Project
Green Gold
–
A farmer friendly
Project of livelihood generation for Rural Farmers of Chamba
District.
The economy of Chamba District is predominately based on agriculture
activities.However prior to the implementation of the Project
major crops grown by the farmers were traditional crops like
wheat, maize, rice etc. Project Green Gold was sanctioned by Govt
for diversification toward cash crops. Chamba enjoys the status of
having all its area falling under all the four agro climatic zones.
The average land holding in the distt is 0.88 ha and cultivation
of traditional crops is no more profitable occupation for the
people. This project, has proved a boon to poor people, and is
providing gainful self employment to eight thousand families by
introducing off season vegetable, Flower cultivation, Mushroom
cultivation, Medicinal Plant cultivation as well as animal
Husbandry practices within a professional approach . Key
Activities of the Project are :
1.Cultivation of Medicinal , Aromatic Plants and Flowers
2.Offseason Vegetable Cultivation
3.Mushroom Cultivation
4.Improved Dairy Management.
5. Achievements.
Target under the project was to assist 9000 families by linkage with these
four key activities. As a consequence 9000 families have been
organized into 900 SHGs with the ratio of 80 % BPL and 20 % APL
Families. Main aim of the Project is to enable 8000 BPL families
of Chamba District to cross poverty line, and earn their
livelihood through four key activities. The project also aimed for
providing technical assistance and necessary inputs to the
farmers, organization of Self help groups of local farmers for
cultivation, harvesting and marketing techniques for produce, to
induct high potential germplasm in local livestock progeny for
creation of nucleus stock for future propagation.
Medicinal plants and
Flower cultivation
To achieve said goal of the Project, the farmers of six Development
Blocks ( excluding Pangi Block) have been organized into 900 SHGs
( 9000 families). In the beginning main challenge was to make
people aware about the objectives of the project and to cover
remotest pockets like Tissa, Salooni, Bharmour , Mehla Blocks,
which are having tough and snow bound areas . The very first step
in the project was to organize series of awareness camps in
collaboration with Agriculture Deptt, KVKs,
Herbal Garden
and Ayurvedic Research institute Jogindernagar in remote pockets
of the distt. In first phase most backward, poverty ridden areas
of Tissa and Salooni were targeted. People of these areas are very
poor, illiterate residing in far flung areas and unfortunately
vulnerable to terrorist attacks from neighbouring state. Farmers
were involved in the Cultivation of High altitude valuable herbs
like Valeriana jatamansi (Sugandhwala), Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki),
Podophyllum ( Bankakdi), Aconitum ( Atis); which are identified
endangered species and can be grown on these high altitude snow
bound areas only. People were encouraged to grow these herbs in
their waste land. For their cultivable land they have been
trained for cultivation of offseason vegetables and Flowers. For
cultivation of High altitude herbs which was a new concept for
the farmers of Chamba Distt seven mother nurseries in different
development blocks as per climatic requirement of herbs have been
established each being one Hectare area. Farmers are linked with
each nursery for training by experts and source of germplasm
produced in the nursery as nodal centre.
Farmer Training camp for
cultivation of Herbs in Tissa Block
On field training for Herb
cultivation Picrorhiza ( Kutki) in farmer field at Devikothi Tissa.
Flower cultivation ( Carnation ) in
Salooni Block through Polyhouse Technology under Green Gold
Large scale cultivation of
Podophyllum ( a cancer treating herb) at Bairagarh Nursery
SHG member harvesting Flowers for
sale in Market.
SHG members giving final touch to their produce before sale
Cost benefit ratio of
the target plants*
Unit:- 1 hec
S.no. |
Species |
Duration of crop(Years) |
Yield(K.g)
(Dried roots/rhizome) |
Input cost |
Output cost |
Income |
1. |
Aconitum heterophyllum |
4-5 |
1,500-1,700 |
Rs. 3 lacs |
Rs. 15 lacs |
Rs. 12 lacs
|
2. |
Picrorhiza kurroa |
2-3 |
9,00-10,00 |
Rs. 40,000 |
Rs. 1.2 lacs to Rs. 1.5 lacs |
Rs. 80,000 to 1.1 lacs
|
3. |
Podophyllum hexandrum |
3-4 |
3,000 |
Rs. 75,000 |
Rs. 3 lacs |
Rs. 2.25 lacs |
4. |
Valeriana jatamansi |
2 |
800-1,000 |
Rs. 10,000 |
Rs.50,000 to 60,000 |
Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 |
*Rates may vary from time to time, as
per the market trend
Advantages of cultivation of Medicinal Plants under project areas:
In the high reaches of the district
above 7,000ft.; most of the land available is either in the form
of sloppy grass lands or degraded waste lands which is not
suitable for the conventional cropping. These are the natural
sites for the high altitude Medicinal Plants. This type of land
is not found in continuous patches or fields, as in the case of
lower area, where the land can be developed in to field for
cultivation purpose. In the higher reaches thus the term
cultivation which is field- oriented activity, should be
rather termed as growing or plantation, where the
plantation of the herbs may be done in available patches without
disturbing the contour of the land. The advantages of growing
herbs in such areas are:
1.
