Traditional Farming – Odisha Shramajeebee Mancha

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Background:

The blunt observation made in the ECONOMIC SURVEY_2015-16 that “Indian agriculture, is in a way, a victim of its own past success-especially the celebrated green revolution”, reflect the dark side of the agriculture sector at present and the chaos has been wrecked by the green revolution. The green revolution, which is often characterised by the introduction of high-yielding variety of seeds and fertilisers, undoubtedly increased the productivity of land considerably. But the growth in the productivity has been stagnant in recent years, resulting in a significant decline in the income of farmers. There have also been negative environmental effects in the form of depleting water table, emission of greenhouse gases, and the contamination of surface and ground water. Needless to say, the agriculture sector is in a state of distress, which is severely affecting peasants and marginal farmers, and urgent policy interventions are required to protect their interests.

Hence with an objective of promoting sustainable agriculture by promoting traditional farming and linking the farmers to the state and centre entitlements related to Agriculture, an agriculture intervention was initiated in Harbhanga Block, District Boudh and to reach reaching more than 10,000 farmers to understand agriculture related entitlements and its governance challenges, so that we can move ahead from 1 crop to 2^nd or multiple crops by using sustainable water recharge an traditional agriculture methods or practices. to enhance the productivity of existing crop, to convert single crop farm land into double & multi cropping and to provide irrigation to mostly rain fed agriculture under AAEM, Boudh an agriculture intervention is taken up in Harbhanga Block. After series of discussion with farmers, agriculture-experts and allied departments it was decided to take up organic farming which is eco-friendly, sustainable and affordable by poor and marginal farmers. The organic farming process followed as of now has three process namely organic seed treatment/Priming, usage of Pot medicine (Organic medicine) and Khajarakhata (Bio fertilizer) in all stages.

Objective of traditional farming

To enhance the productivity of existing crop
To convert farm land from single crop to double and multi cropping
To introduce farming methods which is eco-friendly, sustainable and affordable by poor farmers?
To cover rain fed agriculture areas.
To cover those areas where people comparatively poor and are dependent on agriculture & Forest.
To reduce migration & mitigation of starvation.

Process of entire journey: –

Peoples from Harbhanga demanded for solution to agriculture problems during Sangathan meetings along with along pertaining issues.
Keeping in mind the demand from common people Atmashakti members discussed the issue with agri-experts. The agriculture experts suggested and decision was taken to promote organic farming. Adima Adivasi Ekta Manch, Boudh the partner organization was responsible for taking up the intervention further.
Survey format was formulated after long deliberation among members of OSM, Atmashakti, AAEM and agri experts. Survey format was designed to ascertain the status of farmers, livelihood pattern, and previous year income, input costs etc.
The survey was conducted by the Jansathis with continuous supervision from Junior Coordinator, OSM and Atmashakti. The jansathis were oriented on the survey format as well about our objectives before starting of survey.
The survey data was collated, complied and analyzed by OSM and Atmashakti. The finding from analysis is given in another page below.
Through the survey the interested farmers were identified for organic farming in 8 villages and accordingly initial intervention was taken in 8 villages.
Orientation training to interested farmers on organic farming was conducted by AAEM Boudh. The training was conducted by MrParijaan organic farming expert.
The farmers were trained on Seed treatment & Priming, application of Khajarakhata & Pot Medicine.

Constant handholding by the field level staff like jansathi & junior coordinator were given to farmers on regular basis. On each stage farmers were encouraged, supported and collectively mobilized to follow stages of organic farming.
Senior team members from OSM & Atmashakti visited the field to find out the progress and challenges faced by farmers and sorted out immediate concerns. They use to give field visit reports for circulate among team members for knowledge sharing and peer review of progress.
The agri culture expert Mr Parija has visited time & again to field. He used to discuss with famers and guide them. His number was circulated among farmers so that they can call him any time to get advice.
Process documentation at each stage.

Strategy followed & Achievements:-

The Household survey was drafted with the consultation of field team, villager leaders and Atmashakti core team. Then Jansathi were oriented to fill in the forms under the close supervision of junior Coordinator, OSM and Atmashakti Team. The objective was to understand the status of agriculture, land pattern, techniques used in farming, livelihood, type of crops, income generated through agriculture by input and output analyses, government intervention, usage of fertilizers, other socio-economic details etc…

The survey data covering 188 HHs was collated, complied and analysed by OSM and Atmashakti. A good no. of farmers had shown their interest to follow low input cost, yet more yielding traditional agriculture farming. Accordingly, training & orientation was given to interested farmers on traditional organic farming techniques by agriculture expertise.

Achievements over the years:

Last year we intervened in 10 villages from 4 panchayats in h block Harbhanga, district Boudh, so far assets worth 13.37 lakh were sanctioned and leveraged by community based organisation to have better sustainable irrigation in the operational area.

Total 411 Household were engaged and benefited from the programme.
Total yield increased from 13 quintals to 15 quintals through adopting traditional organic farming.
Net profit increased from Rs/- 7950 to 12050 Rs/- per farmer.

Challenges: –

1- Dropout of farmers in 2^nd-Phase