ORGANIZING COMMITTEE IFD-2014

Dr. Raviprakash Dani

Chairman

Ms. Jayashree Rao

Co-Chairman

Dr. Pradip Ingole

Co-Chairman

Dr. Yayati Taide

Convener

Mr. Abhay Shah

Convener

Dr. Shashank Bharad

Co-Convener

Dr. Nitin Koshti Co-Convener

Dr. Sanjay Bhoyar

Secretary

Dr. Niraj Satpute

Jt.- Secretary Dr. Nitin Konde

Jt.-Secretary

Mr. H. K.

Deshmukh Treasurer

Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (Agricultural University) Akola in collaboration with GRAMPARI, Initiatives of Change (IofC), Panchgani and Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural Foundation (PDAF), Akola organised the “International Farmers’ Dialogue 2014” at Akola and Panchgani in India, during 4-10 December,2014. The major theme of this conference was “Farm women empowerment and remunerative technologies”. Delegates from 11 countries, viz. Australia, America, Canada, England, France, Israel, Kenya, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda, the United States of America, Uzbekistan and their Indian counterparts - 200 farmers of Akola and 80 farmers of Panchgani, enthusiastically participatedand shared valuable experiences. The week-long programme was stuctured in seven interactive sessions supported by field/on-farm visits during 4-7 December, 2014 at Akola, in the Eastern part of Maharashtra popularly known as “Deccan Plateau”. The the conference venue was moved 650 km. West, over to Panchgani, popularly known as “Western Ghats,” wherein participants were divided in to six thematic groups for discussions and family meetings. The sub-themes of the Dialogue were Enriching Technology Soltions, Encouraging urban farming and resource management, Vetting resilient technologies, Sharing transformative experiences in farming including effective self help groups and Demonstrating GRAMPARI in action, while at Asia Plateau.

INAUGURAL SESSION

Dignitories and guests on the dais for inaugural ceremony

View of Dr. K.R. Thakare Auditorium during inauguration

Dr. Raviprakash Dani, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr. PDKV, Akola and Chairman, Organizing Committee of the Interntional Farmers’ Dialogue-2014 presided

over the inaugural session held in the Dr. K. R. Thakare Auditorium on the university main campus, Akola on 4th December, 2014. Mr. Sanjay Dhotre,

Member of Parliament, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest. Dr. Satish Wate, Director, National Environment Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur and

Prof. Shrikant Deshpande, Member of Legistative Assembly, Govt. of Maharashtra, were the guests of honour. The other prominent personalities present

were Mr. Phil Jefferys, Chairman, Farmers Dialogue International (FDI), Mr. Jim Wigan, Secretary FDI, Dr. Ravindra Rao, Residential Director IofC,

Panchgani. The inaugural ceremony of IFD-2014 “Farm Women Empowerment and Remunerative Technology” began with lighting the amp at the hands of

Ms. Jayashree Rao, Director GRAMPARI, Panchgani and Ms. Juliana Swai, women group mobilizer from Tanzania. Dr. Sanjay Bhoyar, Organising Secretary

offered a warm welcome to all delegates. Mr. Sanjay Dhotre, MP, Govt. of India in his inaugural address welcomed farmers all over the world and thanked

the University for organizing this important event in Vidharbha region, wherein farmers generally have experienced depression, which is many cases has

unfortuanately led to committing suicide. He expressed the hope that the present dialogue would be fruitful and will help farmers in the region to bring

back old days of glory in their life. On this occassion, a Souvenir was released at the hands of Mr. Sanjay Dhotre, Member of Parliament, Govt. of India.

Ms. Jayashree Rao & Ms. Juliana Swai enlightning

lamp

Ms. Jayashree Rao, Director GRAMPARI narrated how she was inspired for setting up GRAMPARI at Asia Plateau, the Initatives of Change Center at Panchgani, after leaving her established business in Bengaluru city, with a renewed personal commitment along with her husband Dr. Ravindra Rao, for bringing ethical and value-based changes in the life of rural people. A cherished objective was that independent discision-making capacity should be within reach of farm women as a major part of empowerment, as she has often proved that even after extreme stress, even suicide of a male farmer member in the household, she has to recover and take charge, overcoming every possible adverse situation and bring back the normal life in the family.

Mr. Phil Jefferys, Chairman FDI, in his address described how agriculture remains the biggest business

in the world, with over 40% of world population being small farmers. In rural areas, where a majority

of world’s hungry people live, their contribution would be greater, if they are given equal access to

the central services and resources, such as land and credit. Also about half of farmers in Africa and

Asia are women and are involved in every stage of food production. Further focussing on the role of

family farming in assuring food and nutritional security, he said nine out of ten of the world’s 570

million farms are managed by families that hold the key to eradicating global hunger. The

International Farmers’ Dialogue aspires to feed everyone with healthy nutritious food. Asking why

farmers are not receiving fair returns of their produce, he asserted that they must receive an

adequate return, if they are to improve production and achieve self-sufficiency. Farmers can be said

to be a previleged minority. We should apply the values of Initiatives of Change to achieve

sustainability of soil health and farming. We must act now, we don’t have second choice, if we do our

grand and great grand children will thank us.

Mr. Jim Wigan, Secretary FDI describing ‘Farmers Dialogue International’ as a programme of the

International Organisation ‘Initiative of Change (IofC)’. FDI focussed on activities for the betterment

of farming community, highlighting the theme “Think Globaly Act Locally”. He stressed how he has

been brought up with understanding that a farmer’s job is to feed the world and this is the cardinal

principle he has been following ever since.

