Fourth SATNET intraregional visit for smallholder value chain actors commences in India

The fourth SATNET intraregional visit for Smallholder Value Chain Actors is underway in India (1-7 September 2014). This visit focuses on the South Asia region and includes participants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal representing farmer associations, village community groups, and extension workers from NGOs and government agencies. It aims to promote learning and knowledge exchange on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), climate resilient agriculture and post-harvest management. The Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Sustainable Agriculture (CAPSA) is collaborating with the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) and three NGO partners - Kudumbam, Concern Universal and RGVN – to organize this event.

Discussing tree varieties in Kolunji farm

Following a welcome and orientation session on 1 September in New Delhi, the participants travelled to Tiruchirapalli in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on 2 September for commencement of the site visits hosted by Kudumbam. The NGO coordinates a network called ‘Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture’ (LEISA) and has been preserving traditional knowledge of farmers. It actively promotes organic farming practices and has established the ‘Kolunji Ecological Farm cum Training Centre’ spread over 30 acres as a learning and demonstration resource for the local farming community. This land was infertile and barren when the initiative was started in 1990 owing to low soil bio-mass and rainfed, moisture-deficient conditions. Over time, the soil has been rejuvenated by rainwater harvesting through 11 recharge tanks dug across the farm, building of bunds, and planting of drought tolerant tree varieties (for fruit, fuel and fodder) whose root systems allow moisture to percolate down. As a result, the farm is very green with the water table available at a depth of 45 feet as compared to 100 - 1000 feet in neighbouring areas. Livestock and poultry farming also provide manure for increasing soil biomass. A nursery provides the local farming community with many useful varieties.

Demo of vermicomposting

They participants saw vermicomposting and production of Azola (a bio-fertilizer) on the farm. They were also able to see various tree varieties having special properties or uses such as Soapnut (seeds provide a natural shampoo), Red Sandal (used in atomic research facilities as it absorbs radiation), Acha (wood used to makes musical instruments), Rosewood (high value timber) and Symaruba (effective in treatment of cancer). These varieties are available or can be grown all over Asia and are suitable for rainfall deficient areas, so their planting can be replicated in other countries as a sustainable practice. Many traditional fruit varieties like custard apple and wood apple which are drought resistant and are a good source of minerals and vitamins have also been grown to demonstrate useful alternatives to commonly planted fruit trees like orange and apple.

Participants sharing their own knowledge

The day was marked with enthusiastic interactions and knowledge sharing between Kudumbam staff and the visitors. In the evening, a self-introduction session was organized which provided the participants with an opportunity to share more about their work and the technologies they are applying in their own countries. Suggestions were also received for using other tree varieties (eg. from Bhutan) that can serve as more powerful agents for water recharge in the soil, and for setting up a bio-gas unit on Kolunji Farm to provide a source of cooking gas as well as slurry (manure). 

A request for organization of more such SATNET intraregional visits was received from Bhutan.

The day ended with a lively cultural performance by children from Kolunji’s orphan-home to welcome the visitors!