HDFC Bank, through its CSR initiative Parivartan, has partnered with the Ambuja Foundation to roll out a comprehensive agriculture development and efficient water management programme in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district. The project is expected to directly and indirectly benefit 14,259 households across 46 villages in six gram panchayats of Haldibari block by improving irrigation infrastructure, strengthening community institutions and promoting women-led livelihood opportunities. The initiative will focus on developing River Lift Irrigation systems, check dams and farm ponds to improve water availability for agriculture. Village Development Committees, Farmers’ Clubs and Water Users’ Groups will be established to oversee planning, implementation and maintenance of irrigation assets. The project also includes channel rejuvenation along the BuriTeesta River, groundwater recharge, solar-powered irrigation systems, micro-irrigation, polyhouses, bio-resource centres, solar cold storage, Farm Machinery Banks and Custom Hiring Centres to improve agricultural productivity and long-term sustainability.
HDFC Bank Head of CSR NusratPathan said the programme reflects the bank’s commitment to community-led rural development by helping farmers adopt efficient water management practices while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for women. Ambuja Foundation CEO ChandrakantKumbhani said the partnership aims to encourage water harvesting, climate-resilient farming and women-led enterprises to strengthen the rural economy. Women’s groups will also be formed to establish processing units linked to livestock farming, while Farmers’ Clubs will be connected with government departments to ensure continued access to agricultural schemes and services after the project concludes. The initiative is expected to generate positive economic spillover for the Siliguri market, the commercial gateway to North Bengal.
Improved agricultural output from Cooch Behar could strengthen the supply of farm produce to wholesale markets in Siliguri, boosting demand for agri-inputs, warehousing, cold-chain logistics and transport services. The programme may also create new business opportunities for traders and agribusinesses by improving rural market linkages across the region. The programme was launched in the presence of HDFC Bank officials SumantaMajumdar and Souvik Bhattacharya, Assistant Director of Agriculture Deep Singha, and representatives from the local administration and community organisations.
