsStrengthening #IndustryForSociety #CSR #BorgWarner #SocialImpact @followcii @cii4sr @MoHFW_INDIA @DeptHealthRes

This October, we take you into the field to explore the people, partnerships and solutions behind change in crop residue management and what it takes to move from intention to action. Through farmer stories, on-ground experiences and real examples, we’ll look at what enables change, what sustains it, and what makes it possible to scale. Follow the journey. See how change takes root. #MakingChangePossible #CropResidueManagement #SustainableAgriculture #CIIFoundation #NoStubbleBurning #Punjab #Haryana

Thank you for the overwhelming response! 🌸 It is truly heartening to see so many inspiring women at the grassroots driving social change. ✨ Applications for the Woman Exemplar Award 2026 are now officially closed. A big thank you to all our partners for their active support, and to everyone who took the time to nominate. 🙌 For those who missed it this time — don’t worry. There’s always next year to celebrate and nominate the incredible women who truly #LeadLikeANaari!

Today is the last day to submit nominations for the Woman Exemplar Award 2027. If you know a woman who has dedicated herself to improving the lives of others, make sure her story is heard. This is your final opportunity to recognise leadership that creates lasting impact. Submit before the deadline: 🔗 ciifoundation.in/WEP2027/ . #LeadLikeANaari #WomanExemplar2027 #LastDay @givfunds