SAFE Network – An Initiative to support Smallholder Farmers

VILLAGE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS – PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE-AN OVERVIEW

WITH A CLIMATE CHANGE PRESPECTIVE

Climate Change – An opinion…

A CONSULTATION WITH FARMERS AND THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THEM

THE PAST FERTILE LAND – NATURALLY

PROPER RAINFALL

CLEAN WATER/SUFFICIENT WATER BODIES WITH WATER

SUFFICIENT WATER FOR IRRIGATION OR RELIABLY RAINFED CULTIVATION

ORGANIC FARMING METHODS

MAINLY DEPENDENT ON RAIN AND WATER BODIES FORIRRIGATION

PREDICTABLE YIELD

FAMILY LABOUR/MUTUAL SUPPORT

FARMING WAS POSSIBLE EVEN IN OFF-GRID SITUATION

THE PRESENT INFERTILE LAND DEPLETED GROUNDWATER TABLE ERRATIC OR NO RAINFALL/ DRY, FEW OR NO WATER

BODIES LURED INTO CHEMICAL FARMING - HIGH &

UNCALCULATED USAGE OF FERTILIZERS EVER INCREASING NUMBER OF BOREWELLS WITH LESS

OR NO WATER AND INJUDICIOUS USE OF WATER UNPREDICTABLE YIELD DUE TO VARYING EXTERNAL

FACTORS OFF GRID OR INCONSISTENT SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY SUBSISTENCE FARMING /MIGRATION TO CITIES/

DESERTED AND /OR SHRINKING FARMLANDS

THE FUTURE OF FARMING ENERGY DEPENDENT FARMING

FARMING COULD BE POSSIBLE ONLY WITH CONSISTENT SUPPLY OF ENERGY

TAPPING THE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES COULD BE A VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE OPTION

SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES

DESILTING WATER BODIES TO RECHARGE GROUNDWATER TABLE/CREATING FARM PONDS

AFFORESTATION

WHY SMALLHOLDER FARMERS??? As much as 67 percent of India's farmland is held by

the marginal farmers with holdings below one hectare, against less than 1 percent in large holdings of 10 hectares and above, the latest Agriculture Census shows.

Another cause for concern is that in 2010-11, the proportion of net irrigated area to net area sown was 45.70 percent, which shows that for half the country's farmland, irrigation is yet to reach farmers, who rely entirely on rains for their crops.

The importance & Roles… India’s agro-climatic regional planning has

documented the zones of maximal opportunity for diversified agriculture on smaller farms. Planning (at local and regional scales) to utilize those opportunities - and to provide the supportive agro-processing and market and communications facilities - must involve farmers’ representatives and cooperatives, administrators, extensionists, researchers, inputs suppliers (public and private), and NGO's; it must address on-farm and non-farm features.

Coping with changing climate ..

Earthquake, Drought & Floods

The three ugly faces of Climate Change drastically affecting the lives of small famers in the developing countries who are also the most vulnerable communities in the world.

Drought Water conservation methods are promoted and

practiced – Example SRI method of rice cultivation

Construction of farm ponds with subsidy from the government under 100 days labour scheme.

Drip and sprinkler irrigation methods are promoted

Seeds of Millet family is distributed and promoted

To create awareness about De-siltation of public ponds, canals and reservoirs among the farmers and with support from government to conserve water.

Traditional ploughing methods are promoted.

Floods Deep water & Lodging resistant varieties of paddy is

promoted

Proper drainage facility around the farm lands leading and connected to the mainline canals is promoted.

Delayed / Early sowing of seeds recommended depending on the region and based on weather forecast.

The Art of Climate change…..

Climate change…

Power games…..

Inequality….

What we grow…… Cash cropsPaddy Colacacia tubers

Diversified farming practices

Adult Piglets

OrchardsGuava Trees Guava fruits

Some Success Stories & Best practices

Drum seeder & SRI method of Paddy cultivation

Access to Irrigation through Solar Energy

Irrigation -Cooperative farming

Issues….Equal wages for women Women centered labour

Paddy transplantation donemanually by women

Chemicals Vs Organic manure Chemical fertilizer

Green Manure & Organic inputs

Traditional Agricultural practices vs Modern ones

Tractor Country plough

What’s our role as an organisation..

Practice Promote

On Ground….. Conduct a baseline survey to understand off-grid situations and

promote sustainable models and replicate best practices.

More Farmers federations and associations should be formed to advocate their causes with the government while also show support to each other during calamities for horizontal learning.

Use existing Networks of Grass root NGOs to pilot, promote and replicate smart village concepts and success stories.

Our existing network of NGOs have already established rapport and other agricultural activities among nearly 12000 farmers across 5 districts which are always at the forefront of calamities caused by climate change.

Extension and farmer’s support services to name a few…

Seed banks to support small farmers from getting into debts.

Vet care for animals to avoid mortality in turn economic havocs to small farmers

Promote more of sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate and/or minimise the effects of climate change.

Thank you…