Sub Programme Area 401

401.1 Coastal Agroecosystem: Mannadipet Region, Puducherry

The framework of ‘biovillage’, which encompasses sustainable livelihoods and natural resources management, has been the guiding point of the initiatives of MSSRF. MSSRF launched an initiative titled ‘Nutrition Secure Puducherry’ at a function on 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti, in the presence of Mr Narayanasamy, the Chief Minister of Puducherry. The InnuyirGramaSangam (IGS) started a new business entity, the IGS farmer producer organization (FPO), apart from its regular functions. The Pasumai Farmer Producer Company Ltd (PAFPCL) also continued efforts in strengthening the collective actions of small-holders in accessing productive resources for agriculture. The IGS continued its focus on promoting diverse off-farm and non-farm interventions, while the FPOs are working to strengthen on-farm livelihoods. In addition, the Puducherry village resource centre (VRC) is managing the farmers’ network with 5200 farmers through virtual connections and two physical village knowledge centres (VKCs). The linkages and partnerships with line departments, research institutions and financial organizations have been continued to add value to the existing initiatives.
InnuyirGramaSangam: The membership base of the IGS increased to 3600 from 3340 in the past year, and it is functioning with 310 smaller groups. Considering the importance of improved nutrition in the region, in the past year, the centre established a demonstration unit of nutri-gardens, particularly with diverse nutri-rich vegetables that can supply necessary nutrients for good health. The garden is now serving as a training point for school students and women members to raise awareness on balanced nutrition. It continued its services to create access to credit for its members to undertake economic activities. During the year, the IGS signed an MoU with Puduvai Bharathiyar Grama Bank for the formation of 1000 joint liability groups (JLGs) to promote on-farm, off-farm and non-farm livelihoods. It has promoted 238 JLGs and leveraged Rs 3.8 crores for allied enterprises such as dairy farming, goatry, forage cultivation and value addition of cereals, pulses and milk. It is continuing its effort in fine-tuning the E-Shakti platform for digitization of credit transactions to ensure the transparency of accounts and have a rigid monitoring system of self-help groups (SHGs). NABARD has provided extension till July 2021 for the completion of the process. Under non-farm activities, the IGS conducted a 1-month tailoring course for 30 women. The work with single women collectives is focused more towards strengthening their economic opportunities by accessing credit and market services. During the early stage of the Covid-19 outbreak, IGS members prepared about 10000 masks and handed them over to the district collector of Puducherry.
InnuyirGramaSangam Farmer Producer Organization: This year, the organization focused on increasing its shareholder base and on empowering its members and board members in particular. A total of 70 trainee days were spent in this effort. Since December 2018, 611 members have joined as shareholders and have started doing business. Currently, the annual turnover is Rs 19.18 lakhs. Two rural marts have been established to sell the produce generated by the SHGs and the farmers to the public. This year they have initiated moringa leaf powder, a brand new iron-rich ‘ready-to-eat product’. Apart from this, the FPO has centralized facilities to supply neem seed powder, chicks/eggs of Japanese quail, Kadaknath-poultry, vermicompost, seedlings of vegetables and so on. To strengthen the members’ access to reliable plant health services, 15 plant clinic programmes were organized, including a plant clinic session exclusively for women farmers to promote their participation.
