Take a virtual tour showing the development of three organic demonstration gardens
that have been supported by Fertile Ground in Assam, India!
(move your cursor to the image to start or pause the slide show)
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Adarsh Seuj Prakalpa (the Ideal Green Project) was started in 2006 in the town of Digboi. Located on a plot of land owned by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (Assam Oil Division) the initiative has been supported through contributions from Fertile Ground, Rotary Club of Digboi, IOC, Rotary Clubs in District 5020 (Canada/US), Canada India Village Aid and individual donors, - including peopleof all ages from the nearby Muliabari neighbourhood. Over the years, volunteers from Canada, India and several other countries have worked along with ASP's staff to transform an abandoned plot of land into a beautiful organic garden. Flower and vegetable beds, a compost and formula production area, vermicompost unit, classroom and office are located at the site. Hands-on practical training, resource materials and low-cost accommodation at the new farmers' hostel are available. In early 2015, work began on a new organic demonstration garden and training centre located near Kakojan College, Jorhat, Assam. The project was a partnership with the College, North East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) and Fertile Ground, with help from Coordinator Maina Dutta, co-workers Abhoy Borah and Pabitra Bora.
The centre and a small library provided a place for meeting and discussion. Many different ways to improve the soil in the garden area were demonstrated. Since it opened, a large numbers of farmers, small-scale tea growers, students and people from nearby villages visited the centre. Funding to support this initiative came from Fertile Ground, Rotary Clubs in District 5020 (Canada & US) and Jorhat (Assam), the Powderhorn Park Community in Minnesota (US), & the Assam Foundation of North America. |
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In many parts of Assam, flooding and erosion along the shores of the Brahmaputra River has forced hundreds of thousands of families to relocate. To assist people living in the Sadiya area, the NGO NEADS helped establish a school and a community resource centre offering training in livestock management, nutrition, land rights and other relevant issues.
In early 2011, with support from Rotary International, Rotary Clubs on Vancouver Island and Fertile Ground, work began on a demonstration garden near NEADS' centre. Cow manure, water hyacinth (an invasive plant which is choking ponds and waterways), chopped banana stalk and other locally available materials were used to create raised garden beds While the demonstration garden is no longer in operation, training in preparation and use of compost and other low-cost inputs made from locally-available material was provided to families living in the area. |
Thinking about the possibility of visiting Assam? When Covid restrictions are no longer in effect,
Fertile Ground and our partners may once again be able to host volunteers with experience
in organic farming practices who are interested in learning about the culture and traditions of Assam
- and in making compost!
We'll provide details once the situation is more stable....
Location of some of the key areas Fertile Ground has been working in
