World Vision India helps farmers adopt innovative farming techniques

Dec. 2, 2011 - PRLog -- World Vision India has been assisting farmers in Kalaghat village in a bid to help them increase their farm’s yields.  Now farmers in the villages feel encouraged to try something innovative and new for the first time in their farming careers.

As Rasikbhai Nathubhai Gamit, 44, a beneficiary from the programme stated, “Previously, we used to grow only rice which would be barely enough for us. There was nothing left to sell. For the first time we grew lady’s finger (okra) and it has been a tremendous success.”

Things were much different and difficult for the villagers till World Vision India intervened. With the help of the programme, Rasikbhai was offered assistance to deepen his well by 3-4 feet and level out his land last year. The well deepening ensured that there was 7-10 feet of water, which would usually last him nearly six months. This renewed source of water has not only helped Rasikbhai but also the many other farmers in Kalaghat village. As Rasikbhai says, “Thanks to the well deepening by World Vision India we are now able to not only irrigate our land but also help provide water to few other farmers.”

The problem of water distribution in the village was also addressed by World Vision India through the inception of lift irrigation methodologies, which helped farmers gain access to the water from the nearby hamlet. Self-sufficient, Rasikbhai is now grateful for the support his family has received from World Vision India.

While his son Daniel R Gamit, 11, is a sponsored child and is able to continue his education through World Vision India’s sponsorship programme, Rasikbhai’s wife has been a member of World Vision India’s Darshan SHG for the past five years, which has helped ensure that the family has benefitted through the various savings schemes.

Today farmers like Rasikbhai have greatly benefitted through the adoption of the new alternative farming technique. Now Rasikbhai not only grows rice but also lady’s finger (okra) as part of the agro forestry measures, which helps his family get food grains for the year and also gives them the opportunity to earn from the 2 acres of vegetables grown. Over the course of the year Rasikbhai has also grown brinjal and tomatoes which now provide his family with an additional income besides ensuring that the children have adequate supplementary nutrients included in their everyday daily diet.

Rasikbhai expects to earn around Rs. 17000/- this year from the crop yield. With the newly increased income, he has also purchased a buffalo for Rs. 24,570/- and 36 (720 feet) lift irrigation pipes, something that wouldn’t have been possible before World Vision India’s Area Development Programme had intervened. Today encouraged by the new beginning farmers like Rasikbhai Gamit and others in Kalaghat village are more open to adopt innovative farming techniques.