Empowering rainfed farmers towards agro-ecology, drought mitigation, natural resources development, sustainable livelihoods and enabling policy ...
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Empowering rainfed farmers towards agro-ecology, drought mitigation, natural resources development, sustainable livelihoods and enabling policy conditions in Ananthapuramu
Annual Report
2019-2020
Our dharma
Concern for others
Work beyond duty
Pursuit of excellence in work
Reaching as many needy people as possible
Our core values
Compassion, concern, honesty, sincerity, hard work
Equality of human beings, particularly women,
poor, disadvantaged
Concern for nature, biodiversity,
ethics of conservation, sustainability
Excellence in execution of activities
Inclusive, participatory in decision making, Empowering rainfed farmers towards
planning and implementation agro-ecology, drought mitigation,
Transparency in all transactions natural resources development,
and accountable to all stakeholders sustainable livelihoods and enabling
policy conditions in Ananthapuramu
Our vision All people in rural areas lead a respectable and dignified life with economic security, social equity, gender equity, in an atmosphere of democracy, peace, cooperation and community support; and all the people and institutions live as ‘Eternal Trustees of Mother Earth’, and follow a culture of simple living and the ethics of conservation. Our mission We are committed to enable rural poor farmers, particularly women, to free themselves from drought, poverty and all forms of discrimination, in order to live a decent life with dignity and self-respect.
Acronyms
Director’s overview of 2019-20 02
The journey so far 04
Strategic approach 06
Major interventions in 2019-20 08
Sustainable agriculture and drought mitigation 09
Sustainable Agriculture and Diversified Livelihood
Project 10
Andhra Pradesh Drought Mitigation Project 14
Climate Resilient Zero Budget Natural Farming 17
Achieving Gender Equality through Empowerment
of Women in Agriculture 18
Livelihood diversification (off-farm and non-farm) 22
Youth Centre 23
Non-farm and off-farm livelihoods for women 24
Ecology, climate change mitigation and landscape development 30
Integrated Watershed Development Project 31
Soil Development Project (NABARD) 34
Biogas Project under Clean Development
Mechanism Project 37
Sustain Plus Project 38
Improved farmer incomes through
cooperative action and market value additions 40
Accelerating value chain benefits 40
Farmer Producer Organisations 42
Policy advocacy 45
Our Human Resource 46
Annexures 48
Audit Report 58
Director’s
overview
also to go for contingency cropping, and gender friendly. They have other
not only in their own lands, but also desirable impacts like food and
leasing in others’ lands to grow horse nutritional security for the family and
gram. We backed this with incentives agro-ecology. The impact is visible in
of subsidised horse gram and jowar the community Sasya Mitra Groups
seed, to over 10,000 rainfed farmers and their federations, in emerging
and sheep rearers. Almost 15,000 acres women leadership and voice in the
were sown. This was a big hit because project area: women farmers make
of favourable late rains during the up 75� of the 16,000 SMGs.
returning, north-east monsoon. It gave
farmers partial relief from economic There was a change in the
distress and fodder scarcity. governments at central and state
levels. The farmers’ distress in the
A major behavioural change, fostered region had reached its peak over three
by AF-EC, is of mutual cooperation consecutive drought years and the
within the Sasya Mitra Groups (SMG). people greeted the new governments
Farming households have begun with hope. The new government
pooling labour for farm operations constituted the Andhra Pradesh
like sowing, weeding and harvesting, Agriculture Mission to advise it on
which are labour intensive and time policies concerning farmer distress women. They also interacted with Fund for Agricultural Development Watershed Development Committees
bound. They share farm equipment and agricultural crisis. Accion Fraterna the District Collector and his team of (IFAD), Azim Premji Philanthropic and other participating groups, who
and bullocks with each other. This has Ecology Centre was nominated as a senior district officials. Initiatives (APPI), International Crops have partnered with us in the fight
brought down the cost of cultivation member of the Agriculture Mission. Research Institute for the Semi-Arid against drought and poverty.
and the need for cash, giving farmers This was in recognition of AF-EC’s As the financial year came to an end Tropics (ICRISAT), Walmart Foundation,
a shared sense of control in managing contribution to farmers’ welfare, in March 2020, Covid-19 entered India National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Last and most important, I thank our
farm operations. This trend is nurturing particularly rainfed farmers, who and the threat of a serious pandemic Development (NABARD), Fair Climate Board of Trustees and our personnel
A year that started badly cohesion in the SMGs. represent approximately 70� of the loomed large! And suddenly the Network (FCN) for their financial for working with passion in pursuing
and ended rather happily 6 million farmers in the state of government announced a countrywide support to various projects. I thank the organisation's goals and objectives.
Accion Fraterna Ecology Centre is more Andhra Pradesh. We have, thus, lockdown from 24th March. The Agricultural Development & Training
for farmers. and more convinced that its strategy been able to play a proactive role in unprecedented story of the pandemic Society (ADTS), Rural Development
of promoting sustainable agriculture agricultural policies of the government. and how we responded will appear in Trust (RDT), Watershed Support
The south-west monsoon, forecast the next report. Services and Activities Network
and diversification of livelihoods The new governments are responsive
from June to August 2019, failed (WASSAN), Mahila Abhivruddhi Society,
for poor rainfed farmers is highly to the problems of farmers and have
the farmers. The main crops could relevant and effective; particularly its been coming up with a number of On behalf of the people, staff and the Andhra Pradesh (APMAS), Krishi Vigyan
not be sown for want of rains in the focus on women and youth. AF-EC’s policies and initiatives to redress the Board of Trustees, I want to express Kendras, Regional Agriculture Research
sowing months of June and July. strategic interventions on low-cost issues of the farm sector. my heartfelt thanks to Bread for the Stations and a network of activists,
However, from September the rains natural farming, drought mitigation World, our core partner, for their friends and well-wishers from CSOs, Dr. Y.V. Malla Reddy
were favourable. We campaigned and combining annual crops and Six senior members of the German understanding and continued support government, practitioners and experts Director
with our rainfed farmers to plan for tree crops, together with livelihood Parliament visited us, accompanied of SADLP. I thank the Government who have been with us in our efforts.
contingency cropping in September, diversification in non-farm sector by Ms. Roswita Kupke, Mr. Martin of Andhra Pradesh, particularly
instead of keeping their land fallow. In for women and youth have been Remppis and Ms. Anja Esch from Bread Department of Agriculture, District I wish to thank all the people, the
anticipation of a fodder shortage, we very effective. The interventions are for the World. They visited the fields, Water Management Agency (DWMA), SMGs, their federations, Farmers’
encouraged cattle and sheep rearers low-cost, economically remunerative interacted with farmers, particularly Government of India, International Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies,
02 03
The journey
so far
Accion Fraterna Ecology Centre was Accion Fraterna currently works
founded by Father Vincent Ferrer in directly with more than 60,000
1982 and is registered under the Indian families of small and marginal rainfed
Registration Act, 1908. Accion Fraterna farmers across 14 mandals—Atmakur,
works with rainfed farmers to find Beluguppa, Dharmavaram, Kalyandurg,
solutions to the problems of drought Kuderu, Kundurpi, Rapthadu, Settur,
and poverty in the chronically drought- Kanaganapalli, Ramagiri, Amarapuram,
affected district of Ananthapuramu in Brahmasamudram, Gummagatta and
Andhra Pradesh. Kambadur—of Ananthapuramu district.
Accion Fraterna is, today, in a position to demonstrate the effectiveness
of community-centric approaches and practices in mitigating the ill
effects of drought and in improving livelihood security through practices
and programs on sustainable agriculture, climate resilient cropping
systems, drought management, watershed development, job-oriented
training and skill building and income diversification. Policy advocacy and
community-centric lobbying has helped us mainstream our experiences into
government programs and schemes.
1982 1986 1995 2007 2017-18 2019-20
Awareness on poverty and From farm labour to farmers: Landscape-wide watershed Sustainable rainfed agriculture for Drought mitigation, sustainable Agro-ecology, regenerative agriculture
development of dalits and tribals an upward social mobility development small and marginal farmers farming systems and diversified introduced under Community Natural
livelihoods Farming Project
Exclusive focus on dalits and tribals; Focus on participatory development Shifted to area approach, micro- Leveraging government’s MGNREGS
improving awareness of government of dalit and tribal landholdings watershed development activities initiative and investment in watershed Intensified work on drought Emphasis on alternative and
programs addressing poverty, illiteracy for natural resource management, following ridge-valley treatment in development, concentrated on making mitigation technologies and cropping supplementary livelihoods for women
and health drought mitigation, soil and water order to improve natural resource rainfed agriculture drought resilient systems in rainfed agriculture and and under-educated youth in non-
conservation activities with the endowment for all farmers, not just and sustainable promoted skill based livelihoods. farm sector, while continuing efforts
objective of mainstreaming dalits and dalit and tribal Started being recognized as on sustainable agriculture and
tribals from farm labour to farming knowledge resource organisation for drought mitigation
scaling through GoAP projects
04 05
Strategic
approach
Promoting vibrant peoples’ institutions to
actualise their potential and access opportunities
with government banks, private sector, NGOs.
Gender and social equity are an integral part of
people’s institutions.
Developing agro-ecology models based on
integrated farming systems and strategies for
coping with droughts and enabling rainfed
farming to be remunerative and regenerative.
Diversification of family livelihoods with
particular focus on women and under-educated
youth in order to provide livelihood security.
Demonstrating farming technologies, practices
and models that are proven, cost effective and
sustainable to farmers, government functionaries,
policy makers and CSOs so that they can be scaled
by replication across the state.
Public opinion building and policy advocacy for
pro-poor and pro-environment farming policies
and livelihood programmes.
06 07
Major interventions Sustainable Agriculture
in 2019-20 and Drought Mitigation
Sustainable agriculture Ecology, climate change
and drought mitigation mitigation and landscape
Sustainable agriculture (natural development
farming and drought mitigation)
Integrated Watershed Development
Palle jeevam (Andhra Pradesh Project (IWMP)
Drought Mitigation Project)
Soil development projects (NABARD)
Climate Resilient Zero Budget
Biogas project under Clean
Farming (CRZBNF)
Development Mechanism (CDM)
Achieving Gender Equality
Sustain Plus project (solar energy
though Empowerment of Women
for rainfed farmers)
in Agriculture (AGGEWA)
Livelihood diversification Farmer Producer Organisations,
(off-farm and non-farm) farm services, agri processing,
value addition and marketing
Youth Centre/ Training of youth
in job-oriented skills Accelerating value chain benefits for
improved incomes and nutrition for
Non-farm and off-farm livelihoods
consumers
for women
Farmer Producer Organisations
(FPOs/ MACS Ltd)
Policy advocacy
The sustainable agriculture and of smallholder farms. Kasamma
drought mitigation project promotes from the Boyalapalli village says that
natural farming, climate-smart growing fodder is not a new practice.
farming systems, contingency But market demand for cash crops
cropping, drought mitigation has disincentivized and replaced
technologies and economies of scale contingency planning. This year’s yield
as strategies to address uncertain has ensured Kasamma fodder for the
rainfall and limited financial resources entire year.
08 09
Sustainable Agriculture
and Diversified Livelihood*
Project (SADLP)
SADLP is the core of AF-EC and is 16,772 families, with a representation procurement centre opened by Settur
supported by Bread for the World, of 12,650 women. MACS Ltd (FPO). It procured 35.95
Germany. Its focus is demonstrable Rs. 6,80,00,000/- savings as of tons of groundnut from 33 farmers
livelihood improvement of rainfed 31 March 2020. at minimum support price (MSP),
farmers and farm labour through benefitting farmers additionally to
drought mitigation and sustainable 12,413 SMG members availed loans a tune of Rs. 21,00,000/-, at Rs. 600/-
agriculture. It promotes climate from their SMGs for livelihood per quintal.
resilient, regenerative cropping improvement, crop investments,
systems, agro-biodiversity, nutritional children’s education or health needs. Gender
intercrops and drought mitigation Women’s leadership and voice seen
technologies and practices. This has Farmer Producer Organisations’
to be getting stronger in SMGs and
led to favourable policies and new (FPO) initiatives
federation discussions, decision
schemes for drought mitigation in not Eight FPOs partnered with Andhra of Directors (BoDs) in the existing varieties of fodder on 521 acres of
making and implementation of
just Ananthapuramu but also in other Pradesh State Seed Development nine Mutually Aided Cooperative land. This improved milk yields Priorities for 2020-21
program activities. Also observed
rainfed regions in the state. Corporation Limited (APSSDCL)’s Societies (FPOs) are women. by about one litre per animal per
at household level with women Covid 19 has necessitated growing
drive to procure 10563.87 quintals day. Of these, 50 farmers have
playing a more consultative role in of diversified crops to improve
of groundnut seed as part of Sustainable agriculture adopted storing of fodder through
decision-making. nutritional intake of all family
Sustainable agriculture practices silage method, which has eased
Achievements in 2019-20 Community Managed Seed System Over 1,000 women leaders have members. AF-EC has developed
with additional benefits of the fodder problem for cattle in
Direct outreach to 20,000 drought- (CMSS). The total sales were for emerged in SMGs, federations and a rainfed natural farming model,
Rs. 2,000/- to Rs. 5,000/- per acre summer months.
affected farmers, of a population of Rs. 7,53,01,625/- and the profit FPOs. At least 150 women are leading which it will need to promote
1,00,000 farmers in 230 villages. earned by FPOs in this business were demonstrated to 5,300 farmers The project promoted 1,059 vigorously with SMG members in
FPOs at district level, far beyond their
was Rs. 38,22,786.69/-. on 1,462 plots across 1,500 acres. household kitchen gardens, the coming year.
