 |
|
|
 |
|
Sahaja Samruddha have been witness
to so many who have been inspired to take the knowledge of
the benefits of sustainable agriculture as a movement to their
brethren. Today we not only became an umbrella for all practitioners
of sustainable agriculture to come together, it has also inspired
more than 300 farmers across Karnataka to take up organic
farming.
Networking
|
|
Sahaja Samrudha has created innovative and constructive
partnerships with like-minded farmer groups and
organizations to initiate organic farmer associations
in Kolar, Channapatna and Mandya of Karnataka.
Its network has also spread with organizations
across southern states of Andhra Pradesh Tamil
nadu and Kerala. Forum has created media linkages
and encouraged farmers to pen in articles of their
experiences, innovations and hard earned lessons.
|
|
Conservation of Agro
biodiversity
|
|
Sahaja Samrudha believes that conservation of
local varieties is of paramount importance to
reduce the farmers' dependency on market for their
seed requirements. As a collaborative effort individual
seed savers and organizations keen in conservation
in Karnataka and communes residing in remote forest
villages in Kollegal of Chamarajnagar Dist have
been identified and on-farm conservation of diverse
landraces has been implemented. Continuous conservation
and multiplication of popular paddy landraces
like Mysore mallige, HMT, Salem sanna and Chinnaponni
has resulted in increase in quantity of seeds
that have spread in thousands of acres. SS has
played a major role in reviving rare varieties
like Devanhalli chakkotha, Raja bale, Kempu bale
and many vegetables, which were on the verge of
extinction. Also nine varieties of rare medicinal
rice varieties were identified and conservation
efforts on-farm have been initiated.
|
|
Conservation of Hallikar
- An Indigenous Cattle Breed of Karnataka
|
|
The traditional approach of breeding is aimed
at meeting the requirements of local communities
keeping in view of the local resources. This is
one of the main reasons for high adaptability
of indigenous breeds. The replacement of local
breeds by exotics has caused a loss to genetic
variability. A special stress has been be emphasized
and a programme has been developed to carry on
on-farm conservation of the Hallikar indigenous
breed in Karnataka. This would enhance the ability
of the animal to remain adaptable to the local
environment.
|
|
|
|
Organic village
|
|
Govt of Karnataka decided to implement organic
farming concept in Karnataka and SS in collaboration
with Department of Agriculture chose to implement
organic farming project in Bylur, Arepalya and
neighbouring villages in Kollegal taluk.
Government of Karnataka selected Sahaja Samrudha
for implementing organic village programme in
Kollegal taluk.
|
|
|
|
After field visits, base line survey and farmer
meetings Sahaja Samrudha identified Bylur, Arepalya
and GM Doddi village for the project Hulikadu
savayava Krishikara Koota formed to implement
the programme at grassroots. This body will implement
the organic village programmes under Sahaja Samrudha
and Department of Agriculture guidance.
|
|
Guardians of the seed
|
Seed Savers
Network, Australia visited Sahaja Samrudha project
villages in Kollegal for video documentation of
seed savers experiences for their forthcoming Documentary
film 'Guardians of the Seed'. Sahaja Samrudha Association
extended their support and collaboration with Sahaja
Samrudha on building seed savers networks in south
India.
|
|
|
|
Plight
of Indian Farmers in the Globalization Era
|
| A
day lecture was organized on 8th August 2007 on
'Plight of Indian Farmers in the Globalization Era',
at Institute of Agricultural Technologists (IAT),
Bangalore. Sahaja Samruddha in collaboration with
IAT and Thanal, Kerala organized the mega event.
The programme was inaugurated by Prasanna, well-known
Theatre Personality, and Mr. Devinder Sharma,
a distinguished writer, thinker and researcher,
is widely respected for his views on food and trade
policy, was the guest speaker.
|
|
|
He
addressed the august gathering on issues concerning
the politics of sustainable agriculture, biotechnology,
trade and food security, poverty, the crisis of
our country and farmer suicides.
|
|
|
|
|
Sahaja
Samrudha - 'Nandana', No.7, 2nd Cross, 7th Main, Sulthanpalya,
Bangalore - 560 032, Karnataka, India
Phone:
+91 80 2365 5302 Mobile: (0)98808 62058
Email:sahajasamrudha@gmail.com
|
|