Teaching farming to over 1,000 families in India

In this report we are highlighting the key elements of our AMS programme that are integral to the success of any livelihood development project. They can be summed up with these three little but very meaningful words: input, output and impact.

INPUT

We are working with very poor farmers in villages surrounding Kolkata who are in desperate need of an income to support their family. The farmers we are helping have access to small plots of land, either owned or leased, but due to a lack of proper training and knowledge, this land has become unproductive and infertile.

We teach our farmers how to make their land productive again and, through the use of inexpensive natural fertilisers and pesticides, we help them get the best yields from their crops.

AMS starts with soil testing to assess the nature and quality of the soil. We then advise on crop selection and help farmers source good quality seeds at the best price. We also teach farmers how to produce bio-fertilisers and pesticides using readily available resources such as cow urine.

OUTPUT

The end results of the AMS programme are three-fold:

• Costs are down – money spent on seeds, fertilisers and pesticides is significantly reduced. Some of our farmers are reporting a 45-50% reduction in costs of these agri-inputs.
• Yields are up – farmers who have been on the programme for a number of months are witnessing increased volumes of better quality produce.
• Income is up – farmers are able to sell their produce at much higher prices and to more markets.

We can help farmers gain even better outputs by organising them into Farmer Interest Groups (FIGS). Our last report in October focussed on the benefits of FIGS – you can access that report again here: <a href="https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/teaching-organic-farming-to-500-farmers-in-india/">Teaching organic farming to 500 families in India</a>

IMPACT

The most important part of any livelihood development programme is how it affects the beneficiaries – the impact. We need to know whether our intervention is changing the lives of the people we are working with….and for the better.

There are a number of ways to measure impact and one method we are using for our Social Impact Assessments is based on the internationally recognised Progress Out of Poverty Index (PPI). However, one of the easiest ways of assessing how our programme benefits our farmers is by simply talking to them about their experience. We are collecting case studies and anecdotal feedback from our farmers all the time and we’d like to share just three very typical examples with you here:

Rabin registered on the AMS programme in September 2014. He is married and has three school-age children. His mother is also living with the family. They are all dependent on the income Rabin can raise from farming but for years he was not able earn enough to properly support the family. AMS has helped reduce his costs and increase his productivity. He tells us that his input costs have decreased by 25% and his harvest has increased by 20%. He feels that he now has a complete knowledge of crop management, plus the type of fertilisers and pesticides to use and when to use them for the best results. This is what he said about AMS:

“Shivia’s AMS programme is giving me some monetary profits now after years of only almost no profits. Now I am providing good food for my family as well as earning some extra money. My wife and children are very happy!”

Sabir is 25 years old and is responsible for seven family members, including his six year old daughter. Farming his small plot of land was the only source of income for the household. He is delighted with the AMS programme and so is his wife – he has been able to buy her a second-hand sewing machine and she has started a tailoring service in the village and is helping to support the family with her own income.

“I registered with AMS to learn how to prepare bio products at home and use them in agriculture for better quality and quantity of produce and also to reduce the costs of farming. My wife is very happy with the sewing machine I have been able to buy. Three cheers to the Shivia team who work hard to make our lives better!”

Keyamat is 62 years old and the patriarch of a large family of thirteen members, including six grandchildren. His oldest son was tending to his small field but sadly he passed away and the field was abandoned and became unproductive. The household income was dramatically reduced. Keyamat joined the AMS programme and has rejuvenated the land and is now producing a very healthy crop of guavas that is helping to provide for his large family. He uses the extra income to care for his grandchildren as he wants to ensure they get the best education he can give them. Extra money to pay for uniform and books means the children can attend school.

“The quality of my guavas is definitely better. I don’t even have to look for buyers - they now come to me. With these better results I am expecting a good income. Thank you Shivia for supporting me!”

And thank you for supporting Shivia. With your help we have been able to work with over 730 farmers and give them the power to change their lives, and the lives of their families, for the better.

With our very best wishes for a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year,

The team at Shivia