Mr. Sanjayji Dhotre, MP, Govt. of India delivering

inaugural speech

Mr. Jim Wigan, Secretary FDI

Dr. Raviprakash Dani, Chairman organizing committee in his key-note-address offered a very warm

welcome to overseas and indian delegates participating in International Farmers’ Dialogue. Speaking

of the relevance of the occasion, he distressfully pointed out how recently over 21 farmers had

committed suicide within the last month. Further, as to how and why the isuue was very close to our

heart and one of the objectives of this conference was to find lasting solutions. He proclaimed that

“we have learned in this University that you don’t have to give only a solution but you have to give a

technological solution to this complex problem”, and that “all of us at this university are confident in

building up messages of hope, fortified with practical remunerative technological solutions”. Further,

as he pointed out, Uzbekistan also faced some very difficult situations and learning from the

delegation from Uzbekistan, how he has found out that some of their solutions are quite applicable

to our own situations. Also how farmer suicide is now a worldwide phenomenon and how two of the

delegates, viz. Ms. Monica Howarth from UK and Ms. Jenny Hunter from USA, are working as

councillors successfully helping to stop suicides. He expressed fond hope that their expertise would

help us to find lasting solutions in this area.

Dr. Raviprakash Dani, Vice-Chancellor,

Delivering Key-note-address

Self introduction of foreign women participants during the inaugural session

Ms. Nadgire Hajat,

Uganda

Ms. Sharmila

Gunjal, Canada

Ms. Jacinta Wanja

Kenya

Ms. Kikomeko Faridah, Uganda

Ms. Rosemary

Namatsi, Kenya

Ms. Monica Haworth, UK

Ms. Jenny Hunter

USA Ms. Mustafina Feruza, Uzbekistan

Cross Roads in Farming & remunerative Technologies

First day’s first session was chaired by Dr. Ravindra Rao, Director, IofC, Asia Plateau, Panchgni (India). He explained how IofC is a movement worldwide, working with the aim to ‘create change leading to the society what you realy want to see’. As he shared his conviction with the challenge that ‘to believe this, you start it with yourself and inspire the other fellow to change’, quoting Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Out society, of course, predominantly includes farmers, as basically it is the farmer alone that nurtured the land to feed this world. That our present attempt is to nurture all the people who should be nuturing the land. Dr. Rao further elaborated how at Asia Plateau, Panchgani, the centre named ‘GRAMPARI’ has been working for enlightenment of villages and in particular, for empowerment of farm women, poor farmers and their families and children. Mr. Phil Jefferys, Chairman FDI and himself a farmer, related his story about sheep farming 50,000 acrea firstly in a semi-desert area in Australia and secondly at a smaller farm in higher rainfall region. Ironically drought forced the sale of this farm. It is difficult for a small farmer who has say one acre of land to understand how another farmer who has 3,000 acres, is forced to sell what has been a farm, a home, a place to work and raise children. “This was a reality for my family.” After his retirement he gives his maximum time to develop strong friendships with farmers located throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and America. There are enormous pressures on Australian farmers and an alarming number of farmers committing suicide, which day-by-day is becoming a global problem and indicate how farmers are in trouble.

Mr. Jim Wigan who was brought up on a farm in Suffolk, UK., has worked in Kenya for four years, on a training schemes, teaching basic farming techniques. At present he is the Secretary of Farmers’ Dialogue International. He expressed concern over the fact that farmers throughout the globe are facing the same kind of problems, viz. high cost of cultivation, poor marketing of the produce, changing climate, overuse of chemicals and lack of political will. He specifically mentioned that many people taking decisions affecting agriculture do not make it a point to have adequate discussions with farmers and as a result, many important decisions have not included farmers. In the face of the situation of climate change, the farmer expressly and routinely has to take bold initiatives, especially on the frontiers of production of green and clean energy, as within within two years, the world will need big far reaching changes. He further narrated a case in UK, where around 400 farmers had abandoned their dairy business due to a sharp reduction in the price of milk, emphasizing the gap between the cost of production and flexible market value of the product. The question arrises, how do we create unity? The worldwide movement “Farmers’ Dialogue International” aims to grapple with these and other issues.

Mr. Phill Jefferys, Chairman FDI

Dr. Pradip Ingole, India

Dr. Pradip Ingole, Director of Extension Education PDKV Akola emphasized the role of Agricultural Universities in dissemination of technologies in the overall uplifting of the farming community and especially the empowerment of women in Agriculture. The major link between the farming community and the University remain the “Krishi Vigyan Kendras” (Agricultural Science Centers), through which a participatory approach has been established via “Frontline Demonstrations”, providing on-farm testing, participatory training programmes, and farm fares, as well as other regular participatory activities that help to bridge the gap between the farmers and the technologies. He also proposed ways that the University scientists can continue to increase the rate of adoption of technologies, thereby improving the social-economic status of the farmers. Dr. Ingole highlighted the fact that for a continuous progressive improvement in the quality of education, research and development, the University had implemented MoUs with Cornell University and Texas Tech University, USA, as well as with Namangan State University and Academy of Sciences, Uzbekistan. At the national level,this university had already established highly productive linkages for R & D with Central Institute of Cotton, Nagpur, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Acharya N. G. Ranga University, Hyderabad, and National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning, Nagpur.

Dr. David Weindorf, USA

Dr. David C. Weindorf, Associate Dean for Research of Texas Tech University, Lubboack, USA, presented highlights of a path-breaking rapid, portable, in-situ and sensor-based technology for environmental, pedological, and agronomic applications based on soil property analysis, the one which utilizes reflectance spectroscopy, electrical conductance/resistance,and x-rays for instant inference of over 46 important soil fertility parameters. He explained at length how the sensor-based approach for the soil analysis significantly reduced the labour and cost of chemical analyses, while also reducing the margin of error in soil sampling. He further presented an application report based on the revolutionary ‘PORTABLE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETER (PXRF),’that is being used for rapid estimation of soil Cation Exchange Capacity, Gypsum and heavy metal contant in the soils, which can be used for providing instant and on-farm results, which would accelerate the process of decision making, thereby facilitating optimum application of essential nutrients and fertilizers.

Mr. Dubi Raber, citrus cultivator and expert from Israel, focused on possible means to increase the income of the farmer with in the available resources, notwithstanding small farm size. How working on “Indo-Israel citrus project” with the Dr. PDKV, he had implemented the well-tested idea of high density planting in citrus orchards for enhancing productivity of citrus. As he proclaimed, such was the only way presently to increase the income of the citrus farmer, demonstrating enhancement in productivity over 2-3 times using high density (2 X 5 m spacing) plantation accommodating 1000 trees per ha, instead of 423 trees per ha (current norm). He recommends a 6 X 3 m spacing, accommodating 555 trees per has highly useful and practical under Indian conditions, coupled with drip irrigation and fertigation.

