New Delhi, March 4 (IANS). An agroecological homestead model has transformed backyard plots in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla district, improving production, nutritional outcomes and incomes of tribal women, a report says.
The initiative, led by the CGIAR Multifunctional Landscapes Program and Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) among tribal people in the region, focuses on growing a variety of vegetables at different altitudes and making optimal use of space, Eco-Business reports.
The report cites findings from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) that production has increased by 350 percent, variety in consumption has doubled, and consumption of nutrient-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables has increased by 70 percent.
“Protein intake from backyard poultry and household savings have also improved, and households’ dependence on external markets for produce and fertilizer has decreased,” the report said.
This technique includes growing different types of vegetables, crop rotation, bio-composting, rain water harvesting and organic manure for crop cultivation and using crop residues or leftovers for animal fodder and rearing animals.
The report says that women farmers have taken responsibility for production and decision making on their family farms, challenging traditional methods.
An analyst said most of the farmers in Chimkatola and Kewalari areas of the district previously practiced monocropping – growing mostly maize in the upper areas and rice in the lower fields near rivers.
“Earlier, we used to buy from the market, but now, we make all this at home,” said Kusum, a resident of Chimkatola.
Saurav Kumar, team coordinator for Professional Assistance for Development Action, said earlier crops were weak due to irregular rainfall, land degradation due to wrong cultivation on steep slopes, and fluctuating market prices due to volatile fuel prices and other factors. The plots behind the house were mostly left fallow, and maize was sometimes grown.
It has been told in the report that under this project, every woman farmer cultivates about 400-500 square meters of land, in which bio-fertilizers like Jeevamrit and Panchgavya are used. Both of these are made by mixing cow dung and urine with other organic materials.
–IANS
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