The land which is not utilized for
any type of the Agricultural activity is suitable for Medicinal
Plants. In this way; in the ZERO income land; what ever
the return will come to the farmer is a bonus and additional
income.
2.
Growing of Temperate plants can be
undertaken in rain-fed areas, as it requires very little
irrigation and that too at the time of plantation only.
3.
No threat of grazing by
animals.
4.
Less labour-incentive
activity. Only seasonal 2-3 hoeing and weeding is
required.
5.
In the market the produce is sold in
dry form, therefore, it is less perishable than
Vegetables and fruits. No need of selling immediately, it can be
delayed till the rates are high and suitable.
6.
The Black litter formed after
the decaying of the organic matter such as leaves or old woods, is
available in plenty under forest areas, is highly suitable organic
manure for the growing of herbs. The Mycorhizal contents
in this manure, enhance the Medicinal Ingredient levels in many
of the Medicinal Herbs. Moreover it is cheaper as it is
available at arm distance near the cultivated land. It
fulfills many of the organic cultivation conditions, essential
in case of Medicinal Plants.
Impact of the activity on the
economy of the natives:
Under the
legal implications of the Wild-life protection act and
Biodiversity act, in future wilds are not going to serve as
the source of the Raw-herbs for the manufacturing of the Herbal
Produce. By the enforcement of these laws, it is mandatory to
the Industry that only the cultivated derived raw material
can be utilized. Secondly to meet International Standards
laid down by WHO and further under GMP regime,
the uniform efficacy of the drug of each lot is a must to be
maintained which can only be achieved in sustained way through
cultivated source.
In view of
this, the people involved in this process, at the different
locations in the district are going to take lead. No doubt that
the return through this activity is slightly late as compared to
the Vegetable and Floricultural activities. On account of the long
gestation period of the herbs, but it should be viewed that every
farmer has two types of land under his possession, i.e. one ideal
for cultivation and second otherwise not suitable. As mentioned
above that the lands unsuitable for the cultivation can best be
utilized for the growing of the valuable herbs. It goes in favor
of the people of the high altitude areas, that cold temperate
conditions which are highly suitable for the apple and off-season
vegetable are also most conducive for growing the Medicinal and
Aromatic Herbs. Where the economy of the people of these areas
has been boosted through Apple and off-season vegetable
cultivation, the growing of the herbs in their rest of the lands
will certainly strengthen it in a long way.
Offseason Vegetable cultivation
Under off-season vegetable cultivation of Cauliflower, Cabbage,
Tomato, Peas, Potato, of improved varieties have been started.
Initially, farmers were not responding, toward the activity being
new introduction in remote pockets, because people do not get away
from traditional practices easily. But when they started
receiving returns ten times more, as compared to traditional
farming ,now vegetable cultivation has become the main stay and
the most popular component of the project. Problem of marketing
has been solved by organization of SHGs into Marketing societies
of farmers, with no middlemen. Exposure visits of farmers in Big
Sabzi Mandis of North India have helped linkage of the farmers
directly with big dealers. Due to long gestation period of 3-4
years in cultivation of herbs farmers are more attracted toward
vegetable and flower cultivation with gestation period of 2-3
months and 3-4 crops in a year.
Large Scale cultivation of
Cauliflower first time in Chamba under Project
Vegetable cultivation in Polyhouse
in offseason in Chamba Block
Auction of vegetables in “Kisan
Mandi(Green Gold)” at Salooni
National Level Monitor (RD)
visiting KISAN MANDI(Green Gold) at Salooni
Mushroom Cultivation
Mushroom cultivation being another new concept in Chamba Distt
farmers are trained at National Research Centre for Mushroom at
Chambaghat Distt Solan and KVK Chamba .Button Mushroom Cultivation
on trial basis by procuring Compost from outside distt was carried
with encouraging results; but due to non availability of Compost
and infection during transportation from far away place, need of
Mushroom compost unit was felt. A mushroom compost unit of
Capacity 60 tons per cycle has been constructed near
Chamba Town to meet the
farmer demand at doorstep. This unit will start functioning at the
end of this year.
Dhingri (Mushroom) Cultivation on trial Basis
Improved Dairy Management
Improved
Dairy Management programme is being run in Chamba as a component
of project Green Gold by DRDA and Animal Husbandry Department
jointly. It aims at helping farmers to improve upon their economic
states by improved and scientic intervention in their Animal
Husbandry practices and thereby manifold increase in milk
production. Regular cattle rearing is a tradition in almost all
rural household. The main thrust of IDM is to convert this
traditional activity into a commercial one and make it a source of
regular gainful and sustainable employment.
As in other
components in Improved Dairy Management too, the assistance is
through S.H.G and not to individuals. Against the target 385 SHG
and 4000 families, 399 SHG and 4337 families have been brought
under this component. Extension and training constitute the major
activity being undertaken by organizing village level field
workshop by Animal Husbandry experts. The farmers are acquainted
with the scientific managemental practices on modern dairy farming
with focus on increase in milk yield. Till date 382 Field level
workshops. have been organized & 97000 improved semen straws have
been provided to every Vety dispensary for breed improvement which
forms the backbone of this programme. And now after one year, a
new progeny of calves has come up and these calves shall be
producing at least 12-15 litter milk per day during their
lactation.
