{"id":3446,"date":"2021-09-15T10:09:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T09:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/10.81.104.155\/int\/feeding-and-healing-cities-copy\/"},"modified":"2022-11-16T04:00:36","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T04:00:36","slug":"transforming-farmers-lives","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/dbs\/transforming-farmers-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Transforming Farmer&#8217;s Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n  <style>\n    @media (min-width: 980px) {\n      .wp-block-hero__heading { font-size: 72px !important}\n      .wp-block-hero__sub-heading { font-size: 28px !important}\n    }\n  <\/style>\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-hero break-out\">\n\n      <div class=\"wp-block-hero__background\">\n                        <img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_01_final.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-hero__background__image wp-block-hero__background__image--desktop lazy\">\n              \n          <\/div>\n  \n  <i class=\"wp-block-hero__overlay\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\n  \n      <i\n    aria-hidden=\"true\"\n    class=\"wp-block-hero__custom-overlay\"\n    style=\"background-color:#000000;opacity:0.15\"><\/i>\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"wp-block-hero__intro-wrap container\">\n    <h1 class=\"wp-block-hero__heading\">Transforming Lives with <br>Organic Cotton<\/h1>\n  \n      <\/div>\n\n\n  \n    <div class=\"wp-block-hero__content-by wp-block-hero__content-by--wrap container\">      \n      <ul class=\"wp-block-hero__logos\">\n                  <li class=\"wp-block-hero__item\">\n\n                          <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dbs.com\/portraits-of-purpose\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener\">\n            \n                          <img data-src=https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/DBSlogo_white-300x88.png alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-hero__icon lazy\">\n            \n                          <\/a>\n            \n          <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n    \n  <\/article>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\">How a transition finance program is helping Indian farmers make the switch to organic cotton farming to improve lives and livelihoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>As September turns to October, farms in the heartland of Madhya Pradesh witness pink blossoms ripening into seed pods that burst open to reveal fluffy white cotton.<br><br>But, behind these blooming cotton fields is a grim reality. Cotton production is already water-intensive and in some instances, toxic agrochemicals and genetically modified seeds put significant stress on the environment and the lives of cotton farmers.<br><br>But local farmers are discovering that there\u2019s a better way \u2014 for the environment and their livelihoods.<br><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image--default \"><img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-100x61.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-1247x766.jpg 1247w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-826x508.jpg 826w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-600x369.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-100x61.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-520x320.jpg 520w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_intro_01_final-260x160.jpg 260w\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1180\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-image__image lazy\"><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-color has-black-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading\"><h2 id=\"a-wave-of-change\" class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading__heading\">A wave of change<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading__content\"><p>Cotton is big business, and India is the largest producer of cotton in the world, contributing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/unfccc.int\/sites\/default\/files\/resource\/UCC_Cotton_Pet_report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored\">26 percent<\/a>&nbsp;to the total global production. Supporting this thirsty cash crop depletes India\u2019s already scarce \u2018blue\u2019 water resources such as groundwater reservoirs.&nbsp;<br><br>Furthermore, traditional cotton farming predominantly uses genetically modified seeds, after farmers discovered they were resistant to pests. However, over the years, pests have developed resistance to the pesticides used in traditional cultivation methods, leading to farmers deploying unregulated chemical pesticides and fertilizers to save their crops.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image--large \"><img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-100x61.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-1247x766.jpg 1247w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-826x508.jpg 826w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-600x369.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-100x61.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-520x320.jpg 520w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_02_final-260x160.jpg 260w\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1180\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-image__image lazy\"><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br>For 25 years, Action for Social Advancement (ASA) has been promoting farm-based livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. In 2015, the non-profit organization started building the Organic Cotton Cultivation Program. They were faced with a big challenge \u2014 convincing farmers there was a better way to grow cotton and provide for their families.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image--default \"><img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-100x61.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-1247x766.jpg 1247w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-826x508.jpg 826w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-600x369.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-100x61.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-520x320.jpg 520w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_waveofchange_03_final-260x160.jpg 260w\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1180\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-image__image lazy\"><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Organic cotton farming relies on non-chemical inputs such as bio-manures, crop rotation, and inter-cropping for sustainable, ecological, and biodynamic agriculture. And this translates into long-term benefits for people and the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-color has-black-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading\"><h2 id=\"the-switch-to-eco-farming\" class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading__heading\">The switch to eco-farming<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading__content\"><p>In Asalya, a small hamlet in Madhya Pradesh, Central India, a quiet eco-revolution is underway \u2014 out of 392 households, 133 cotton farmers have gone organic. And guiding them on this shift is the ASA.&nbsp;<br><br>Initially skeptical, farmer Sushila Varkaya was among the first in her village to commit to this new opportunity. \u201cWe were barely making ends meet even after toiling away on the field daily. So, when ASA approached me, I decided to give organic farming a try,\u201d says Varkaya, whose family has been working the farm for many generations. Initially, she dedicated a small plot of her land to test organic cotton farming. With training provided by ASA field officers on agronomy and good agricultural practices, within a few years, she was reaping the rewards of organic farming.