Pasumai Farmer Producer Company Ltd. Puducherry: PAFPCL has 549 shareholders (male: 79; female: 470) who are members and is organized into 35 farmer producer groups (FPG). The company extended credit support of Rs 10.5 lakhs to 110 farmers to cultivate black gram in 110 acres. Four project monitoring committee meetings were organized to strengthen business activities. PAFPCL availed a credit of Rs 5 lakhs from Indian Bank for the procurement of pulses and groundnut. For seed purposes, 4 tons of groundnut and 2 tons of black gram were purchased from the shareholders. In addition, 2 tons of black gram were processed and 1 ton of groundnut oil extraction was done, and both the products sold to their members and also through outlets. PAFPCL participated in various exhibitions to expand their visibility and business relations. The board of directors (BoDs) also assessed the production capacity of its shareholders with regard to black gram, moth bean and paddy to establish value-addition centres at the local level. To increase business activities and also fulfil the shareholders’ monthly requirement of groceries, PAFPCL plans to start door delivery. A trial was carried out and the profit margin was found to be high in the grocery business. Village meetings were organized to strengthen the loan recovery system, and 87 per cent of overdue loans were recovered. PAFPCL applied to NABARD for establishing two rural marts and the BoD also decided to establish an agriculture service centre at Sorapet village. The license for obtaining seeds, fertilizers and pesticides from the concerned department is under process. An application for one-time financial assistance of Rs 10 lakhs has been submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Puducherry.
Sustainable Agriculture Technologies: Two new initiatives were undertaken to improve ecosystem services in the agricultural landscape and sustain the productivity of important crops. The first focused on improving pest regulation and pollination services by adopting the principle of ecological intensification (EI); it is being studied under the project ‘Sustainable Farming through Effective Pollination and Pest Regulation in India (SuperFarm)’, launched in collaboration with the University of Reading, United Kingdom. The project aims to explore opportunities for ecologically intensive farming interventions in economically important crops in North and South India. We will quantify the impact of contrasting landscapes on biodiversity and ecosystem service provision; explore barriers and incentives that influence farmers’ behaviour towards more environmentally sustainable practices; and focus on stakeholder engagement from inception through to dissemination of project results.
The second initiative focuses on below-ground microbial diversity through a recently funded Indo-Swiss project that will soon be launched in India in collaboration with the University of Basel, Switzerland, and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. In dryland agriculture, deep-rooting plants, intercropped within shallow-rooting ones, may act as ‘bioirrigators’ that can transfer water from deep soil layers to the topsoil for the benefit of the system. Our recent experiments have shown that bioirrigation is facilitated by the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which connect the intercropped plants by a common mycorrhizal network (CMN). The aim of this project is to identify the morphological, physiological and competitive traits that make the plants ideal for bioirrigation in CMN-facilitated intercropping systems.

