A brief summary of the case

Referral/presenting issues Selvendren, C., aged around 53, has done his formal schooling up to SSLC. He belongs to farming community, is married and has two children. He owns 12 acres of land and manages it with the help of hired labour. Selvendren has been growing red gram, millets and vegetables for quite some years. For the recent years due to heavy increase in agro input material costs farming is very difficult among the farmers and areas like Virudhunagar it more difficult due to its rain fed farming nature. Hence switching to a sustainable way of farming is more important. The following story tells about a successive farmer who involved in rain fed sustainable farming with the help of community supports.

Background information

Name of the farmer : Selvendran

Village name : Vadamalaikurichi

I am, cultivating red gram which involved a number of routine activities like sowing the seeds directly brought from the seed dealer, applying FYM as a standard practice. As a member of the group, I am an active participant in the FIG. The cultivation practices followed were as per the decisions in the FIG group we formulated and the cultivation was according to my normal farming practices, and for the control measures for pest and diseases I learnt a lot about alternative farming practices in VMFPCL trainings. The seeds were treated with biologicals prior to sowing. Such as phosphobacteria and azospirillum before sowing. Pest management: Trap crops like marigold and bhendi were grown to manage pests like heliothis and spotted bollworm. I learnt about the role of useful insects like Trichograma, an egg parasite on heliothis. Prior to my FIG enrolment I had no idea like, that there could be some insects, which could benefit our crop example Reduvid bug, a bio agent to control spodopetera. The earlier practice was to spray pesticide whenever a larva or an insect was noticed in the field. These new measures helped in reducing the pesticide sprays and reduced a major expenditure in the farming. Nutrient management: FYM 2 tons/ac to 3 tons/ac and with vermi compost (2 q/ac). At present, I has also started composting in my own farm. These knowledge and traditional farming practices with improved modern techniques and utilities save me from severe financial crisis.

Plan

For developing community oriented farming activity among the farmers of Virudhunagar district which is highly rain fed dependent farming system hence improving farmers income and livelihood through sustainable approach will be a better option to start.

Intervention

Introducing community oriented farming system Training to adopt organic farming in a sustainable manner Empowering rain fed farmersInvolving women SHG in activities like bio pesticide production, etc.

Income

Red gram yield : 408 Kg

Rate per Kg : 43.00

Total income : 43 x 408 = 17544.00

Loan amount from VMFPCL 30000.