Focus on SC, ST and OBC, constituting own villages.
Crop diversification as recommended promoting balanced diet of a
80� of the 20,000 families. Nine FPOs, with turnover of Women membership in SMGs Introduce a local volunteer cadre
by AF-EC was adopted by more variety of vegetables and greens.
68� families represented by women Rs. 50,00,000/- and profits at increased from 60�(from 11,374 called karyakartha for facilitating
Rs. 4,00,000/-, from farmer than 6000 farmers, demonstrating
Community participation, savings households) last year to 68% (from Drought mitigation strategies SMGs.
shop trade. increased incomes of more than
and credit. 16,772 households) this year. 55�
Rs. 2,000/- per acre compared with 5,600 farmers covered 14,500 acres
784 Sasya Mitra Groups (SMG) at Collaboration with government (433) SMGs are exclusively women.
mono-cropping with groundnut. with contingency crops of horse gram
94� participation. agency, Andhra Pradesh Oil Federation The convenors in all SMGs, GSSs,
Crop diversification also contributed and jowar, yielding Rs. 4,000/- to
(APOILFED) on a groundnut MSSs are women. 52� of the Board
to the food and nutrition security of Rs. 6,000/- per acre, and a total
farming households. income of Rs. 7,25,00,000/.
448 women farmers saved labour Protective irrigation, as
Learnings
input/ labour costs of up to recommended by AF-EC, was
conduct their businesses in the same of millets and pulses is picking up Rs. 2,000/- per acre by adopting adopted by 680 rainfed farmers. This
It is a hard and time-consuming
fashion. The project is patiently and gradually breaking the mono- cycle weeder/ seeder. saved crops in over 1836 acres from
task to inculcate the culture
cultivating adaptation of formal cropping of groundnut. However, 450 families used 4,300 three- drought. Yielded income of
of formal organisational
organisational systems. there is a strong need to enhance layered bags to preserve their own Rs. 36,72,000/- @ Rs. 2,000/- per acre.
management approach amongst
Board of Directors of FPOs. They market gains by remunerative seeds for the following season, thus Dryland horticulture, to diversify
tend to interact in informal ways Crop diversification with food and support prices, processing, value saving seed purchase cost. land use and stabilise income to
as individuals and would like to nutrition-oriented intercropping addition and marketing linkages. The project promoted 305 livestock farmers, taken up by 1,250 farmers
farmers to cultivate improved planting 2,10, 000 mango saplings.
*The diversified livelihoods part of this project is reported under off-farm and non-farm livelihoods diversification on Page 22.
10 11Sustainable agriculture
and drought mitigation
Creating economies of scale Protective irrigation Geetamma got 8 quintals of
for smallholder farms and mutual cooperation castor in her two acres of land
Mutual cooperation maximizes the Protective irrigation is a technology and sold it in the market for
economic benefits for small farmers. developed and promoted by AF-EC. Rs. 31,200/- @ Rs. 3900/-
Farming is a barely viable enterprise It consists of a pump set and a water per quintal.
for small and marginal farmers who tanker with two lateral pipes, and
own 1-5 acres of rainfed land due to uses a mere 10,000 litres of water per Kamalamma’s farm yielded
‘diseconomies of scale’. These farmers acre to wet the crop through a mobile 3.5 quintals of groundnut,
are 90� of our target communities. protective irrigation method. It costs an which she sold for Rs.18,460/-.
extra Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1,000/- per acre
To create economies of scale, AF-EC but it saves the crop, which in normal Adilakshmi harvested eight
promotes mutual cooperation between course of drought events, is lost. This quintals of castor, which gave
farming households. Four or five technology is demonstrated to farmers her an income of Rs. 31,200/-.
families pool labour, implements, in SMGs. Implementation of protective
bullocks and other resources and irrigation individually involves The other two farmers obtained
use them in rotation. This informal individual equipment costs and effort. similar benefits. Farmers who did
exchange of labour and bartering As a shared resource between four or not adopt protective irrigation had
of resources reduces the burden on five families, the costs get divided. 30–50� less yield.
financial outlay. It saves costs—upto
Rs 2,000/- per acre—and eases Five small farmers in Venkatadripalli These farmers of Venkatadripalli
farm operations. AF-EC makes small village set an example. Using the village have inspired more farmers to
equipment like pumps, pipes, ploughs protective irrigation equipment help each other. Almost 80� of over
etc, available, of which the group has provided to them at a subsidized cost 16,000 small and marginal farmers
collective ownership. by AF-EC, they drew water from a have agreed to cooperate on labour-
public village pond to irrigate 10 acres intensive activities like sowing,
of their adjoining fields: two acres for weeding, harvesting. This saves each
each farmer. They managed to save family Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 10,000/- in
the crop from drought. The water was production cost per agricultural season.
available from public commons; and
the rest was their own labour.
How contingency cropping can rains were adequate and the farmers Ms. Anasuyamma, from Boyalapalli
make a difference to thousands harvested at least one tractor-load village grew horse gram as a
of farmers of fodder and 200-300kg of grain, contingency crop on two acres, in
benefitting by Rs. 4,000/- to 6,000/- response to failed rains. She said that
This year, 40� of the farmers in per acre; and earning approximately even during the current bad drought,
the project area could not sow the Rs. 7,25,00,000/-. she had enough fodder to feed her
main crop of groundnut in June- cattle. She followed natural farming
July for want of timely rains. AF-EC The farmers who had taken up conditions and grew a chemical-free
mobilized farmers to prepare for contingency cropping were overjoyed as crop. Milk yield increased by 25% with
contingency crops in the month of they got some income in a drought year, this nutritional intake. She is happy that
August 2020. Farmers were reluctant versus none, while other farmers felt that she was not compelled to sell her cattle
to proceed since input costs are they had lost an opportunity. This helped due to shortage of fodder. She has
high at Rs. 2,500/- acre for seed, demonstrate the benefits of contingency decided to grow fodder on at least an
sowing, harvesting etc., and returns cropping, with protective irrigation, if acre next year as well—even if the rains
are uncertain. AF-EC was able to needed, as a strategy to mitigate the are good.
convince 5,600 farmers, who grew effects of drought.
horse gram and jowar on 14,500
acres. Providentially, subsequent
12 13Sustainable agriculture
and drought mitigation
Palle jeevam Drought mitigation/ Andhra Pradesh and Amarapuram, covering 36 Gram Each FPO has a business plan. The
Drought Mitigation Project (APDMP) Panchayats. FPOs run farmer shops. All have
Andhra Pradesh Drought is a government of Andhra Pradesh obtained seed licenses, fertilizer
Mitigation Project (APDMP) project. It is also called Palle jeevam, There are three components licenses and GST registration.
