INCEPTION WORKSHOP OF AGROECOLOGY PROJECT

 “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man”.

                                                                                            — George Washington

January 2020 was a historical moment in India wherein Gram Bharati Samiti under the aegis of CARI, France led the project on agro ecology with the support of likeminded civil society organizations.

Gram Bharati Samiti, GBS has been effective implementing programs and activities by actively involving farmers, scientists and other stake holders. In this regard AME, Renuka agri farms, Zero budget natural farming, Vaagdhara and Dharamitra are five progressive initiatives with regard to avaclim agro ecology projects in India that proved to be effective and created greater impact as per the objectives of the project.

Organization involved direct and indirect actors across various dimensions of operations and functioning. In this context the five fact sheets that were developed during the reporting period were appreciated by the funding agencies and the same were published on the official website of CARI which is a token of remarkable and outstanding contribution from India. This act reflects integrity and high levels of quality commitment for the cause of agro ecology movement in the country.

Two initiatives namely: Vaagdhaara and Renuka bio farms were chosen among the above five initiatives for further exploration and assessment of the strategies and procedures adapted with an objective to upscale and sustain the program in view of UN SDG goals of 2030.

1. Renuka Bio Farms (RBF) was established in 2005 to restore a 20 acre degraded patch of land in Routhsurmala village of Tottembedu block. Since then the initiative has gradually    pended and successfully used eco restoration practices to create a productive agro ecological production system on 1,000acres.The initiative is supported by a team with expertise in agro ecological farming, and demonstrates a balance between ancient knowledge and modern techniques without any chemical usage.RBF is an incubator for local farmers for capacity building and developing knowledge on agro ecological methods of farming.

The initiative is focused on the wellbeing of the rural poor, regeneration of natural resources and watershed management and the promotion of organic farming and marketing. Empowerment of women and alternative banking are important elements of promoting of rural enterprises and livelihoods. The capacities of local government (Panchayati Raj) are enhanced by the initiative, to enable them to serve the communities more effectively. The development of the capacities of the youth to promote sustainable development ensures the sustainability of the communities. The initiative reduces the cost of cultivation and enhances crop productivity, including by promotion of irrigated crops and effective water management techniques and dry land horticulture. Improving livestock productivity is also a priority.

Green manure agro forestry species and plants with insecticidal properties are grown on the borders of fields and farmers use ethno botanical practices for control of plant pests/diseases and for animal health care. They prepare and use “Bioooster” and liquid manure and use them at least three times during the crop cycle for most crops. The initiative has been supported by advisors and scientists.

1. Sustainable agricultural practices have led to increased soil fertility and controlled pests. Production has increased despite limited water resources using micro irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, kitchen gardening and off grid power generation through solar energy benefitting around 20 families.
2. Income levels of poor farmers have increased in the villages of Chittoor district. Average yields for paddy have increased from 25upto28X75 kg bags per acre. There placemen to fexternal inputs with cow-based products has reduced the cost of production.
3. Rain water runoff is managed more effectively using bunds and farm ponds, thus increasing biodiversity in soils and above ground. The diverse farm ecosystems attract sparrows and other birds into the habitat. Land, water and biodiversity are being regenerated through conservation efforts and good natural resource management practices.
4. Beneficial Microbes are produced and used at farm level, increasing the effective micro organisms in the soil. Neem powder used as a bio-fertiliser to regenerate depleted soils, and as bio pesticide to control pests. Native breeds of cattle have been conserved and their by-products utilized for agriculture activities.
5. Moringa has been adoptedasa‘super food’and is produced by many of the participating farmers. Mango and sapodilla (Manilkarazapota) are produced for the irnutritional and health benefits. Agro for estry species Gliricidiasepiumand Cassiasiamea are grown to provide fodder for livestock.
6. The initiative at VAAGDHAARA nurtures peoples' institutions and empowers the communities to manage development interventions in a sustainable way. The ‘Sustainable Integrated Farming System’ (SIFS) approach supports farmer groups to transform their farms into more productive and sustainable systems. Farmers use multiple natural resource-based strategies to get more benefit from their produce through sustainable agro ecological production, improved post-harvest management, value-addition and marketing. SIFS focuses on increased farming system productivity based on agro ecological combinations of crops, horticulture, agro forestry, livestock and aquaculture. Use of external inputs is minimized by enhancing the recycling of materials within the farm system. Participatory farmer-based learning processes underpin the design of improved faring systems by farmer groups in collaboration with identified experts and facilitators. Choices are determined by available local natural resources, knowledge and skills, as well as household and nutrition needs and market opportunities. Women’s empowerment is advanced by providing micro credits through Self Help Groups.

1. 250 families have increased their income through improved poultry production, starting with 40-50 chicks. Before adopting the approach one farmer earned Rs.500-1000 per month, but after acquiring improved chicks of the Pratapdhan variety his earnings rose to Rs.4, 000–5,000permonth.
2. 300 families have adopted hedgerow winter cropping, farming annual crops between rows of multipurpose trees. The trees cycle nutrients from deep in the soil provide organic matter on the surface, restores soil structure, reduces erosion and enhances water retention while improving the micro-climate for crops.
3. 72 women have implemented integrated farming systems and established kitchen gardens using the Wasteland Agriculture Development Intervention (WADI) approach. These units established through this tree-based farming system contribute to other production components of the farm such as annual crop fields and livestock, creating productive agri-horti-forestry systems.
4. 325 families have adopted Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT), creating hedgerows nitrogen-fixing species on contour lines to trap sediments and gradually transform sloping land to terraced land. Contour trenching, planting and tending operations have generated significant local employment and ended season alout-migration
5. 46 families have applied improved fodder saving methods for cattle production using cultivated fodder crops such as multi-cut pearl millet, maize, cow peas, berseem, oats and Lucerne. Mixed/inter cropping of cereals and legumes is a better crop management practice for providing the nutritive fodder to animals and results in 20-30% fodder saving using stall feeding practices.

GBS in coordination and collaboration with all stake holders took active role in completion of all relevant and prescribed protocol documents related to the first two steps partnership strengthening, assessment of tools (Knowledge management) and marching ahead towards integration of the scientific results for advocacy and communication for a political decision and social empowerment.

“If we don't get sustainability right in agriculture first, it won't happen anywhere”.

                                                                                                    — Wes Jackson