GET GROWING!
....an Initiative established to Support Sustainable Organic Agriculture
and Tea Cultivation in Assam, India
....an Initiative established to Support Sustainable Organic Agriculture
and Tea Cultivation in Assam, India
|
Project Description: Fertile Ground, in partnership with Kakojan College, and with the support of North East Affected Area Development Society, created a “learning garden” and training centre located on a plot of land about 15 km. east of Jorhat, a major agricultural and tea growing area in Assam. Local vegetables, fruit and grains were grown on the site - and orientation and training in cultivation, marketing and production of organic inputs was provided by resource people familiar with the principles of sustainable organic farming. While in operation, the centre provided employment to several local people, and offered opportunities for people to learn about organic farming and related topics. |
Staff member Pabitra Bora and Grace Young, a volunteer from the UK, water seeds of "green manure" plants. Before flowering, the young pea,, rice, chana, dhania and other plants will be cut and turned into the soill, adding nitrogen, much-needed organic material and other nutrients.
|
Financial support came from Rotary Clubs in District 5020, Jorhat Rotary Club (District 3240), and donors in Canada and the US. Technical support was being provided by Fertile Ground: East/West Sustainability Network, a voluntary organization from Vancouver Island, Canada that has worked to encourage sustainable and traditional farming and tea cultivation in Assam since 2003
Why projects like this are important:
These days, there are few local employment opportunities for students graduating with degrees in fields such as Computer Technology, Engineering, English or Political Science. As a result, many young people from farming families are moving to the cities or leaving the state, and local food production is steadily declining.
These days, there are few local employment opportunities for students graduating with degrees in fields such as Computer Technology, Engineering, English or Political Science. As a result, many young people from farming families are moving to the cities or leaving the state, and local food production is steadily declining.
The Assam state government, Tea Board of India and a number of Indian NGO’s have launched new programs to promote more environmentally-sound agricultural practices. Unfortunately, many of these programs face challenges achieveing their goals because of:
- the lack of affordable, locally available organic inputs, and
- a shortage of trainers and outreach workers with practical, hands-on skills
Intended beneficiaries: Students, farmers, small tea growers, families from the adjacent area, self-help group members, educators and local NGO’s.
- the lack of affordable, locally available organic inputs, and
- a shortage of trainers and outreach workers with practical, hands-on skills
Intended beneficiaries: Students, farmers, small tea growers, families from the adjacent area, self-help group members, educators and local NGO’s.
How this project benefitted the community in need: Participants became familiar with the principles and practices of organic farming, including preparation of natural soil amendments like compost, vermicompost and compost tea, as well as natural foirmulas and techniques used to repel insect pests.
They were also were made aware of a range of self-employment opportunities, and offered an opportunity to learn skills that could help meet the growing demand for knowledgeable farm, tea garden and educational outreach workers.
During its operation, the centre also provided tours and training to farmers, school children and members of local self-helps groups.
Newly-constructed Raised Garden Beds and Signs
|
Office, Library and Production Unit
|
