Agriculture training for India's low castes

Summary

The program will help more than 50,000 people in 43 villages to feed and support themselves through sustainable agriculture training with an emphasis on opportunities for women.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The northern part of Karnataka state in southeastern India has some of the highest rates of poverty in the country. The city of Bangalore in the south is a technology hub, but low caste farmers in the north try to live on a dollar a day or less. Most people's survival depends on farming one to two acre plots of land that rely on scarce rainfall. Many resort to migratory labor. Some sell daughters into prostitution since girls are seen as an economic burden.

How will this project solve this problem?

Environmentally friendly farming training is introduced groups that will become self sufficient after four to five years. The training will then be expanded to new groups for a greater impact.

Potential Long Term Impact

The goal of the program is to introduce sustainable agriculture training that provides opportunities for both women and men.

Project Message

Women work in the field more than men, so it is important that they have an awareness of improved agricultural practices such as seed treatment and storage of grains. (Annarao Biradar, male farmer)
- Dr. Subhash Gumaste, India Country Director, World Neighbors

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources