Introduction

This is a project for enhancing livelihood security of small and marginal farmers by empowering them with a package of organic and sustainable farming technologies. This project is for a period of two years that is from June 2005 to May 2007.

The project provides support for cultivation of herbs along with vegetables in home gardens thereby providing health and nutritional security.

The objectives of this project are as follows:

• To provide support (material and technical) to farmers for organic production of indigenous varieties of paddy and vegetable seeds. This would provide income for small and marginal farmers thereby raising their financial security.
• To provide support for setting up small biopesticide (plant and animal based products) production units.
• To provide support for cultivation of herbs along with vegetables in home gardens thereby providing nutritional security.
• To provide training for use of herbs for self help which leads to health security. 
• To provide training and support on organic composting and pest management. 

Area and Method of Implementation

This project is being implemented in the Kanchipuram district from June 2005. Ten villages have been selected for this project in four Taluks. From these villages, farmers who are interested in organic farming are grouped and formed as “Organic Farmers Sangams”.

Medicinal herbs grown in kitchen gardens and home gardens can be used to treat a variety of common ailments.

200 beneficiary farmers cultivate paddy in half an acre of land by organic farming. For this support is provided from the project in the form of organic inputs, green manure seeds, paddy seeds, biofertilizers and neem cake. Organic kitchen vegetable gardening is undertaken by 400 beneficiaries and vegetable seeds are provided through the programme. Medicinal plant saplings are also provided and this is cultivated along with the vegetables. Technical trainings, exposure visits, technical assistance and monitoring are provided to the beneficiaries by CIKS.

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Beneficiaries

i.Number and Category / Categories
The number of beneficiaries for this programme is 400. The programme is being implemented in 10 villages and most of the farmers are small and marginal farmers.  

ii.Methodology adopted for identification and selection of beneficiaries
CIKS has been working in more than 100 villages in the Kanchipuram district directly. The beneficiaries for this programme have been selected from 10 villages. The villages have been identified in such a way that they are close to each other which would be useful for effective implementation of the programme. The beneficiaries chosen are small and marginal farmers. Before selection of beneficiaries detailed meetings have been conducted with farmers in these villages. Their interest and preferences have been identified. Consultations with village panchayat officials were also held. The final selection of the beneficiaries has been based on the needs, the potential of the individual to implement the programme, his / her performance in other related programmes where our centre has had a direct dealing.

Beneficiaries at a farm cultivating traditional paddy varieties.

iii.Village selection
Baseline survey was done to select the suitable villages for project implementation. The villages, which had more number of small & marginal farmers with livestock were selected. Preference was given to the villages with adequate water facility and the lands not subjected to heavy water stagnation.

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ACTIVITIES

1.Organic Farmers Sangam

It is a collective group of small & marginal farmers having interest in organic farming in a village organized into a sangam. The size of a sangam ranges from 35 to 55 farmers. Each sangam is divided into 2-3 organic farmers Self Help Groups for the purpose of getting loans from banks. The membership of one SHG does not exceed 20. Sangam and SHG meetings are conducted on the same day every month. Twenty five Sangam meetings have been held so far. In the SHG, members undertake to save a particular amount every month and also do credit activities. During the sangam meeting, all members meet at a common place and discuss about organic farming and their experience. They maintain several records and registers.

Sangam members meet at a common place and exchange views and experiences on organic farming. They also maintain records extensively.

2.Distribution of Inputs
During the initial stages of conversion to organic farming, the net income may be reduced for two years. In order to combat that loss and to make the farmers self-sustainable, the basic inputs like paddy seeds, green manure seeds, biofertilizers and neem cake were supplied by the organization through the project.

Biofertilizers being distributed to farmers. We provide farmers with a variety of inputs to facilitate their conversion to organic farming.

 
3.Organic Paddy Cultivation

Farmers were encouraged to take up organic paddy cultivation. Traditional varieties are more suitable for organic farming. Hence, the beneficiaries were supplied with the seeds of traditional paddy varieties and organic inputs like neem cake, biofertilizers and green manure seeds required for every crop season.