401.2 Semi-arid Agroecosystems: Kannivadi Region, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu

The key focus of the intervention is to improve the resilience of farmers, both men and women, to address the challenges in production and marketing of farm products. Important strategies such as building the capacity of the farmers to take informed decisions and to adopt appropriate technologies, promoting innovation in sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing the farmers’ network and encouraging ‘eco-preneurship’ have been continued with two grassroots institutions at the local level: Kulumai Producers’ Federation and Reddiyarchatram Sustainable Agriculture Producers’ Company Ltd. (RESAPCOL).
Kulumai Producers’ Federation: It has a membership of 293 SHGs (male: 5; female: 288) belonging to 65 villages of Reddiyarchatram block of Dindigul district. Currently, it has a membership of 3958, and during this year, 15 new SHGs, consisting of 158 SHG members, were formed. It has successfully completed the profitable milch animal–rearing and paravet training programmes under Area Development Program Project sanctioned from NABARD to Kulumai Federation. Around 375 milk producers (male: 63; female: 312) were trained on profitable milch animal–rearing in 10 batches, and 30 rural women’s SHGs were trained on paravet aspects for a period of 24 days. The final report has been submitted to NABARD. Under Kulumai Social Security Insurance Scheme, 2077 members are availing services; of these, 432 are senior citizens who have limited access to insurance services; and 325 new members were enrolled. Credit support of Rs 2.73 crores was availed by linking 83 SHGs (875 members) with NABFINS Ltd., Dindigul, for initiating various livelihood activities such as milch animal purchase, goat-rearing, agriculture, country chick–rearing and for house repairing and closing higher-interest external loans. Kulumai also provided credit support of Rs 11.25 lakhs to 45 SHG members for low-cost toilet construction. With the support of Life Insurance Corporation of India, Dindigul branch, life insurance schemes were introduced for its members; around 580 members have joined the scheme, and a premium amount of Rs 34.8 lakhs was collected. Each insured member who is alive will get a maturity amount of Rs 2.5 lakhs after 12 years.
Kulumai Milk Producer Company Ltd.: KMPCL has a membership of 997 shareholders (male: 117; female: 820) with a share capital of Rs 9.87 lakhs. Around 32 new shareholders have joined the company in this reporting period. In collaboration with ABT Foods Pvt Ltd., Kulumai has continued to run 15 milk collection centres, which ensured procurement, storage and timely payment. On an average, a shareholder can get an additional Rs 4–5/litre of milk. Daily milk collection is 2300 litres, and the monthly turnover is Rs 19.32 lakhs. KMPCL supplied 85 tons of good-quality concentrate cattle feed at lower cost in comparison with the products available in the market, thereby helping members reduce their cattle feed expenditure by 10–15 per cent. The annual turnover of the company through various services is Rs 47.5 lakhs. In addition to marketing of milk, KMPCL has introduced monthly grocery supply to its shareholders, starting with a pilot covering 50 families in five villages. Shareholders can get their monthly grocery package at Rs 1500 through this scheme and save up to Rs 350 by avoiding intermediaries. They can repay this money through their JLGs in four equal instalments. Steps have been taken to expand this scheme to all other working villages from 32 to 58.
Five animal health camps were conducted in collaboration with local dispensaries benefitting nearly 325 cows, 550 goats and other animals. These camps have been helpful in imparting milch animal–related interventions, such as training on fodder cultivation and management, inputs, azolla, improvement of milk production and quality standards. Through the animal health camps, people lacking access to veterinary dispensaries due to the clinics being located far away have benefitted and awareness about the importance of vaccination has increased.
Reddiyarchatram Sustainable Agriculture Producers’ Company Ltd.: RESAPCOL received support of Rs 60 lakhs from Tamil Nadu Small Farmers Agri-business Consortium (TNSFAC) for establishing a seed processing unit cum storage facility on its premises. Through this facility, RESAPCOL farmers can get additional revenue through pulse seed production. Training programmes on new agricultural technologies, such as battery sprayer, seedling planting machine, simple weeder, fertilizer application machinery and simple drip irrigation technology, were organized by the company to reduce the drudgery faced by women farmers; five rounds were organized and 153 women farmers attended. Training was conducted for farmers by experts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agriculture and horticulture departments and MSSRF. It facilitated access to Rs 49.2 lakhs from NABARD Financial Services (NABFINS) to 123 shareholders for the starting of microenterprises such as milch animal–rearing, goat- and country chick–rearing, tailoring, petty shop, agriculture and so on. The