which translates to ‘village life’, in local to implementation: Revenue from farmer shops has
language, Telugu. The Palle jeevam FPOs as key partners in crossed Rs.1,30,00,000/-.
objective is to improve the incomes implementation The FPOs participated in the
of 1,65,000 farm households and Climate resilient crop production government community managed
strengthen their resilience to drought. systems seed system (CMSS) programme in
This goal is to be achieved through collaboration with APSEEDS. Good
strengthening the adaptive capacity and Drought proofing through
quality groundnut seed of 11,550
productivity of rainfed agriculture in five natural resource management
quintals was procured from 1,850
districts in southern Andhra Pradesh. and governance
farmers, processed, packed and
The project aims to use a participatory supplied to APSEEDS at Rs. 7,100/-
Achievements in 2019-2020 per quintal. The FPOs earned a profit
approach through FPOs, with facilitation
support from NGOs like AF-EC. FPOs strengthened to manage the of Rs. 30,00,000/-.
project effectively. FPO membership The seed village program (SVP),
APDMP has funding support from has crossed 7,500 with share capital taken up by the FPOs, produced
International Fund for Agriculture of Rs. 75,00,000/-. The FPOs have 6,200 quintals of groundnut in the
Development (IFAD) for this project. mobilised convergence activities rabi season, through 552 farmers in
AF-EC has been selected as Lead with other line departments. 800 acres land. They sold the produce
Facilitating Agency (LFA), along Annual budget of Rs. 1,75,00,000/- to APSEEDS at Rs 500/- higher than
with Sahajeevan Trust, its sister covered agriculture, livestock, market rate, per quintal. The farmers
concern, to guide and support project NRM and groundwater. Direct got an additional income of
implementation in 12 mandals of beneficiaries of the project are Rs. 30,00,000/- through this.
Ananthapuramu district. the 7500 shareholder farmers; Intercropping of millets and pulses
the project indirectly benefits all was promoted in 4,100 acres, covering
farmers in 36 Gram Panchayats. 3,260 farmers, under a scheme called
Project outreach Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), Navadhanya. This was undertaken as
The implementation is through established by FPOs, are equipped a drought mitigation practise.
participation of 12 FPOs, with 7,500 with tractors and other farm Livestock production system
shareholders farmers. The mandals are equipment to serve small and improvement activities such as
Ramagiri, Kanaganapalli, Rapthadu, marginal farmers by providing small ruminant vaccinations,
Atmakur, Kuderu, Kalyandurg, services at lower than market rents. supplementary feed supply, fodder
Beluguppa, Brahmasamudram, Revenue generated by the 12 CHCs development and animal health
Gummagatta, Kambadur, Kundurpi was Rs. 50,00,000/-. camps were organised with 3,114
Learnings
Sanjamma, from Muktapuram village and maintenance. It is here that
in Kanaganipalle mandal, grew her APDMP and AF-EC step in to support shareholder participation. These It is essential to inculcate
Extension services and timely
country chicken farm from 60 to 200 women poultry farmers. Sanjamma FPO-owned assets, which are difficult organisational culture in FPOs,
input services increase shareholder
in nine months. A poultry farmer can got funding to build a shed. She makes to own as individuals, improved especially among Board of Directors.
participation in FPOs. Investments
buy a country chick for Rs. 50/- and Rs 12,000/- every month. people’s participation in general with They tend to behave as individuals
in creating productive assets
sell it for Rs. 400/- in six months. After a sense of collective ownership. and conduct business informally as
for FPOs, as through APDMP,
expenses, they make Rs 200/- per opposed to functioning as formal
worked as incentive and increased
fowl. But in the six-month period, the business organisations.
farmer needs to ensure proper shelter
14 15Sustainable agriculture
and drought mitigation
farmers and 2,21,128 animals, Climate Resilient Zero
including sheep and goat vaccination
services for 1,80,125 livestock Budget Natural Farming
belonging to 2,895 families. (CRZBNF)
De-worming services provided
to 2,65,487 sheep belonging to
3,114 shepherds. AF-EC is a resource organisation Five-layer cropping models conventional to natural farming.
Drinking water troughs for livestock for CRZBNF, initiated by the following agro-ecology principles These Master Farmers influenced
were established in 48 locations in government of Andhra Pradesh were established in 76 acres covering 22,278 farmers in 284 villages
36 villages. in collaboration with Azim Premji 76 farmers in order to drought- in RySS clusters to shift to ZBNF,
Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) and proof agriculture and regenerate either fully or partially.
Fodder cultivation was promoted
RySS (Rythu Saadhikara Samstha). It landscape productivity on a
in 9511 acres of common lands in AF-EC facilitated 919 farmers
is a multi-partner project involving sustainable basis.
36 Gram Panchayats. on 1,078 acres shift to ZBNF,
District Project Management Unit, Farm ponds with lining were
Breeding units were established either partially or fully.
Department of Agriculture, RySS, established on 70 rainfed farms
to promote backyard poultry multiple NGOs and CBOs. The project belonging to 70 farmers for on-
production of local breeds. 157 was initiated in July 2017. farm rainwater harvesting and
local poultry units enhanced the How zero budget natural farming
protective irrigation.
livelihoods of 157 poor families. helped Thippeswamy dodge the
Grassland development was
Farm ponds were constructed worst affects of drought
promoted in 75 acres of common
in 227 rainfed farms, covering 227 common lands are bare. This year, own lands. Horse gram seed was Achievements
lands to ease fodder shortages.
rainfed farmers, to prepare them for there was a severe drought and provided as incentive. The landowners An agro-ecology farming model “I got the most amazing yields
protective irrigation. MGNREGS was there was neither green grass in the were happy to lease out their vacant was developed, covering a Contingency crops were promoted despite one of the worst droughts
leveraged to create soil and moisture commons, nor water for cattle. The lands, since the contingency crops contiguous landscape of 260 acres in in 319 acres, covering 200 farmers, in 20 years,” says Thippeswamy, a
conservation and water harvesting non-irrigated farmers had left their would also improve soil fertility for the Thammiahdoddi village, supporting who had been unable to sow in June farmer from Thammaiahdoddi village,
structures in 1,800 acres, benefitting lands uncultivated, as it did not rain in kharif season in 2020. The shepherds 56 families. The model integrates and July because of lack of rain. Kundurpi mandal. He says, “The
1,200 farmers in the project villages. the sowing months of June/ July when planted 1,600 kgs of horse gram seed regenerative natural farming, climate Trained and provided on-farm mixed cropping five-layer model,
they grew groundnut. and 200 kgs of jowar seed. Luckily the smart agriculture and drought technical support to 666 Master ZBNF practices and protective
latter rains were favourable and fodder mitigation practices with natural Farmers for RySS. Master Farmers irrigation, all together, are the only way
At this critical juncture, Andhra Pradesh yield was exceptional. resource management interventions. help other farmers shift from to mitigate drought and improve agro-
How planning for livestock care Drought Mitigation Project (APDMP) ecology on a sustainable basis.”
