Cultivating Change: Govardhan Ecovillage’s Comprehensive Solutions to Farmers’ Struggles

According to latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, one farmer or farm laborer succumbs to suicide every hour in India, reflecting the deep-rooted challenges that plague agriculture.

Understanding Farmers’ Challenges

The average age of farmers in India hovers around 51, posing a critical question about the future of farming. The youth’s disinterest in agriculture creates a looming threat. Monocropping exacerbates the problem, diminishing food diversity and impacting nutrition. Hybrid seeds, while boosting production, tether farmers to external dependencies, this dependency disrupts the traditional farming autonomy, leaving farmers vulnerable to market fluctuations and corporate influence.

As per the census of 2000, there were 10.67 crore Landless agricultural labourers in India, as per the census of 2011 we have 14.3 crore landless agricultural labourers in India. This is clear proof of the pathetic condition of farmers across the country. And Palghar although next door neighbor of the financial capital of India (Mumbai) is no exception. Farmer’s distress is due to less income through only rain-fed agriculture, thus resulting in Mass scale migration leading to various social issues related to alcoholism and families getting separated. In Palghar, 80% of the rural population earns less than Rs.5000 per month, and 50-60% of farmers lacks irrigation facilities outside the monsoon season. The economic hardships force farmers into a cycle of poverty, limiting their ability to invest in sustainable practices.

GEV’s Transformative Initiatives

In the heart of Palghar, where the fields whisper stories of hardship, Govardhan Ecovillage is committed to unraveling the intricate problems faced by farmers. Govardhan Rural Development (GRD) Program has taken up the challenge to address these issues. Through the GEV’s Rural Development Department, 10000+ farmers are trained and GRD has adopted approximately 1500+ farmers and empowering them. This initiative focuses on uplifting farmers and instilling a sense of pride in their traditional occupation.

Organic Farming Excellence: GEV practices 10-11 acres of organic farming, harmonizing traditional wisdom with modern techniques. The Permanent Raised Bed Technique, Barren to Cultivable land expansion, Ten Drum Technology, Agricultural Research plots showcase a commitment to innovative and sustainable farming methods. This not only ensures sustainable agricultural practices but also serves as a model for the surrounding communities.

Wadi Agriculture: GEV’s Wadi Agriculture program revolutionizes land use, ensuring long-term, middle-term, and short-term income for farmers. By combining tree-based farming with best practices in rice and vegetable cultivation, this initiative aims to secure farmers’ livelihoods.

Seeds for Life: GEV actively promotes climate-resilient, nutritionally rich indigenous crop cultivars. This initiative not only enhances nutritional security but also fosters community-managed seed systems, ensuring sustainable agriculture practices for the long term.

Livestock Development: Cruelty-Free Organic Farming- GEV emphasizes the integration of cow rearing with organic farming practices. By training farmers in best practices based on cow dung and urine, this initiative not only promotes cruelty-free farming but also provides an additional income stream through the sale of milk.

Linkages and Support:

Government Liaison- GEV acts as a mediator between government subsidies and farmers, facilitating the flow of resources to the grassroots level. By forming farmers’ cooperatives, GEV ensures that the benefits of government support reach those who need them the most.

Market Access- GEV establishes linkages between farmers and e-commerce retailers, expanding market access and improving the visibility of local produce. Through PGS certifications for organic practices and collaborations, GEV helps farmers sell their produce in standardized and quality-assured ways.

Water Conservation and Irrigation: Sustainable Water Solutions- GEV addresses water scarcity through initiatives like lift irrigation and customized approaches. By conducting land surveys, facilitating discussions, and implementing long-term plans, GEV ensures that farmers have access to reliable water sources for their crops.

Impact and Recognition:

GEV’s initiatives have already yielded tangible results, with increased in income, poverty alleviation, local employment generations and improved quality of life for farmers resulted in GEV receiving prestigious accolades like Maharashtra Krushi Bhushan Award for promoting organic farming in rural villages of

Palghar district, the Limca Book of Award, for successful Permanent raised beds technique, National CSR Leadership Awards for Skill Development (Caregiver Program) by 2nd CMAI National CSR Leadership Summit &Awards 2019, Best Social Enterprise Award by World CSR congress, Skill Development Award and Social Initiative Award by FICCI and many more.

Success Stories:

Sadanand Ganya Vayada, a small-scale farmer introduced to GEV’s Seed Conservation Initiative where he was trained to grow multiple crops in different seasons and also to use organic fertilizers which helped in a lower cost of production of his crops. By adopting sustainable practices, he diversified his crops and increased income. 300 farmers visited his farmland and got highly inspired. They themselves adopted these means of sustainable agriculture for boosted production.

Similarly, Ankush Shankar Bhoye’s who joined our program in 2016- 17 skyrocketed his income from Rs. 38,000 to Rs. 3,00,000 through organic farming and seed conservation. This year, more than 600 farmers visited his farm, and they were inspired by different Agricultural initiatives Ankush is practicing.

To read more about our success stories, checkout: https://www.grd.org.in/stories-of-hope

Govardhan Ecovillage is not just a community but a catalyst for change, addressing the root causes of farmer distress and building a sustainable future for Palghar’s agrarian community. Through organic farming, water conservation, and innovative programs, GEV is sowing the seeds of positive transformation, one farmer at a time.

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