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image--large \"><img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-100x61.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-1247x766.jpg 1247w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-826x508.jpg 826w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-600x369.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-100x61.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-520x320.jpg 520w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_hero_01_final-260x160.jpg 260w\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1180\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-image__image lazy\"><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Previously, there was little to no in-person education available to farmers on pesticides and no real access to personal protection kits. \u201cWe would do what everyone was doing. If our neighbors sprayed twice, we\u2019d spray twice. If someone sprayed thrice, we\u2019d follow suit,\u201d explains Varkaya. Subsequently, high volumes of chemicals in the air, water supply, and even soil led to farming communities and their livestock facing recurring health issues.<br><br>Once Varkaya switched completely to organic, she stopped buying expensive fertilizers and pesticides altogether. Natural products enhanced soil fertility and plant health, increasing biodiversity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The soil on an organic farm is airy and supple, and not hard as seen on traditional lands, perhaps because of more carbon sequestration.<\/p><cite>Ashis Mondal, Director, ASA<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/textileexchange.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/TE-Material-Snapshot_Organic-Cotton.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored\">Textile Exchange<\/a>, on average, organic cotton cultivation almost halves the CO2 emissions compared to traditional cultivation per 1000kg of cotton; 978kg CO2 versus 1,808kg CO2.&nbsp;<br><br>Organic cotton currently only accounts for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indoasiancommodities.com\/2020\/10\/26\/its-advantage-india-as-organic-cotton-pushes-the-sustainable-narrative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored\">2&nbsp;percent<\/a>&nbsp;of India\u2019s total cotton cultivation, meaning there\u2019s plenty of room for improvement. To change this, the ASA and other organizations are working hard to increase community outreach and awareness of this movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-color has-black-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading\"><h2 id=\"safeguarding-the-future\" class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading__heading\">Safeguarding the future<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading__content\"><p>Some of the farmers of Asalya are members of the Petlawad Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) and Varkaya is one of its directors. The FPO has played a significant role in improving independent farmers\u2019 access to resources, facilitating policy-making decisions, and increased market access.<br><br>Despite these advancements, smallholder farmers are stuck in a perennial debt trap. While the desire to change might be there, many face seemingly impossible financial barriers. \u201cTraditionally, farming has been a credit-led business. Local pawnbrokers, money lenders,&nbsp;and traders fund the farmer on exorbitant interest rates of up to 60 percent,\u201d says Mondal. \u201cSo, the need for fair credit was evident from day one.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image--large \"><img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-100x61.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-1247x766.jpg 1247w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-826x508.jpg 826w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-600x369.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-100x61.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-520x320.jpg 520w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_01_final-260x160.jpg 260w\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1180\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-image__image lazy\"><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Support came in the form of DBS Bank\u2019s pilot organic cotton procurement financing. DBS customized this unique program for its partnership with global clothing company Inditex (owner of brands including Zara, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka) to leverage the network of local FPOs to reach more than 2,000 farmers. Inditex had set a target to use only sustainable materials such as organic or recycled cotton, linen, and recycled polyester by 2025. The DBS program makes the connect between these FPOs and farmers with an international buyer more feasible, and thus, guarantees them a steady revenue stream.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image--default \"><img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-100x61.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-1247x766.jpg 1247w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-826x508.jpg 826w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-600x369.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-100x61.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-520x320.jpg 520w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_Safeguarding-the-future_02_final-260x160.jpg 260w\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1180\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-image__image lazy\"><\/figure>\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span style=\"color:#ca2a2a\" class=\"color\">Farmers require immediate payment post-harvest. The arrangement of adequate, reliable, and competitively priced funds ensured that the farmers\u2019 produce would not be lost to the traditional market just because they needed quick cash. With the DBS program, distress selling is reduced because the price is fixed beforehand.<\/span><\/p><cite>Mr. Arvind Sharma, Executive Director and Head of Priority Sector Lending, DBS Bank India Limited<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This program has now been scaled to reach over 25,000 farmers. It not only aims to improve the lives and livelihoods of marginal farmers, but it is also a singular model with a goal of decarbonization. It can provide a much-needed pathway for companies in the fashion and apparel industry to adapt their supply chains to be more inclusive and carbon-conscious in a resource-scarce world, while concurrently providing consumers with easier access to more sustainably produced products. These examples of transition financing models will be key for financial institutions to enable companies to meet SDGs and achieve net zero emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-white-color has-black-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading\"><h2 id=\"new-horizons\" class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading__heading\">New Horizons<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-cnn-heading__content\"><p>Looking ahead to the future, Mondal is confident this wave of change will not stop at economic benefits and environmental impact. He views organic farming as a vital component in India\u2019s road map to strengthen the rural economy. \u201cOrganic farming is labor-intensive. So, people in rural communities don\u2019t need to migrate to Indore or Kota in search of jobs. They get a sustainable livelihood back home.