Support Small Farmers in India

Thank you so much for your regular support to this project. We are writing this letter to share the trends of Food Security in Rajasthan. Seva Mandir has undertaken a study on Food and Nutrition Security in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The final analysis is under process but the trends from the study reveals a dismal state of affairs. A brief literature review correlated with the analysis is given below:

The issue of Food and Nutrition Security is by and large a multifaceted one. Localized as well as external factors such as, changing economic and fiscal policy of the state, status of access to loans and other agricultural input, uncertain rainfall etc. effect the status at the household level.

Survival in a delicate ecosystem characterized by dryland areas and uncertain rainfalls is the major struggle for the poor farmers in Rajasthan. However, in recent years, their survival strategies have come under severe strain due to external interventions and demographic factors wherein the sustainability of the ecosystem has been driven to the margin. Almost 45 per cent land holdings size less than 2 hectares do not have irrigation facilities.

An issue of concern with agriculture is the declining area of production of cereal crops like bajra and small millets (considered to be more nutritious) compared to wheat. There is also decline in production of pulse as per research carried out in various parts of the state. These factors directly affect the dietary diversity of the target population and hence a declined nutritional status.

The increasing human pressure on the fragile eco-systems, absence of adequate investments and appropriate management to supplement and conserve land and water resources, population growth, macroeconomic policies that provide inducement to over-exploit the natural resource are factors that contribute to explain the environmental factors that will influence the food security of the state in the long run.

At an aggregate level the state has achieved “self-sufficiency” in food production in a normal year. But these normal years are very few and in-between. The same cannot be said of security at the household level for more than half the population of the rural areas, which survives on its own meager production and incomes from casual farm and non-farm employment.

Looking at the given trends, it is very important for us to ensure food security in our region. Many thanks for your regular support and giving us a strength to address this issue in our area.

Best regards,

Deepti

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We would like to thank you once again for your continuing support and faith in our work! Your valuable donations have been crucial in helping us make a great difference in people’s lives here in Rajasthan.

We are thrilled to announce that one of our photos has been selected to feature in the Photo Contest 2012 organized by Global Giving.  Voting began on August 1, 2012 and will end on August 15, 2012.

Why we want you to Vote for our Photo:

We believe the photo captures the pure spirit of the project ‘Send a Child in India to School for a Year’, and reflects the possibilities that lie ahead.  With 3 Clicks, you can help us to win the Photo Contest and the Bonus Cash Prize of $1,000!

How 3 Clicks will Help:

• First Click - to vote for our photo following this link http://www.globalgiving.org/poll/vote/?pollOptionId=19,
• Second Click- to confirm your vote via an email sent to you in your inbox,
• Third Click- to share the beautiful image among your friends, family and networks to spread the word. If you share this with just five people, we most definitely have good chance of success!

Why this Project:

Children (6-14 years old) in villages of Udaipur, India lack access to quality education for a number of reasons. In some cases they belong to very poor families whose per capita consumption is a little more than Rs. 500/-. Often these children support their family incomes by either working as laborers or performing household chores or looking after younger siblings.

Through your vote to this project, the Bonus Cash Prize will help us fund an entire rural school to provide quality education to 25 out-of-school and working children for a year.  To learn more about one of our schools, please see the enclosed photo story.

With you at our side, our work is made a little less difficult, and our efforts stretch a whole lot further. We therefore, invite you to support us with 3 clicks.  Please share your thoughts on this report.

With many thanks,

Your friends at Seva Mandir

• Photo Story (PDF)