Cheena Raised In The Field
Nathi Bai is a forest dweller belonging to Meena tribe. Residing in Sarwani village of Salumber block of Udaipur she along with her husband lives with 2 sons, 2 daughter in-laws and 1 granddaughter. Her income is mainly dependent upon agriculture which contributes INR 35400 to the total annual income of INR 44400. With an irrigated area of 1 bigha is very difficult to lead a dignified life.
Project objective: The project titled “Improving Food Security through Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Strengthening Local Biodiversity Management”, being implemented by Prayatna Samiti with the support of Kehitysmaayhdistys Pääskyt and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland, addresses vulnerable ecosystem by fostering minor millets and vegetable cultivation with the set of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and good governance for better management of natural resources in 10 villages.
Issues addressed: Lack of food security due to lack of natural resources such as seeds of minor millets and land and skills of cultivation. Setting up of Seed Banks will ensure the supply of seeds in the home. In this way, the minor millets will be promoted through cultivation in the field. Thus, food security will satisfy the need of nutritious grains. need for food crops and enhance incomes.
Beneficiary interest and approach: Nathi Bai became interested in the cultivation of minor millets as the importance of millets to human beings and cultivation practices explained to her by Prayatna Samiti. It was 25 years back that she used to cultivate the proso millet but all of a sudden the practice of traditional agriculture got diminished. The blame may be given to economy-driven agriculture which preferred monocropping and use of chemical fertilizers. She wanted to revive the traditional agriculture through the reintroduction of minor millets and practices associated with them. This will help her to maintain the seed supply and enjoy the grains’ dishes with her family.
The process: Nathi Bai came to know the project’s objective through the SHG named Nathu Bav Ji Sayam Sahayata Samuha consisting of 15 members. In the meetings, she was oriented on minor millets cultivations. A training was organised by Prayatna Samiti on “Minor Millets and Vegetable Cultivation Training” at Udaipur during which she interacted with experts and millet. Due to lack of time and looming rains she preferred the broadcasting method of sowing. She utilized 374 sq. mt. irrigated crop cultivated to reintroduce traditional agriculture. Heavy downpour in the area resulted in the set back to the farming measures. A loss of 2 kg was observed in the yield. Rains washed the seeds away which was coupled with soil erosion. It took 45 days from 1st July 2017 to get the first harvest.
Results: She harvested 4.5 kg grains from 0.5 kg of sown seeds. The grain was consumed by the family members. Chapatis were prepared and the taste was appreciated by the family members. 0.5 kg of the harvest was added to the existing seeds in the traditional earthen pot. In this way the seed supply of nutritious grain was maintained in the home.
Good Agricultural Practices and learning: Maintenance of seed bank, minor millet cultivation, and utilization of irrigated area. To get desired production Dhooli Bai prepared to sow the seeds after wheat harvest in April.