The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an international organization focused on non-profit agricultural research and training that empowers farmers through science and innovation to nourish the world amid a climate crisis.

Sanjay was approached to turn the Best Management Practices into effective and impactful training sessions. Drawing from his now long experience working with farmers, Sanjay went on to research not only the culture, literacy level, common language, nomenclature, tools used, participation level of gender and age groups in agricultural practices, the distribution of agricultural activities over the year, local material available for training, but also the usual characteristics of a trainers and the shortsightedness of farmers.

Based on above, Sanjay proceeded to design the training sessions and material in such a way that the information never gets too overwhelming, the information is segregated into ‘bite-size’ bits, the trainer understands it well, and that there are physical activities and games are woven within the training to evade monotony and boredom. Sanjay made sure that the physical activities and games are designed to ensure participation and attention of every farmer.

The sessions were designed in a manner that in cases where the sessions are spaced apart by weeks or months, the information is retained and reminded. To facilitate trainers, Sanjay wrote and designed detailed ergonomic booklets as Trainer’s Guides.

In partnership with CIMMYT, the Nepal Fertilizer Entrepreneurs Association was established to monitor, regulate, and popularize the use of fertilizers across the nation. Considering that the branding will be used in conditions where replicating the logo may not be perfect, Sanjay came up with a design that is visible from a distance, easy to paint with one color, and symbolizes ‘approved’ with a hint of plant growth.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an international organization focused on non-profit agricultural research and training that empowers farmers through science and innovation to nourish the world amid a climate crisis.

Sanjay was approached to turn the Best Management Practices into effective and impactful training sessions. Drawing from his now long experience working with farmers, Sanjay went on to research not only the culture, literacy level, common language, nomenclature, tools used, participation level of gender and age groups in agricultural practices, the distribution of agricultural activities over the year, local material available for training, but also the usual characteristics of a trainers and the shortsightedness of farmers.

Based on above, Sanjay proceeded to design the training sessions and material in such a way that the information never gets too overwhelming, the information is segregated into ‘bite-size’ bits, the trainer understands it well, and that there are physical activities and games are woven within the training to evade monotony and boredom. Sanjay made sure that the physical activities and games are designed to ensure participation and attention of every farmer.

The sessions were designed in a manner that in cases where the sessions are spaced apart by weeks or months, the information is retained and reminded. To facilitate trainers, Sanjay wrote and designed detailed ergonomic booklets as Trainer’s Guides.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an international organization focused on non-profit agricultural research and training that empowers farmers through science and innovation to nourish the world amid a climate crisis.

Sanjay was approached to turn the Best Management Practices into effective and impactful training sessions. Drawing from his now long experience working with farmers, Sanjay went on to research not only the culture, literacy level, common language, nomenclature, tools used, participation level of gender and age groups in agricultural practices, the distribution of agricultural activities over the year, local material available for training, but also the usual characteristics of a trainers and the shortsightedness of farmers.

The ‘push–pull’ technology is a novel pest management strategy developed for control of stemborers and striga weed, Striga hermonthica, in maize-based farming systems, where maize is intercropped with desmodium, a forage legume, and Napier grass is planted as a border crop. Desmodium repels stemborer moths while Napier grass attracts them.

When the pest and the weed slipped into the Nepalese agriculture system, Sanjay was asked to urgently create a training module to train farmers into fighting the possible catastrophe effectively.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an international organization focused on non-profit agricultural research and training that empowers farmers through science and innovation to nourish the world amid a climate crisis.

Sanjay was approached to turn the Best Management Practices into effective and impactful training sessions. Drawing from his now long experience working with farmers, Sanjay went on to research not only the culture, literacy level, common language, nomenclature, tools used, participation level of gender and age groups in agricultural practices, the distribution of agricultural activities over the year, local material available for training, but also the usual characteristics of a trainers and the shortsightedness of farmers.

Based on above, Sanjay proceeded to design the training sessions and material in such a way that the information never gets too overwhelming, the information is segregated into ‘bite-size’ bits, the trainer understands it well, and that there are physical activities and games are woven within the training to evade monotony and boredom. Sanjay made sure that the physical activities and games are designed to ensure participation and attention of every farmer.

