Save Himalayan Farmers

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Save Himalayan Farmers

Summary

Sewa International seeks to promote a transformative model of community farming in the Himalayan agricultural belt. In this project, the group of farmers will be supported with high-quality seeds, training in seed sowing, crop patterns, and capacity building training in agricultural techniques. The project will also work on the availability of water by providing water tanks and solar fencing to protect crops from wild animals. Eventually, Sewa International aims to double the income of the farmers in two years.

Challenges

Farmers in remote villages of the Himalayas face various challenges like:

Limited availability of agricultural land leads to low productivity.
Low water availability with variable soil types.
No technical or training support.
Less farm produce, more input, less income, and no market linkages.
Harsh and extreme climatic conditions.
Less aspiration leads to migration of people from the Himalayas.

Solution

Sewa understands the need to protect Himalayan agriculture through its prolonged intervention in Uttarakhand since the 2013 disaster. To bring a change in Himalayan agriculture, it is needed that small landholders join their lands for better productivity and reduced input costs. Further, a sense of community participation through this intervention, ensures that people as well as resources are used for optimum results. Following will be the key outcomes of community farming:

To double the income of the farmers in two years by best farming practices.
Enhancement of crop yield by providing farm tools, good quality seeds, and joint effort by women farmers throughout the year.
Production enhancement by collective consolidation of lands and efforts.
Community building.
To increase the efficient uses of natural resources and productivity in rain-fed areas.

To support each farmer for a season, it costs around ₹5500 for the agri-tools, training, and market linkage, and ₹16500 for a year. Your support of Rs. 1350 a month, the farmers would be able to double their income in two years, and become self-sustainable. We seek your support in this journey of saving Himalayan Farmers.

Invest 1350 per month for the future of Himalayan farmers:

The community farming model aims at changing the lives of the Himalayan farmers. With your kind support of Rs. 1350 a month, we will be able to invest in the capacity building of the farmers through tools, training, and raw materials. According to an estimate, their income will be doubled within two years. Your support is needed for the life-changing journey of these farmers.

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Story

2016

Bina Devi exited her house in the wee hours of the morning, fed the livestock and went to her farm. A small piece of land in Chamsil Village produced just enough for her family’s consumption. Making a living from her farm never crossed her mind. In fact, no one from her village ever thought about it. All they did was, use archaic methods of farming with outdated or no tools with the sole aim of feeding their families.

2017

Bina Devi couldn’t agree on the prospect of joining her land with someone else. What if her produce was taken by others? What if this NGO wants to take advantage of them? She was clouded with these questions when she was returning from a meeting organized by Sewa International. But the benefits were alluring- she thought. She could earn from the farm by applying advance technology and she could explore the market too.

The positive side of the argument won after a week of thinking and continuous meeting with Sewa International team. And the rest is history.

Sewa Bajrangi Self-help Group

The formation of Sewa Bajrangi SHG with the women of Chamsil worked wonders for Bina Devi. Shifted from traditional crops, she, with many other women farmers were encouraged to join their farms and produce pea crop for a change. Bina Devi grew 3 quintals of pea and marketed to the nearest market which is 8 km far from her village. She earned 7500 from her first produce and most importantly, she gifted 20 kg to her relatives after keeping 30 kg for herself.

A Leader was Born

Bina Devi emerged as a leader. She was also elected as a member of the Board of Directors in the Federation “Sewa Nagnath Swami Utpadak Sangh” formed in Pokhari Mandal by the women/members of Chamsil village. By participating in the meeting, she began to act as a motivator and explain the information to the women of her group and perform the tasks collectively.

Gradually, Sewa Bajrangi SHG has benefitted from the multiple trainings provided by the Sewa International. Also, techniques like seed sowing, fencing, mulching has supported the farmers to enhance and secure their produce. Sewa International has helped farmers in the procurement of tools for better production in a limited time. Their efforts are reduced with a substantial increase in their farm produce. Moreover, Sewa International has made sure that farmers get the right value for their crops. Now, farmers like Bina Devi can sell their produce through market linkages.