Issue/Volume: 26/02
As 2024 draws to a close, we continue on our goal to make regenerative agriculture a norm in India. The month of December saw numerous training sessions for small farmers across different commodities (groundnut and castor, among others) on the diverse aspects of sustainable practices. We are also striving for a sustainable future in the leather industry – this month, we organized a workshop for students in Kanpur. The month also saw events and programmes celebrating World Soil Day, in which the importance of maintaining soil health was highlighted.
Happy reading! We wish all our readers a fulfilling and prosperous new year!
KVK–Solidaridad Session for Groundnut Farmers Yields Insights on Trash Mulching, Gap-Filling, and More
In December, Solidaridad India’s Jamnagar team organized a training session for farmers on regenerative agricultural practices under the Gram Samruddhi project. 40 farmers, including women, received insights on practices such as trash mulching, gap-filling and stubble-shaving, that can lead to higher yields from groundnut cultivation. The team also highlighted the importance of the Regenerative and Resilient Initiative in Gujarat, which Solidaridad has implemented in collaboration with Nayara Energy. The session was led by P. M. Parmar, a research scientist at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Jamnagar, together with programme managers. The event, attended by the local village representative, also saw the felicitation of progressive farmers by Solidaridad.
Lead Castor Farmers Gain Comprehensive Overview of Regenerative Practices, Old and New
Towards the end of December, Solidaridad, along with researchers and experts, conducted a comprehensive training session for lead farmers at KVK Kherva, Mehsana district, Gujarat. The aim was to equip the farmers with knowledge on advanced techniques, sustainable practices, and actionable solutions to address challenges in castor cultivation. At the event, Dr. Rameshbhai Patel, senior scientist and head, KVK Kherva, shared insights on the intersection between traditional wisdom and modern agricultural science. Emphasis was also placed on cost-effective farming methods.
The event also featured a field visit in which farmers explored a model kitchen garden designed to maximize productivity in small spaces. Demonstrations on the preparation of biopesticides (from locally available resources such as neem leaves, garlic and chillies) and nutrient-rich vermicompost (from organic waste) were also carried out. Farmers were also briefed on the properties of the high-yielding, disease-resistant GCH-8 variety of castor seeds.
Workshop for Students Brings Forth Academic and Industrial Perspectives on OHS in Leather Sector
Leather technology students participated in a one-day workshop on occupational health and safety (OHS) in the leather industry, held at the Government Leather Institute, Kanpur, on 4 December 2024.The session featured a presentation by Dr. Ashish Mittal on OHS, while Arjun Yadav, a leather technology expert, spoke on best sustainable practices in the leather sector. Nayyar Jamal, owner of Makhdoom Tanning Industries, highlighted the importance of fostering OHS awareness and chemical-handling skills at the college level. Prasanna Maduri, campus manager at Stahl India, led a session on safe chemical handling.The workshop, bridging academic and industrial perspectives, aimed to provide participants with essential knowledge on safety, and imparted practical skills to minimize risks in both laboratory and industrial environments. These goals are in alignment with the objectives of Solidaridad’s Pathway to Prosperity (P2P) project, and demonstrate the organization's commitment to promoting decent working conditions and empowering the workforce within the Kanpur-Unnao leather cluster.
Women’s Health and Nutrition Key Focus at Convergence Session in Maharashtra
For women, balancing farming activities with home responsibilities can be extremely challenging, often adversely affecting their health.To raise awareness on health and nutrition among women, Solidaridad organized a training session at the Training and Resource Centre in Borujwada, Nagpur district, on 12 December 2024. This training was conducted in collaboration with UMED - Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM).Solidaridad staff raised awareness on common health issues among women, guided the participants on the importance and choice of healthy diets such as fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, fibers, and proteins. Livelihood options directly and indirectly linked to improved health and nutrition outcomes – such as vermicompost preparation, mushroom cultivation, kitchen gardening, as well as the preparation and selling of bio-inputs (neem ark and dashaparni ark, for instance) – were also discussed. The session also saw conversations on financial literacy, decent working conditions and good agricultural practices.
Solidaridad-Supported FPO Establishes Input Centre; Briefs Farmers on Smart Agri Project
Farmer producer organizations (FPOs) not only build the capacity of farmers, they also serve as banks of inputs and agricultural tools. Recently, the Solidaridad-supported Vasudevatma FPO in Nagpur district established an input center at Umred to provide inputs and fertilizers to local farmers. The FPO actively supports the Smart Agri programme, and is making farmers aware of agri-advisories and the benefits of the Smart Agri app in managing agricultural operations.
