Med-Bandi Se Adhik Paidawar (Increased productivity including fodder for the livestock through field bunding)
(INGP33)
Gokulpura, a small village in Hindoli block (Devpura hamlet) of Bundi district in Rajasthan is experiencing a pleasant change in and around their village. The common land is protected and green providing; cattle with adequate fodder; lush green trees are growing on marginal lands; crops have ample homegrown compost; wells and check-dams are full of water.; Above all this are the confident villagers especially women who dare to come out of their purdah and speak for their welfare. All this and more happened through motivated villagers who aspired to change their living conditions for better.
Sohan Meena, aged 37, resident of Devpura hamlet of Gokulpura village was one of the farmers who witnessed this change. He had inherited not-so-fertile 10 bigha (1.6 hectares) land from his father and it was the only source of livelihood for his family of 4. Although he loved his land, he realized that managing the agricultural land was a big responsibility. His total dependency on farming, as the only source of livelihood, made him all the more inquisitive and desperate to learn about the ways and means of enhancing the quality of his farm land to increase the output and consequently income. He was keen to join hands with BAIF (an NGO) to take up developmental work in his village; He regularly attended all the meetings organized by BAIF in the village and actively participated in all the developmental activities initiated in the village to rejuvenate the commons (BAIF-ICEF project). A series of positive changes in the village contour made him think of applying these practices on his own farm land.
He recollects-
“I used to wonder that how bunding and contouring, explained in the meetings, was going to help me to improve my land and farm produce. Instead why won’t they (BAIF) support me to level my land and deepen my well to ensure more water for drinking and agriculture?”
Being aware of Sohan’s doubts, the field staff spent some time with him to convince him about the overall treatment needed by the area in order to prevent further water loss. Once Sohan got convinced with the idea, he decided to initiate land treatment on his field. The field staff apprised him of the fact that bunding helps in retaining the moisture and fertile layer of soil, which otherwise gets washed away due to undulating land that is devoid of vegetation. Sohan could recollect how the jowar (rain fed crop) production in kharif season was never up to his expectations and that he had left his land fallow many a times.
The motivation of improving his agricultural land made him work harder in the field along with his family. Even the unusually hot sun could not keep him from the bunding work. He completed bunding work on 300 running meter in 1.3 ha. area. The outlets were constructed at suitable locations as per the plan prepared by him and the staff.
The activities undertaken at the individual family level and at the common area level proved complimentary to each other.
It has been almost two years since Sohan completed the treatment of his field. As a result of the measures undertaken, there is increased soil moisture, silt is being trapped in the field and soil supports good crop. This gave Sohan confidence to cultivate wheat in 1.3 ha. area for the first time and he earned an income of Rs. 27040/- from sale of grains and fodder from his crops.
Earlier agriculture was the only source of livelihood for Sohan. He did not rear any livestock due to the lack of fodder. However now owing to the ample availability of fodder Sohan rears five buffaloes of a local breed called Marwadi and a herd of 15 goats for milk and meat purpose. Sohan’s family earns a revenue in the range of Rs 20,000-25,000 from the goats and Rs 150/- per day from the sale of milk.
Sohan is happy and finds pride in narrating his experience to the villagers.
- Khet ko garo bahar na jave. (soil from the field does not flow out)
- Khad kajudo apakhet me dale wo bahar na jave. (Manure put in the fields does not go out )
- Khet ko pani khet me rahe jave. (the water of the fields remains retained in the soils)
- Alo bano rahe to beejwari badhe. (The increased fertility of soil ensures better seeding)
- Paile jwar hove ab gehu hon lag giyo. (Jowar was the only crop harvested earlier, today I also harvest wheat from my fields)
Sohan’s work proved to be a model demonstration for other villagers. The increased confidence of Sohan shall go a long way in motivating others like him.
Contributed by - Country Team India
