SUMMARY

Working in 100 villages of Wardha district in the Vidarbha region, Chetana Vikas trains marginal and debt-ridden farmers on techniques of low-input farming to enable self-reliance, food security and riddance from debt.

IMPACTS

• 140 farmers have taken up sustainable farming on 250 acres
• Water conserving bunds have been constructed by 65 farmers on 400 acres in 9 villages
• Training villagers on low-cost technology for soil-contour measurement, rainwater harvesting and soil conservation lead to an increase of up to 45% in productivity
• Farmers also trained in conserving seeds and maintaining a seed bank. This has given an alternative source of seeds for the farmers aiding in reduction of input costs.
• On an average,19 crops are cultivated on a single field per farmer promoting crop diversity that is aimed towards nourishing the soil and also providing nutritious food for the farmer and her/his family.
• Chetana Vikas runs a training center called Alternative Agricultural Resource Centre where farmers, activists, NGOs, policymakers and scientists are regularly trained on various low input sustainable methods of farming. This centre also serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences from the perspectives of these different players of agriculture sector.