reduced distress migration supported the sheep rearers by More than 10,000 sheep grazed for
constructing drinking water troughs for more than four months from January
He can say this because he harvested
“This year, the men in our families the animals. APDMP staff conducted 2020 in these lands. The sheep and
800kg of groundnut, 30kg red
stayed with us in spite of such a severe Rearer Field Schools (RFS) every goat browsed in the village commons
for part of the day, and part of the gram, 200kg cow pea, 50kg bajra,
drought. They would have migrated month to talk about animal health.
day in these fodder farms. This 20kg jowar, 80kg of castor, 80kg
with the sheep to Gangavathi or Come September, they encouraged
saved rearers the hard times that horse gram on his two-acre plot.
Mysore for 3-4 summer months and farmers to grow drought-resistant
returned only when the commons fodder as contingency crop: horse come with migrating hundreds of Thippeswamy earned Rs.70,000/-
became green, after the rains,” says gram and jowar, to tide over the fodder kilometres in search of fodder, living after retaining enough grain for
Mrs. Laxmamma, wife of Yerriswamy, scarcity for small ruminants. shelter less day and night with their seeding in the next season, and for
with a smile on her face. sheep, in addition to the financial the year’s household consumption.
About 50 interested shepherd families costs involved. The sheep rearers
Pillalapalle and Gonchireddipalle were formed into small groups of 5-8 have estimated that together they Thippeswamy had provided two rounds
are twin villages. Over 180 families families each. These groups cultivated had saved about Rs. 20,00,000/- of protective from his farm pond, using
rear 14,000 sheep and goats. It is fodder in 240 acres of uncultivated by growing their own fodder. the sprinkler set and water pump
their primary occupation. Fodder for farmland, leased to them at Rs. 500/- provided under the project. He has
the livestock is the main problem, per acre, in September 2019. 18 been practising ZBNF for two years.
particularly in drought years, when farmers joined with 90 acres of their
16 17Sustainable agriculture
and drought mitigation
Achieving Gender Equality through
Empowerment of Women in Agriculture
(AGEEWA)
AGEEWA is an institutional platform Achievements Demonstrated protective irrigation
of women in agriculture. It aims to 561 women members from SMGs in 38 acres, with 12 women farmers.
empower women farmers affected by in six villages are members of The crop was saved from drought;
drought. Its on-ground implementation Bhumata FPO. 260 members have the farmers were shown to have
is through exclusive women FPOs. paid full share capital of Rs. 1,000/- earned an additional Rs. 3,000/- per
AGEEWA promotes women-friendly each, totalling Rs. 2,60,000 and acre compared to farmers who had
innovations in sustainable agriculture, 31 members have paid partially. not followed protective irrigation.
including agri-extension and value chain 178 members availed of the Assisted 128 farmers to opt for
development for sustainable livelihoods; extension services, supply of sale contingency crops with jowar and
and supports advocacy platforms of seeds, tarpaulins and agriculture horse gram, since they had missed
women farmers to help them access implements provided by Bhumata the June-July sowing of groundnut
services, rights and entitlements. FPO this year. because of lack of rainfall. These
farmers made a net income of
The total turnover in FPO businesses
This project, funded by AEIN Rs. 3,000/- to Rs. 5,000/- per acre.
was Rs. 1,96,470/- and the gross
Luxembourg, is being implemented by profit, Rs. 35,860/-. The women were given awareness
a consortium led by Andhra Pradesh on government schemes and
The FPO provided small business
Mahila Abhivrudhi Society (APMAS) services that they were entitled to
loans to landless poor women and
with AF-EC, Rural Environment access, through APGB, Veterinary
single women. Ten such women
Development Society, Grameen Mahila Department, MPEO and APO
started petty businesses, each one
Mandali and People’s Action for MGNREGS.
borrowing Rs. 5,000/- from the FPO
Creative Education. It aims to impact Three village-level convergence
and putting in another Rs. 5,000/-
at least 2,000 women farmers, 500 of meetings were organised with
from her own resources. They earn
them through AF-EC. Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/- a day by selling RUDSETI staff on vocational training
vegetables, groceries, garments etc. opportunities for under-educated
youth. 75 women attended.
The Bhumata FPO organised
awareness meetings on the Two village-level convergence
importance of nutrition and meetings were organised with
balanced diet for women and the newly introduced staff of the
children. It provided 100 women village secretariat, Rythu Bharosa
with vegetable seed kits with ten Kendralu, which means ‘farmers’
varieties of vegetables and green assurance centres’ and Integrated
leaves to initiate nutri-kitchen Child Development Services staff How I changed from wage “We have been living in poverty as are up to Rs. 4,000/-. So I am able to
gardens in their backyards. (teachers) on services available to seeker to businesswoman farm labour. Both of us are aged. cover emergency health expenses and
women at the village secretariat. on the strength of a small loan We found it hard to look after also save some money.”
560 women were exposed to
41 FPO members attended. ourselves. There wasn’t enough work.
demonstrations to learn about I decided to start a business. I took a “Because I was a member in the
Nine members of the Board “I am Nagamma and my husband is
cropping systems, natural farming loan of Rs. 5,000/- from the Bhumata FPO and SMG I was able to get a
of Directors were trained in Chandrayadu. We live in Dharmapuri
practices and drought mitigation FPO. I carry petticoats to nearby business loan easily with a low interest,
governance, accounting and book village of Dharmavaram mandal. I am a
practices and technologies that villages for retail selling. I make a profit without any mortgage.” Her husband,
keeping, business planning and member of the village SMG and also a
would ensure at least 50� yields of Rs. 400/- to Rs. 500/- a day. My Chandrayudu adds, “I am happy…
business development. shareholder in Bhumata Mutually Aided
in spite of drought. These crop monthly income is between Rs. 9,000/- we have not fallen into the trap of
Cooperative Society facilitated by the
demonstrations were organised on to Rs. 12,000/-. Household expenses indebtedness with moneylenders.”
AGEEWA project.”
138 acres, with 138 farmers.
18 19Sustainable agriculture
and drought mitigation
How an off-farm venture because of the frequent droughts and needs, including for my son’s studies.
changed the way for lack of daily wage work.” I am also able to save a small amount
Bharathi’s family every month for any future needs.”
“By virtue of being member of SMG
Dairying as an off-farm activity can and also a shareholder in Bhumata Husband Gopal says, “We were able to
mitigate drought impact on farmers, FPO, I was able to take a loan from avail of the bank loan only because of
particularly in drought-prone areas like Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank for the facilitation from the SMG and FPO.