value-addition unit processed 3275 litres of groundnut oil worth Rs 5.56 lakhs and coconut oil worth Rs 1.57 lakhs. It has facilitated access to organic and other agriculture inputs, such as Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas, Bacillius and so on, to farmers. Pheromone traps and sticky traps worth Rs 12.73 lakhs have been sold to around 836 farmers from various districts covering an area of 2730 acres. More importantly, it aggregated and sold cotton, maize and black gram seeds worth Rs 45.7 lakhs, to cover an area of 1350 acres, 1230 acres and 37 acres, respectively, under each. Procurement of 582 tons of maize was done from 287 farmers and collectively marketed for Rs 1.04 crores. Similarly, 23 tons of cotton from 85 farmers worth Rs 9.66 lakhs were procured. Under this initiative, small and marginal farmers have the benefit of better price and proper weight than other farmers, and the company earned Rs 2.23 lakh as net profit. It successfully organized a women entrepreneurs’ conference at Kannivadi on 27 June 2019 to share the experiences of women entrepreneurs trained through the activities of the Life Long Learning of Farmers Project (L3F). Around 1200 women and men farmers participated in this meeting.
RESAPCOL organized an awareness meeting on implementation of MobiMOOC pilot project for the shareholders of FPOs of Dindigul and Karur districts, in which NABARD, KVK, agriculture department officials and 15 FPOs participated. It has organized a 2-day training programme on business plan preparation for BoDs as well as staff of RESAPCOL in collaboration with Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai. Based on training, RESAPCOL has developed a business plan on cattle feed production. During the reporting period, a total of 584 contents were developed on agriculture (323), animal husbandry (126), corporate literacy/FPC (107) and government schemes (28) and distributed by RSGA to farmers through Mvayoo portal. Agriculture- and veterinary-based voice mails were heard by 3758 farmers (male: 1053; female: 2705). It has developed and uploaded 25 YouTube videos on agricultural practices and experiences of farmers, which were liked by 15732 viewers; 137 postings on modern agri-techniques and success stories of the farmers were uploaded to Facebook and liked by 85325 users, and around 32527 friends mutually shared this information. A total of 185 vegetable market–related and 68 weather report–related information bits were also shared.
Sustainable Agriculture Technologies: In promotion of the plant doctors’ project, 25 men and women small farmers were trained on plant management techniques and technical training was imparted on crop management, that is, nutrient management and identification of pest and diseases. A total of 1547 trainee days were completed for 16 types of vegetable crops, and 10 plant clinics were organized in 8 villages and 210 crop samples analysed. Now, the plant doctors have adequate knowledge of economic threshold levels of pests and diseases, basic knowledge in the diagnosis of pests and diseases, and in farm-level organic and bio-input production and application. They created awareness among 470 farmers in 17 villages on plant health diagnosis and management strategies. The farmers adopted low-cost tools and technology for pest and disease management, such as automatic solar light trap for pest monitoring and low-cost weeder (weed is alternate host for many pests), farm-level organic input production, multicropping system, use of face mask and goggles at the time of pesticide application and so on. To raise awareness among farmers in the region, free organic input distribution and advisory campaigns were conducted in Kannivadi for a month during the peak growing season; 172 farmers (male: 102; female: 70) utilized the material. A total of 600 litres of organic inputs, such as panchakaya, secondary effective microorganisms, coconut and buttermilk solution and amuthakaraisal, were distributed. Based on the usage, 18 farmers produced the organic inputs on their own for vegetable and flower crops. Nearly 1000 ha of maize has been affected by fall armyworm and nearly 30–70 per cent cotton was affected by stem borer in this region. Plant health campaigns were conducted for fall armyworm in maize and stem borer in cotton in which 300 farmers participated.
Four women’s groups are producing bio-inputs in both powder and liquid biofertilizer formulations, for example, Azospirillium, phosphobacteria, potash-mobilizing bacteria, Arbuscular mycorrhizae, biofungicides such as T. viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis, and biopesticides such as Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces lilacinus, Metarhizium anisopliae and Verticillium lecani. During the year, they produced 15 tons of powder and 150 litres of liquid formulations of bio-inputs worth 9 lakhs and generated 940 employment days, and 1800 farmers used the products in their fields. Moreover, 400 farmers were trained in bio-input application in various districts; these training programmes were organized by government departments, other NGOs and agricultural colleges. The marketing of bio-inputs was institutionalized through RESAPCOL.

