Support Small Farmers in India

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Seva Mandir!

Hope you are well. I like to introduce myself to you. I am Atul Lekhra. I have joined Seva Mandir early this year and I will now be communicating with you through these project reports. I am glad to be a part of this program and look forward to talking to you about all these wonderful projects you are supporting.

Today I want to share with you story of Bheroti village.

Lift irrigation was installed at Bheroti village of Jhadol block. The system is installed near a perennial river known as Vakal. The village itself is surrounded by hillocks. The water runoff is very high. The river is the only constant source of water for the surrounding villages.  Cropping pattern is completely rainfed in this village. So, in Kharif season the main crops grown are Maize, Black Gram, Rice, Pigeon pea, and Sismon. In Rabi season, in the region where there are land containing some soil moisture there, farmers cultivate few crops namely Mustard, Gram and Wheat.  Seva Mandir has been working in the village for a long time. In Biroti village, of jhadol block  Seva Mandir has been working on non formal education center (NFE), Balwadi (Pre Nursery school) and for women empowerment a Self Help Group (SHG) has been developed. In consultation with the community Seva Mandir along with Gram Vikas Committee (Village Development Committee) thought of installing a lift irrigation system. This system will help in fully utilizing the river nearby. And so the irrigation system was installed. The system has benefited 20 cultivators in 13 hectares of comman area and it has supported in realization of three cropping pattern for the beneficiaries. Importantly, during uncertain monsoon period these cultivators are benefitting with life saving irrigation for the crops. This system is managed and maintained by the cultivators themselves.

In Kharif season 11 cultivators’ sowed 55 kgs. of Maize and in return they harvested 2200 kgs. of Maize. During Kharif season three cultivators harvested 80 kgs of Musli (medicinal plant). One cultivator harvest vegetables and was benefited with an income of Rs. 2000. During Rabi season, seventeen cultivators sowed 622 kgs of Wheat and harvested 9300 kgs. At present in zaid season, six cultivators has sowed green grams.

From food security point of view, we can say that cultivators are more secure now due to irrigation system. Earlier
in lieu of uncertain monsoon cultivators had just Kharif season, but now due to the irrigation system, they can harvest for three seasons. Now cultivators enjoy increased and stable income.

Much of this success is also due to your untiring support. It is a great partnership and we hope to continue having
you by our side. We really appreciate the trust you have shown in us. Please do let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you again.

Atul Lekhra.

Links:

• Seva Mandir's official website