Village level Field Workshop
under Improved Dairy Management.
The new borne
female calves are being taken special care of in respect of ecto
and endo parasitic coverage, nutrition and hygiene, so that these
females conceive at the age of 18 month and calves in 28-29th
month. Concerted efforts are being employed for eradication of
infertility. Sexual health camps are being organized and minerals,
nutrients and harmons are being provided free of cost to overcome
this most prevalent disorders along with motivating the farmers to
go in for A.I only. Literature in simple language on various
aspects of Animal Husbandry has been supplied to each of families
as a ready reference. Till date 257 sexual health camps have been
organized. This has resulted in an encouraging leap in conception
percentage from 40% to 65% & crossbred a herd of about 600 female
calves has been produced in the District till date. Particular
care of cowsheds is being taken for proper hygiene. For this Rs.
1000/- per farmer is being provided for Pucca flooring, drainage,
mangers construction. 903 families have been benefited so far.
Manger constructed for BPL
Family under the Programme
First Progeny Cross Bred of Desi
x Jarsi
There is also
a plan to involve private sector in this activity to provide
gainful employment to interested rural youth. For this BAIF Pune
and Reymonds Bombay have shown their interest and shall start
functioning in Chamba too in near future. Rs. 74 lakh are to be
spent on this. Door step lifting of milk produce is another
highlight and milk shall be lifted from every nook and corner of
District by Milkfed. A milk plant has been established at Parel
for the purpose.
In addition
to all above activities fodder development is being taken up
presently with more focused approach which includes Pasture
development, Plantation of 1000 fodder trees per Panchayat and
setting up fodder demo plots in each Panchayat. Farmers have also
been trained for improving the food value of wheat Bhusa, paddy
straws and such like fodder and under this 326 fodder enrichment
camps have been organized.
Physical achievements under various
activities under IDM components are :-
I |
Number of field level workshops
organized |
382 |
II |
Number of SHGs covered |
399 |
III |
Number of families covered |
4337 |
IV |
Number of fodder enrichment
Demos |
326 |
V |
Number of Calves Covered |
2937 |
VI |
Number of families assisted for
cowsheds improvement @ 1000/- |
903 |
VII |
Number of Sexual Health Camps
organised |
257 |
VIII |
Number of improved semen straws
distributed to Vety. Dispensaries for A.I. |
97000 |
IX |
Number of Staff trained |
57 |
Major
achievement conception rate shown a significant increase & about
500 female Calves borne as progeny.
Physical Achievements of the Project
Green Gold
Sr
No |
Key
Activity |
Targeted SHGs |
No
of SHGs Involved |
Benefits availed by the farmers |
Infrastructure created |
Gross Returns to the farmers
(Rs in Lacs)
|
Net
Income (Rs. In Lacs) |
1 |
Cultivation of Off-season
Vegetables |
600(6000 families) |
550 (5500 families) |
290 trainings/ field workshops
organised in collaboration with Agriculture Deptt, inputs
like seeds, pesticides provided to the farmers at subsidised
rates as per Project guidelines. Establishment of
demonstration units for testing of high yielding varieties
with farmer friendly techniques and further cultivation by SHGs. Farmers earned Crores of Rupees through new varieties
of Cauliflower, Tomato, French bean, cucumber, cabbage,
peas etc. introduced in this project. |
15 Nos of Polyhouses constructed at
cluster level, 50 water harvesting structures, 2414 ha area
brought under this component. (649 ha in Salooni where
before project it was 158 ha) |
2450.00 |
2125.00 |
2 |
Cultivation of Medicinal
plants and Flowers |
200 SHGs (2000 families ) |
185 SHGs (1800 families) |
185 trainings/ awareness camps,
Institutional trainings at Ayurveda Research Institute
Jogindernagar, KVKs, UHF Solan organised. Demonstrations for
developing farmer friendly techniques for propagation of
high altitude medicinal herbs in mother nurseries and
further transplantation in farmers fields. 600 bighas area
under herb and Flower cultivation in Distt ( Herb
cultivation is purely new concept in Chamba Distt). |
9 No.of polyhouses at cluster level
for demonstration, 7 mother nurseries for production of
germplasm. |
53.00 |
42.50 |
3 |
Mushroom Cultivation |
15 SHGs(150 families) |
38 SHGs(200 families) |
23 SHGs trained for Mushroom
Cultivation at NRCM Solan, KVK Chamba. Field
workshops/trainings organised. SHGs Trained for Value
addition. |
Mushroom Compost unit constructed at
Udaipur Chamba. |
6.50 |
5.50 |
4 |
Improved Dairy Management |
385 SHGs ( 3850 families) |
399 SHGs(4000 families apprx) |
400 Field workshops, sexual health
camps, artificial breeding camps organised, Paravet staff
trained at BAIFPune. |
Milk Chilling Plant set up at Parel
Chamba under this project and handed over to HP Milk Fed.
For further operation. |
35.60 |
30.00 |
Total |
2545.10 |
2203.00 |
|