401.3 Semi-arid Agroecosystems: Iluppur Region, Pudukkottai District

As a part of a role change strategy in the development of framework since January 2020, the Illuppur Agriculture Producer Company Ltd. has started to work independently. The company has built its capacity in organizational, financial and governance dimensions to work independently since its inception 9 years ago. The BoD has passed the necessary resolution in their board meetings and appraises MSSRF of the progress made at the end of each year.

401.4 Semi-arid Agroecosystems: Mailam Region, Villupuram District

The main objective of the intervention is to enhance the income of small-holders in this region by promoting a pulse-based farming system and diversifying livelihood opportunities by integrating livestock. Pulses and oilseeds are the main crops in the Mailam region of Villupuram district, and MSSRF is working directly with 1000 farmers (of which more than 84 per cent are women) and indirectly with more than 1500 farmers by way of implementing common property management and dissemination of improved technology intervention in agriculture, horticulture and livestock. Water augmentation is one of the core areas, both at common water bodies and individual open wells. These are very critical for irrigation in this marginalized agroecosystem, where more than 70 per cent of the lands are under rainfed conditions.
Nallavur Farmer Producer Company Ltd.: There is an increase in the number of shareholders of Nallavur Farmer Producer Company Ltd. (NAFPCL) from 932 in the previous year to 1000 (male: 165; female: 835). It has established a processing and value-addition centre for both black gram and groundnut. During the current period, it aggregated 15 tons of black gram for grain and two tons of VBN-4 variety of seeds from farmers who have registered for seed production. Similarly, it procured 4 tons of groundnut (VRI-2) for seed purpose. The company has also established a seed processing unit cum warehouse worth Rs 60 lakhs and with a storage capacity of 500 metric tons, in association with TNSFAC. It has mobilized a credit support of Rs 1.70 crores for integrating livestock in the farming system.
Augmentation and Efficient Use of Groundwater: NAFPCL has put in efforts to identify the needs of the small-holders for restoration of abandoned wells on agricultural lands; over the past 3 years, 122 wells were rejuvenated completely with the support of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds. Farmers who have benefitted from well rejuvenation were able to cultivate in both the seasons, even though there was seasonal rainfall. Farmers adopted the multi-cropping system, which supports them to balance price volatility, instead of mono-cropping with groundnut and black gram. The company has created a corpus fund to support well-rejuvenation activities for nearly 70 per cent of its shareholders in the coming years. A total of 56 farmers adopted micro irrigation technology for vegetable and groundnut cultivation.
Sustainable Farming Systems: Promotion of pulse cultivation is one of the core areas of focus by ensuring timely credit, inputs and technical intervention to the farmers. During the past year, credit access of Rs 30 lakhs was facilitated for 383 farmers to cultivate black gram in 412 acres and groundnut in 356 acres. Three training programmes were conducted for 108 farmers on integrated farming systems with a focus on pulse cultivation and livestock integration with the technical support of the agriculture department; they act as lead farmers and have organized six plant clinic sessions in which 126 farmers participated. Diversification of crops from casurina to floriculture is being promoted as it ensures money flow among small-holder farmers. However, the big concern is excessive use of pesticides for cultivation. To ensure sustainable income to the small-holders, especially women farmers, promotion of floriculture was initiated with the support of Asia Initiatives, under the concept of Social Capital Credits (SoCCs). Initial training in floriculture, particularly on the production techniques, has been imparted with the support of the horticulture department. As an impact, there has been a gradual shift from casuarina tree plantation to vegetables and floriculture, which brought regular income as there is availability of family labour. During the past year, 38 acres of casuarina cultivation have been shifted to groundnut and vegetable cultivation. The income has increased by at least 30 per cent after the restoration of wells.

401.5 Rice Biopark

The Rice Biopark established at Myanmar was formally handed over to the Department of Agriculture and Development, government of Myanmar. The necessary protocols in handing over were followed. Moreover, technical support was extended to develop a proposal on capacity building of farmers on different product-based enterprises of the Rice Biopark.

401.6 Livelihood Enhancement of Small Farmers and Agro-processing

The main objective of the intervention is to enhance the income of small-holder moringa and coconut growers in Dindigul (Tamil Nadu) and Kuttanad (Kerala) by enhancing their capacity through improved technologies, establishment of infrastructure facilities and post-harvest practices and to promote a culture of entrepreneurship through value addition. The field-level inception cum planning meeting was conducted in both the field sites to inform the farmers about the programme as well as to integrate the intervention with existing institutions such as RESAPCOL and Kudumbashree in Dindigul and Kuttanad, respectively. Subsequently, village-level awareness meetings were organized at both sites to mobilize the farmers and create awareness on the technological interventions in reducing post-harvest losses through appropriate value addition. A total of 183 moringa farmers and 120 coconut farmers participated in the discussions, and then the mobilized farmers were organized into smaller groups. Following this, an exposure visit was organized to the Moringa Primary Processing Unit established by Tamil Nadu state government at Theni, which helped to understand the machinery requirement as well as processing technologies and opportunities for the farmers. In addition, another 2-day exposure visit cum training programme to Moringa Centre of Excellence, Kanyakumari, was organized in which 50 moringa farmers participated and learnt about the different moringa value-added products, such as moringa leaf powder, soup powder, soap, cookies and so on, production technologies and marketing strategies. Similar programmes were planned for the farmers in Kuttanad to impart knowledge about the machinery for oil extraction from coconut. Simultaneously, 78 farmers were trained on the production technologies to improve the productivity and quality. The necessary machinery for the processing has been explored, and the process of procurement has been initiated.

