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CAPACITY BUILDING FOR ORGANIC FARMING TECHNOLOGIES IN THE KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT OF TAMIL NADU

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The main objective of this project is to build the capacity of the farmers on organic farming through trainings, make farmers more familiar about organic farming by establishing demonstration fields, to establish a rural library and a training centre and to develop various training modules on organic farming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five two-day short term training programmes have been completed for the beneficiaries of Nalleri, Soraputhur Sinnanatham, Rakkampalayam and Thiruvalarcherry. Totally 167 farmers have benefited through these training programmes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Demonstration of the selected technologies was done in the fields of 21 farmers. These demonstration fields served as learning centers for the farmers and created awareness about organic farming among the farmers of neighbouring villages also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A training centre, a rural library, and a greenhouse have been established as part of the project. These will benefit the entire community

 

Introduction

CIKS was recognized as the Technology Resource Centre (TRC) by the Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) during the year 2005. The main objective of this project is to build the capacity of the farmers on organic farming through trainings, make farmers more familiar about organic farming by establishing demonstration fields, to establish a rural library and a training centre and to develop various training modules on organic farming.

Activities to be accomplished through this project

  • To build capacities of farmers through various training programmes and systematic follow up.
  • To construct a training center in our experimental farm to enable training programmes to take place in the farm itself.
  • To establish demonstration plots / areas at the TRC and selected farmers fields to demonstrate and disseminate various organic farming technologies.
  • To establish a rural library at the TRC to help the farmers and NGOs to access various books, magazines, audiovisuals and training materials on organic farming.
  • To develop and disseminate technologies on organic farming
  • To produce books and educational materials related to organic farming technologies.

 

ACTIVITIES DONE SO FAR

 

TRAININGS

Six two-day short-term training programmes have been completed for the beneficiaries of Nalleri, Soraputhur, Sinnanatham, Rakkampalayam, Thiruvalarcherry, Veppampattu villages and, belonging to Thiruvallur, Thiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram districts. Three follow up trainings for these have also been completed in this phase of the project. The follow up trainings were conducted by the Farmer’s Field School (FFS) method.

training
A training programme in progress at Sukkankolai

The selection of villages was made based on the following criteria.

    • The village should not be covered under any of the projects of CIKS.
    • The village should be near to the other project villages.
    • Agriculture should be the main occupation for the people of the village.
    • The people in the village should have basic interest in organic farming.
    • The village should have adequate water facility.
    • Adequate livestock population should be available.

     

    LIST OF SELECTED VILLAGES

    S. No.

    Name of the villages

    Districts

    1.

    Nalleri

    Thiruvannamalai

    2.

    Soraputhur

    Thiruvannamalai

    3.

    Sinnanatham

    Thiruvallur

    4.

    Rakkampalayam

    Thiruvallur

    5.

    Thiruvalarcherry

    Kancheepuram

    6.

    Veppampattu

    Thiruvannamalai

     

    training
    On farm training programme on organic paddy cultivation.

    a. Short term trainings

    Six two-day short term training programmes have been completed for the beneficiaries of Nalleri, Soraputhur Sinnanatham, Rakkampalayam, Thiruvalarcherry and Veppampattu. Totally 197 farmers have benefited through these training programmes. They were appraised about the activities of CIKS. They were trained on various aspects of organic farming like soil conservation, improving soil fertility, pest and disease identification in paddy and groundnut and their organic management, kitchen gardening and biopesticides preparation and importance of medicinal plant. They were also trained on Internal Control System and Certification Procedures.

    b. Follow up trainings

    The follow up trainings for the short term trainings have been completed for three villages namely Soraputhur, Nalleri and Rakkampalayam. The FFS method was followed during the follow up training, wherein the farmers were asked to get into the paddy fields to collect and identify the pests, diseases and beneficial insects. They were also explained about pest incidence, lifecycle of the pest, symptoms of damage and their management methods and the beneficial insects and their importance.

