Purnabha Dasgupta holds a PhD in Agriculture and Rural Development from the University of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute. Purnabha's degree helped him realize the importance to amalgamate research for social cause. Purnabha is now the Program Director at PRASARI. As part of his efforts to help the poorest and most marginalized farming community in India, Dr. Dasgupta is trying to establish an alternative market information ecosystem for the marginal and excluded poor farming families. He has authored several scholarly and popular articles as a researcher and also mentored new social entrepreneurs and development researchers. Dasgupta has collaborated with a number of national and international organizations, including the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, Shaffield Hallam University, the University of California at Davis, the British Geological Survey, the UK-India Water Centre, the National Institute of Hydrology, the Centre for World Solidarity and the India Chapter of the World Bank, among others. As an action researcher Dr. Dasgupta's interests include climate-adaptive smart initiatives in freshwater and brackish fisheries', disaster preparedness of the marginalized communities and the sustainable farming and food systems. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Improved Market Ecosystem for Marginal Freshwater Fisheries

This project aimed to strengthen the network of small and marginal fish farmers by providing them with necessary information about climate risks. This entailed advanced warning system based on weather forecasting and documented past experiences, advanced cultivation techniques through affordable technologies, government schemes, aquatic biodiversity conservation techniques, post-harvest management process, availability of logistics, credit linkages and marketing channels. Project activities included hosting workshops for fish farmers and creating an analytical database. 18 trainings were organized where 372 fish farmers received primary and advanced training on fishery.

"Small farmers were missing the network, technical expertise to deal [with] climate & market challenges they face and lost their interest in fishery. This endeavor…has brought a unique design thinking and approach that will provide benefit the fish farmers." -Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Purnabha was a participant in the IVLP Project Agricultural Marketing Information Systems, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas.

Purnabha's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "I am able to communicate with people from all over the globe and participate in programs related to climate change and agricultural system adaptations to climate change. The knowledge I've gained is molding my thinking and making me a better practitioner in the field."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Des Moines, IA; St. Louis, MO; Kansas City, MO; Burlington, VT

Country: India

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