Ananthapuramu. “I am Bharathi from dairy farming. The loan was facilitated Thanks to the dairying, our financial
Dharmapuri village of Dharmavaram by AF-EC as part of AGEEWA project.” position has improved a lot, along with
mandal. My husband Gopal Rao and I our social status and self-respect.”
work as part labour and part cultivator. “Now I am able to earn Rs.10,000
We have 4.5 acres of land. Our son is to Rs.12,000 every month from dairy
doing his post-graduation. We could animals. And some more income on
hardly make ends meet. We were poor daily wages. It is sufficient for the family’s
20 21Livelihood diversification Youth Centre
(off-farm and non-farm)
The Youth Centre aims to equip Of the 378 youth trained this year, AF-EC has acquired a state-of-the-
undereducated or unemployed rural 332 are either employed or self- art automobile driving simulator
youth with skills so that they become employed and earning an income to teach fundamentals of driving,
financially independent, contribute of Rs. 6,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- comprehension of data analysis,
to household income, and are less per month. road signs and signals.
inclined to migrate. The objective is 167, including 15 women, were AF-EC enabled 21 women trained
also to help the household diversify trained to drive light motor as auto drivers to get bank loans
their means of earning and income vehicles. Training included for buying their own three-wheeler
through non-farm employment. theory and on-road practice. autos. They are now the proud
Today, 100 candidates are employed, owners-cum-operators of autos
The program emphasizes that such and earn Rs.800/- to Rs.1,000/-
earning an average monthly salary
employment be created either at home per day. Loans for other women
of Rs. 7,000/- to Rs.10,000/-, besides
or close to home so that opportunity are also in the pipeline.
travel allowances.
costs are minimized, families stay
together, and cities are not flooded 59 were trained in heavy motor
with rural distress migrants. vehicle driving. 40 are employed
and earn Rs.15,000/- to Rs.20,000/-
per month besides allowances for Priorities for 2020-21
Achievements food and rest on travel days. Non-farm livelihoods for women.
Vocational training and skills The 128 rural youth trained in mobile AF-EC is keen to introduce
learning included personality phone and motorcycle repairs were vocational training for electricians
development, spoken English skills provided a toolkit, so that they could and repair of domestic appliances.
and orientation on customer care start their own repair shop. Out of It has been found that these two
services. The youth were also given 128 trained, 47 earn a daily income trades have high demand in rural
training on first aid and awareness of Rs. 200/- to Rs. 500/-. and urban areas.
on AIDS. Trainees were taken on exposure
In all, 378 youth, including visits to vehicle showrooms in
15 women, were trained in driving, the town to observe various types
motorcycle mechanics and cell of vehicles being serviced.
phone repair.
Learnings
T. Nallappa from Kammuru village in
Kuder mandal knew that he could not Need to build entrepreneurial Need to expand basket of skill More effort is needed to help
supplement the family’s income from abilities among rural youth trainings to attract more youth young women opt for trainings.
their two acres land. After a sixty-day and women in order to enable
driving course, Nalappa is proud to them to diversify their income Need to create awareness and
be the first salaried member of his opportunities mobilize youth for skill-based
family, earning Rs. 10,000/- a month training and employment
working for a windmill manager near
his village.
22 23Livelihood diversification
(off-farm and non-farm)
Non-farm and off-farm
livelihoods for women
This woman-centric programme aims to One garment company established hedge the risk of crop failure due
diversify income opportunities in non- a decentralized production units to drought. Women earn an assured
farm and off-farm sectors for women in three villages: in Kalyanadurga, additional income of Rs. 200/- to
from rainfed farming households. The Venkatadripalli and Gangavaram, Rs. 500/- per day.
idea is to help women farmers and employing 56 women. These three With support from Livelihood
labour get into skilled enterprise so that units are located conveniently close Enhancements and Development
they can contribute to the economic to the women, so that they do not Program (LEDP) of NABARD, 90
wellbeing of the family, building have to leave their villages. women entrepreneurs were trained
self-esteem and respect as a result. Between 2018-20, in two years, 340 in making snacks with typical
women were trained in tailoring. dryland produce of nutritious
62� depend on tailoring as a millets and pulses. They received
AF-EC has been encouraging monthly
sole means of livelihood, the rest marketing support for selling locally.
savings and revolving credit within
practice part-time and continue The 514 women farm labourers
SMGs within a circle of 16,000 families.
farming as well. who took up alternative or
Each family saves Rs. 50/- to 150/- per
month and utilizes the same as a AF-EC has assisted 201 women supplementary income generation
revolving credit fund. As on March entrepreneurs from 39 villages to activities have become role models
2020, total savings including interest on start nano-enterprises like petty for livelihood diversification for
credit, stood at Rs. 68,000,000/-. Every shops, coconut business, jewellery other women.
month, over 4,000 women borrow shops, bangles making, vegetable This supplementary income has
from this fund to address immediate shops, flower shops, saree and helped reduce distress migration
financial needs on health, education, petticoat business, steel utensils during droughts. It has helped
agriculture and other livelihoods. business, kambli weaving, basket build the women’s self esteem as
making etc. Each woman borrowed it signifies upward occupational
The project facilitates self-reliance Rs. 5,000/- from AF-EC’s revolving mobility from farm labour.
of women through nano-enterprises fund and another Rs. 5,000/- from
like garment businesses, petty kirana their own SMGs, in order to set up
shops, vegetable shops, ram-lamb these enterprises. This initiative
rearing, dairying etc. Women earn has increased basket of earning
Rs. 200/- to Rs. 500/- per day from such opportunities, which has helped
enterprises. They can borrow Rs. 5,000/-
to Rs. 25,000/- from the revolving fund,
making them free of moneylenders.
Learnings
“I am M. Prameela from Kaluvapalli in can pay for my husband’s health and Achievements
Beluguppa mandal. I sell fruits in the daughter’s education. When AF-EC Women seem to market locally forward is for AF-EC to focus on
Trained 72 rural women in industrial
morning and paanipuri in the evening. conducted gender and leadership made, inexpensive products identifying and promoting such
garment-making in collaboration
I make Rs. 400/- to Rs. 500/- a day. trainings for women, I participated. better—like children’s garments, inexpensive, local products and
with Ganesh Corporation Ltd,
We did not have money for a square I am a member in Mandal Sasya petticoats and nighties, millet services for women entrepreneurs.
Bengaluru. These women work,
meal. I used to work as domestic help Mitra Samakhya and a Director in our part-time or full-time, from home, snacks etc. So decision going
in three houses to make ends meet. mandal MACS Ltd. With courage, I’m earning Rs. 120/- to Rs. 300/- per day.
