Case Studies : Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation

This case study is one of ten that were chosen as part of the Enhancing Business-Community Relations project in India implemented in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). These cases document examples of engagement between businesses and communities and can be used as learning tools for the promotion of responsible business practice and sustainable development. The Enhancing Business-Community Relations project is a joint international initiative between United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the New Academy of Business. Implemented in seven developing countries, the purpose of the initiative was to collect and document information on business-community practices as perceived by all stakeholders, build partnerships with them and promote corporate social responsibility practices. It is also intended to enhance international understanding of business-community relations through information sharing and networking with other countries especially those participating in the project - Brazil, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa and Lebanon. The findings and recommendations reflected in the case study are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of UNV, TERI or the New Academy of Business. It is important to note that these cases were written as examples of business-community initiatives. They do not constitute a comprehensive assessment of the company's social responsibility

This case study concerns Lupin Limited, one of India s largest pharmaceutical companies. Lupin established a Foundation in 1988 which has engaged with farming communities in Bharatpur District, and since 1995 has worked with them to establish a fish hatchery. This not only aimed to produce more sustainable fish supplies, but attempted to utilise underemployed 3 people in the area and thus maximise the farmers incomes. As such the case provides an interesting example of a move away from ad hoc corporate donations to strategic longer-term social investment. The project is discussed in the context of the Bharatpur economy. Questions remain, however, regarding the sustainability of the fisheries as a reliable source of income for the farmers should the Foundation withdraw funding

The Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation was established in 1988 by Shri Desh Bandhu Gupta, Chairman of Lupin Limited. His objective was to promote sustainable and responsive rural development, prioritising agricultural activities, horticulture, livestock management, women s empowerment, cottage industries, health and education. The Lupin Foundation holds a Learning Process Approach to all of its projects. This has resulted in the dissemination of projects based on three core objectives. The first, infrastructure, reflects the

Foundation s opinion that development cannot take place in India without improving standards of living and creating Whatever you are you owe it an atmosphere for growth, in line with the Indian to society, your motherland Government s national plans. Second is economic objectives, and its people. You owe it to by which the Foundation aims to create opportunities for yourself to repay the debt in communities to maximise their income potential through all humility and gratitude. primary and secondary occupations. Finally, the Mr S R Gupta, Executive Foundation s social or life objectives illustrate its Director, LHWRF, Bharatpur commitment to encouraging people s capacity for their own development.

3. Project History and Development

This project marks a shift in business-community relations, due to the manner in which it has been planned and executed. Indeed the Lupin Foundation has carried out the project in a similar style to an NGO. This section will explain the context of the project, how the project was implemented and discuss some of the methodology applied by the Lupin Foundation (including a summary of the Foundation s philosophy ). Some results yielded from the project so far are discussed in the next section.

India ranks sixth in world fish production and is second only to China in inland fish production. The role that fisheries play in the Indian economy is crucial for the socio-economic development of the country. Fishing is an important micro entrepreneurial activity in rural areas. Bharatpur district is the eastern most district of Rajasthan bordering Gurgaon district of Haryana to the north, with Mathura and Agra district of Uttar Pradesh in the east, Dholpur in the south and Alwar in the west. The district is divided into ten tehsils and nine blocks with 1,345 inhabited villages. The district has fertile alluvial plains and flat topography. Mustard cultivation is the primary industry.

Fresh water fishery resources are strong as there are nearly two hundr ed seasonal reservoirs in the area, which supply drinking water to local villages and control the likelihood of serious flooding. Over 3,000 tanks and ponds used for irrigation and cattle water supply also hold potential for the development of the fishing industry. Keoladeo National Park (KNP), a world heritage site for aquatic birds, has 1,100ha of man-made lakes. It provides a natural breeding and nursing ground for fish. The migration of aquatic birds is mainly due to the wide variety of food available to them, including fish. The fishery activities have consequently been completely restricted and left to flourish naturally. The fish abundance in KNP has a direct impact on the fish populations outside.

A few years ago, fishing was considered a low-grade profession in Bharatpur but local perceptions have changed, given the high income potential from this activity. Indicative of the recent surge in the fishing industry is the creation of three fishing cooperatives, whose memberships total over 150 people. They provide extra support for fishermen participating in the Lupin Foundation s project. Not only have large sites been developed, but local people have also created new ponds to supplement their seasonal incomes.

Following the workshop, the Lupin Foundation initiated the creation of 109 Village Development Councils across the district that met regularly to identify villages priorities. They were organised by a locally elected village volunteer, who still feeds information back to the relevant officials from the Lupin Foundation. Each village, via the Councils, has access to a Lupin project officer, supervisor and a lady worker. In this way local needs are being permanently assessed and reassessed, making projects village-specific. This has encouraged community participation and increased ownership of the projects because villagers know they are playing an active role in all stages from planning to evaluation. Indeed, the Blue Revolution concept is the result of one such Council meeting.

As a result of the workshop and feedback from Village Development Councils, it was decided to establish a Technology Park to train local people in a variety of rural technologies. This included agriculture, animal husbandry and rural cottage industries. 10ha of pasture land in Maigujar village was allotted by the district administration to the Lupin Foundation to get the project running.

The Lupin Foundation then set about building up infrastructure in the Technology Park. This included a circular fish hatchery; a variety of wells; twenty-two earthen ponds for fry rearing and brood stock; a four-room office and storage building; a road to the hatchery, and a stone boundary on the land. The cost was split between the Department of Science and Technology, Government and District Administration, and the Foundation itself.