\u201d<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image--large \"><img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-100x61.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-1024x629.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-1536x944.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-1247x766.jpg 1247w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-826x508.jpg 826w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-600x369.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-100x61.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-520x320.jpg 520w, https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF4_New-Horizons_01_final-260x160.jpg 260w\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1180\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-image__image lazy\"><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Sushila Varkaya has been able to turn her life around. \u201cOur farming was like a gamble,\u201d says Varkaya. \u201cOur financial standing used to run in only loss. After adopting organic farming, our overall income from farming has increased by 20-25 percent through a reduction in the cost of cultivation and by price premium.\u201d Today, she&nbsp;can dream and work towards fulfilling it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I plan to make my small grocery shop \u2014 I started it two years ago \u2014 bigger. But the immediate plan is to&nbsp;make my village a fully organic village.<\/p><cite>Sushila Varkaya, farmer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\t<article class=\"wp-block-video\">\n\t\t<figure class=\"container\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-video__wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tdata-plyr-provider=\"vimeo\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-video__player\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-plyr-provider=\"vimeo\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-plyr-embed-id=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/657310290\"\n\t\t\t\t><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/article>\n\n\n\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-related-content break-out\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n\n          <h2 class=\"wp-block-related-content__heading\">Read more<\/h2>\n    \n          <div class=\"wp-block-related-content__grid\">\n\n                  <article class=\"wp-block-related-content__item\">\n            <a\n            href=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/dbs\/feeding-and-healing-cities\/\"\n            class=\"wp-block-related-content__link\"\n            target=\"_self\"\n                        >\n\n                              <div class=\"wp-block-related-content__media\">\n                  <img data-src=https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/DBS_AF1_Hero_Banner_01-1-1024x683.jpg alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-related-content__image lazy\">\n                <\/div>\n              \n                              <h3 class=\"wp-block-related-content__title\">Feeding and Healing Cities<\/h3>\n              \n            <\/a>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"wp-block-related-content__item\">\n            <a\n            href=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/dbs\/solar-takes-flight\/\"\n            class=\"wp-block-related-content__link\"\n            target=\"_self\"\n                        >\n\n                              <div class=\"wp-block-related-content__media\">\n                  <img data-src=https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/DBS_AF4_hero_01-1-1024x577.jpg alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-related-content__image lazy\">\n                <\/div>\n              \n                              <h3 class=\"wp-block-related-content__title\">Solar Energy Takes Flight<\/h3>\n              \n            <\/a>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"wp-block-related-content__item\">\n            <a\n            href=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/dbs\/tomorrows-digital-economy\/\"\n            class=\"wp-block-related-content__link\"\n            target=\"_self\"\n                        >\n\n                              <div class=\"wp-block-related-content__media\">\n                  <img data-src=https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DBS_AF2_hero_01-1024x629.jpg alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-related-content__image lazy\">\n                <\/div>\n              \n                              <h3 class=\"wp-block-related-content__title\">Preparing for Tomorrow&#8217;s Digital Economy<\/h3>\n              \n            <\/a>\n          <\/article>\n        \n      <\/div>\n    \n  <\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-related-content break-out\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n\n    \n          <div class=\"wp-block-related-content__grid\">\n\n                  <article class=\"wp-block-related-content__item\">\n            <a\n            href=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/dbs\/a-winning-solution\/\"\n            class=\"wp-block-related-content__link\"\n            target=\"_self\"\n                        >\n\n                              <div class=\"wp-block-related-content__media\">\n                  <img data-src=https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DBS_AF3_hero_01-1-1024x573.jpg alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-related-content__image lazy\">\n                <\/div>\n              \n                              <h3 class=\"wp-block-related-content__title\">A Winning Solution<\/h3>\n              \n            <\/a>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"wp-block-related-content__item\">\n            <a\n            href=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/dbs\/digitalized-delivery-revolution\/\"\n            class=\"wp-block-related-content__link\"\n            target=\"_self\"\n                        >\n\n                              <div class=\"wp-block-related-content__media\">\n                  <img data-src=https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/DBS_AF6_hero-1024x576.jpg alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-related-content__image lazy\">\n                <\/div>\n              \n                              <h3 class=\"wp-block-related-content__title\">The Digitalized Delivery Revolution<\/h3>\n              \n            <\/a>\n          <\/article>\n                  <article class=\"wp-block-related-content__item\">\n            <a\n            href=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/dbs\/bring-it-home\/\"\n            class=\"wp-block-related-content__link\"\n            target=\"_self\"\n                        >\n\n                              <div class=\"wp-block-related-content__media\">\n                  <img data-src=https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/DBS_AF7_hero-final-1024x576.jpg alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-related-content__image lazy\">\n                <\/div>\n              \n                              <h3 class=\"wp-block-related-content__title\">Bringing it All Back Home<\/h3>\n              \n            <\/a>\n          <\/article>\n        \n      <\/div>\n    \n  <\/div>\n<\/article>\n\n\n<article class=\"wp-block-cta break-out\">\n\n\n      <div class=\"wp-block-cta__background\">\n                        <img data-src=\"https:\/\/sponsorcontent.cnn.com\/int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/DBS_AF1_CTA_05-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" 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