Memorandum of Understanding Between CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, H.P. Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, Rural Development Department, Shimla, H.P. eo) Convergence OpportunitiesMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) 1, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), a flagship programme of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) Govt. of India has been focusing towards improvement of social status and economic capabilities of rural women through mobilizing them into women Self Help Groups (SHGs), Village Organizations (VOs) and Cluster Level Federations (CLFs). DAY NRLM has been working with the women of SHG members to promote various livelihood activities like Agro Ecological Practices, Sustainable Livestock Management and Collection of Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) and finally linking these small and marginal producers with market through value chain interventions. Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (HPSRLM) has organized 3.50 Lakhs rural women in 0.40 Lakhs Self Help Groups (SHGs) across the state. More than 1.00 Lakhs women are being supported under DAY-NRLM through various livelihood interventions and market linkages activities. More than 1 thousand trained SHG members are actively engaged in providing extension services as Krishi Sakhi and Pashu Sakhi at the doorstep of SHG women/Mahila Kisan. DAY-NRLM has ‘made substantial progress in empowering the women in agriculture and helped them to build their identity as Mahila Kisan, HPSRLM is also planning to promote integrated Farming Clusters, Producers Groups and Producers Enterprises with the SHG members/Mahila Kisan, 2. CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) is situated at Palampur (HP) in the lap of western Himalayas with a vision “to be a global leader on technologies for boosting bioeconomy through sustainable utilization of Himalayan bioresources”. The institute has a mission “to discover, innovate, develop and disseminate the processes, products and technologies from Himalayan bioresources for society, industry, environment and academia”. ‘Accordingly, the institute has the mandate to carry out basic as well as translation research around Himalayan plants including plants of industrial and commercial importance such as medicinal, aromatic, floriculture, spice, sweetener plants etc for developing diversified technologies (agro-technology, bio-technology, chemical technology, dietetics & nutrition technology, and environmental technology) through multifaceted state-of-the-art facilities,CSIR-IHBT has been focusing the standardization of agro-technological practices, development of improved varieties and delivery of characterized planting material to the end users of medicinal, aromatic, floriculture and other commercially important crops / industrial plants. 3. There is a strong complementarity between the programs of CSIR-IHBT and DAY-NRLM and a big opportunity to leverage each other’s strengths by developing a comprehensive and convergent approach to address rural poverty. 4, The following activities are identified to be cared out by each of the Departments/Institutions to give an impetus to the comprehensive convergence efforts built on the strength of each Department and bring in intended changes in rural Himachal. 5. Joint activities: - Between DAY-NRLM (SRLM) and CSIR-IHBT under its various Mission 3.1 DAY-NRLM (SRLM) will advise State/Distric/Block Team to organize joint workshop with CSIR-IHBT on various schemes/missions and to select relevant schemes to work together, the scope for implementation and monitoring the convergence with DAY-NRLM. Jointly they may set targets for each of the schemes and prepare a joint action plan at district and blocks level. 5.2 As follow up the above workshop, the CSIR-IHBT will involve the SRLM in planning, implementation and monitoring of the mutually selected interventions/schemes. The brief of activities/interventions to be carried out towards convergence by each of the department has been presented below: 6. _Activities/Interventions to be carried out jointly by CSIR-IHBT & DAY-NRLM/SRLM. 6.1 For promotion of aromatic plants and installation of processing unit under Aroma Mission 6.1.1 SRLM will provide district wise list of SHG Members to CSIR-IHBT where the above activities/intervention are being/will be implemented to include the SHG Members as the beneficiaries of the scheme. SRLM may promote the above mentioned intervention in convergence with the CSIR-IHBT Palampur.6.13 CSIR-IHBT will provide the initial planting material and training to the SHG Members on promotion of aromatic plants and provide the technical specifications of processing unit required for value addition as per extant CSIR guidelines. 6.1.4 CSIR-IHBT Palampur will assist in market linkages to the produce of SHG Members as per extant CSIR guidelines. For promotion of Floriculture Mission 6.2.1 SRLM will prepare and submit the target for establishment of poly houses. 6.2.2. SRLM will provide the list of SHG Members to CSIR-IHBT who are willing to taking up the floriculture related activities. CSIR-IEBT will provide training to the SHG Members on establishment of poly houses as well as promotion of floriculture as per extant CSIR guidelines. For promotion of Heeng and Cinnamon cultivation SRLM will provide the list of SHG Members who are interested to taking up the above mentioned activity. SRLM may promote the above mentioned interventions in convergence with the CSIR-IHBT Palampur. 63.3 CSIR-IHBT will provide the planting material and training to the SHG Members as well as time to time hand holding support as per extant CSIR guidelines. Formulation of incense cone and incense stick 6.4.1 SRLM will provide the district/block wise list of SHG Members to the CSIR-IHBT Palampur where the above mentioned interventions are being/will be implemented. CSIR-IHBT will provide the herbal incense cones and incense sticks technology and training to the interested SHG Members as per extant CSIR guidelines. CSIR-IHBT will also provide the technical specifications for making herbal incense cones and incense sticks required by the SHG Members under technology transfer as per extant CSIR guidelines. 6.5 Establishment of Food Processing UnitCSIR-IHBT would share list of prospective food process technologies in consultation with SRLM for the regions/SHGs identified by SRLM and SRLM will provide district wise list of SHG Members to CSIR-IHBT where the food processing technologies would be implemented. CSIR-IHBT will provide the technology and training to the interested SHG members through signing technology transfer agreement as per extant CSIR guidelines. CSIR-IHBT will provide the technical specifications of machinery/equipment required for processing and value addition at the Cluster Level to the SHG Members under Technology Transfer as per extant CSIR guidelines. Any other area of mutually interest will be carried out for the activity as mutually decided by the both Departments. ‘The MoU shall remain valid for a period of three years with effect from the date of execution’ signing (i.e. 20.02.2023) of this MoU (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Effective Date’) and can be renewed further on terms and conditions mutually agreed upon. A joint coordination committee co-chaired by Director, CSIR-IHBT Palampur and Chief Executive Officer, Himachal Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, Rural Development Department may be constituted at the State Level witn the representatives from the concerned departments under CSIR-IHBT and SRLM to plan and monitor the implementation of this, joint advisory in every quarter. For and on behalf of CSIR-Institute of For and on behalf of Himachal Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Palampur (H.P.) Mission, Rural Development Department of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9 ’ Sh. Anil Sharma (HAS) Chief Exteutive Officer CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Himachal|Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Technology, Palampur- 176 061 (H.P.) Mission, Rural Development Department of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-9