HELPING FARMERS IMPROVE FARM PRODUCTIVITY

Location: 10 villages in Thasra and Galteshwar blocks, Kheda district, Gujarat

Beneficiaries: 12,360 individuals and 2,455 households

Around 35,000 hectares of common and farm lands on both the banks of River Mahi were affected by ravine expansion. The loss of farmlands and common lands due to these ravines posed a serious threat to the livelihoods of the poor farmers in these areas. The crops are also destroyed by grazing blue bulls and wild boar. Additionally, the lack of knowledge regarding new farming practices and inadequate availability of farming inputs had led to a 15-20 per cent reduction in the productivity.

HDFC Bank Parivartan in association with Foundation for Ecological Security introduced the Holistic Rural Development Programme with support from the local governing bodies. After discussions in gram sabhas, 23 acres of land were brought under new agriculturally cultivable land and 67 acres of land brought under three-season cultivable land. Crop diversification was implemented to shift from tobacco cultivation to other crops like paddy, bajari, fodder, caster, etc. covering 257.76 acres. A total of 185.36 acres of land was used for deep ploughing for paddy season, which was not in practice earlier. A total of 10 medium-sized check dams / Gabion structures were constructed to stabilise land erosion. Wire fencing was done on a cost-sharing basis, which protected 312 acres against wildlife. Critical support to 648 farmers was provided during kharif and rabi season.

With these initiatives and financial contributions by the Bank and government bodies, farm productivity has improved, leading to an increase in the income of the farmers from approximately Rs 50,000 to Rs 90,000 each year.

The HRDP is now being implemented in 10 more villages of Kheda district, with applications from around 35 other gram panchayats being received so far.

BREATHING LIFE INTO THE SHGs

Location: Nirgudi, Bidar district, Northern Karnataka

Beneficiaries: 5 villages

Nirgudi gram panchayat in Basavakalyan taluka falls in the Bidar district of Northern Karnataka. It is one of the most backward districts in terms of economic as well as human development index. The SHGs in the villages of Niragudi gram panchayat were in extremely poor condition. They lacked operational knowledge and linkages with banks. As a result, the members failed to execute any development programmes successfully. An intervention to improve the functioning of these SHGs was strictly needed so that they could deliver the goals for which they were created.

Under the HRDP project, Parivartan formed 6 SHG federations in 5 villages. The concept of community Managed Resource Center (CMRC) was introduced to all the federations. It is a formal institution managed by the SAGs/CBOs which provides quality services to its member institutions, individuals and the general community. It lobbies for change and has the potential to provide a platform for aggregation of surplus commodities. Orientation was provided regarding its importance, role and functions. A Navadeepa CMRC was formed. It was setup to provide a wide range of need and demand-based services to members as well as non-members.

During the first year of its establishment, a total of 94 SHGs and 1245 members came under the Navadeepa CMRC. Several diverse welfare activities and development programmes were carried out such as tailor training, linking to financial institutions for loans, conducting health camps and awareness programmes etc. Discussions and meetings are held for regular monitoring of these programmes and the functioning of the SHGs.

REINVIGORATING THE FARMLANDS THROUGH FARM BUNDING

Location: Nirgudi, Bidar district, Northern Karnataka

Beneficiaries: Shivaputra Mulage

Farming is the main source of livelihood in Nirgudi region of Bidar district. Since the soils here have shallow rooting depth, soil erosion is a serious problem. The productive layer of the soil had been deteriorating resulting in decreased produce. Shivaputra and his family completely depend on agriculture and have 6 acres of rain-fed land which relies entirely on rain and bore water for farming. Due to scanty rainfall, the bore well dried completely. This caused him to lose hope and he planned to migrate to Hyderabad city to search for a labour job.

Shivaputra came to learn about the water campaigning drives which were conducted by HRDP and MYRADA. He met the volunteers and explained his problems. His farm land was added in the net plan for farm bunding (trench cum bund across the slope). A cross section of his land was selected for bunding and support was provided for creating a Vermicomposting pit. The volunteers of HRDP also conducted farmer training programmes to ensure successful execution of the initiative.

The intervention improved the ground water table which also helped Shivaputra recharge his dried bore well. Soil erosion was completely eradicated and soil fertility increased. Three acres of Shivaputra’s rain-fed land was converted into irrigated land. He increased his yield by 4-5 quintals per acres thanks to the use of vermicompost. The adoption of these methods and organic farming, cultivating horticulture plants, etc. helped him increase his income from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakhs.

