NGOs revive five flood-hit villages, finish wheat sowing on 1,600 acres

A major rehabilitation initiative led by the Young Innovative Farmers (YIF) Group, in collaboration with the RoundGlass Foundation (RGF), has completed wheat sowing across five flood-affected villages in Punjab. Guided by former Punjab Agriculture Secretary Kahan Singh Pannu, the project represents one of the most extensive community-driven recovery efforts following this year’s devastating floods.

The YIF Group adopted the villages of Bariar, Nabinagar, Ransin ka Talla, Daburji and Patti Rampur, launching restoration work shortly after the floodwaters receded on September 25. Crops in these villages had been completely destroyed, leaving farmers with no means to prepare their fields for the Rabi season.

The RoundGlass Foundation provided essential financial and material support, enabling timely restoration and sowing. Simultaneously, the YIF Group mobilised tractors, farm machinery and technical experts to rehabilitate the flood-damaged fields using scientific and sustainable methods, avoiding stubble burning. The initiative also received technical guidance from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and other partner organisations.

In addition to arranging farm equipment, the project ensured supply of diesel, DAP and MOP fertilisers, agrochemicals for seed treatment, and weed management materials. The RoundGlass Foundation has further committed to supporting the farmers until the wheat harvest.

YIF Group president Gurbinder Singh Bajwa stated that 1,600 acres of flood-affected farmland had been fully rehabilitated and sown, marking a significant achievement for the displaced farming families. The restored fields were formally handed back to the farmers in the presence of YIF patron K. S. Pannu and RGF Chief Executive Vishal Chawla.

Palwinder Singh Ghumnan, treasurer of the YIF Group and operator of the Kissan Agro Machinery Bank in Sahari village, led the ground operations. He expressed gratitude to the RoundGlass Foundation, PAU, Bathinda Housefed Residents Society, Mein Punjabi, Nishkam Sewa Society of High Court Lawyers, Ghumakar Punjab Group, NRIs and other donors for their assistance in restoring cultivation over 1,600 acres.

Speaking at the occasion, RGF Chief Executive Vishal Chawla said the foundation would launch long-term programmes in these villages, including sanitation drives, sport promotion, tree-planting campaigns, learn labs, and regenerative agriculture projects. He added that RGF had already constructed nine new homes for families whose houses were destroyed during the floods.

YIF vice president Dilbag Singh Cheema, core committee members, the RGF team, along with local sarpanches and farmers from all five villages, attended the formal handover ceremony.