Background:
MITTRA has been implementing development programme in tribal area of Maharshtra including some districts of Vidarbha, the region where many farmers have committed suicide due to crop failure. In such a situation, very few livelihood options were available for an average farmer.
MITTRA took upon itself to work in these distressed districts; namely Amravati, Wardha, Yeotmal, Washim, Akola and Buldhana. The development work has been initiated through various programmes like Jan Utkarsh programme and NABARD supported Holistic Watershed Development Programme (NHWDP) and Sukhi Baliraja Initiative (SBI).
Project Objectives:
Specific objective of Sukhi Baliraja Initiative are as follows:
- Improvement in the Crop Production System through use of the appropriate technologies.
- Farming System Diversification to include component like Tree Based Farming System, Livestock and Non Timber Forest Produce etc.
- Social mobilization of the community to strengthen them to tackle their problem through collective strength.
Coverage:
Sukhi Baliraja Initiative was taken up from April 2009 in the six distressed districts of Vidarbha to focuses on revitalization of farming system through agriculture and livestock development. The districts are: Amravati, Wardha, Yeotmal, Washim, Buldhana and Akola. The programme aims at covering 15,000 families through Agriculture Development Component and 12,000 families through Livestock Development Component over a period of five years.
Programme Components:
Sukhi Baliraja Initiative comprises of different components viz. Cost effective farming, Crop diversification, Diversified farming system, Livestock development, SHGs strengthening and Community mobilization.
Approach:
Training programmes are being conducted for the farmers on various subjects such as Seed Treatment, Natural Resource Management, PRA, Micro planning, IPM, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) for Cotton Cultivation, Crop Diversification, Mix Cropping and Intensive Management In Horticulture, Use of Low Cost Technologies In Watershed Development, INM In Cash Crop and Pulses, Vermicompost Preparation and Composting.
This has helped in judicious use of natural resources in a sustainable manner. This approach is also helping in cost reduction and securing sustainable livelihood opportunities to the agrarian community in the distressed area.
Activities
Cost Effective farming
Diversified Farming System
Crop Diversification
Establishment of Krishi vikas gat
