Support Small Farmers in India

Dear Friend,

Jetha and his wife Jeeja have about 1 hectare (just over 2 acres) of land in a rural area of Kotra block, southern Rajasthan. They used to grow only wheat, maize, lentils and a very few vegetables, all of which were for their own consumption, with no surplus to sell. Now Seva Mandir has started up vegetables nurseries in the area so that farmers can buy vegetable plants for one rupee each, and the farmers have received training to help them make the most of their seedlings.

Jetha and Jeeja grow chillies, spinach, onions, garlic, aubergines/eggplants and tomatoes, which are all flourishing on their smallholding. They eat about a quarter of what they grow and sell the rest locally, on the roadside near their home and in the local market. Their thriving vegetable crops have increased their family income by around 65% [from Rs 46,000 ($707) a year to Rs 76,000 ($1,169)]. When you consider that the average per capita income in this rural area is Rs 60-80 a day (the equivalent of 70-90 GB pence or USD 1-1.25), this is a life-changing amount.

With the money they have earned through their vegetables, Jetha and Jeeja have been able to build a small house next to their smallholding, which they share with their two younger children, their daughter having left to get married. As well as the significant improvement in their earnings, their diet has become much healthier because they now have an abundance of fresh vegetables to eat, instead of the traditional staple diet of wheat and maize. They have two goats which provide milk for the family to drink.

Jetha and Jeeja are very proud of their vegetables – and their little house.

Without your contribution, projects such as Seva Mandir’s vegetable nurseries would not be possible. So your donations are making a huge difference to the lives of poor farmers and their families here in southern Rajasthan.

Thank you so much.

Regards

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website
• Seva Mandir's Facebook Page

Dear Friend,

Let me start out by wishing you and your loved ones the season’s greetings. 

Seva Mandir has been working in the tribal communities of south Rajasthan in India for 50 years to ensure food, fodder and water security, thus enhancing the incomes of rural households.

Jetharam is a resident of Kotra block which is listed as one of the most backward areas of Rajasthan on Human Development Index. He used to earn an annual income of Rs. 46,000 ($720) by growing cotton, lentils and maize on his farmland. To make the ends meet, he used to migrate to work as labor during the non farming season. He had no idea of benefits of growing short term crop like vegetable in between the major crops until he attended a workshop for farmers organized by Seva Mandir in his village. 

With guidance of agriculture experts and rigorous training sessions, he learned new techniques to taking multiple crops in a year. To begin with, he took 120 saplings of chili, 200 saplings of brinjal (egg plant), 250 plants of tomato. This season he seems to be overjoyed with the production of vegetables on his farm. So far, he harvested 70 kg of chili, 200 kg of brinjal, 300 kg of tomato and the production is ongoing. While he took some for his own consumption, he also sold the surplus amount of vegetable. This year, he has already secured an additional income of Rs. 39,000 ($610) from vegetable (apart from regular crops) after household consumption.  Looking at the benefit, he has already set up a nursery for the upcoming summer season.

Jetharam is one of the 270 farmers who have learned the new techniques of farming and have improved their income. Growing vegetable have not only improved their economic status but will also help in overcoming malnutrition among children which is very common among children in this area.

Seva Mandir runs various farm based activities with farmers to improve their condition. These activities include setting up orchids, vegetable farms, backyard poultry, providing agriculture expert’s advice, quality seeds, agriculture trainings etc to help farmers grow good crops and attain a dignified earning.

It is all because you, we have been able to extend support to 10,000 poor farmers in this area. These farmers can now grow enough food in their fields and don’t have to migrate from farming in absence of basic necessities.

Along with that, I also wanted to tell you that this year we have been selected by the GlobalGiving Foundation to participate in its YEAR END CAMPAIGN!, a fundraising opportunity for nonprofits around the world.

In order to succeed, we must raise $3,000 from 30 donors by end of this month. If we meet this threshold, we will be featured on GlobalGiving’s website and could earn bonus prizes from GlobalGiving for raising the most money. Please help us reach the goal! Be one of the first people to make a donation.

Please do reach out to us at atul.lekhra@sevamandir.org 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support!

With warm wishes, 

Atul Lekhra and the Seva Mandir Team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Facebook Page