Help Delhi Breathe Better Air and Consume Healthier Food

It is of common knowledge that environmental pollution remains to be a major source of health hazards in our country, considering the persistent rise in pollutants in our air and water bodies. According to recent reports, the PM10 and PM2.5 levels in our atmosphere are at hazardous levels. Coupled with the deteriorating quality of food as a result of the excessive use of chemicals in the farming process, the effects on human health and overall well being can no longer be ignored.

The dramatic rise of chronic lifestyle diseases like hypertension, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and various cardiovascular diseases means that it is now, more important than ever, to take corrective action to avoid what might be an impending public health crisis.

At Project Upjau- through extensive research and groundwork, we have found a way to tackle this problem on both ends. By helping farmers switch to organic farming, we are facilitating the substitution of chemical inputs with organic inputs like compost to utilize agricultural waste which is currently burned away (causing an increase in carbon emissions and concentration of PM 2.5 in the air).
We are meaningfully impacting farming communities in the states of Haryana and Rajasthan by providing resources and know-how to enable the substitution of chemical based farming with organic farming methods- improving the quality of land hence eradicating carcinogens and restoring nutrition in food.
It is a community based effort so under our model, your funds go towards adopting a piece of land where we take the responsibility to convert that land to organic.

Impact Economics (Per Acre of Land): 

Food

• Land Area Required to Feed a single person Organically Produced Vegetables for 6 months: 50 m. sq.

Land

• Compost Requirement for Land Conversion to Organic: 1 kg/ m. sq.
• Cost of converting 1 Acre of Land to Organic: Rs. 25,000.

Pollution

• Total Stubble Burnt in North India In a Year = 35 Million Tonnes 
• Average stubble burnt per acre = 21 Quintals
• Per acre pollution caused by stubble burning = 0.132%

-With every contribution of Rs. 250, we're able to convert enough land to generate enough organic produce to feed 1 person for 6 months.This is important because for every acre of land converted, we reduce pollution caused due to stubble burning by 0.132%.

Not only does this translate into a safer environment, healthier and more nutritious food for us all, but also significantly reduces the input costs for our farmers meaning that their dependence on external debt financing reduces- giving them the ability to break out of the cycle of debt. Therefore, the solution is sustainable and scalable over the long term-the more land we convert under our model the greater will be the impact on Air Quality and in the quality of produce going into the market. All while leading to a reduction of input costs for our farmers, often referred to as the backbone of the Indian economy.

This New Year, take charge and make a decision to create a sustainable environment. Join our efforts in supporting communities which are most affected by problems in the agricultural sector because when they do better, so do we all!