Teaching Sustainable Agriculture to Youth

Project # 6265:  Biodiverse Agricultural Training to Youth.

Implemented by :  VOICE Trust, Trichy District , Tamil Nadu,  India.

Supported by:Friends from all over the world through Global Giving.

Progress Report for April – June 2015.

Multipronged approaches to bring  youth into agriculture.

21% of the agricultural lands have been sold in the past 3 years for non-agricultural purposes in Trichy District.  Same trend has been in many parts of  State  of Tamil Nadu, India.  Increase in expenses and decreases in yield and loss in economy are some reasons. Now, lack of manpower is another reason.  There are no farmers to operate machines.

For the past 15 years, VOICE Trust is doing agriculture in 18 acres of land under rainfed cultivation system with the help of 9 models of organic manuring and bio pest repellants (See photo of Azolla algae). Azolla can be easily grown by youth in their house surroundings and sold to farmers for nutrient value to the crops (also to control growing of weeds), as fodder for cattle and as nutrient diet for children.   For every one rupee invested,  Indian rupees 2.16 has been earned after deduction of all expenses including wages for farmers which usually they do not include. Now, 320 tons of vegetables per month are being brought under equitable marketing to give better margin to farmers without any middlemen misappropriation.

On April 1, 2015, Project Director of VOICE Trust addressed 359 teachers from rural schools to encourage youth to join agriculture.  Special trainings offered for specific works like gathering of seeds and conducting  of seed efficiency tests, preparation of organic manures and bio pest repellants and value addition to agriculture produce. 

If one of you can help, we can fill one agriculture farm with 2 youth to assure profitable incomes for farmers and to provide poison- free food products to all people in the urban/semi urban/ rural communities.

Appeal is made again to Friends of Earth for help.  You can start helping this project by your donation of minimum  $10 USD to maximum any amount. Donate through Global Giving.