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Our
Environment-Friendly Initiatives |
Case-XI
Traditional to Progressive Farmer |
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Background |
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Ramesh
Chandra Kushwaha of village Barshey, Hathras district has
spent most of his life by following the traditional practives
of agriculture. He is a simple 42 years old man who could
not go beyond the production of vegetables for self-consumption,
but all this was not enough for him to support his family
consisting of eight children. His desire to achieve something
had not faded with age. He was also looking for better options,
but did not know how to realize them. |
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Emergence
of Idea |
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He
came in contact with the Aseed staff during the awareness
campaign where agricultural diversification was being promoted.
Ramesh Chandra got associated with Aseed in search of a better
and brighter future. He attended the meetings organized by
Aseed to get more information about micro credit. Once he
could visualize the advantages of the SHG, he played an active
role in the formation of an SHG, which was constituted to
help the members in financial crisis. The aim behind the formation
of the group was not only money deposition, but also motivating
farmers to adopt new and cost-effective methods of farming. |
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Initiation
of Action |
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The
members of the SHG formed by Aseed were taken to various Krishi
Melas in Pant Nagar, Kanpur and Delhi. These exposure visits
were planned, keeping in mind the exposure requirements of
the farmers and availability of hybrid seeds in these exhibitions.
After coming back from these visits, Ramesh Chandra got motivated
to produce the same quality of seeds in his land. Being an
experienced farmer, he did not face any problem in that. Besides,
guidance was available. He was advised to grow Marigold and
Raspberry in place of vegetables, as these were the crops
which could fetch him more money. He was provided with all
the necessary information and training to produce organic
manures i.e., NADEP manure, CPP and Vermi-compost on his own.
He was then linked with other farmers to sell his products.
The cost of this sort of manure was low and it was able to
give a high yield. The idea suited most of the farmers in
the area. With this type of manure, the fertility of the soil
was left intact and the environment was also left out of the
degradation caused by the use of chemical fertilizers. |
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Generation
of Support |
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With
teh support of our field staff adn his family, Ramesh Chandra
proceeded on his way to establishing an organic nursery, keeping
in mind his as well as his fellow farmers development. He
started growing guava in his small landholding. But this time
he strictly followed the guidelines given to him b the agricultural
scientists. High yield motivated him to grow marigold, Pusa
orange, raspberry, potato, garlic, onion, wheat, chilies etc.
using NADEP compost. He was promoted as a Community-based
Consultant by Aseed. The farmers now started approaching him
for buying organic manure and getting some tips for their
farm. Marigold flowers were earning him good profit and he
started selling marigold seeds also to other farmers. He earned
Rs. 10,000 /- by selling the flowers in the wholesale markets
and from the same yield he was able to have 20 kgs of seeds.
He started selling hybrid seeds of wheat to other farmers,
which gave him good income. |
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Recognition |
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He
kept on widening his knowledge and was open to experimentation
with Aseed's support. From an ordinary farmer, Ramesh Chandra
was now a role model for other farmers. Ramesh Chandra is
constantly motivating other farmers. He is famous in the neighbouring
villages for his wise approach to agriculture and acts as
a Community Consultant when it comes to following the scientific
approach in agriculture. |
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