Ratan Tata Trust receives Agriculture Leadership Award 2009

The Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) has received the `Agriculture Leadership Award 2009' under the category of 'Corporate Social Responsibility'. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, presented the award to Vartika Jaini, assistant programmes manager of SRTT, at a function held in New Delhi recently.

The Agriculture Leadership Award is instituted in 2008 by the Agriculture Today Group to recognise the leadership roles played by individuals and institutions, which are positively impacting the lives of farmers and rural masses. Agriculture Today, as an information provider and a knowledge based networking vehicle, has been at the forefront in contributing to the growth of the farm sector.

SRTT was set up in 1918 under the will of Sir Ratan Tata, the younger son of Sir Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata group. The trust supports initiatives, which are innovative, accountable and non-sectional with focus on areas within rural livelihoods and communities, education, enhancing civil society and governance, health and arts and culture. Besides institutional grants, the trust also makes individual
grants for education and medical relief.

"Today, the trust partners with over 250 institutions across 18 states within India in high quality development projects. Supported by external expertise and strong systems of project design and monitoring, these projects strive to impact the quality of life of communities, the release said.

"Its ongoing strategic plan has identified 'Regaining Agricultural Dynamism' and 'Inclusive Growth' as prioritised focus areas within the rural livelihoods portfolio. Consequently, the trust supports several projects that comprehensively engage with core development issues of agriculture, land and water use and development and access to finance. Through meaningful partnerships and engaging with worthy organisations, the trust is constantly redefining the role of traditional charity and contributing to sustainable development of rural communities,"