Training of Trainers (TOT)

With the prime most effort of promoting SRI and more particularly Organic Farming – the organization had opted for organizing TOT (Training of Trainers) to transmit knowledge faster and enable grass roots farmers avail benefit as early as possible. for this purpose the training was given to potential Trainers on Organic Farming that included complete idea about the Deadly effect of Chemical Pesticides and Fertilizers frequently used by the farmers in their fields – during paddy & vegetable cultivation. In different places of Badamba and Narasinghpur, TOT were arranged which includes arrangement at Nijigarh Model School from 13.5.2008 to 15.5.2008 in Narasinghpur and at Kanjiapada High School from 25.3.2009 to 26.3.2009 at Badamba. Mr. Sisir Ku. Parija, Bhubaneswar was the trainer.

During this process 80 Farmers got sensitized during this period. And the trained personnel have meanwhile started educating others. Of course it is a good sign that the Trainer was quite enthusiastic witnessing the interest and spirit in this context.

And as a result – he has shown by the way extra sense of sincerity to train neo literate farmers who are not able to pick up matters early. Keeping in view the interest of farmers and extra sense of interest shown by the trainer – the organization has also arranged follow up TOT during this year. That was virtually an exposure to the trained trainers who had the chance to interact with others and share their views.

During the year  472 farmers including the priorly trained personnel were involved from 30 villages in the intervention area. The trained farmers were quite enthusiastic and the response from the farmers was inspiring. Meanwhile – the response from Govt. lines has improved a lot and public demand for facilitation and expertise (technical) support increasing day to day.

By the way, meanwhile the trained personnel started extending knowledge to others on said subject. Moreover, The use of chemical fertilizers reduced and use of organic manure increased substantially among the farmers. Farmers also have started preparing Organic Manure with the support of resource persons and other trained personnel.

Quality and quantity of production improved making the production process cost effective and environment friendly. Over this year – the associated activities have revived the spirit and knowledge among the TOT trainees who could ensure involvement of more farmers in SRI and organic farming at grass roots level with the definite positive impact of Induced responsive spirit among the trained personnel and encouraged efficiency within them.

Farmers capacity building training on Bio-farming

This is another farmer supportive endeavour that helped a lot to the grass roots level resource poor farmers to take up safe and secured methods for agriculture that is quite environment friendly and that to reduces vulnerability of health hazards caused due to use of Chemical Fertilizer in fields. Farmers’ capacity building training was conducted on Bio farming at Nijgarh Model School from 12th to 14th of July 2008 & from 27th to 29th of August 2008, at Jhajiya High School on 8.8.2008, at Mangarajpur ME School from 23rd to 24th of August 2008. Over this process more than 150 farmers were trained on Bio farming by the renowned trainer Mr. Sisir Ku. Parija from Bhubaneswar. Meanwhile, 300 farmers have adopted organic methods. However, it is a fact that even though people are curious about the organic farming yet have not yet totally abandoned use of chemical fertilizer and manure. Yet it is a fact that use of Chemical Fertilizer is reduced and rather use of Bio Manure has increased substantially.

Many a farmers have meanwhile adopted Organic farming of Paddy/Vegetables and become quite successful in their primary attempt. It is believed by farmers that chance of experience sharing and exposure can improve the Bio-Farming in better manner. Meanwhile, the organization has realized the same and has arranged a number of exposure visits to different fields at Nayagarh, M. Rampur, Kalahandi and Srirampur in 42 Mauja Cuttack.

Farmers’ exposure programme.

Matching to growing response to organic farming among the farmers, organization arranged number of exposure visits. Farmers went on Exposure to SRI Fields of SAMBHAV at Odagaon, Nayagarh from 17th to 18th of Sept 2008 and also at Narasinghpur & Baramba in Cuttack district on dated 15.6.2008 and 19.7.2008 respectively. 60 farmers along with staff of project participated in exposures. Participants got practical exposure and could get direct knowledge about processes of SRI and organic methods associated with that. Farmers felt encouraged. Many of them have started sharing experience at village and encouraged others to opt for Organic SRI.
 
