The proposed project strives to promote organic agricultural practises amongst tribal communities in Raigad and Thane Districts. The objective is to provide alternatives to the sudden explosion in indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers and dangerous pesticides for vegetable cultivation by "illiterate" tribal farmers. Conservation of traditional crop varieties will be an integral part of the proposed project.

DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM

Forests have been a major source of livelihood and survival for tribal communities in Raigad District for a long time. Many of the tribes are still hunter-gatherers to varying degrees. For instance, Mahadeo Kolis are more or less fully dependent on agriculture for their livelihood; Thakurs derive over 30% of their food and other needs through hunting gathering while Katkaris still do not practise agriculture and are dependent on wage labour and hunting-gathering for most of their food needs.

Based on the general trends of deforestation one can conclude that forests or wildernesses will not be able to support the food needs of a large tribal population for a long time. Forests are on their way out, either because of deforestation or because of restrictions regarding access and utilisation. Given this situation, growing food through agriculture / farming becomes a matter of survival for socio-economically marginalised tribal communities.

Tribals have been practising subsistence agriculture for 100-150 years. Tribal agriculture has evolved in close association with the cultural, social, religious, ethical and ecological beliefs and customs of tribal communities. As a result, traditional agricultural practises have been in tune with natural resources, nature and cosmovision of tribal people.

Changes gradually crept in the agricultural practises of tribals with the introduction of Green Revolution in the seventies and early eighties. External influences began forcing tribals towards a reductionist agricultural paradigm. Tribals were lured by the promise of dramatic yield increases and pest/disease resistance in crops. Package of practises developed by agricultural universities and research centres were promoted aggressively through extension agencies. However, tribals did not adopt the new agricultural packages fully due to resource constraints. So while seeds of HYVs were accepted in crops like paddy, use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides was minimal. Tribals did not turn to "cash crops" or "market oriented crops" for a long time. Agriculture was limited to cultivation of paddy, millets, some pulses and vegetables for home consumption. The use of chemicals was limited.

The picture began changing dramatically in the mid to late nineties as commercial vegetable cultivation gathered momentum. The demand for vegetables went up due to increased urbanisation in nearby areas. Improvements in road infrastructure, transportation and markets also contributed to the process. The opportunity was used by agricultural extension agencies to promote chemical intensive vegetable cultivation. Agents and vegetable dealers started providing money in advance to farmers for buying hybrid seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. The farmer was then forced to sell all his vegetables to the dealer who had given him an advance at a rate decided by the dealer.

There was not a single agro-chemical retail outlet in the Karjat Taluka till 1997. Today there are more than 8 such outlets located at Karjat, Kadav and even a small village like Kashele. The sudden increase in the number of outlets selling chemical pesticides indicates the corresponding rise in use of pesticides and other chemicals. Tribal farmers do not have any knowledge about the negative effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Being illiterate, they cannot even follow the instructions on the label. There is a tendency to use chemical pesticides indiscriminately. This poses a grave threat to human and livestock health apart from the adverse effect on the fragile ecology of the region.

The rapid urbanisation being witnessed in the region will result in increasing demand for vegetables in days to come and tribal farmers will be fully trapped in the deadly cycle of toxics if efforts are not made to demonstrate alternatives. As tribals shift to agriculture for their livelihoods, it is important that they are provided options to grow chemical-free, nutritious food without disturbing the ecological balance. Unfortunately, organic farming has so far not been considered as an alternative in the tribal region on account of factors like: a) lack of support for organic farming; b) the "pro chemical farming" approach followed by agricultural universities, extension agencies and transnational agri-chemical companies; c) support for chemical intensive agriculture from government agencies, TNCs and dealers; d) lack of awareness amongst tribal farmers about the long-term negative consequences of chemical farming and the benefits of organic farming; and e) lack of economically viable organic farming models or demonstrations.

There is thus an urgent need to substantially reduce, and possibly eliminate, the use of toxic chemicals from agriculture in the tribal region.
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

à Document use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides by farmers cultivating vegetables.
à Collect relevant information about these chemicals.
à Create awareness about the dangers (environmental, health and monetary) associated with chemical intensive farming. Stress the health and environmental benefits of organically grown food.
à Print awareness/education material on dangers of chemical pesticides and organic farming practises (composting, green manuring, crop rotation, etc).
à Organise training programmes for farmers on issues pertaining to organic agriculture (composting, green manuring, vermi-composting, mulching, biofertilisers, soil & water conservation, mixed cropping, crop rotation, etc).
à Document traditional agricultural practises related to livestock management, dung utilisation, crop rotation, composting, manuring, etc.
à Collect seeds of traditional vegetable varieties and encourage farmers to grow these varieties with organic inputs.
à Set up organic farming demonstration plots in four different locations and arrange farmers' visits to the demonstration plots.
à Select a few case studies and systematically document and compare the performance of organic agriculture with chemical intensive farming.



EXPECTED OUTPUTS

à Increased awareness amongst tribal farmers about dangers of "chemical" farming.
à Training to farmers on alternative technologies (i.e. organic agricultural practises).
à Conservation of traditional vegetable varieties.
à Study and comparison of organic farming practises with conventional green revolution technologies.

DURATION

The project will be of two years duration. A period of two years is essential to implement activities over two farming seasons.

LOCATION

The project will be located mainly in the tribal region of Karjat Taluka.

BENEFITS

The project will have long-term benefits in the areas of environment, health and sustainable livelihoods. Tribal farmers will be the main beneficiaries.

ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTING AGENCY

Academy of Development Science (ADS) has been engaged in rural development work in tribal regions of Karjat and Murbad Talukas since 1979. Activities of ADS mainly relate to issues facing local tribal communities. Some of the main activities are food security; traditional medicine & primary health care; watershed development; sustainable agriculture; conservation of traditional crop varieties; horticulture; income generation through crafts and food processing; women's empowerment; education; etc.

ADS has established a community genebank of traditional crop varieties grown in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is also engaged in promoting sustainable agricultural practises amongst farmers.

Some of the ADS programmes on health, agriculture, food security and crafts are being replicated by NGOs in different parts of India.

BUDGET

Estimated expenses over a period of two years.
All amounts in Indian Rupees, unless specified otherwise.

No Particulars Year 1 Year 2 Sub Total Own Contribution Amount Required Amount in US $
1 Staff salaries (2 persons @ Rs.3,000 per month) 72,000.00 72,000.00 144,000.00 144,000.00 0.00 0
2 Survey and Documentation 10,000.00 5,000.00 15,000.00 10,000.00 5,000.00 105.82
3 Awareness campaigns and training programmes for farmers 20,000.00 30,000.00 50,000.00 5,000.00 45,000.00 952.38
4 Seed collection 15,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 5,000.00 20,000.00 423.28
5 Demonstration plots (4 demo plots @Rs.15,000/ plot) 30,000.00 30,000.00 60,000.00 0.00 60,000.00 1269.84
6 Staff travel 15,000.00 15,000.00 30,000.00 5,000.00 25,000.00 529.10
7 Photographic documentation 10,000.00 10,000.00 20,000.00 0.00 20,000.00 423.280
8 Printing of posters/ education material 15,000.00 25,000.00 40,000.00 0.00 40,000.00 846.56
9 Office expenses 15,000.00 15,000.00 30,000.00 0.00 30,000.00 634.92
Grand Total 202,000.00 212,000.00 414,000.00 169,000.00 245,000.00 5185.18

Exchange Rate : 1 US $ = In. Rs. 47.25
Date : 25 June, 2002