PROVIDING RAIN SHELTERS TO FLOOD-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES FOR PROTECTED FARMING OF VEGETABLES

Location: Kerala

Beneficiaries: 8 families

Climate change and its manifestations are affecting the household level food and nutritional security of the villages of Wayanad. Unseasonal rains, flood like conditions, improper irrigation facilities affect the crop yield every year. This leads to financial loss and affects the livelihood of the community.

The objective of this project activity was to ensure household production of vegetables in all seasons by providing small rain shelters within an area of two cents (871.2 square feet). The rain shelters are supposed to protect the crops from heavy rain and also ensure minimum usage of water and manures. The project under ‘Parivartan’ has selected eight beneficiaries from the agrarian tribal communities who were completely dependent on their farm products for food and livelihood.

The households selected were individual farmers from Kurichya and Kuruma tribal communities. This project has introduced protected farming ensuring the production of vegetables for consumption in all seasons. The rain shelters have helped the beneficiaries to cultivate cucumber, chilli, tomato, beans, long pea, cabbage, amaranthus etc. in small qualities. Farmers have also come up with their own innovative ways to use the rain shelters as nurseries for paddy, vegetables, areca nuts and tubers and have started propagating pepper wines and banana seedlings. One of the beneficiaries, Mr Chandran from Panamaram village has earned Rs 7,000 per season by producing and selling seedlings.

SOLAR LIGHTS DEPLOYED FOR THE LOWER-INCOME GROUPS

Location: Rajdongri village, Chindwara district, Madhya Pradesh

Beneficiaries: 375 families

Electricity is an important and basic need however many poor families and rural communities lack the same. During our baseline survey, it was found that most of the poor families in Rajdongri of Chindwara district, are deprived of electricity even though the village is equipped with an electricity connection. The women of Rajdongri trekked a long walk for the collection of fuelwood. It was later revealed that most of the connections were illegal and had to be disconnected by the State Electricity Board. As a result, poor families had to suffer and due to their financial worries, they were not able to gain access to a good alternative source of light.

To help the villagers, our Bank along with the Village Development Committee (VDC) and WOTR (Watershed Organisation Trust), provided them with an alternative source of light. After an analysis, beneficiaries were identified and were provided with solar lights. The beneficiaries expressed their happiness for being able to have a source of light without paying heavy electricity bills. They were happy that their children could now study after sunset.

With a solar light, everything changes. These lights are safe, clean and affordable. They give off hours of light in the evening so families can earn, learn, and feel safe after dark. By providing this basic need to people, our Bank is trying to transform the fortunes of rural communities and poor families.

FORMING SELF-HELP GROUPS TO ENHANCE INCOME OPPORTUNITIES

Location: Devnala Rayat village, Chindwara district, Madhya Pradesh

Beneficiaries: 11 women

The scarcity of rainfall has a huge impact on the livelihood of rural communities as people are dependent on the natural resources present in their surroundings to earn a living. A baseline survey conducted by WOTR (Watershed Orgainsation Trust) in Devnala village emphasised the acute scarcity of water faced by the villagers. They had to face a drought-like situation due to the low rainfall since last 10 years. This groundwater shortage forced the people of Devnala Rayat to migrate to the cities in the search of a livelihood.

With an objective of improving the livelihoods of poor farmers and vulnerable groups, Natural Resource Management programme was undertaken by our Bank in association with WOTR in Devnala Rayat village of Chindwara district. During the baseline survey, the population of Devnal Rayat village was divided into 4 categories: Surplus, Medium, Poor and Very Poor.

As per the project norms, first preference was given to the poor/ vulnerable groups. Several activities were initiated to reduce the water shortage worries while providing the locals with income-generating options. Dug-wells were created for irrigation purposes. Farmers especially women of the village started organic farming in their wasteland to generate income. Smira, a member of the SHG, earned around `55,000 to 60,000 from selling the organic vegetables cultivated by her and her family.

SHGs have been consistently involved in creating more income-generating opportunities for the villagers. They were able to enhance the livelihood of villagers through dug-wells, organic farming, making vermicomposting, etc.

With a solar light, everything changes. These lights are safe, clean and affordable. They give off hours of light in the evening so families can earn, learn, and feel safe after dark. By providing this basic need to people, our Bank is trying to transform the fortunes of rural communities and poor families.

IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH ORGANIC FARMING

Location: Nagpur and Bhandara

Beneficiaries: 5,000+ families

The injudicious use of chemical fertiliser presents multifaceted problems such as loss of soil fertility, a cost burden on the household, and more importantly serious health issues. The alternative to this is organic farming which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilisers, pesticides, hormones, feed, etc.).

However, in the villages of Nagpur and Bhandara, this farming method was neglected. While some farmers practiced organic farming having little to no functional knowledge, others were suspicious about the quality of produce and production assurance. It was also noticed that the women of these villages had no economic opportunities and were dependent on the male bread-winner of the family. The challenge was to provide resources and knowledge on organic farming and subsequently improve livelihood opportunities, specifically for the women of the villages.

The primary goal for this project was to improve livelihood opportunities by harnessing the natural resources of the area with suitable developmental activities, encouraging women empowerment and improving the community’s quality of life. Parivartan along with its NGO partner BAIF initiated three projects in 21 villages of Nagpur and Bhandara: Lok Samruddhi, CDP-Pawanara, and KVP-Tumsar.

Through these projects, organic farming was promoted to ensure sustainable farming. BAIF amplified the use of organic fertilisers made from locally available materials. Vermicompost units were promoted to tap the available resources at the local level.

The units were set up using two approaches: individual household units and group-based vermicompost units. Four women-run Self-Help Groups were involved in ensuring the proper functioning of the latter.

With interventions that covered agriculture, livestock, natural resource management, and women empowerment, the project has benefited more than 5,000 families.

DROUGHT MITIGATION AND DISTRESS REDUCTION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Location: Maharashtra

Beneficiaries: 10,434 farmers in Project villages and 2,562 farmers in Non-Project villages

Yavatmal district in Maharashtra faces an acute scarcity of water for more than 7 months in a year. The farmers are completely dependent on rainwater for irrigation and such dominant rain-fed agriculture results in low agricultural productivity. Also, the work opportunities in the district are few resulting in unemployment and poverty. There were several farmer suicide incidences observed due to the stress faced by the farming community.

Parivartan’s Holistic Rural Development Programme was implemented in 11 villages in Ralegaon and Klamb block of the Yavatmal District to minimise the issues of scarcity of water, health, hygiene, sanitation, low agricultural productivity, unemployment, distressed migration, food, and fodder security. The project led to several developments in these villages.

Water harvesting structures were constructed that can store about 130.46 million litres of water in addition to the recharged groundwater. Around 103 farmers are getting water from the check dam structures for the irrigation of crops. Groundwater levels have improved in all the villages and the community has started using drip and sprinkler irrigation methods.

Crop production has increased by 25-40% per acre of the land where protective irrigation has been used. There is an increase in the local employment which has resulted in a reduction in the migration from the village. A scientific and well planned developmental approach has helped the community to come out of their problems on a sustainable basis.

BUILDING SKILL IN NATURAL FARMING

Location: Hathiyathal village in Roorkee Block, Haridwar district, Uttarakhand

Beneficiaries: 11 families

The farmers from Hathiyathal village in Roorkee Block of Haridwar district cultivate sugar cane, wheat and paddy. These farmers have been practicing modern farming methods that are heavily dependent on agri inputs like inorganic fertilisers or pesticides. As a group, they were wary of natural farming, harbouring misconceptions like yields would reduce and profits would be hampered. The challenge was to educate them and train them in natural farming, ushering in a more sustainable model. Changing their perception was the biggest roadblock.

Our Bank began by helping the farmers understand the environmental crisis and how the breakdown of ecosystems is deeply linked to modern agriculture. They were shown how current farming methods are exhausting the earth’s resources. With natural farming, farmers understood how farm residues could be used to reduce their dependence on pesticides and fertilisers. Methods such as mulching, intercropping, and the use of preparations including cow dung were taught. These preparations generated on-site, are central to the practice, and promote microbe and earthworm activity in the soil.

Jawahar Lal’s family was the first to be trained. He was given supplies which included a decomposer and bio-pesticides to get started. From an expenditure of Rs 70,000 on fertiliser, he now spends about Rs 50,000 and looks forward to reducing it further over the next two years. With this success, 10 more families have adopted natural farming methods.

A Farmer Club has also been set up which will play an important role in the sustainability of this project going forward.