    c. Trainer’s training programme

    A trainers training programme was conducted for 22 selected NGOs from all over Tamil Nadu at the TRC building at Sukkankollai farm from 9th to 13th July 07. On 9th July, after the formal inauguration, the participants were introduced to each other. The partcicipants were appraised about the activities of CIKS The topics covered in the training include status of organic farming, seed conservation, improving soil fertility, organic paddy cultivation, pest and diseases affecting paddy, vegetables and their organic management, preparation of biopesticides and ayurvedic medicines, vrkshayurveda, importance of organic food, marketing of organic produces, capacity building for NGO support, Internal Control Systems and certification procedures. CIKS staff and Dr. Gowtham, Ayurvedic physician served as the resource persons.  Practical demonstration on preparation of compost, biopesticides and ayurvedic medicines were done. The particiapants were taken around the CIKS organic certified farm, and few other farms in Esoor and Kaliyapettai villages. They discussed with the farmers to know their experience in organic farming. The participants were taken to Thirukazukundram temple and Mahabalipuram. A quiz was also conducted for the participants at the end of each day and they were ranked. On the last day of the training programme, certificates were issued to the participants and prizes were distributed to the top scorers. 

    training
    Participants of Trainers Training Programme during the session on Enhancing soil fertility

    training
    Trainees of TTP in shade net house at  Sukkankollai farm


    d.Training on organic certification

    Four training programmes on “Organic Farming Certification” were conducted during October 2007 – January 2008. A total of 11 participants from different districts of Tamil Nadu participated in this training programme. Our programme coordinator
    S. Arumugasamy conducted these training programmes. Participants were trained on various aspects of organic certification. Participants were also taken to visit our experimental farm at Sukkankollai.

    training
    Participants of organic certification training programme in our experimental farm at Sukkankollai

     

     

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    FIELD DEMONSTRATION

    As a part of this project, a number of technologies related to organic farming were suggested to the farmers during the monthly sangam meetings in the respective villages. Apart from disseminating the technologies and providing technical support, the organization also supplied the inputs necessary for organic farming to the beneficiaries.

    training
    Azolla production unit of a beneficiary

     

    The following are the technologies suggested to the farmers:

    • Preparation of vermicompost
    • Preparation of compost
    • Preparation of botanicals and plant growth promoters
    • Production of Azolla seeds (more than five varieties)
    • Production of BGA seeds (blue green algae)
    • Production of Green manure seeds (Three varieties)
    • Use of traditional paddy varieties
    • Use of traditional vegetable varieties
    • Apiculture
    • Poultry rearing
    • Mushroom cultivation
    • Cultivation of fodder crops
    • Establishing a herbal nursery and generating income by selling the saplings
    • Establishing a demo kitchen vegetable garden
    • Conserving water by practicing drip irrigation and mulching
    • Growing trees like mango, sapota, amla and lemon organically
    • Collection of cow’s urine
    • Method of using cows urine and Amirthakaraisal
    • Conservation of traditional paddy and green manure seeds.

     

    training
    Vermicompost unit of a beneficiary.

     

    Based on their interest and experience, the farmers selected the technologies that they would adopt in their fields. Demonstration of the selected technologies was done in the fields of 33 farmers. These demonstration fields served as learning centers for the farmers and created awareness about organic farming among the farmers of neighbouring villages also. The beneficiaries also made some contribution for implementing the technologies. The 33 beneficiaries were selected from three districts, seventeen from Kancheepuram district, eleven from Thiruvannamalai district and five from Thiruvallur district. The beneficiaries include six women farmers and 27 male farmers.

    training
    On-farm conservation of traditional paddy varieties.

     

    The 21 beneficiaries were selected from three districts, eleven from Kancheepuram district, five from Thiruvannamalai district and five from Thiruvallur district. The beneficiaries include six women farmers and 15 male farmers.

    The beneficiaries were selected based on the following criteria:

    • The farmers should have interest in organic farming.
    • The farmers should have the ability to transfer the technologies to others in the village.
    • He / She should be a member in the organic farmer’s sangam /self help group (SHG).
    • He / She should be a responsible person in the sangam / SHG.
    • He / She should have minimum educational qualification.
    • He / She should have at least one acre of land under organic cultivation.
    • He / She should have to contribute a minimum amount towards organic farming.

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    EVALUATION

    The technologies that have been undertaken in the farmer’s fields for demonstration were evaluated. The results were satisfactory and we found that in most cases farmers have also contributed additionally and expanded the scope.

    TRAINING CENTRE

    A training centre building has been constructed in our Sukkankollai farm. This building was formally inaugurated on 20th April 2007.

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    RURAL LIBRARY

    A rural library has also been constructed at the Sukkankollai farm in160 sq.ft. area. This rural library would cater to at least 1000 people in the nearby villages.