No doubt, the exposure could improve the practice and outlook of farmers, developed new ideas and helped sorting out their queries and problems through sharing and direct observation. Through that process acquaintance and association with farmers of different areas improved the outlook of farmers and improved their understanding and assessment potentiality that could be best used for better management of input and output with assured return by good bargaining and thus value addition to produces ultimately.

Farmers training on SRI

Attempt was made to train farmers on SRI (System of Rice Intensification). They were trained on different techniques of SRI and processes involved in SRI. During this year – number of attempt was made to trains farmers of Narasinghpur and Badamba Block which include training conducted at Jhajia High School 25th to 27th May 2008, at Ichhapur Primary School from 10th to 12th June 2008 and at Nijigarh High School from 26th to 28th June 2008. Over the process more than 150 farmers got trained on concerned aspects. Mr. Sisir Kumar Parija, Retired Agronomist of Govt. of Orissa had been the trainer in this context. 

After training the trained personnel also trained others at their own level which, resulted in promotion of the aspect in their area. 240 farmers including the trained farmers of 30 villages started SRI & got better output. They are now advocating on SRI and Organic SRI in other villages also. During this period the farmers could appraise the practical benefit of cultivation on SRI as against the traditional method of cultivation.

They could produce more with less input thro’ SRI. However, with pass of time, meanwhile their interest to adopt Organic SRI has also increased & initiative towards that could          be developed. Through this process farmers not only became economically gainer but      also helped a lot in maintaining bio-diversity being able to maintain quality of soil, manage cost effective production process & reducing vulnerability of human health hazards by use    of organic products.

Demonstration on organic farming

Keeping in view the growing interest of farmers towards getting clarification on different doubts and fortify their knowledge thro’ practical experiences the organization has arranged programmes imparting knowledge thro’ demonstration throwing light on different organic systems to be used in paddy fields. Hundreds & hundreds of farmers got this chance participating in orientation camps organized from time to time at different places – mainly at Nijigarh High School on 7.6.2008, at Ichhapur High School on 16.6.2008, at Jhajia High School on18.6.2008 and at Nijigarh High School on 3.7.2008. Mr. D.Narayana & Ram Chandra Mishra from Berhampur and Bhubaneswar were trainers in all these instances.

Over this process – 350 farmers got exposure on organic farming, Farmers of 26 villages started organic farming and by the way mindset of farmers started charging fastly. In fact, the demo method could enable farmers to gain knowledge through “Action-Learning” process. Moreover, It could enable the farmers to try their experiences & find out on the spot solutions of their queries. Rather more – farmers could get chance for direction sharing in positive manner & availed the scope to interpolate with farmers one by one and strengthen as well as improvise their knowledge concretely.

Starting farmers networking

Over this process – the organization has organized farmers in every village of intervention areas covering more than 30 villages. In fact, in each & every village farmers committees are formed. From time to time – obviously Krishak Sammelans are arranged at different villages to revive the interest of farmers and enable the non beneficiary farmers know in detail the matters taken care of.
With the motto of strengthening these community based organizations as peoples organizations and give their efforts a shape of People’s Movement – the organization had made effort to united them on a common platform. To mark up activities towards this, organization had arranged a consultation of farmers at Gopapur M.E. School on 25.1.2009 that was addressed by Bona fide personalities of locality, farmers leaders and social activists. 850 farmers (members of different Farmers Committees present there) formed the network – more particularly the Farmers Committees pro-active in 15 villages.

That effort of unison helped a lot the farmers to unite and meanwhile they have form Network. This prudent effort has brought unity and coordination among the farmers. Moreover, their organized efforts helped them in manifold aspects. In particular, their bargaining capacity, control over market and access to credit improved drastically and they have meanwhile attempted for joint ventures with assured scope for better gain and better bargaining – reducing scope for loss – over and above improving the scope for gain.

