The project aims at ?Increasing conservation, agricultural productivity, food security and economic conditions of the PVTGs- BIOGAS in the climatic variability conditions?. The Location of the project is 10 core villages (1482 HHs) over an area of 2000 Hac. of Sidhi, MP and 139 dissemination villages in the region by linking through their Community Network System. The Project Objectives are to promote agricultural productivity and improve economic condition of the Biogas in the changing climatic conditions and reviving traditional agricultural crops (coarse grains, pulses, vegetables, medicinal plants etc) and taking measures to conserve and promote local herbs and medicinal plants and promote their usage in the target community.
The project is designed in such a way that the Community will participate fully in the Project planning, design and implementation of the activities. The project will also aim at transfering all the processes to the CBOs formed. The decision regarding contribution, planning, execution and implementation will be left with the groups. Thus it is necessary to assure that customer base will be developed to ensure sustainability of the seed bank. At the end of second year at least 600 customers will be connected through seminars. Also endeavor will be taken to develop linkages with organic market at regional and national level. It is envisioned that number of organic seed producers and farmer will increase year by year. At the end of second year more than 700 farmers (Even small vegetable cultivator) will have joined the network and approximately 500 acre of land area will have been covered. The project is replicable across the landscape with similar issues. Beyond the project, it is expected that the groups formed under the project would take the activities further with support from the organization. Project Activities:
? Promoting farming of traditional varieties of Kodu, kutki, sama, dalhan and vegetables and collection and conservation of 100 traditional seed varieties.
? Using SRI techniques in 5000 Hac.
? Establishment of seed bank of tradition seed varieties, developing systems of exchange.
? Formation and strengthening of more than 50 women SHGs and link to bank for access to credit
? Re-plantation of traditional seed varieties in order to conserve them.
? Establishment of Producer company of Baiga community and ensuring marketing of the local produce. Exposure visits to learn from Lok Panchyat SGP partner
? Identification of 5 varieties of Rice for mass production in the region.
? Use of organic pesticide and fertilizers.
? Training on agricultural productivity enhancement, Training on Wadi conservation and link with NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).
? Training on marketing of produce, Training on organic treatment of pest.
? Provision of revolving fund.
It is expected that by the end of the project period, the target communities will have adopted key project inputs. Besides, all the SHGs formed, will further continue the project activities and maintain the community assets. The grain bank would be fully functional and the CBOs would take it forward.