Mr. Dubi Raber, Israel

Mr. Amitanshu Choudhary

Mr. Amitanshu Choudhary, Group leader of the TATA group of Trusts, has been dedicatedly working for mitigation of agrarian stress in Vidharbha region, as also implementing joint projects with Dr. PDKV and IFAD since 2010 in the six most distressed districs in the region, wherein an alarming number of 7000 farmers have committed suicide in last decade, leaving four lakh households in the region under agrarian distress. On the basis of reports generated, he beleived that farmer distress is due to climatic constrains and poor irrigation facilty, low technical know-how of agriculture, mismatch between input cost and actual returns, as well as due to poor access to the formal credit system. He demonstrated how the project named “Happy Farmers Initiative” is working on innovative technologies on the frontiers of rainwater harvesting and protective irrigaton, integrated pest management for lowering input cost, community based microfinance, market development and linkages, and innovative input technologies. In addition to this,how for the overall upliftment of ditress-affected families, measures such as providing support for primary education for kids, health enhancing activities through the effective agency of 400 specially trained “Krishi Doots” and monitoring system for effective implementation, were being successfully employed.

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES DURING THE INTERNATIONAL FARMERS’ DIALOGUE – 2014

Exposure to University Farms & Departments

Museum, PDSK, Akola

Outreach visits began with university campus, in “Smruti Kendra,” museum, wherein the delegates were able to view a living biopic of our beloved Dr. Panjabrao alias Bhausaheb Deshmukh, the First Union Agriculture Minister of Independent India, in whose honour our agricultural university established in 1969 was so named. This museum reveals the spectrum of unique initiatives instituted by him beginning over 75 years ago, marking the start of an era of betterment of the farming community. The other exbhibits in this museum served to demonstrate the full scope of Unviersity’s subsequently pupularized innovative technologies extension approaches, post harvest technology models, revolutionary crop varieties and attractive publications, having changed the face of agriculture in the state and generated a number of success stories.

Delegates at Smuti Kendra

Cotton Research Unit, PDKV, Akola

At the PDKV Cotton Research Field Unit, detailed information live demonstrations highlighting recent initiatives taken by university, including the ones for promotion of Indigenous cotton varieties, were showed. The ‘high density’ cotton planting system and the low cost production system has always served to attract farmers. The delegates said they were overwhelmed with the PDKV spirit of teamwork and impressive resultant technologies having gained high ratings and approval by several of the area’s most progressive minded farmers. The delegates, especially from Uzbekistan, have shown a deep interest in the experiment involving high density planting of cotton in rainfed agriculture.

Dr. Khursheda Khamidovha & Dr. Feruza

Mustafina interacting with Dr. PDKV scientists

Visit to Distressed Farmers at the Village Sukali

Delegates in Sukali Village

Haworth couple Interacting with victims family

Delegates interacting with victims family

On Friday morning, 05 December, 2014 a special visit was organized to meet with the families of suicide victim farmers at Sukali Village in Barshi Takali Tahsil of Akola District, facilitating one-to-one dialogues with the members of several so unfortuantely devasted sufferers of the distressed families. Sukali village has been witnessing highest suicide cases in last decade, 10 farmers has ended their lives. Overseas delegates had a heart-to-heart talk with the family members and extended prayers with moral support and courage to the family members to overcome this grave situation. Ms. Monica Haworth, an apple farmer from UK, whose own younger son had recently committed suicide, was very moved and many other delegates also broke down.Thus this visit

has served to lay the foundations of a lasting and deeper relationship across the oceans, with the promise to continue to liaison and share valuable experiences leading to new and promising preventive and rehabilitative measures. In the months that have followed, we have received valuable feedback from overseas delegates, who have described this dialogue as “one of the unique experiences”.

Ms. Monica Haworth with victim family

Ms. Khursheda Khamidova

Visit to Vednandini Organic Farm, Village Kanheri

Mr. Prakash Pohare, owner of Vednandini Organic farm and Agro Tourism Centre interacting with Ms. Sara Hudman (USA) regrding poly house technology

A visit for all participating delegates was organized to the“Pohare’s Vednandini Organic farm and Agro Tourism Centre”, located at village Kanheri. Mr. Prakash Pohare, noted progressive farmer of Maharastra, has turned his shallow depth soil into highly productive one, as through ingenuos applications of water conservation, organic agriculture and subsidiary agro enterprise. This unique farm has special features like rain and irrigation water harvesting structures, dairy, goat and sheep rearing and their large-scale waste product collection and utilization plants, computerized automatic precision agriculture irrigation and fertigation deliver systems, advanced composting units, as well as large scale plantation of pomegranate, with drip irrigation. Delegates described this farm as a unique projects that also serves to attract everyone as an agro-tourism center, demonstrating how organic farming with agro-tourism can be a profitable business. The delegates were full of praise for Mr. Prakash Pohare and his entire team members for visualizing, implementing and constantly upgrading innovative ideas, thereby successfully managing the complex activities.

Ms. Sunanda Salotkar (India) observing organic

ginger cultivation

IFD delegates at Vednandini Organic farm

Ms. Dominica in organic tomato cultivation poly

house technology

Visit to Rain Water Harvesting, Soil/Water Conservation, Micro-irrigation Projects (Dr. PDKV Model) Village Kutasa & Ramagadh

Visit of the delegates to cotton cultivation (PDKV- Model) farm of Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh at Village Kutasa.