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    GREEN HOUSE

    training
    Green house constructed in Sukkankollai farm

     

    A green house has been constructed at the Sukkankollai farm in about 583.68 sq. ft area. The green house is being utilized for conducting experiments and for conservation of rare traditional varieties.

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    EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL

    As a part of this project, three books have been published. These books are distributed as source material for the farmers during the training programmes.

    a. Iyarkai Velanmayil Thavarakaraisalgal

    This booklet describes about the various plant based extracts used in organic agriculture to manage pests and diseases. Details about the preparation procedure and methods of use of these extracts have also been provided.

    b. Manvala Mempadu

    This booklet describes the importance of using natural resources to improve soil fertility. It provides information on the composting techniques and the use of green manure, green leaf manure and certain plant growth promoters.

    c. Parambariya nel rahangal

    This book provides detailed information on 81 indigenous rice varieties. For each variety, the cultivation details, agronomical features, characteristics of the ear head and the grains and yield of grain and straw are given. It also provides information on certain special features of the variety such as pest resistance, drought tolerance, medicinal properties etc.

    d. Botanicals for pest management in organic agriculture
    This booklet outlines methods to prepare plant extracts from commonly available plants which have pest control properties and the method of use of the same.

    e. Enhancing soil fertility in organic farming
    This booklet describes the methods by which soil fertility can be enhanced using organic material like Farmyard manure, Green manure and Green leaf manure. Preparation of different types of compost is also described.

    f. Iyarkkaivazhi Teevana Payir Sagupadi

    This booklet gives detailed information on the organic cultivation techniques for important fodder crops of Tamil Nadu. 

    g. Iyarkkaivazhi Vunavu
    This publication in Tamil gives basic information about organic foods. Some of the frequently asked questions about organic food have been answered in this booklet. Besides this it also gives information on some of the outlets where organic foods are sold in Tamil Nadu.

    h.Iyarkaivazhi poochi matrum noi melanmai
    This is a set of posters designed in the form of a booklet in Tamil. The booklet consists of the three sections with 10 colour posters. The first section consists of 3 posters discussing about the various pests attacking vegetables, highlighting identification of important pests of vegetables and their control measures. The second section of 3 posters deals with the various diseases attacking vegetables, their identification and control measures. The third section of four posters give general information on various non-chemical pest control methods and methodology of preparing various plant extracts. The descriptions are accompanied by colour photographs, making it easier even for a layman to identify the various pests and diseases attacking vegetables. This booklet would serve as a useful tool for anybody wanting to shift to organic agriculture.


    Copies of these books have been distributed to the farmers and other NGOs working in the area of organic farming. Apart from these, a number of training modules and power point presentations have also been prepared for providing training to the farmers. During the trainings, the farmers were also supplied with various course materials on improving soil fertility, conserving traditional varieties, organic cultivation methods, pest identification, organic pest and disease management, medicinal plants cultivation and uses etc.

     

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    VISITS / TRAININGS

    During this phase of the project, the organization has offered several trainings on organic farming to the representatives of other NGO’s, academic institutions and farmer groups. The details of the same are provided below.

    2005
    • Mr. Ranjit Henry of KOLAM visited us along with a group of twelve visitors belonging to the Fair Trade network for an exposure to the work of our centre. They were appraised about the various activities of the centre.
    • Shri A. M. M. Murugappa Chettiar Research Centre (MCRC), Chennai, a TRC of CAPART, conducted a ten day training programme on “Rural Technologies” for the NGOs working in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. As a part of this programme, a one day field visit and training was also organized for them at our experimental farm at Sukkankollai for the participants to gain knowledge of the rural technologies in the field. About forty representatives from various NGOs participated in this training programme. They were appraised about the activities of the centre and they were taken around the farm, where they had a chance to see the various traditional paddy varieties conserved. Theory and a demonstration on the preparation of the various biopesticides were also done for them.
    • A group of eight students from Sri Jayendra Saraswathi College of Ayurveda, Nazarethpet, near Chennai visited our centre.  There was a meeting between the students and the CIKS research team.  They were explained about the work being carried out by the Centre for the last several years in the area of Vrkshayurveda.

