Support Small Farmers in India

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

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Links:

• Seva Mandir's Facebook Page