Sustainable Farming – Nellore Region (First Year)

Partner: Rural Reconstruction and Development Society

Working on the principle of Our water, Our seeds, Our village.

Last year, we began our sustainable farming and water conservation initiatives in the Nellore region last year. The training we have provided in Lingasamudram, the pilot village for this project, served to teach farmers the preparation method for organic fertilizers and pesticides such as Egga Kashayam, Ganamurtham and Jeevanamrutham.

Our work last year included:

• Natural Organic Farming Training – Training on preparation methods for organic fertilizers and pesticides in Lingasamudram
• Completed Renovation of 2 Check Dams
• Chakki Revu Check Dam – 35 families benefited
• Mangana Gunta Check Dam – 25 families benefited
• Kakki Revu Check Dam – 26 families benefited
• Community Well – Dheyyala Kunta Community well – 26 families benefited
• Soil testing performed for 5 shortlisted farmers in each village
• Trench cum bunding program completed for 14 farmers
• Thokalapudi Water Canal restoration was completed – work involved clearing the bushes and digging 2.5 ft – 22 families benefited
• Traditional seeds promotion and distribution, including the Organic Seed Awareness Program
• Village level meetings were organized to explain the importance of natural farming methods free of the effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The team created awareness via meetings at three pilot villages – teaching how natural farming is the most cost-effective alternative, including through saving the water and land

Please see the video form the farmer on how this project impacted his life.

The Nellore Project continued in 2020 through these activities:

Promotion of Community Kitchen Garden: Traditional seeds promotion and distribution: Seeds have been distributed to selected womenfolk in the community. We distributed seeds to 45 women from seed banks across 3 villages. We also completed community Kitchen Garden training. Some of the seed types distributed through this initiative include:

1. Eggplant (Brinjal)
2. Lady’s Fingers (Okra)
3. Chili Peppers (Mirchi)
4. Leaves
5. Green Beans
6. Tomatoes
7. Gongura
8. Lemon

The women (pictures below) are taking the lead in promoting these traditional seeds. These are our Pilot Farmers ! The members expressed that the gardens are now helping them save Rs 3000 per month. 

Natural Farming: In January a presentation was given to the communities in 2 villages for demonstrating the preparation of natural pesticides. “Majjige” or buttermilk made from local milk was collected and stored for three days, which was then used for spraying on crops as a pesticide. This method was implemented in the community lemon and vegetable gardens. The communities are seeing a reduction of almost 50% in the cost of fertilizers by the introduction of natural organic farming methods.

Five farmers from 3 villages were selected as pilots for this project. The project started in February. Case study videos can be seen on the Facebook page.

These are the Pilot Farmers for this project.

Please see the chart below detailing the Earnings/Yield for some of the Pilot Farmers in Community Kitchen Garden and Natural Farming projects.

Water Conservation: As of January 2020, 9 community wells and some old canals have been repaired. The community is seeing a positive impact of this work. Additional sites have been identified to complete additional work for in April. Percolation tanks were renovated in two villages, Gajulavaniguntha & Pasvulaguntha, Nellore district that benefitted 49 farmers and covered a land area of about 103 acres. 

Please see the testimonial from one of the beneficiaries below, he says: “I am Lebaku Penchullaiah. I have 5 acres of farm and old well damped by derbies and weeds. SIF and RRDS provided pipes to collect rain water to well and cleaned up well. Now the well is full with water and my crops has sufficient water to sustain for summer.”

Another beneficiary Venkataiah also gave us his testimonial for the same. He says, ” I am Venkataiah, I work for RRDS. We had a meeting with Ananthamadugu village farmers and group members of Grama Sachivalayam. Farmers expressed their concern regarding Gajulavanikunta and told that they have Borewells and regular wells around it. If SIF and RRDS can help to clean derbies and pluck out weeds, the Gajulavanikunta will be full with rain water. SIF in association with RRDS helped with this request. Now the Gajulavanikunta is full with rain water. Farmers are very happy and they expressed that they can have for their crops even in summer.” 

Mutually Aided Co-Op Society: The groundwork for forming a society that will mutually share their knowledge and experiences and carry it forward has completed. The villages are organizing knowledge transfer meetings in order to share their experiences. Interactions with government authorities are additionally underway to provide further support. About 25 farmers from 3 villages will be members of this society.