The visit intended to demonstrate the immense value of the application of PDKV’s Soil and Water Resource Management initiatives. Considering the rain dependent agriculture system, scarcity of water resources, degraded lands, salt affected saline soils and uneven distribution of rainfall in Vidarbha, Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh, a progressive farmer in village Kutasa, has been applying PDKV’s soil and water conservation activities over the last 15 years. The delegates witnessed live demonstrations of cotton and other oilseeds grown via ‘across the slope’ cultivation method, broad bed furrow, and contour furrow methods. Several of the model conservation agriculture practices were on display. Deshmukh explained how he has been promoting these technologies, popularizing those among the farmers, recording assured higher income, as he also realizing the much desired goal of sustaining soil health. The activities undertaken by villagers of Kutasa are thus serving as an example for conserving rainwater in-situ, and reclaiming degraded lands, applying life-saving irrigation in critical growth stages of important food and cash crops, which can be replicated in other places having similar climatic and geographical condition related problems.

Mr. Shivajirao Deshmukh explaining live bund

technology to arrest soil erosion

The delegates were able to visit a range of similar initiatives in respect of soil and water conservation that have been gainfully employed at Ramagad village in Amravati district. But, in this particular area known as “Purna valley saline track”, the farm-pond based rainwater harvest technology and its life saving use in rainy and winter season is indeed unique. That is because it forms a clear layer of precious irrigation water over and above the ground water, which being saline, is of little use. Secondly, in Ramagad, women have formed their highly active groups that are uniquely serving to augment and support PDKV’s aforesaid interventions. Each and every household in Ramagad has been identified and inspired by these women. Consequently, responding to call for action, the self-inspired villagers have constructed big water pond via tenacious teamwork, which has proven especially useful for providing precious drinking water to the farm animals, serving as common pools. Moreover, the soil and water resources of this territory have been reclaimed and conserved in majority, as through various agronomical and mechanical measures made effective by active groups of farmers and farm women. Similarly, the inspired villagers have formed a Village Development Council at their own, entrusted with the charge to keep the village neat and clean.

Rainwater harvesting Farm pond in the village

Ramagad

Visit to Kausar Aonla Farm & Processing Unit, Village Borgaon Manju

Turmeric & Aonla cutivation in Kausar

farm, village Borgaon Manju

Mr. & Ms. Kausar interacting with delegates

Next, a visit for all delegates was organized to Aonla (Gooseberry) farm and agro processing unit developed by Mr. Khurshidbhai Kausar, Mrs. Anis Kausar and their family at Borgaon Manju, a village 20 km away from the city of Akola. The Kausar family has accomplished remarkable economic self-sufficiency leading to prosperity, through successful running of an innovative agro-enterprise. Their novel project- diversified ‘organic’ cropping system and on-farm processing venture, has brought in a revolutionary change among all the people involved. Primary cultivation of perennial Aonla (gooseberry)trees, with simultaneous short duration intercrops (turmeric, ginger) based on well-water and rainwater irrigation, coupled with a processing unit for the produce resulting from their own organically grown farm, has assured round the year income, with benefits. What is also remarkable is that their post-harvest processing unit for the Aonla and turmeric produce, having resulted in a successful cottage industry, and supplying a range of aonla and turmeric products, including pickles and candy that are much in popular demand by consumers, is a venture that is managed rather exclusively by over 30-60 farm women. It has thus provided precious employment to several poor farm families. In conclusion, the Kausar family has instituted a unique model with successful small farm agricultural systems, overcoming traditional limitations posed by resources that are otherwise viewed as scarce and unproductive. Theirs is also a shining example of success via Technical knowhow backing provided by an equally progressive minded agriculture University, as well as skeletal financial support of government agencies. This has indeed served as a unique model of innovative agro-industry model, one which can be replicated elsewhere with the assurance to transform the face of farms and farming families, otherwise stuck with harsh growing conditions.

Indian Cow Breed and Agro-Forestry (Gokul Vrundawan) Farm, Village Washimba

Aonla processing unit of Ms.

Anis Kausar

Dr. Jayant Deshmukh giving information to IFD

delegates

Uzbekistan delegation at Dr. Deshmukh farm

Dr. Jayant Deshmukh gave up his medical practice to developed this unique agro-forestry and dairy farm located on some 50 acres of dry land, wherein he has primarily changed the barren soil into cultivable land. He is thus a success story having brought in visible changes in dry land agriculture system by promoting natural agro-forestry models. The way Dr. Deshmukh has planted more than 10000 multipurpose tree species (Neem, Mahuva, Teak, Custard apple, Banyan tree, Anjan, etc.) on barren land, is a landmark feature. The fallen biomass has served to convert the otherwise barren land into cultivable. Similarly, he has maintained an indigenous cow breed collection on this farm. The Gokul Vrindavan farm is an exceptional model for development of barren land through ago-forestry and also development of dairy industry for sustenance of rural livelihood. The delegates had an interesting and fruitful discussion with him for execution of such kind of initiatives. The IFD African delegates in particular, were much impressed and felt inspired with the success of the forest and dairy industry initiatives.

Indian cow breeds collection of Dr. Deshmukh

Dr. Deshmukh giving information about Banyan tree Mr. Lewis Wallis, Mr. Jim Wigan & Ms. Jenny Hunter

INTERACTIVE SESSIONS DURING INTERNATIONAL FARMERS’ DIALOGUE – 2014

Sharing Transformative Experiences

Mr. Claude Bourdin, France

Mr. Claude Bourdin from France chaired the first session. He commiserated the plight of the distressed families that were met in the morning, calling it a sign of failure of our society to provide adequate care to those needing it most. On the other hand, he also underlined the real positive care been extended to the families that had been hurt. He requested everyone to spend a few minutes in silence, just to reflect and feel the pain of those who still suffer, requesting to keep this as the basis of the discussions in the future, leading to the best possible means to share and inspire transformative experiences.