Smart Agri Session Equips Farmers with Knowledge of Digital Farming
A farmers’ training was organized on a demo plot in Susundri village, Kalmeshwar taluka, Nagpur district, on 11 December 2024. Farmers were introduced to the Smart Agri Project, which utilizes technology such as IoT devices and sensors to provide real-time information on weather conditions, temperature, soil moisture, and the presence of insects and pests.The lesson also helped farmers understand the importance of demo plots in generating agri advisories.The use of the Smart Agri Mobile application and the missed-call facility to get weekly advisories was highlighted during the training. This technology helps farmers in improving crop management and optimizing the use of low-cost inputs.
The preparation of vermicompost and biochar, which play crucial roles in carbon sequestration, water retention, and improving soil nutrient availability, was also shown.
World Soil Day
Solidaridad India’s team celebrated ‘soil week’ with farmers from across India from 2-6 December, coinciding with World Soil Day (5 December). Multiple events saw farmers interact with other stakeholders, focusing on the critical role of soil in agriculture and the need for its conservation to ensure a sustainable future for farming. Through live demonstrations, farmers were also trained in the process of creating soil-friendly fertilizers, equipping them with practical knowledge to enhance soil health and productivity.
Here, a look at some of the highlights:
International Conference on Regenerative Agriculture Spotlights Need for Preserving Soil Health
An international conference – "Regenerative Agriculture for Improving Soil Health, Enhancing Carbon Sequestration, and Building Climate Resilience" – jointly organized by Solidaridad and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)–Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS) in Bhopal, was held on 6 December 2024, commemorating World Soil Day. The event was attended by over 300 participants, including agricultural scientists, experts, farmers, and students, to discuss sustainable farming practices and soil health improvement.
Caring for Soil: Measure, Monitor, Manage
The Smart Agri Project team in Odisha observed the World Soil Day in three project villages under the theme "Caring for Soil: Measure, Monitor, Manage". This theme emphasizes the critical need for accurate soil data to guide sustainable soil management practices.
The day was observed in different districts at three separate blocks: Mahanga, Tangi and Derabish. Small farmers, public representatives, women from self-help groups (SHGs), district block officials, agriculture department personnel all participated in the events. The following aspects were highlighted:
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Method, a sustainable technique used in paddy cultivation to enrich the soil, was also discussed. The participants then took an oath to take care of soil health for a prosperous future.
Honouring Small Farmers
Farmers’ day was celebrated on 23 December across villages associated with the Pragati (Sustainable Castor) Project in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district – Madana, Khasa, Dalvana, and Thalvada. The event, attended by 300 farmers, acknowledged their many roles and contributions in shaping our economy and futures.This event, attended by over 300 farmers, was a heartfelt tribute to their dedication and an opportunity to emphasize their role in shaping our economy and future and a meaningful occasion to honor the hands that feed the nation. By acknowledging their contributions, addressing their challenges, and inspiring them to adopt innovative practices, the event underscored the importance of farming for a sustainable and prosperous future.
Sowing Seeds of Sustainability and Sustenance
Ramdev Bhai Nanghania, a small farmer from Rasangpar village in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, transformed his farming practices under the Groundnut Model Farms programme, implemented in select regions of Jamnagar during the 2024 kharif season. Around 35 model farms have been established to demonstrate the benefits of improved technologies, seed varieties and sustainable practices among farmers.
Ramdev Bhai’s farm was selected as one of the lead plots. He was provided access to modern farming methods, high-quality seeds and expert guidance from Solidaridad’s advisors. As the season progressed, his farm started thriving, and he was able to obtain a yield of 4.5 quintals – up from the 3 quintals he had produced on his half-acre field the previous year. Additionally, he saved more than ₹3,000 by cutting down on fertilizer expenses.Having experienced the improvement, Ramdev admits: “The soil in my farm was becoming harder because of the uncontrolled use of fertilizers. But this time, I have only used vermicompost, vermi-wash, and neem oil, as suggested by the experts. To my surprise, my crops didn’t face any pest attack. The production also rose above my expectations.”Encouraged by Ramdev Bhai’s success, other farmers also plan to implement the practices shown through the Model Farms project in upcoming seasons.
Kishan Lagariya, joined us on 9 December as a M&E and Documentation Officer in our Jamnagar, Gujarat project funded by Nayara Energy. Kishan is a development professional with more than five years of work experience. He has experience in the areas of project planning, documentation, monitoring and evaluation. He was previously working as a Senior Project Coordinator with Access development services. He has done his Post graduation in Sustainable livelihood and Natural Resources Governance from TATA institute of social sciences and BBA from Saurashtra University.
Mukesh Menaria
Accounts and Administrative Officer, Palanpur, Gujarat
Anil Pawar
Finance and Admin Officer, Jamnagar, Gujarat
Himanshi Saini
Administrative Officer, New Delhi