• During Samba‘05 (Mid July- Mid January), 199 farmers cultivated nine traditional paddy varieties organically in 90 acre area. Of this, 65.5 acre of the cultivated area was destroyed by the flood during north-east monsoon. Harvest was done in the remaining 24.5 acre only.

An organic paddy conservation field

• During Navarai (Mid December - Mid March) ‘05-‘06, 78 farmers cultivated nine traditional paddy varieties organically in 41.5 acres.
• During Samba‘06, 146 farmers cultivated 11 traditional paddy varieties organically in 73 acres. Of this, the crops cultivated in 47 acres were destroyed due to drought. Harvest was done in the remaining 26 acres only.
• During Late Samba ‘06, 115 farmers cultivated paddy organically in 65 acres. The farmers cultivated ADT-43, ADT-45, ADT-37 and BPT.
• During Navarai ‘06-‘07, 60 farmers cultivated paddy organically in 42 acres.
• During Sornavari (Mid April - Mid August) 06-07, 29 farmers cultivated paddy organically in 22 acres.
• During Samba‘07, 64 farmers cultivated four traditional paddy varieties organically in 34 acres.

4.Organic Kitchen Vegetable Garden
Farmers are encouraged to maintain kitchen vegetable garden to get pesticides free healthy vegetables for their family. Traditional vegetable seeds and some of the improved variety seeds were given to the farmers. Farmers contribute for fencing and also provide manual work. Each farmer received one packet of vegetable seeds. One packet contains ten types of vegetable crop seeds.

Farmers can grow organic vegetables in their kitchen gardens for their own consumption.

5.Kitchen Herbal Garden
A survey was undertaken to understand the frequently occurring health disorders among the villagers. Based on the survey, 14 medicinal plants were promoted in the kitchen herbal garden that can used in the treatment of common cold, fever, skin disorders and stomach problems. Each member received a minimum of five species of medicinal plants. They were also provided training on the use of these medicinal plants. Most of the members are now using these medicinal plants for their health related problems.

6.Demo Kitchen Garden
Model kitchen gardening was promoted in each village for the purpose of demonstrating the kitchen garden to other sangam members. In 10 villages, totally 34 cents of land area was allotted for model kitchen garden. Eleven varieties of 8 vegetable crops were maintained. Organization supported to form model kitchen garden through providing seeds and financial assistance for fencing etc.

7.  Demonstration Fields for Paddy Conservation
Special demonstration fields were maintained in which several traditional paddy varieties were cultivated. These fields serve as places where farmers could come and learn and also choose specific varieties that they require according to their land and irrigation facilities available.

8. Receiving Double the Quantity of Paddy Seeds

The paddy and vegetable seeds which were supplied by the organization are returned in double the quantity by the farmers.
The purpose of doing so is

• To supply seeds to all members in the sangam.
• To conserve and spread the traditional paddy and vegetable seeds.
• To reduce the purchase of seeds from stores and the purchasing cost for sangam members.

Implements such as sprayers are distributed to farmers.

On field  training on Organic farming techniques

Farmers during an exposure visit to an organic farm

 

11.Construction of Seed Bank
Based on the performance of sangam activities, five villages namely Edaiyur, Valathodu, Thandaraipuducherry, Kolathancherry and Narapakkam were selected and seed banks (of size 11.5’’x11.5’’) were constructed in these villages by the organization. The farmers have also contributed towards construction of these storage structures.

12.Biopesticide Unit
A number of botanicals are being used in organic agriculture for crop protection. These extracts can be easily prepared and used. To facilitate income generation for the sangams, biopesticide units (with electric power facility) were constructed in Valathodu and Edaiyur villages by the organization. The farmers were provided with the necessary trainings for preparing the botanicals and plant growth promoters. They were also supplied with the equipments and materials required for running the unit.

13. Beneficiaries Contribution
Instead of giving inputs entirely free, contributions from farmers are also taken. Before supply of any inputs or equipments, contribution from the beneficiaries is collected.

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