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Prakruthi Badi Newsletter - July to September 2016

Activities Prakruthi Badi in the period from July to September 2016

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A study on Scaling up Agro-Ecological Production Systems among Small-Holders for Sustainable Livelihoods

The major cause for distress in the agriculture sector can be attributed to the following – low productivity, non-profitability of agriculture, ecosystem degradation, migration, few opportunities for diversification, low market access, poor processing and value addition facilities. The agriculture development paradigm of the government, to address these concerns, focusses on technology driven capital intensive initiatives, most of which are unaffordable by small and marginal farmers as they do not have the necessary resources to access these programs. Further, the top down approach of these programs puts them at a disadvantage and under the control of a system that is ill-equipped to provide timely support/extension services.

The OAP of the Timbaktu Collective focusses on creating and strengthening community based organisations and building capacities of rural people to manage and run village level institutions. It also focusses on synthesising traditional knowledge of the local communities with appropriate modern/improved technologies for addressing the concerns of the farmers. When it comes to choosing a development paradigm for small holder agricultural development, mainstream agricultural approaches are inherently inadequate, ineffective and ill-equipped to deal with the demands of such production systems. In order to support small holder farmers a natural resource management approach is more relevant, compatible and applicable. Such an approach would help in poverty reduction, ensure food security, promote self-reliance, support ecological management of productive resources and empower rural communities.

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Prakruthi Badi Newsletter - April to June 2016

Activities Prakruthi Badi in the period  from April to June 2016

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Videos from the conference - Revitalising agrarian economy and livelihoods

'Revitalising agrarian economy and livelihoods – presentations of studies and enterprise development initiatives of Timbaktu Collective in Ananthapuramu District', held on March 18 and 19, 2016, the Ecology Centre, in Ananthapuramu.

As you know, the Collective has been working for more than 25 years on issues of sustainable development in four mandals of Ananthapuramu District in Andhra Pradesh. In the process we have also developed various business models for socioeconomic change in the region. The objective of this event was to bring all our stakeholders on to a common platform to present key findings of three research studies and highlight the achievements of the rural business enterprises promoted by the Collective.

The three research studies which were commissioned by us, and which formed the basis for discussion, are as follows:

• Scaling up agro-ecological production systems among smallholder farmers for sustainable livelihoods: A study of the Ananthapuramu District ;
• Livelihood through Livestock: Towards resilience and sustainability in Ananthapuramu District ;
• The Status of Nutrition among women and children in Ananthapuramu District.

 We also shared information on the achievements of the following business enterprises:

• The Dharani Farming and Marketing Cooperative [‘Timbaktu Organic’] ;
• The Gramasiri Agricultural Labour Cooperative [focusing on the rearing of small ruminants] ;

 

Prakruthi Badi Newsletter - January to March 2016

Activities Prakruthi Badi in the period  from January to March 2016

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Revitalising Agrarian Economy and Livelihoods

Summary Reports of Studies on Agriculture, Livestock, Health and Nutrition

India has a high degree of sensitivity to climate change, which is compounded in areas of extreme poverty, poor general health and a high dependency on agriculture (Maplecroft 2010). The adverse effects of climate change such as increased evaporation rates, changes in rainfall patterns and changes in water quality are especially harsh in dry land and barren ecosystems. The geographical position of the Indian Peninsula renders Ananthapuramu district, one of the driest districts and the second most drought-affected in the country. It is the most drought affected district of Andhra Pradesh with an average rainfall of 381 mm. 

In the 4 mandals, which constitute the Collective’s working area, the rainfall is less than the average for the district. Of the four, Chennekothapalli and Ramagiri receive the least (less than average) in Ananthapuramu. With a population of 4 million, Ananthapuramu is one of the poorest districts in the country and has 45% rural indebtedness against a state-wide 18%. A majority of the population here are marginal dry land farmers exploiting a fragile resource base. Desertification of the district along with mono cropping, chemicalisation, deforestation, excess use of ground water, and recurrent drought has resulted in overall deterioration of health, migration, faction politics, extremism and farmer suicides. This situation calls for an integrated and community owned response, which deals with the existing disparities and inequalities.

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Prakruthi Badi Newsletter - December 2015

Activities Prakruthi Badi in the month of December 2015

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