Support a poor tribal farmer with seeds by Rajasthan Bal Kalyan Samiti

Beneficiaries under this project live below poverty line and majority have small pieces of land. They don’t know how vegetable cultivation can bring good income for the family and they do not have money to purchase seeds.
Under this project, during the reporting period 40 families were supported with some crop and vegetable seeds and provided necessary training. And this project ensures food security and additional income for poor tribal families. As soon as the rainy season started from the month of June, seeds were distributed to the beneficiaries of Parevi village Jhadol in this rainy season. Seeds were procured from Udaipur city and seed packets were made for each beneficiary so that everyone gets the same quantity of seeds. Using this seed the beneficiary cultivated, some vegetables were used for the family and some were sold in the market, thereby providing additional income to the beneficiary and food security.

Heavy rains occurred during the year, which also damaged some crops, so they were given additional seeds left with the institution. To solve these problems, training will be given to the farmers so that next time such a problem can be solved. Efforts will be made to distribute seeds to the remaining beneficiaries.

Elaichi Bai is 35 years old, she has 2 girls and a boy. Elaichi Bai's income comes from agriculture. After joining this program, she used to grow vegetables and grains and keep some crops for her family and sell some in the market and earn extra income. She says that earlier she used to help her husband in farming work, but now she cultivates the seeds given under the program herself and with the income she earns, she buys more new seeds and thus supports her family. After joining this program, she got information about the Rajasthan Bal Kalyan Samiti organization and came in contact with the team. From here Elaichibai got information about other various programs of the organization. Due to which she got her 2 girls admitted in the residential school of the institution in beeda, jhadol, now both of her girls study in the institution's school and the institution is bearing the cost of lodging-boarding and education of the girls.

Due to COVID-19, many people became homeless, businesses lost income, and many people lost their jobs. In such a situation, we tried to increase the income of poor farmer women of Jhadol and Gogunda villages by distributing seeds. Under this program, we distribute seasonal seeds to women, which they can grow on their vacant land and earn an income from. This winter we distributed winter seeds to women. Along with this, we also provided them with training for hybrid and organic farming.

Due to limited resources, we could not reach more women. At the time of COVID, all the villagers feel that we should provide them with the help of seed distribution.

Our next plan is to provide a market for selling vegetables and crops and earn money as they sell these crops and vegetables locally only and provide training on hybrid and organic farming to as many farmers as possible in the village.

Kamla Bai is a resident of Jhadol. Her husband works as a laborer and runs the household. Due to the lockdown in the first COVID wave, her husband's work came to a standstill. There was not much income from farming, so it became difficult to survive. She somehow got in touch with us and attended the event. She has been taking advantage of this program since the first lockdown. After getting seasonal seeds and getting proper training, she and her husband got into farming. Right now, they are doing organic farming, and we have also provided them with a market, which is helping them earn a good income.

There is no productive work opportunity available in the village, food security is also not available. Fresh vegetables are very important for everyone during the Covid-19 time and in tribal areas access to fresh vegetables is very rare. Malnourishment is a big problem in this area.The team provide seasonal seeds to grow in their empty land or farm. One time provided seeds provide at least 2 months’ vegetables. Our beneficiaries grow vegetables and crops on their farm and eat fresh green vegetables. This ensures they access nutritious food. The remaining vegetable and crops they sell in the market, which provides them income generation. So in this way, we ensure food security and income generation for beneficiaries through this programme.

The pandemic has been affecting the entire food system and farmers are at high risk in the tribal-rural area. The food security and nutrition of women and men are under threat, with low-income families, particularly the most marginalized populations, which include small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples, being hardest hit. Border closures, trade restrictions are preventing farmers from accessing markets, thus disrupting domestic food supply chains and reducing access to healthy, safe and diverse diets.To solve all these problems, the organization distributed seeds to all the beneficiaries and distributed dry ration packets to the needy at the extreme level. Along with this, the farmers were connected to the main market and provided the facility of vegetable and crop selling without travelling.Even by exchanging vegetables and fruits with grains like wheat, rice pulses, women found a solution to their food security problem.We will continue providing seeds to our beneficiaries.

Basanti Bai is also from a poor family like other beneficiary families. The income of her house is also less and the sources of income generation are also less. In such a situation, Basanti was linked to this program by the organization. Under this program, regular seeds are given to Basanti. She was also given vermicompost so that her crops and vegetables would grow well and in more quantity. Now she eats fresh vegetables and after taking out vegetables separately for her family, the remaining vegetables and crops go to sell through organization or herself to nearby people and in the market, from which she earns a good income. With that money, she can spend money on her children's education and health.

We are using robust assessments to make sure we maintain a full understanding and awareness of the vulnerabilities and needs across community locations. RBKS works with poor and marginal farmers since 1990 under their food security programme. We continue to work closely with community leaders and local government officials to make sure that families in the area are not going hungry. Farmers are provided with seeds & vermi- compost and are also trained in preparing vermi- compost. This activity helps the whole family as both men and women are engaged in farming. Male members of the family work during sowing and mulching, but day-to-day care of the crops is done by women. After home visits and list provided by Block development Officer, RBKS field workers select beneficiaries based on economic background and need. The organization maintains complete details of all the shortlisted farmers. Seeds and vermi compost is distributed. Training is given before and after the sowing of fields. The agriculture experts get feedback and give suggestions on a weekly basis to our field worker. Seasonal seeds are being distributed to needy farmers which help them to secure food for their family and additional income by selling vegetables and crops.

