Jamkhed CRHP Training Farm
- 00:05:10
- YouTube
Jamkhed CRHP Training Farm
(visit www.jamkhed.org for more information) Located in a semi-arid, very drought-prone area, with fairly flat land and poor, rocky soil, the local farmers of Jamkhed have traditionally grown grains and some vegetables, for their own use as well as the market. They use bullocks for plowing, rain for irrigation, and women for weeding and harvesting. Annual average rainfall is 14", mostly in the monsoon months of July to September so there is a long dry spell of about 9 months. Failure of the annual monsoon rain is not uncommon. Not 1% of land in the villages is irrigated. Common, locally available seeds are of limited quality for production. For half the year, many are forced to migrate to sugarcane plantations and urban factories hundreds of miles away in order to survive. The initial severe poverty, isolation, and backwardness of the area meant that local farmers were cut off from modern agricultural knowledge as well as access to equipment and good quality, high-yielding seeds. The Comprehensive Rural Health Project saw the improvement of agricultural techniques and practices as a necessary step towards the promotion of better nutrition and health. To this end CRHP has often partnered with government agencies, universities, and other NGOs to obtain financial as well as technical support for water and land-related development projects in addition to organizing relevant seminars for local farmers. The creation of Farmers' Clubs and cooperatives encouraged the sharing of knowledge and resources as well as facilitating the introduction of modern equipment that would otherwise have been prohibitively expensive for an individual farmer to procure. In order to enhance the learning of farmers in the Jamkhed area, in 1995 CRHP decided to develop its own farm as a demonstration and training center. With 80 acres of land the farm has been developed, growing mainly fruit trees, draught-resistant crops that do not require much water, and medicinal herbs. With an agricultural expert on staff the farm has been operated by AIDS, leprosy, and TB patients in need of support and rehabilitation. Jetropha, the diesel tree, being promoted by the government in its Biodiesel program has recently been planted. Different methods are used to preserve and conserve water, e.g. drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting. Organic farming, including vermiculture, is practiced. Value-added production (e.g. drying, juice, preserves) of fruits and vegetables is demonstrated and taught. Plant nurseries and animal husbandry (e.g. goats, chickens) are demonstrated. Most of the food collected on the farm goes to support CRHP's training programs at Jamkhed. Furthermore, CRHP has been actively engaged in watershed development in cooperation with the government for many years. The campaign has successfully organized local labor in various schemes, including food for work programs, to transform barren wasteland into crucial reservoirs, lakes, and areas used to recharge wells and groundwater using a number of techniques. Tree plantations and nurseries for reforestation are likewise an essential component of CRHP's environmental improvement activities.
YouTube | July 18, 2007