The sessions were designed in a manner that in cases where the sessions are spaced apart by weeks or months, the information is retained and reminded. To facilitate trainers, Sanjay wrote and designed detailed ergonomic booklets as Trainer’s Guides.

Sustainable Action for Resilience and Food Security (Sabal) is a program funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by a consortium of partners led by Save the Children, working to increase resilience for targeted vulnerable communities in eastern and central Nepal (2014 – 2019). To increase resilience, Sabal is designed to address root causes of poverty, such as food insecurity, malnutrition, and inability to adapt and recovery from disaster, shock, or climate changes. Sabal objectives include improving food and economic security for vulnerable producers by strengthening and diversifying livelihoods.

To identify the motivating factors and barriers for adaption of key livelihoods practices and to zero into key gender related behaviors that may be acting as a barrier to the adaption, formative research was designed and conducted by Sanjay and his team. The research was also to narrow into key Social Behavior Changes that should be aimed and form the basis of future communication strategy. The team identified six key areas, behavior change in which will bring upon noticeable improvement in food security and increase sustenance and resilience – food storage practices, compost usage, livestock and poultry vaccination, growing food for self-consumption, husbands sharing household work and women’s participation in decision making. The study tools were linked with multiple integrated guiding questions related to storage practices for grain, post – harvest loss, compost fertilizer, services utilization for livestock, household nutrition and decision-making process to capture current farming practices. The district in which the study was carried out, was selected based on agro-ecological diversity, ethnic diversity and socio-cultural diversity of Sabal projected districts.

The formative research springs up major behavioral patterns. Adaption of better management practices amongst the traditional farming communities is hindered by the overlook of sustainability aspect.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is an international organization focused on non-profit agricultural research and training that empowers farmers through science and innovation to nourish the world amid a climate crisis.

Applying high-quality science and strong partnerships, CIMMYT works to achieve a world with healthier and more prosperous people, free from global food crises and with more resilient agri-food systems. CIMMYT’s research brings enhanced productivity and better profits to farmers, mitigates the effects of the climate crisis, and reduces the environmental impact of agriculture.

Drawing from his experience in presenting complex events, methods, and systems in a simplified and entertaining way, Sanjay took on the task of creating these infographics for doners and farmers alike.

PSI is a network of locally rooted, globally connected organizations working to achieve consumer-powered healthcare — people-centered health systems that ensure quality, affordable care wherever and whenever it is needed.

When approached, Sanjay traveled through the villages and towns of Nepal where PSI is active. He met and interviewed about 20 beneficiaries to arrive at five probable stories that would not only showcase the success of PSI but also inspire the population to adopt family planning methods. The five stories were presented in the form of storyboards to the PSI communication team along with production plan and timelines. Having zeroed into one story, Sanjay, along with the team camped in Hetauda and shot the film over 4 days.

The film narrates the story of a married woman who has two children and is fearful of the fact that she might become pregnant again which will cause disaster to their already struggling economic status. The woman then comes across PSI family Health Workers and is gradually convinced to use family planning methods.

The High Impact Tourism Training (HITT) program provided informal sector workers – especially women, young people and the unskilled and semi-skilled – with market-oriented, vocational training. Enhanced skill levels enable such workers to gain better job positions, higher wages, and greater employment security. At the same time, they develop the know-how and contacts to capitalize on opportunities and help grow the sector in which they work, in a sustainable and pro-poor way.

It was equally important for these training modules to be translated into suitable media and easily comprehensible ways that effectively bring about the changes in behaviors and practices. Sanjay was commissioned to research the local culture, people, and their practices; their ability (and sometimes lack thereof) to understand complicated technologies and techniques; the possibility of locally producing these media economically and on large scales. Following the on-the-field research and several workshops with SNV’s local staff, he took on the task to find ways for the practical sessions and information to be delivered effectively, to illustrate the techniques, create flip-files, flashcards, handouts, and other training tools. Upon testing of these tools, first in small and then larger groups, several sessions of altering the training mechanisms and tools were conducted.

The HITT for Jobs and Income (HITT) program was implemented in Vietnam which aimed to provide practical market driven training opportunities to informal workers in the tourism sector, resulting in a virtuous circle of better qualifications and skills, a higher number of clients and increase in income received by these informal workers. Furthermore, other effects included better services provided to tourists, and job creation in the tourism sector.