Helping a tribal farmer with essential seeds for their farming activity

This quarter 63 women were supported under this programme. Provided with seasonal seeds to these women. They grow vegetables and earn money by selling them. Beneficiaries were linked with the market, here they learned marketing skill. By using vermicompost, they made organic farming, which gave them more profit. These beneficiaries are very poor and by helping them in farming has increased their monthly income, which is a great success of this programme.

The families of the farmers have been served

Program Update

RBKS works with poor and marginal farmers since 1990 under their food security programme. Farmers are provided with seeds & vermi- compost and are also trained in preparing vermi- compost. The training includes exposure visits. This activity helps the whole family as both men and women are engaged in farming. Male members of the family work during sowing and mulching, but day-to-day care of the crops is done by women. After home visits, and group meetings RBKS field workers select beneficiaries based on economic background and need. The organization maintains complete details of all the shortlisted farmers The NGO organizes an exposure visits for the farmers with agriculture experts who speak to the farmers on the benefits of vermi composting and also train them on how to prepare the compost. Seeds and vermi compost is distributed. Training is given before and after the sowing of fields. The agriculture experts get feedback and give suggestions on a weekly basis. A meeting of all farmers is organized on a quarterly basis.

Story from the field

Aelasi Bai W/O Sukh Lal is residing at Parevi village of Jhadol (Ph) block. They have small piece of land and traditionally they are growing maize and pulses. During regular training she understand that vegetable cultivation can bring good income for the family. But she do not have money to purchase seed.So the project support her vegetable seeds and training. During regular training she understands that vegetable cultivation can bring good income for the family. She cultivated Bottle Guard, Galka and Brinjal in her field. She takes care of cultivated vegetable proper vermin compost is used. As a result she grows very good quality of vegetable in her field. She uses these quality vegetable in her home to consume them and she sells in market which was Rs 4500/-- she earns which is very good for her financial condition. Now she is very confident and by consumption of quality vegetable her family has a very good health.

The NGO organizes an exposure visits for the farmers with agriculture experts who speak to the farmers on the benefits of vermi composting and also train them on how to prepare the compost. Seeds and vermi compost is distributed. Training is given before and after the sowing of fields. The agriculture experts get feedback and give suggestions on a weekly basis. A meeting of all farmers is organized on a quarterly basis.

Program Update

RBKS works with poor and marginal farmers since 1990 under their food security programme. Farmers are provided with seeds & vermi- compost and are also trained in preparing vermi- compost. The training includes exposure visits. This activity helps the whole family as both men and women are engaged in farming. Male members of the family work during sowing and mulching, but day-to-day care of the crops is done by women. After home visits, and group meetings RBKS field workers select beneficiaries based on economic background and need. The organization maintains complete details of all the shortlisted farmers The NGO organizes an exposure visits for the farmers with agriculture experts who speak to the farmers on the benefits of vermi composting and also train them on how to prepare the compost. Seeds and vermi compost is distributed. Training is given before and after the sowing of fields. The agriculture experts get feedback and give suggestions on a weekly basis. A meeting of all farmers is organized on a quarterly basis. The programme happens in the monsoon season of June, July and August.

Story from the field

This campaign will benefit tribal women for vegetable cultivation. In the tribal area the people are very unaware about their health and Source of income. The income of the tribal women can increase through selling the vegetable to market by vegetable cultivation and the health will also improve by the consumption of the generic vegetables so that they get proper nutrition and are not anemic to any disease.
About 500 farmers are successfully cultivating vegetables and getting a good yield due to adoption of organic farming. Almost all of them have vermi compost yards which were supplying them organic manure for their vegetable plantation farms. The lush green fields are extending over Southern Rajasthan success stories of tribal farmers.
The vegetable plantations were spread in 140 acres in Southern Rajasthan benefiting more 500 Farmers
Main objective
The Vegetable Cultivation is stepping stone for sustainable agriculture. It refers to the pest management practices which are based on local natural resources. Understanding pest life cycle is the key for pest management. The main objective is to bring sustainability to agriculture based livelihoods and reduce the costs of cultivation and increase net incomes of small and marginal farmers.
Success Story
Parvati Devi w/o Prabhu Lal is residing at Parevi village of Jhadol (Ph) block. She is 42 Years old. She has small piece of land and traditionally she is growing Bottle Guard, Galka and Brinjal. But she does not have money to purchase seed. So the project support her vegetable seeds and training. During regular training she understands that vegetable cultivation can bring good income for the family. She cultivated Bottle Guard, Galka and Brinjal in her field. She takes care of cultivated vegetable proper vermin compost is used. As a result she grows very good quality of vegetable in her field. She uses these quality vegetable in her home to consume them and she sells in market which was Rs 4500/-- she earns which is very good for her financial condition. Now she is very confident and by consumption of quality vegetable her family has a very good health.