Environment and Natural Resource Management :

In the financial year 2019-2020 we supported 20368 small and marginal farmers in the rural areas towards sustainable agriculture development focused on the impact of the climate change conditions. Also, we empowered farmers in networking with the government, other NGOs, corporates and communities, and in sharing climate change information and adopting new methods and technologies in their agricultural practices.

Myrada facilitated in building check dams, creating water recharge and harvesting structures in open and bore wells of farmers, construction of percolation tanks, farm ponds and increased water sources for agriculture in the villages. Importance was given for soil and water conservation related measures and treatment of dry lands with bund constructions (earthen, stone, boulders etc.,) establishing trenches, silt application, drainage treatment and brought soil back to life.

Efficient use of water” project in agriculture was implemented in 27 villages supporting 2729 farmers in Puducherry and in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu. Organized awareness trainings, field demonstrations and enhanced the capacities of farmers in these working areas on “efficient use of water” in paddy cultivation through System of Rice Intensification (SRI) which showed a significant increase in paddy yield with substantial cost reduction on the seeds and consumption of water compared to conventional methods. Farmers were convinced in this new and promising resource-saving method of growing paddy under irrigated or rain-fed conditions.

“SRI is not a technology, but a set of simple ideas and principles that help produce more productive and robust plants”.

Promotion and Awareness of Organic and Homestead Farming under the aegis “Krishi Mitra” was implemented in selected villages of Erode and Chitradurga districts of Tamilnadu and Karnataka states respectively. Thirty-four community members were selected as Krishi Mitras and trained in accessing agriculture related information through digital technology using mobile phone applications such as micro nutrient soil testing, advisory services, drip irrigation, agriculture extension services, dairy farming, permaculture farming, infrastructure development etc. These trained Krishi Mitras were in turn engaged in disseminating agriculture knowledge and skills to the rural farmers in 121 villages.

Highlights :

  • 1,14,204 Tractor loads of silt was applied in 923 farmers’ dry land for enriching the soil. 41 common ponds in the working villages were desilted to increase their water storage
  • Avenue plantation was done at different common places such as schools, road sides, grama panchayat office premises etc., with a total of 172439 saplings planted.
  • 55968 horticulture saplings such as mango, guava, sapota and coconut were planted in the farmers’ dry lands at different project locations.
  • 15782 farmers were trained in knowledge and skills on water and soil conservation methods, micro nutrient mixture preparation, vermi compost production, efficient use of water for agriculture, latest technologies in agriculture, water harvesting and recharge structures, soil testing, organic farming
  • 9691 hectares of dry land were enriched through soil conservation measures like land leveling, bund constructions, silt application,
  • 810 Vermi compost units were constructed by the farmers with the help of Myrada.
  • 273 water recharge structures and harvesting systems were created in the farmers’ lands.
  • 25 Myrada supported FPOs played a major role in tapping resources from the government department and provided agriculture related services to their members such as availing quality seeds, animal and crop insurance, soil heath cards, marketing of agriculture produces
  • Four Watershed Committees in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh State were provided with free agriculture equipment such as water tanker, rain guns and portable sprinklers for the use of the farmers on a reasonable rent basis. Around 750 farmers use this facility whenever needed. The rent collected is being used for the operation and maintenance of the equipment by the Watershed
  • Drip and mulching irrigation techniques were applied covering 61 hectares of land.
  • 13 drinking water troughs for cattle were constructed with a capacity of 2500 litres each to support 50-60 cattle every
  • 12 Animal health checks up camps were conducted in 16 villages and 2216 cattle of 760 families were screened and tested for de-worming, fecal test, infertility examination and pregnancy diagnosis. Farmers were oriented on the causes for animal diseases and precautionary measures and animal maintenance.

Case story – Farm pond construction :

Bilavendran a small farmer living in Sollepuram village in Denkanikottai Taluk of krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu could improve his agriculture with the support of Myrada Krishnagiri project by creating rain water harvesting and well recharge structures. He has 3 acres of land and cultivates ragi (millet), vegetables and rose flowers, each in one acre. He uses drip irrigation of cultivating vegetables and rose flower with his 800 ft deep bore well which gives less water every year and insufficient for all the crops. The farmer constructed a farm pond and open well recharge structure with the technical and financial support of the watershed development project implemented in his village by Myrada and saw increased water in his wells after some rains.

“Bilavendran says that I am now able to go for more crops with more water availability in my open well and farm pond. I get enough water for both Kharif and Rabi seasons and hope to get good yield and income every year”.

Case story – organic farming :

Mr. Malleswar Naidu from Cherlopallu village, Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh shares that….

I have 4 acres of dry land and 3 acres of wetland and doing agriculture which is the main occupation of our family. I used to grow red gram and groundnut every year depending on the rainfall but due to severe draught for the last six years I could not get good income but incurred loss every year. The bore well drilled for agriculture also didn’t give much water. My wife and I were engaged in daily labour work and earned our livelihood.

Fortunately, I returned to my land and started growing chilies, tomato and pulses by adopting organic farming techniques and received good income last year. This came to my mind when the watershed committee working in our village and the staff of Myrada Kadiri Project approached me and told me about the benefits of organic farming using water and soil conservation techniques. The support and the guidance provided by Myrada encouraged me to remain focused on my agriculture. Making efficient use of water and adopting organic farming techniques has increased my income. I also received support for application of tank silt and horticulture plantation in my portion of land.