Ms. Monica and Mr. Colin Haworth are the owners of the Eddisbury Fruit Farm in UK, functional since 1936. Mr. Colin took over the farm in 1971 following his father’s untimely death by heart attack. From 1978 Mr. Colin also opened a farm shop and started the ‘pick your own fruits’ from the fields and orchards. On his farm, he grew Rhubarb, Gooseberries, Black, White & Redcurrants, Tayberries, Loganberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Plums, Pears and 26 varieties of Apples. In the year 1996, his stepson Michael started Cheshire apple juice as a value added product. The company rose to new heights, making over 80,000 bottles of produce per year. Furthermore, in the Category of ‘Best Alcoholic Beer and Cider’ the prestigious Cheshire County award of 2009 was won by the Eddisbury brand ‘Cheshire Cider’, which was voted overall as ‘The Best Beverage 2009’? Yet at a time when everything was going well on the farm, all of a sudden, some 6 years ago (2008), his stepson Jeff aged 34, tragically committed suicide by hanging himself one evening in the apple packing shed. Following this life-changing event, the Haworth family has felt an incessant deep sorrow, ultimately leading them to take up healing counseling working specializing in recovery and prevention of farm suicides. Thus ‘The Oxford Centre for Suicide Studies’ has estimated that the average cost of suicide is £1,400,000 per case, which includes direct and intangible costs. Furthermore, it has revealed that farming is officially the most dangerous occupation in UK and also at the top of the unfortunate phenomenon of suicide league in the country. In 2002 Mr. Keith Ineson as Team Leader, formed a farmers’ group working for the betterment and welfare of the farmers in Cheshire UK, advocating and counseling the farmers facing hard times and suffering from depression and possibly on the verge of suicide. Ms Monica joined this group in 2009 following the death by suicide of her son Jeff. 'The Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy Team’ led by Mr. Keith helps with financial problems, bereavement, retirement, illness, housing difficulties, animal health issues, marriage and family problems, loneliness, help with state benefits, tenancy issues, personal sexuality issues, feeling of depression and suicide. Moreover, as Ms. Monica stated, there has fortunately been no incidences of suicide amongst the families of those who were helped by ‘The Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy Team’.

Mr. Monica and Mr. colin Haworth

Apple juice : A value added product made by

Haworths Cheshire Co.

Ms. Kikomeko Faridah, a young farmer from Uganda, talked on her study titled “How women benefited in agriculture in Uganda.” Uganda is a man dominated country and even athough 90% of rural women engaged in agricultural activities women are not supposed to allow soil digging activities, such as ploughing. They own only 7% of productive land. The productivity of major staple food crops cassava, maize and beans is lower due to lack of knowledge of modern agricultural technologies. So also,the producers and farmers are not getting good prices for their farm produce, due to the problem of restricted access to markets forcing low-cost, inaffordable local area selling and not having enogh money to transport it to cities and towns in the country for selling with a higher price. She therefore stressed the need for urgent women empowerment through education, which could easily supress the ill-effects of lazy,men-dominated agriculture prevailing in Uganda.

Ms. Kikomeko Faridah, Uganda

Ms. Sunanda Salotkar, India

Ms. Sunanda Salotkar, noted farmer reformist from Vidarbha, India shared her inspiring story. She started farming at the age of 16 yrs. She was left with her 3 younger sisters after the tragic suicidal death of their father – a distressed farmer. Sunanda, against all odds, rose literally ‘from the ashes’, thereby setting up a shining example of a farm woman’s courage and determination. She learnt expert techniques of farming, simulteneously undertaking formal school education and practical experimental farming on her own farm. Soon she became highly skilled in arduous tasks including ploughing with a bullock drawn plough, management of farm animals, compost making from animal and farm wastes, electrical repairs and fitting of pumps on farm wells. With her tenacious and highly successful efforts over the last 14 years, she has turned into a skilled grower of organges, mandrines, guava, lime, custard apple, ber, papaya and several other crops, registering a regular income of about Rs. 50,000 per month. Winner of several awards, Sunanda currently manages not only crop production, but also all aspects of crop marketing. Through her ability to learn, keep an open mind and develop and maintain close relationship with PDKV, she has extended warmth, care and message of optimism thereby brining new hope in the lives of many a ‘helpless’ farm woman, leading the process of self-inspired transformation of farm women who are serving as ambassadors of welcome change leading to farm women empowerment at grassroots level.

Mr. Amol Kharode, a farmer from Vidarbah area of Maharashtra, is the founder of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj group for organic crop production and its marketing. As he informed the conference, his group meets regularly for the promotion of strategies and planning for marketing of their organic produce. Benefiting from his group, several farmers have reduced the cost of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, now practising the use of biodynamic compost and natural liquid pesticides, instead. In their organic farming practice, they treat seeds with microbial culture prepared at farm level. Their group also has set up a common primary processing facility equipped with destoner, grader, shelling machines etc., to avoid contaimination. The group also participates in grain festivals, adding a premium price to their organic produce. Kharode reiternated the need to reap the full range of benefits available from organic farming, while also stressing the need for greater dedication and patiance.

Mr. Amol Kharode, India

Session on effective self help group

Mr. Cloude Bourdine, France

Mr. Claude Bourdin, an agricultural advisor from France, has been instrumental in a number of developments influencing the agricultural sector in western France. He is also a coordinator of Farmers’ Dialogue International. He passionately narrated the history of agrarian development in France after Second World War. There had been an inner determination of young farmers in France to provide food to the population when most of the families were in very bad state, as many men had died in World Wor-II. Regular meetings were organised to train them not only technically but also in human attitudes. There are two essential conditions for farmers to make this happen. Firstly, there should be somebody to listen to them seriously and secondly farmers should present a united in front to policy makers, as they alone know the plight of farmers over every day, every week and whole the year around, when it comes to hard work in agriculture. Since then, such an agricultural framework underlying all aspect of life of farmers has been developped and is still very much alive in some key agricultural areas in France. Bourdin spoke at length about the secret of “Team Work”. It’s about developing sensitivity to understand the needs of others, How your work will benefit others and sometimes how other peoples’ ideas are better than you own, all being essential for development. He also reiterated the fact that the spirit of teamwork among men and women was also necessary for synergistic development of the society and farmers, in particular.

