Support Small Farmers in India

Dear Friends,

Hope you are well. I am writing to thank you for your most generous and regular support to tribal farmers of our region. Here the winter is all set to say us a good bye for this year.  The farmers are eagerly waiting for the harvesting of their wheat crop very soon.

Since last year, it rained fairly well, resulting into a better crop this year. You would be delighted to note that more than 440 farmers were benefited with your support during all this time. These farmers have, cultivated Kharif (winter) and Zaid (summer) crops (including vegetables).

In the reporting period (From April 2011 to September 2011), these farmers have grown a number of vegetables such as bottle guard, ridge guard, okra, cluster beans, chilly and coriander. These vegetables allow these farmers to make some money as well as cater to their nutritional needs.  I take an immense pleasure sharing a half yearly report on this project you are supporting. These farmers with your support have made more than Rs. 500,000 (around $ 10,000 ) by producing vegetables. There is an inspiring story of a village in the report, which you will enjoy reading. I am also copying that story below my letter, in case you open the report at your leisure.

The story details as how with little help these farmers are able to grow vegetables in small farms that they own and help their families.

Once again, a very big thank you for your valuable support. We hope you will continue supporting these farmers and helping their families have better food and income.  Please also share your thoughts on this feedback report. We hope to see you here some day.

With warm regards,

Deepti

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Some farmers in village “Peepad” were enrolled for vegetable cultivation program of Seva Mandir. Some other farmers also had shown interest after seeing the progress made by these farmers. . These farmers too decided to grow vegetables on their farms The 37 farmers out of 42 requested for good quality seeds of Cluster Beans. With Seva Mandir’s help 3 farmers who were representing the entire group (42 farmers) went to Udaipur City in order to explore various kinds of seeds available for the Cluster Beans. After close research the farmers selected the “Sarit Soumya 700” variety. It was bought and distributed to selected farmers (39 who showed interest in growing cluster beans).

The total farming area is 21.5 bighas that these farmers cultivated on. In the beginning, the farmers didn’t receive a fair price for their crops but later, as their total produce increased as a result of better rainfall. The farmers were able to make good income. A total of 13,300 of cluster beans were produced from the total 4.59 hectare of land. They sold their produce between Rs 10 – Rs 25 (below $1) stabilizing the price at an average of Rs 18 per kilos.

 In total they all earned an income of more than Rs 236,800 (USD 5,262). Apart from cluster beans, the farmers also  grew other vegetables like Ridge Guard, chilies, coriander, pumpkin, lady finger (okra), tomatoes, moong (Green gram) and  earned Rs 711,00 (USD 1,590).  

Links:

• Videos of Seva Mandir

• Food Security Half Yearly Report 2011-12 (DOC)