Thread by @thebetterindia

(1/15) Anchal was very young when her father had to leave their family behind in Uttar Pradesh and migrate to Uttarakhand searching for a job.

@NokiamobileIN

(2/15) A native of Paschim Gaon in Unnao district, her father was one of the many farmers who migrated due to several issues ailing the region's agricultural sector, like outdated agricultural patterns and lack of adequate returns.

(3/15) The families left behind also needed to find additional ways to make ends meet.

(4/15) This is when, to empower this rural community with the knowledge of sustainable and efficient farming, Ashita and Anish Nath opened India's first agriculture-based school for girls, called The Good Harvest School.

(5/15) Here, alongside the conventional subjects like Maths, English, Science, the students are also educated about agriculture and trained in various valuable skills like social media management, entrepreneurship etc.

(6/15) Given how a simple smartphone and an internet connection can open new avenues for everyone,

(7/15) #NokiaC3ForChange collaborated with the changemakers, Ashita and Anish Nath, and The Good Harvest School to help the village girls skill themselves and become entrepreneurs to overcome their survival challenges.

(8/15) The village girls, with the support of staff members, have now started 'A Farmer at Heart', an initiative where they rent their land and labour to urban farming enthusiasts and experts.

(9/15) I am now able to browse through the internet to learn new farming techniques.

(10/15) I have been using YouTube to learn about mushroom farming, organic vegetable farming and even hydroponics, says the 14-year-old Anchal who now deftly manages the land by growing wheat, mustard and lentils with her family, in addition to her regular education.

(11/15) Deepika, one of the staff members to the project and a teacher at the school, explains, "There are people in cities who want to farm but don't have the land, labour or time to do so and this is where A Farmer at Heart steps in.

(12/15) However, to make the programme successful, we need to access urban farming enthusiasts across India and manage the programme with them to be able to build a sustainable income stream for ourselves.

(13/15) Nokia smartphones have come in at the right time so that we are able to access and manage A Farmer at Heart efficiently and effectively.”

(14/15) With the venture in place, the ‘entrepreneurial’ village girls have already earned almost Rs 1 lakh from subscriptions, which will go into developing their school and improving the quality of education there.

(15/15) Do you know of changemakers like this who are using technology to create an impact? Nominate them here - bit.ly/34bF0hM. You can nominate your own inspiring change story too. The top shortlisted entries will get a Nokia phone! Terms and Conditions apply.