Ms. Rosemary Namatsi, Kenya

Ms. Rosemary Namatsi is an academician with agricultural background working at Manor House Agriculture Centre, in Kitale, Kenya. The ultimate goal of the centre is to facilitate environmental health and agriculture productivity through Biointensive Agriculture (BIA), a low cost and environment friendly farming system for small farmers. Using local available resources, they are taught to focus on production per unit resource for sustainable household food security and income, which has the potential to increase crop yields 2- 3 times per unit land area over the conventional agriculture. How she has learnt through severe hardships and sacrifice, how the small farmers are globally distressed due to paucity of inputs required in farming, as well as due to their higher cost. It has also encouraged her into developing a keen interest in organic farming. Since then, she has started training rural youth and farmers, enabling them to farm without costly inputs. She emphasizes her deep conviction that farmers’ have a responsibility in feeding the world, more so as the present approach is proving effective in dissemination of bio-intensive agricultural concepts to farming communities. In the end, as she said, “This invitation from Farmers’ Dialogue International and to share my experiences in “Team Building” efforts, have generated new hope in my life after death of my husband”. Concluding, “Yes, I also value others” Rosemary felt confident that such meeting together was bound to help solve problems.

Miss Nasari Chavhan, a triable woman comes from a remotely placed trible village in the Satpuda Forest Range of Vidarbha. With sheer strong will and support of her father, she has been the first and only female farmer that moved to a nearby large town to obtain education, all the way to Higher Secondary elevel. During her study, she could understand that there were many Govt. Schemes meant for trible development, which could not reach her village. After getting back, she took up farming and started helping the villagers. She also pursued Govt. officers for implementation of development schemes in her village. In coordination with Govt. Officers and Dr. PDKV, she was able to organise a training on “Biodynamic Farming”, Goat and poultry rearing, and organic farming. Due to her pioneerign efforts, the whole village has now started low input, low cost farming practices, primarily with the use of organic inputs. Thus her village now has 23 beneficiaries of goat farming, 40 of poultry farming and almost all villagers that have dug compost pits successfully recycling of farm and animal wastes. The farmers have also started using the “S-9 biodynamic culture” for seed treatment and completely stopped the use of chemical fertilizers. As the land of village is generally sloping, they have also resorted to “across the slope cultivation” method effective in arresting soil erosion. Furthermore, to cure the school dropout problem so prevalent amongst the trible kids, she started teaching them in her own house and also made efforts at higher level to obtain scholarships for their studies, there by facilitating them to move to the adjoining town, since her own village has no school. She has also regularly organised camps to mitigate the prevalence of malnutrition amongst preganant women, reducing the number of deaths of infants and encouraging their vaccination in the triable villages. Due to her extraordinary work for the tribals, Nasri has been endowed with “Nari Shakti Sanman -2014 (Honour to the Women Power)” and “Krushi Ratna Puraskar” – 2014 (The Jewel of Agriculture awards).

Miss. Nasari Chavhan, India

Ms. Juliana Swai is working as Livestock Officer and a farm women leader from Tanzania, has served to encourage and train farm women, whose husbands have deserted them. She teaches skills in dairy cattle management and establishment of small-scale dairy projects. She has also sensitized groups of such women regarding successful poultry management, and dairying, imparting business skills and the ability to properly utilize agricultural inputs for increasing the quality of production. Her presentation focused on rural life in Tanzania, Juliana showed how the farming industry largely depends on livestock for its survival, as well as for a major contribution of over 12% of the country’s GDP. She has started the program of empowerment of poor farmers, especially women, as they suffer from different types of powerlessness in social and economic sphere of life, as compared to men, in order to become economically self-sufficient and self-reliant, so as to reduce poverty. Under her program, she now has more than 30 groups of women farmers keeping 1-4 cows. She pinpointed the issue of run-away of husbands deserting homes, because of poverty. Due to her pioneering efforts, in facilitating dairy farming for farm women of Tanzania, she reported that the ‘prodigal’ husbands are returning to their homes. In support, Juliana presented inspiring stories of two of the poorest women, viz., “Josepha and Romana,” whose runaway husbands, having returned home, have brought back prosperity. Mainly due to their newly acquired skills leading to success in cattle management, these two women succeeded in bringing back their lost husbands and resume their marriages. Responding to the sensitive issue of farmer suicides so sadly prevalent in Vidarbha, Juliana presented

Ms. Juliana Swai, Tanzania

fresh ideas citing instances generating much hope and a revolutionary new line of action. Recognizing

how this was a global issues now, she underlined the fact that farm women, despite severe, often

extreme stress, almost never have been known to take their own life, since their ability to face life is truly

unique, which remains universally exemplary. She expressed the confidence that farm women should

issue an ‘all out call’ to all women, rural and urban, relating to farming or otherwise, to unite and tackle

this issue jointly and urgently. Such is the grim and stark magnitude of the mounting farmer death, that

now the time has come when farm women have to come out with a slogan “we no longer wish to be

widows and orphans”. Reiterating her firm and well-founded belief that rural women almost always

surely “know and foresee who is most likely to commit suicide”, Juliana’s sincere appeal to all women was

to unite and “work on their hunches and instincts” to preserve farmers.

Ms. Jenny Hunter, a trained suicide councillor from USA, also shared her thoughts on the subject, in many

sessions. Jenny’s experienced advice has been as follows. Almost all of those who contemplate suicide

tend to remain is isolation for the last several hours before ending their life. All concerned should keep

this important fact in mind and act ahead, well in time, so that tragic loss of precious farm personnel,

often that of the bread-winner, can be prevented.

Ms. Jenny Hunter

Josepha with her husband

Romana with her husband

Academic and Research presenation Sessions: Ph.D. Research Scholar’s Poster Session

A Poster Session of reserch highlights was organized, featuring Ph.D. Scholars displaying latest research findings indicating previaling trends in the PDKV, Akola. It was inugurated at the hands of Ms. Rosemary Namatsi, Training Coordinator, Kenya. A total of 30 selected research papers from 15 Departments of the University were presented by Ph.D. scholars. These displays emphasizing latest reserch projects and activities taken up by the university, aiming at overall improvement of the farming community in the region were appreciated and acknowledged by the IFD delegates. Three best presenters were given special awards. The posters were evaluated by a four- member committee which included of Dr. David C. Weindworf, USA, Ms. Feruza Mustafina, Uzbekistan, Mr. Lalit Bahale and Dr. S. K. Aherkar of India.