     

    2006
    • MCRC organized a workshop on Rural Technologies for NGOs in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry, in the village of Vadakadambadi near Mahabalipuram. As a part of this programme, a training programme on organic farming technologies was organized for the participants in our training centre at Sukkankollai.
    • A practical training on preparation of various plant based extracts and identification of various pests and diseases was conducted for a group of 35 students and faculty members of the CSI Ewarts College. They were also appraised about the various activities of the organisation. They were also taken around the farm to see the various traditional varieties cultivated in the farm.
    • An orientation workshop on organic farming was organized by AFPRO, Delhi in Pachmari for nearly 70 NGO representatives. Our staff Subhashini Sridhar served as a resource person in this workshop and discussed the participants on topics such as organic pest management, Vrkshayurveda and SRI method.
    • A group of six members including farmers and NGO staff from Srilanka visited our centre. This trip was organized by Mr. Ranjith Henry of Kolam. They visited our training centre, Cooperative sugar mill’s biocontrol lab and organic farms at Chithravadi village. They had an interactive session with the farmers of Chithravadi village. They were appraised about the various activities of CIKS.
    • A group of 32 students along with Dr. Prema Kumari from Loyola College visited our training centre to get to know the various aspects of organic agriculture.
    • A visit to our experimental farm at Sukkankollai was organized by MCRC for a group of 42 students who attended a course on conservation of bioresources.
    • Ms. Catherine Harvey from Australia visited our training centre along with three of her colleagues to learn about the various organic farming technologies.
    • Ms. Deepa Verma from MSSRF, Chennai visited our field office and Sukkankollai farm to know the activities of the centre.
    • A group of fifteen farmers from the organic farmer’s sangam, Auroville visited our training centre and experimental farm to learn various technologies involved in organic farming.
    • Mr. Baluthennavan, Reporter, Pasumai Vigadan, Chennai visited our training centre and experimental farm along with his colleague to know the various organic farming activities of the centre.
    • Some of the well wishers of CIKS visited our training centre and experimental farm along with their family members to know the various activities of the centre in relation with organic agriculture.
    • Mr. Yoji Kamata from Japan visited our farm and training centre to know the various activities of our centre and work related to organic agriculture.
    • Sixteen members from the VORTEX organization visited our. They were appraised about the various activities of the centre. They also gave suggestions on simplifying some of the farm equipments.

     

    2007
    • Dr. Kerry and Ms. Alexandria from Sturt University, Australia visited our training centre to learn about the various activities of the centre and organic farming technologies. They were taken around the farm and appraised about the various activities of the organization.
    • A group of 11 farmers organized by the LEAD NGO in Trichy visited our training centre and experimental farm to learn organic farming technologies.
    • Ms. Peggy Carswell, Coordinator, Fertile Ground, Assam along with a group of six members visited our training centre and spent a week there and learnt the various organic farming technologies.
    • A group of 14 farmers from the organic farmer’s sangam, Sirkazhi visited our experimental farm and training centre to get to know the various aspects of organic cultivation.
    • A group of 17 members from the ADA office, Chenglepet visited our experimental farm and training centre to get to know our activities.
    • A group of 90 students and faculty members from CSI Ewarts Womens College Melrosapuram visited our experimental farm and training centre. They were also appraised about the various activities of the organisation. They were also taken around the farm to see the various traditional varieties cultivated in the farm.
    • A group of 30 farmers organized by the CAST NGO in Thirunelveli visited our training centre at Sukkankollai to get to know the various aspects of organic cultivation. They were appraised about our activities and taken around the experimental farm. Practical sessions were also conducted on preparation of some of the botanicals.
    • Mr. Giuseppe Busalacchi from ICEI, an Italian Funding Agency, Mr. I. M. Najeem from ICEI, Sri Lanka, Mr. Harischandra Silva from Gami Sewa Sewana, Srilanka and Mr. Nimal Dayaratni from the Department of Agriculture, Ampara District, Sri Lanka spent eight days in our training centre to know the various activities of the centre and various aspects of organic agriculture.
    • A group of six students from Kalavai Agricultural College visited our experimental farm and training centre to have exposure on various aspects of organic agriculture.
    • Nineteen beneficiaries from Sithivinayagapuram SHG, Sirkazhi visited our farm for an exposure visit.

    2008

    Three farmer groups visited our training centre to learn the organic farming technologies. These exposure visits were organized by Tribal Health Initiative, a NGO in Dharmapuri. The farmers were trained on various aspects of organic cultivation. Practical demonstration of some of the plants based extracts was also done for them.

     

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