Now, I have repaid all my debts. I able go forward as a leader.”
24 25Livelihood diversification
(off-farm and non-farm)
How we achieved was a very bad monsoon year. There but to migrate with our children to a
dignity through enterprise was severe drought and no demand for faraway place in search of wages.”
farm labour. This affected us badly. We
Every year, 2000 women borrow small did not have enough even to eat.” “Like me, twenty other members in
credit to venture into a new form of our SMG took loans. It has reduced
livelihood, away from the farm work “Fortunately, I am a member of an our dependency on inadequate wage
that they know. Here is the story of SMG facilitated by AF-EC in Yerragudi employment. We are no longer forced
how these small amounts go a long and have been saving Rs. 50/- every to approach moneylender for our small
way in changing lives and according month along with 20 other members cash needs. They not only charged
respect and dignity to the women. in the group. I was able to borrow very high interest rates, but also
Rs. 10,000/- from the group and set exploited us in several ways.”
“My name is Renukamma. I live up a petty kirana grocery shop in my
in Yerragudi village in Beluguppa village. The shop did well even though In the words of Ramanjaneyulu: “I am
mandal. I have never been to school. it was the second one in the village.” thankful to SMG for helping my wife
My husband, Ramanjaneyulu has start a business. Today she is earning
studied up to 8th class. We have three “My husband assisted me in more than what I bring home. She
daughters and one son. All of them buying and transporting stock from is respected in the community. I am
go to school now. We have two acres Beluguppa. We sold provisions, proud of her. Gradually the business
of dryland, which is not very fertile. condiments and vegetables. Now volume may increase and we would
The only crop we used to grow was I make Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 per day. be able to live even better, with respect
groundnut, which was affected by My husband goes out for work on and dignity.”
droughts. But over the past four years the national employment guarantee
we left the land barren because we used scheme (MNREGS) whenever it is The SMG members say: “We are
to incur losses; we lost investments on available. We are now able to manage happy that Renukamma has benefitted
inputs during drought years.” our household.” through the SMG. She is hardworking
and courageous. She has become
“My husband and I used to hire “I am grateful that our SMG made it a good example for other members.
ourselves out as agricultural labourers possible for us to live happily in our She promptly repays her loans,
in and around Yerragudi. Daily own village even in a drought year. enabling others to benefit from the
wage employment is irregular and Without the support of the SMG and savings and credit scheme.”
inadequate. We lived in poverty. 2019 AF-EC we would have had no option
26 27Livelihood diversification
(off-farm and non-farm)
Saree business I was always prompt in repaying my some activities to generate additional
loans to SMG and seeking fresh loans. income for the family. It has added
Belonging to my SMG means becoming difficult for me. I shared my shared this news in the SMG meeting,
“My name is Geetha and I live in My business soon picked up and today to our self-esteem and respect in the
that I am not alone problems at one of the SMG meetings, the members were very happy. The
Kalavapalle village in Beluguppa I have a stock worth Rs. 50,000/- at family and in the village.”
which I am a member of. The SMG SMG recommended to RDT to allot
mandal. We have a three-year old my disposal. Apart from sarees, my a house to my physically challenged
“My name is Kasamma and I live suggested that I take up vegetable
daughter. Although we have some merchandise includes apparels like daughter. I am grateful to my SMG for
in Gotluru village in Dharmavaram vending as it might suit me better.
dryland, we do not farm because of petticoats, night dresses that have a transforming my family conditions.”
demand in the village. Word of mouth mandal. We have a 20-year old son I got a loan of Rs. 3,000/- from my
losses due to droughts.
has made me known in neighbouring who has left home in search of work. SMG. This was complemented by
I joined the SMG in my village and villages also. My business thrives We have a daughter who is paralyzed. AF-EC with a grant of Rs. 5,000/-.
became an active member of the during festivals, when people like to We do not own house or land. My
savings and credit scheme. I borrowed buy new clothes. husband is chronically ill. The grant and loan helped me start
Rs. 10,000/- from my SMG and my vegetable vending business. I sell
invested it in a saree business that My husband is proud of me. We are I was managing house by working as vegetables close to my home from 6am
I operated from my house. I buy grateful to our SMG for helping us domestic support in three households. to 9am. This allows me to take care of
sarees on wholesale rates from explore new opportunities for earning I used to earn Rs. 4,500/- a month. my daughter and husband. Also, the
Ananthapuramu town and sell them within our village. Like me, other Doing this work while also taking care business picked up. I started making
retail in the village. women in our SMG also have started of my daughter and husband was a daily profit of Rs. 400/-. When I
28 29Ecology, Climate Change Mitigation
and Landscape Development How a check dam turned Present situation (Gliricidia, sitafal, Pongamia) were
a landscape green planted and 80% survived. This has
The 16 farmers on the banks of the changed the landscape and impressed
Before watershed Ipperu stream petitioned with IWMP for the community and IWMP.
a program that included construction of
Integrated Watershed A stream from Ipperu percolation a check dam and greening of hillocks. Because of the check dam and
Development Project tank runs near Antharganga village. But watering plants on the hills was vegetation upstream, the rainwater
Before watershed development activity difficult. Apart from safeguarding the was collected and stored. Eighteen
(IWMP) took place here, the farmers were plants in the wilderness, carrying borewells around this check dam got
never able to make use of this water. water uphill was a challenge in the recharged and all of the dry 58 acres
AF-EC has been implementing the Major impacts: 2011-2020 farm activities for diversified On the banks of this stream there are wilderness. The farmers decided to of land came under irrigation. Now
Integrated Watershed Management livelihoods. Their yearly earnings 16 farmers owning 58 acres of land build a chain of three ponds to harvest farmers are cultivating two crops in a
Project in Kudair mega watershed since The overall impact is a changed ranged from Rs. 60,000/- to and 18 borewells, of which nine had rainwater during rainy season so that year. They have assured income every
2011. This is the final year of the project, landscape from a barren desert- Rs. 75,000/-. The revolving fund dried up. Over the years, 28 acres of it became easier to transport water year, the droughts of Ananthapuramu
covering an area of 4,264 hectares like environment to a visibly green amount available with the land was left barren around the stream. to the plants. These ponds were filled district do not affect them, and the
at the cost of Rs. 5,11,68,000/-. It is landscape. Key impact areas: Village Organisation stood at In summer, there was water scarcity. with water tankers during summer landscape is full of vegetation!
viewed as a model watershed project 4,795 acres of land belonging to Rs. 63,28,000/- with regular Drinking water was supplied through and the plants were watered from the
by the government because of robust 2,584 farmers benefited directly with recoveries and incremental water tanks. Many of the community ponds. Due to the collective efforts of
community participation in its planning recharge in groundwater levels as a improvements in the livelihoods of migrated to nearby towns. the farmers and IWMP, 11,000 plants
and execution. result of check dams, check walls, farm poor farmers and landless families.
ponds, dugout ponds, percolation Vegetation cover was achieved
tanks and repairs to existing check in 247.50 acres of common lands,
dams and percolation tanks. including greening of hillocks.
