WRITTEN BY: PARINITA GUPTA
(April 22, 2023) ‘Desh’ was hopeful when he stepped into the corporate world to give his dream career a shot. A couple of decades later, the young man from southwestern India was running a billion-dollar empire. Gururaj and his wife Jayshree Deshpande were grateful for the opportunities that came their way, which made them want to create opportunities for others too. That is when they turned to philanthropy.
Gururaj ensured that his initial philanthropic endeavor would not be limited to providing financial aid, and he intended to apply the same entrepreneurial approach to his giving as he did to his personal and professional life. “An idea does not have an impact unless it is directed at some burning problem in the world,” the 72-year-old said.
Recently, Deshpande, co-founder of Deshpande Foundation, based in Hubbali, announced a major plan in partnership with NABARD Bengaluru. The plan aims to build one lakh ‘farm ponds’ as a component of the ‘Greening India campaign’, which will aid farmers in storing rainwater for irrigation purposes in areas of the country that rely on rainfall. “We want to ensure that innovation is continuously injected into our solutions so that they get better, faster, and economical. And so, we welcome more partners to work with us and more importantly, learn from each other as we go along.
Farm Ponds
DF’s distinct model has established a systematic process, which involves evaluating the land, submitting the necessary documentation, and receiving approval from the Foundation. This approach ensures continuous support and assistance from the beginning until the end, without any abrupt departure. In addition to constructing farm ponds, the DF team provides farmers with training on crop selection and the best cultivation methods. They also offer farm-to-market services to help farmers achieve greater value realization.
Jayshree and Gururaj have not only assisted with the creation of local start-ups but have also promoted local entrepreneurship and offered unemployed rural youth the opportunity to up skill, providing them with not just a means of earning a living, but also a chance for a professional career. “If we can support people who take a bottom-up solution to problems in the sector, we will be able to make a far bigger impact than a top-down approach,” says Neelam Maheshwari, Director, Grants, at the Deshpande Foundation.
Farm Ponds
Global Indian believes that the Farm Pond Model of the Deshpande Foundation serves as an excellent illustration of how a cooperative approach encompassing philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, risk management strategies for small farmers, outcome ownership, and market-driven farming practices can be integrated effectively.