Farmers Exposures Visit Twenty seven peoples 21 male & 6 female had visited Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi <strong>for</strong> one day <strong>and</strong> also visited SJVK, Jamshed pur <strong>for</strong> another day. Nearly 14 visits were made to different sites. • Construction <strong>and</strong> renovation of ponds in villagers have led communities to adopt nonfarm activities like fishery <strong>and</strong> duckery. Due to the <strong>for</strong>mation of <strong>for</strong>est protection committees, <strong>and</strong> its laws by the Village Development Committee (VDC), the de<strong>for</strong>estation, cutting trees, burning <strong>for</strong>est has been considerably reduced. As per the law if any one violating the rules, the committee has fined him/her from Rs. 500 to Rs. 5000. The fine amount goes to VDC account. VDC had been linked now to the <strong>for</strong>est department <strong>for</strong> a <strong>for</strong>estation programs. • 2100 hectors of natural <strong>for</strong>ests protected to reduce the soil erosion. The community initiatives <strong>for</strong> <strong>for</strong>est protection have been linked with Government department through <strong>for</strong>mation of VDCs. • After demonstration of new crops like turmeric, ginger, potato, onion cauliflower etc, the village farmers are going <strong>for</strong> more vegetable crop cultivation <strong>for</strong> more income, the annual income of households has increased from Rs 2000 to Rs. 10000 per annum. A village in<strong>for</strong>mation centre (VIC) has been established at Kusahaldih within the project area <strong>for</strong> all three villages Dukri Kimirda <strong>and</strong> Kudahatu. A committee has been <strong>for</strong>med to run the VIC including replicable villages Kiada <strong>and</strong> Kurmunda. At Village in<strong>for</strong>mation centre literatures have been provided from ATMA (Agriculture Technology <strong>Management</strong> Agency); KVK West Singhbhum (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) BAU Ranchi (Birsa Agriculture University) <strong>and</strong> Soil testing Department Chakradhapur <strong>and</strong> also share update <strong>and</strong> new in<strong>for</strong>mation with villagers. • Three Seed Banks established in three villages Dukri, Kimirda <strong>and</strong> Kudahatu. The main purpose of establishing the seed bank is storing <strong>and</strong> use of the local l<strong>and</strong> races. Project Achievements • Thirty Three (33) community level organizations (Village Development Committee, Farmers Club <strong>and</strong> SHGs, <strong>for</strong>est protection committee) have been <strong>for</strong>med <strong>and</strong> strengthened through nearly 356 village meetings in 3 years. • Total of 209 farmers member in 13 farmers club of three project villages. Farmers' club members have been taken 46 Kishan Credit Card (KCC) loan from Block Agriculture office. Each KCC limit is Rs 30000/- <strong>and</strong> it is <strong>for</strong> agriculture purposes, amount has been Rs. 138,000 only. • There are 16 SHGs with 256 members <strong>for</strong>med in three project villages. Nine SHGs have savings bank account in Punjab National Bank (PNB), <strong>and</strong> Gramin Bank, Chakradharpur. • A Cooperative Society of total of 60 SHGs (893 members including replicable villages has been <strong>for</strong>med – Jharna Bachat Avam Sakh Samittee Limited Toklo registered as credit society on 11/5/11. Total 11 SHGs have been linked with cooperative from the project area. They have total saving of Rs. 221297.00 (Total in bank – Rs. 40039.00, cash in h<strong>and</strong> Rs. 41629.00, total loan given – 139629.00). • After construction of 165 Nala bund <strong>and</strong> 48 gully plugs, 62% of l<strong>and</strong> (560 hac) prevented <strong>for</strong>m soil erosion <strong>and</strong> 60% to 73% agriculture production have increased in nearly 750 hac of agricultural l<strong>and</strong>. In many areas water level have increased by 1 feet. Farmers are getting sufficient water in wells, <strong>and</strong> ponds <strong>for</strong> irrigation <strong>and</strong> domestic purpose. Fr. Halan Bodra, Director, Samekit Jan Vikas Kendra. Patel bagan, Sundernagar PO, Jamshedpur- 831007, East Singhbhum, Jharkh<strong>and</strong>, Ph.: 0657-2299505, 0657-2297538 Email : director@sjvkjharkh<strong>and</strong>.in Lessons Learnt • Sustain actions it is necessary to ensure community participation <strong>and</strong> ownerships developed, in decision making, roles <strong>and</strong> responsibility <strong>and</strong> sharing costs in activities. • Village Development Committee (VDC), Farmers Club, Self Help Groups (SHGs), <strong>and</strong> Forest Protection Committees (FPCs) as local institutions encouraged local people to access credit at reasonable interest rates from banks. Different institutional arrangements however made life difficult <strong>for</strong> locals, as different Govt schemes require different institutional mechanisms, this duality needs to be addressed <strong>for</strong> better efficiency <strong>and</strong> productivity at grassroots. • Although time consuming the links are very much required with the Government programs <strong>for</strong> successful implementation of l<strong>and</strong> based actions. Regional Co-ordinator Centre <strong>for</strong> Environment Education, A-5, Bar munda, HIG Colony Bhubaneswar-751013, Tel:0674- 2551344 Email: ceeorissa@ceeindia.org Colours 9810037571/SGP/May/13 Text: Mr. Prabhjot Sodhi & Manoj Mohanta Country Program Manager GEF UNDP Small Grants Programme Centre <strong>for</strong> Environment Education C-40 South Extension-II, New Delhi-110049, Ph.: 011-26262878-80 Email: prabhjot.sodhi@ceeindia.org Website: www.sgpindia.org,www.ceeindia.org
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