Achievements 5,831 borewells, belonging to 3,125 Rock filled dams, loose boulder
families, were recharged due to structures, gabion structures and
Most land-based watershed activities increase in water table. staggered trenches helped conserve
were completed last year; only a few
9,755 additional acres of land has soil, water and moisture across
remaining activities have been taken
come under irrigation due to the 362 acres of land belonging to 154
up in 2019-20.
project. farmers, upstream of the valley.
Constructed three check walls, four
Inter/mixed cropping has been A total of 7,40,652 person days of
check dams and repaired two check
increased from 3,487 acres to 8,745 employment was generated under
dams to harvest rainwater and
acres, in project villages, benefitting the project, providing wage income
recharge borewells
1,862 families. to 1,482 families. Distress migration
NADEP composting was established was totally arrested in the IWMP
for 9 families Land use has shifted to perennial
watershed villages.
fruit tree crops in 2532 acres of
One community threshing flourmill rainfed area, benefitting 603 The project ensured convergence of
was established for use by all families. The fruit trees were planted different government departments.
farmers in 2018-19. Consequently, there is In particular, Rs. 8,79,78,000/- was
Generated employment of 1,952 green cover on the farmlands. accessed from MGNREGS for farm
person days, benefitting 49 families ponds, dryland horticulture, greening
4,266 families were supported
with wages amounting to of hillocks, NADEP, avenue plantation,
through breed improvement of
Rs. 6,83,000/-. block plantation, barren hillock
livestock and better availability of
Boulder removal undertaken in three afforestation, staged trenches and
green fodder in collaboration with the
acres for two families. water observation trenches.
Department of Animal Husbandry.
1,386 families, particularly women,
benefited from off-farm and non-
30 31Ecology, Climate Change Mitigation
and Landscape Development
Soil Development
Project (NABARD)
The main objective of soil projects is to soils, crop rotation, climate resilient Major impacts
improve soil productivity and sensitise alternative crops like jowar, foxtail, Rainwater harvesting recharged
farmers on Climate Smart Agriculture bajra and other local millets, 43 borewells, benefitting as many
and drought mitigation. improved varieties of red gram farmers, over 70 acres of land.
(LRG-52 and Ujwala), black gram etc.
More farmers are adopting inter
AF-EC has been implementing two soil Exposure visits were organised cropping and crop diversification
development projects supported by for 215 farmers to Musunuru, with millets, pulses, flowers etc.
NABARD and KfW in Garudapuram and Mulakanuru, MACS Ltd Bijikera
Battuvanipalli villages of Kalyanadurg More farmers are opting for
integrated organic farming
mandal. The Garudapuram soil project contingency cropping when their
and Nandyal Regional Agriculture
covers an area of 3,000 acres at a cost main crop fails.
Research Farm to learn new
of Rs. 47,02,000/- and Battuvanipalli climate smart farming systems High yielding varieties of seeds were
covers 2375 acres with a project cost of and practices. widely adopted by many farmers,
Rs. 45,97,000/-. The project duration is with improved yields.
Soil testing was done for 95 farmers
three years, from 2017 to 2020. covering 126 acres of land and 250 farmers opened bank accounts;
appropriate soil-test based crop some even adopted digital banking
recommendations were made. technologies.
Achievements
An Automatic Weather Station was Green cover on hillocks was
Thirty eight Board of Directors increased through plantation
installed in Garudapuram.
were trained on climate change Farm pond lining was done for and seed dibbling.
mitigation and adptation, MACS Ltd, two farm ponds/ farmers. The 51 acres of additional land was
governance and management of farmers contributed Rs. 50,000/- brought under cultivation by
A piece of dry barren land turns Kudair mega watershed. Leelavati mango plantation in their entire five- livelihoods fund, maintenance fund, in Garudapuram and Rs. 30,000/- removing rock outcrops.
into a horticulture garden and her husband Ramasubbu live acre plot. The family managed to pull managing Custom Hiring Centre, in Battuvanipalli. Village Watershed Development
in Kadadarakunta village. Their son on for five years by relying on income credit support for women for non-
Deep ploughing was done in 198.50 Committees (VWDCs) are
Dryland horticulture with mango is an and daughter study in a college. The from wage employment including farm and off-farm livelihoods.
acres, benefitting 103 farmers. functioning effectively and
important activity under IWMP. This five acres of dry land that the family MGNREGS and IWMP activities. Training was organised managing livelihoods fund with
Inter cropping or mixed cropping
activity aims at drought proofing with possessed was not able to sustain their By 2018, the garden started yielding. for 712 farmers on Climate excellent results.
with millets and pulses was
assured income to the farmer even in livelihood including costs on education. The family sold the mango crop on Smart Agriculture adapted to
promoted in 189 acres, benefitting
drought years. It creates vegetation Like other farmers in the village Leelavati wholesale basis for Rs. 70,000/-. Ananthapuramu agro-climatic
96 farmers.
across the farmed landscape, also cultivated groundnut year after year. This was a blessing for the family conditions. This included trainings
nurturing biodiversity, increasing More often than not there was a drought as they could tide over some of their on ZBNF practices, dairying, Crop rotation with millets and
outstanding loans. In 2019 Leelavati livestock and poultry, financial pulses was done in 68 acres,
biomass, providing shade and slowing and the family used to forfeit even the
and family decided to sell the mango literacy, market linkages etc. The benefitting 39 farmers.
desertification. This year, 2,532 investment costs on the farming. As
acres of rainfed farmland, belonging a result the family had no other option crop on a retail basis. In this way aim was to enable farmers cope Application of tank silt was
to 603 farmers were brought under but to raise loans to run the family. Their they earned Rs. 1,28,000/-. Leelavati with droughts and climate risks, and carried out on 80 acres, benefitting
rainfed mango farming. It has not only loans reached Rs. 1,15,000/-. says, “We are so happy. The income stabilise farm income. Farmer to 93 farmers.
changed the landscape, but assured from our farm this year not only eased farmer learning was also facilitated 76 acres of land was reclaimed,
regular income to the farmers. In 2013, IWMP arrived in our loans, it also helped us get our within the watershed villages. benefitting 48 farmers.
daughter married.”
Kadadarakunta. Leelavati opted for Demonstrations were organised Stone outlets were built on contour
The story of Leelavathi reflects the rainfed horticulture with mango and the with 211 farmers, on the practices bunds in 240 acres (160 stone
stories of 603 rainfed farmers in the project assisted the family to raise a of ZBNF, reclamation of problem outlets) benefitting 48 farmers.
32 33You can also read