Ms. Rosemary Namatsi inaugurating the poster

session of IFD-2014

Dignitories taking view of posters

Dr. D.C. Weindwarf on the task of evaluation

Encouraging Farming and Resource Management

Mr. Suresh Khanapurkar, noted Rainwater harvesting expert from India, presented highlights of the pioneering work he has done in the village Shirpur Dist Dhule in northern Maharashtra. His scheme has become famous now all over india, recognised as the “Shirpur Pattern of Water Harvesting”. He explained how with his in situ rainwater harvesting technique, the farming area traditionally classified as “Drought prone” has transformed into perennially irrigated highly productive farming disctrict. The area under irrigation has increased to the tune of 70%, from 14% earlier, wherein the farmers are taking 2-3 crops per year with the significant increase assured in yields of all crops. He stated that his scientifically sound technique is based on the geological study of the region, which analyzes information of rocks, stones, soils and other important characterstics. Without this study, it is often impractical, even useless to undertake any water conservation project. In the present era of climate change, he maintains that factors such as unpredicatable heavy rainfall of short duration, its uneven distribution and consequent deforestation progressively lead to acute water shortage. He said Shirpur Pattern derives its best strength from small watershed and small intermitant bunds, flowing from top to bottom seasonal watersrims (Nullahs). The bunds prescribed by him are typically open, about 500 m in length, 20 m wide and 6 to 15 m deep, best facilitating longer lasting accumulation of rainwater harvesed, with average storage capacity of about 1 to 15 crore (1 crore = 10 million) litres of water. His revolutionary working style undertakes volunatry work participation of clients - people/villagers, who can participate with no land acquisition, no rehabilitation, no migration required. Mr. Khanapurkar, a multiple winner of prestigious awards, showed numerous pictures, instances of successful creation of perennial rainwater harvest storage tanks. His work has truly changed the face of agriculture in many a chronic drought affected

Mr. Suresh Khanapurkar, Rain water harvesting

expert, India

lands. It has also facilitated creation of precious drinking water reservoirs. Besides, There are major benefits realized in the waterholes, wells and borewells located near the rainwater reservoir so created, whose water levels rise and stay wet throughtout the year.

Dr. Khursheda Khamidova, Uzbekistan

Dr. Khursheda Khamidova, Director, Institute of Microbiology, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Taskent, made a presentation highlighting her pioneering study involving isolation and characterization of certain microorganisms isolated from various types of soils, plant wastes and other sources, followed by monitoring of the production of physiological active compounds associated with such organisms. She elaborated how it has led to development of novel biotechnologies being widely accepted, known for their high beneficial value and scope of directly beneficial application to agriculture. Her institute has developed a unique collection of variuos useful microorganisms. By using them in novel and imaginative ways, a number of plant growth stimulators, insect and pest control microbial preparations of immense value have been developed. She described at length how an ecological safe biofertilizers based on association of mycelia fungi, synthesizing enzymes, phytohormons and antibiotics have been created and being prescribed for wide and safe use, with proven benefits assured for organic, as well as traditional methods of farming. Such biofertilizers, named “Microustirgich” and “Verbactin” have been duly recognized as the ones that actively stimulate growth and development of plants, increase crop yields and suppress phytopathogens. In particular, these have been successfully evaluated and demonstrated on a large scale, in cotton, wheat and vegetables, already benefitting the farming community in Uzbekistan.

Dr. Feruza Mustafina, Biotechnologist from Uzbekistan focussed on

efforts dedicated to conservation of preciosu native land varities

of major Horticultural crops and their current uses in breeding

programmes. She described at length how the Academy of

Sciences in Uzbekistan is actively involved in field demonstrations,

training and conferences proving highly essential for dissemination

of novel agro-technologies that are benefitting the farming

community in the country.

Dr. Feruza Mustafina, Uzbekistan

Dr. Ravshanjon Ismailov, a scientist from the Namangan Engineering and Economics Unviersity, Namangan, Uzbekistan made a presentation highlighting the measures being adopted by various agricultural institutions in Uzbekistan serving to prevent farmer suicides. A highlight of his presentation was the minimum price assurance scheme implemented by the Uzbek government, which has shown good results. He also described a few other effective means that are relevant to other countries, including India, which share several commonly grown crops such as cotton and fruit crops.

Dr. Ravshanjon Ismailov, Uzbekistan

Dr. Vimal Kumar, India

Dr. Vimal Kumar, Former Mission Director, fly Ash Mission & Adviser, FAU, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India enlighten house with new concept Vermin Composted Fly Ash, a remunerative technology developed under fly ash mission for empowerment of farm women. He said that, Vermin composted fly ash technology is a

lucrative business which can be started from low to medium investment. Income generated by this technology not only can empower the farm women community but also restore the environmental conditions with improvement in the nutrient status of soil particularly K, Ca and micro-nutrients.

Enriching Technology Solutions and Vetting Resilient Technology

Mr. Lewis Wallis, UK

Mr. Lewis Wallis, a global farming expert with vast experience gained from his work in South Africa and India, presented thought-provoking ideas relevant to key themes of the conference. How he felt humbled, each time in the presence of 25, 350 million-year old rocks that he has in his garden in UK. He shared his deep conviction how as farmers, as agriculturists and as ecologists we must take great care of this wonderful planet of ours. Our soils are our greatest asset. We humans are a wonderful power; we can reach the moon and even mars. “Can we now utilize this power to restore the soils and an ecosystem that has become degraded worldwide?” Wallis asked. He stressed the fact that we need to get together to identify the causes of globally prevalent farm related evils such as low incomes, low profits, soil degradation, and pollution of rivers. He further reiterated how we also need to get together with the researchers and extension workers in our agriculture Universities. Researchers must work closely with farmers to understand their problems and work hard to find solutions. Honest Dialogue is essential. Farmers’ Dialogue is therefore highly essential, as that in which “Farmers Talked” openly and honestly to each other, in friendly groups and shared their experiences, and as good farmers, never stopped learning. Asking “how can we restore the tree cover that once dominated the land and how we can we integrate trees in our farming systems?” he underlined several feasible solutions. Some make use of the fact that the trees are the best and natural way of harvesting the Sun’s energy to provide fuel, food and feed. Trees also provide shade, recycle water and nutrients; their roots hold the soil and reduce the erosion. Their dead leaves and plant parts add organic matter to the soil. Besides, he also emphasized the fact that while we farmers need full representation at the highest level of government and administration, such representation, first and foremost, must be absolutely honest and farmer focused.