Application of modern technology in SRI

With the assured scope for development through SRI and the adopted improved methodology of organic farming organization has enabled the farmers to cope up new technology of SRI through adoption of tools and techniques. And hence after making them knowledgeable about techniques of SRI – the organization has helped supplying technology supportive devices and tools which includes supply of modern Weeder. 30 Nos. of Weeder have been supplied to 26 villages where farmers do use that.

As a result – Weeder application in each crop field of 26 villages could be possible. The modern Weeder helped proper management of weeds in field, Curbed wild growth of weeds. Kept the soil treated in regular intervals and thus best fit for cultivation all along – helping maintain fertility of soil. And after all, weeding of the plants ensures the plant get more roots and thus more collections from the earth and best growth as well.

The Green manure promotion

Added to all support – Supplying Dhanicha seeds to farmers is also added advantage for the farmers of SRI. Green Manure (Dhanicha) was supplied to farmers in 20 villages & approximately 600 farmers used it

As a result of this – fertility of land is improved and moreover, chemical effect of chemical fertilizers used could reduce substantially. Even though due to irregular monsoon Dhanicha was not utilized properly yet that could help in maintaining fertility of land. And this helped reducing expenses of farmers – they could have adopted as alternative arrangements. Needless to say – ultimately application of Dhanicha could improve production.  

Promotion of organic Product Market

With the assured support in all fields of activity associated with promotion of agriculture – the organization helped promoting marketing of organic products keeping coordination with farmers committees and their networks. 
Oganization has taken up promoting marketing of 2 Nos. of organic pro-market in its operational area. In 2 Blocks of Cuttack district i.e. Gopapur Badamba Block and in Narasinghpur markets – organic produces are promoted to be sold in market. 50 farmers got chance to sale their organic products in open market which was toxic free quality product with good quantity. Over the period – customer demand has increased and that has virtually influenced the market supply in a favourable manner. This has improved scope for marketing of organic goods produced by farmers and helped for organized effort by farmers on organic product marketing with better bargaining capacity. Meanwhile, the concerted efforts by farmers have promoted scope for coordination and alliance with producers and marketers of other areas on profitable terms.

Promotion of Seed Bank

Witnessing the absolute benefit from organic farming and the concerted united efforts by the farmers of different villages – the organization could not undermine the importance of forming and promoting Seed Bank in villages which has various obvious benefits that needs no narration.

Meanwhile the organization has extended fund support to 37 farmers at Deuli Office on 17.10. 2008 & 27.10.2008, to 20 farmers at Narasinghpur on 14.10.2008 and 39 farmers At Jhajia, Badamba – 20.10.2008. Meanwhile, Seed Banks have been initiated at Deuli, Narasinghpur and Jhajia SRI Office. At present 96 farmers are involved in those Seed Banks where they store and enable others to procure local variety of seeds. Safe keeping and proper treatment of seeds are ensured there with support from experienced farmers.

Meanwhile, more and more farmers got interested on safe keeping of their indigenous varieties in the Seed Bank, more number of varieties could be made available & more coordination among farmers developed. Practically, it is quite encouraging to note that the grain bank system has helped in promoting and conserving indigenous varieties in farmer friendly manner

Staff capacity building

To make the project management quite efficiently and effectively – the organization has made a number of provisions to orient and sensitize project staff through a number of programmes that has not only improved their conceptual clarity on concerned subject(s) but also development the caliber of community mobilization, educating the community and rather developing rapport with public including Govt. officials of the locality in particular.

Staff capacity building training was conducted to train them up on SRI and Bio- fertilizer at, Baramba in Gopapur Govt. UP School on 2nd to 6th of August 2008. Mr. Sisir Ku. Parija of Bhubaneswar was the trainer. In that training 9 staff deployed in the project were trained. Through this process they not only got conceptual clarity and their work management capacity also improved.

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