Maharogi Sewa Samiti generates additional income by improving agronomic practices
In the heartland of India, near Chandrapur,
in Maharashtra, a group of some 6,000
people, considered outcasts by local
communities, have created a world where
agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and
other vocations are allowing them to lead
lives of self-sufficiency and dignity.
Maharogi Sewa Samiti (MSS) is home to individuals who have recovered from leprosy
and polio, as well as orphans, deaf and blind children.
Founded in 1949 by Baba Amte, a much respected social
reformer, MSS is highly organized, and includes hospitals,
schools, colleges and 1600 acres of land for agricultural
purposes.
“We looked at how we could make a unique
contribution,” explains Partha Das Gupta,
consultant to the Syngenta Foundation,
“and the work of MSS caught our attention.”
Farming is critically dependent on the
monsoon, with wide variations in rainfall
making harvests difficult to predict.
Efficient
retention and use of water is critical to
maintain production during the dry season,
but little was done to store valuable water
and use it more productively. Ground water,
used for irrigation, is rapidly being depleted.
“We understood,” says Partha, “that modernization, especially in microwatershed
improvement, and the application of advanced agronomic
techniques, were priorities to generate income.” For
demonstration purposes, a pilot was undertaken in the
later months of 2004. Small plots of hybrid cabbage,
cauliflower and tomatoes were planted to train MSS members,
agricultural students, and farmers in the immediate
vicinity.
“We worked together on simple things, like
choosing the right hybrids, raising young
plants, preparing and planting the land,
protecting crops and aftercare. They had
never used drip irrigation before.” Results
were impressive. They had never seen such
uniform crops,” says Partha. “They were
very surprised.”
Training has also taken place to improve rice culture techniques, and, says
Partha, “We have reached agreement on our next phase
which will improve an irrigation facility.” An agronomist
has also been hired, funded by the Foundation, to provide
guidance and supervision on a day-to-day basis to MSS
and advice to farmers in the neighboring communities. |