Ms. Nadgire Rahema Hazat, a farmer-cum-radio programme producer from Uganda, shared her thoughts on “The role of media in promoting women in agriculture”. How she deals with the farmers by giving them the agriculture information what they want to know through media, only after thoroughly researching the subject. In Uganda, as she mentioned, women in agriculture and in rural area have less access as compared to men, to production resources. Such a gender gap is also affecting the availability of many assets, inputs and services, such as livestock, labour, education, extension, financial services and technology. Yet, since women have a major and growing contribution in food production, processing, marketing and retailing. They also have the primary responsibilty for preparation of meals and caring for children and other family members in many societies. Hazat concluded with strong conviction that female farmers globally need to have a platform to be heard a society without question. Her advise - “Yes, get up female farmers use the media, to be heard”.

Ms. Nadgire Rahema Hazat, Uganda

Ms. Jacinta Wanja, Kenya

Ms. Jacinta Wanja from Kenya, is a trained company secretary. But she has opted for farming as her profession, despite resistance from her family members. As they once thought, there was something wrong with her, because in her community women are not allowed to have any attachment with issues like land, since it was widely believed that a woman could not own anything of her own. She described at length how in the initial stages of farming, she faced many challenges, especially from old people and her own siblings, because farming was believed to be that done by the poor and the failed ones in life. Yet, Jacinta was determined and had passion for farming. “I believed in myself and felt convinced that ‘I am the change’ which was needed in my community”. She began farming on a very small piece of family land, which she begged from her mother. She started with the aim to be able to grow ornamental plants in order to meet the export demands for flowers. Having encountered success, she soon expanded her cultivation over to further half an acre of rented land. People in the community then started believing in her, with a keen interest. And so Jacinta has served to change the youth’s mentality in her community, who has introduced many to farming and trained them successfully in agribusiness. A radiant Jacinta loves to narrate how most people in her community have thus taken to farming as business, who are indeed doing well and are able to feed their families, as also take their children to better schools and give them good life. So far, she has trained more than 40 youths, especially women and has a project wherein she trains also the older women to be self-reliant. It was quite evident to all the delegates how Jacinta really likes farming and does have a passion for helping others to rise and grow. Also that she does it, not for any remuneration or payment for herself, but because, as she believes “we can only have peace, love and unity in our communities, country and the world at large, when everybody is happy and have the common commodities i.e. food, shelter and clothing”.

Mr. Mohanrao Jayale is an innovative farmer from Vidarbha. He described enthusiastically as to how in order to harvest rain water not only for his own need, but also to arrest the free flowing rain water stream on his farm and recharge other farmers’ wells located nearby. He dug four acres of farm pond in his own land at Akoli village in Akot tahasil near the city of Akola. This farm pond now has a capacity to harvest 3 crore litres of rainwater in a single rainy season. In return, with his efforts, he is able to gainfully manage the horticultural plantation on his farm, thereby earning much more. Furthermore, it has resulted in higher earnings due to recharging of wells of nearby farmer, who are now able to grow 2-3 crops per year. Jayle’s historic efforts have been duly recognized by the Govt., having bestowed upon him the high-ranking “Krushi Bhushan Puraskar” (‘Jewel of Farming’ Honour). In the end he appealed to all farmers to initiate efforts towards in-situ rain water harvesting to overcome the shortage of water in agriculture, taking cue from the example set by him and his community of farmers.

Mr. Mohanrao Jayale, India

Mr. George Kiiru, Kenya

Mr. George Kiiru from Kenya, an agroforestry specialist, was born with a physical disability. Indeed, he has proved that a disability is not an inability. George used his small 1.5 acre garden to start a tree nursery and planted Agroforestry trees on this garden, which he used to train local farmers on the importance of planting trees on their farms and stop destroying the government forests. He regularly invites people to visit his small garden and to learn how to grow food, not just for their own consumption, but also enough to empower themselves economically. He imparts training to farmers on how to develop successful agroforestry models, which will not only help to grow food for their consumptions, but also to empower themselves economically.

Mr. Arvind Nalkande is a progressive farmer, coming from ‘The Purna Valley” basin area of Vidarbha known for salt-affected (saline) soils area of the region. He described how he conceptualized and developed “Budhai Contour technique” for saline soils. It emphasizes in-situ rainwater conservation through natural cracks in deep black soils, especially impermeable saline soils. The technique has been proven to be very cost effective, costing just Rs. 250 per acre. To educate farmers in the region, he arranges free demonstration and trainings on his farm and also extends active help for marking contours in other farmers’ fields, with the special technique developed by him. Nalkande has been awarded many honours and medals, in recognition of his monumental contributions.

Mr. Arvind Nalkande, India

OPEN HOUSE

Dignitories on the dais for conduct of Open House

Ms. Rosemary Namatsi in open house

The last session, i.e., “Open House” held at Akola was an interactive session, wherein the participants discussed promotion of dynamic ideas coming to the

minds of IFD participants. All overseas participants were honoured with felicitation and memonto and awarded certicficates, at the end of the session.

The International Farmer’s Dialogue India 2014 has been described by many a participant as one of the best and life-changing events. Most importantly, it has served to unite a number of inspired, progressive minded farmers, expecially women farmers across the seas, having provided active and cost-effective solutions to resolve and mitigate some of the toughest challenges to global agriculture. More than just a routine conference, it has also served to share passionate, humanitaran and remunerative ideas presented by farmers, who have learnt to listen to their inner voice and discover new professional strengths through openness, honesty and willingness. Many have expressed the desire to return.

Felicitation of IFD delegates & award of certificates