401.7 Transforming India’s Green Revolution by Research and Empowerment for Sustainable Food Supply

MSSRF has been focusing on flagship projects (FP) 1 and 6 in the Transforming India’s Green Revolution by Research and Empowerment for Sustainable Food Supply (TIGR2ESS) research consortium of multiple partners from the United Kingdom and India. FP1 focuses on Sustainable and Transformative Agrarian and Rural Trajectories and a protocol has been developed by the partner institutions. A series of research activities in line with this were carried out by MSSRF in the coastal agroecosystem in Sirkazhi block of Mayiladuthurai district, which was carved out of Nagapattinam district in 2020. A framework for data collection focusing on livelihoods, labour relations, markets, environment, women farmers’ position and policy issues was collectively evolved. A detailed district and village profile to understand the issues was developed based on secondary data. With reference to primary data collection, preparatory qualitative assessments were done using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools to understand the rural agrarian systems, including social, resource and vulnerability mapping. Apart from this seasonal calendar, trend analysis and transect walk were also done to know the seasonality of cropping, labour relations, migration, diversification of livelihoods and so on.
Household-level baseline data was collected to understand the stratification categories based on social, economic and demographic variables. In this phase, 57 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 5 case studies were conducted and the collected data was transcribed as is; the key research questions were synthesized based on this, and further research frameworks have been developed to ‘deep-dive’ in specific areas. Following this, a consultative discussion was organized and four important areas were identified for further ‘deep-dive’: migration of men and involvement of women in agriculture, drivers and impact of soil salinity, the impact of shrimp farming and agricultural extension services. Additional data collection is underway. Moreover, a small-scale telephonic survey is being carried out in the study area to understand the difficulties of small farmers, especially women, due to the Covid-19 lockdown, and it is also being digitally documented. The analysis part of the work is under process. To supplement local salinity management issues, a detailed GIS tool based composite water management plan (CWMP) preparation was started to augment water harvesting and storage by understanding the geomorphology, drainage and slope of the field terrain.
At the national level, the environmental degradation due to the increasing soil salinity is the major concern for coastal agriculture. Considering this, studies have been commissioned to understand the drivers and barriers of soil salinity management at the ecosystem as well as farm levels. At the ecosystem level, the issues vary at different locations depending on the agro-ecological landscapes such as backwater regions, river mouths and estuaries, drylands, marshes and so on. Of these varied ecosystems, agricultural production systems in the wetlands of the low-lying regions of both the east and west coast are the primary zones growing paddy, adopting intensive cultivation practices. The farmers in these regions have been practicing innovative adaptation methods/models and strategies to manage salinity in crop production and reduce risk by integrating and diversifying the production, especially in delta regions. However, such unique models have been changing in response to the ongoing changes in biophysical, ecological and agrarian systems. So far, limited research has been done to study the site-specific adaptation models of the coastal agriculture practices in line with the framework of Indian Coastal Zone Management in the Indian coast. Therefore, to understand the drivers and hindering factors for better soil salinity management, especially from the adaptation perspective, a research study has been commissioned. At the farm level, farmers have been coping with the increasing salinity by adopting several measures, of which, use of organic amendments and cover crops are the important ones and scientific research is also ongoing to use microbial inputs for management of saline soil. To understand its wider adoption and efficiency, a meta-analysis is being undertaken, using 30 research articles.
In FP6, soil structure score card intervention is being initiated as an action research to support farmers as a decision-making tool in soil health management. Exploratory interviews among farmers have been completed and the baseline questionnaire preparation is ongoing to understand the farmers’ practices and knowledge systems on soil health management. The demonstration plots on different soil amendments, which improve the soil structure as well as potential cover crops, are also undertaken to create awareness among the farmers.