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CBOs
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Assigned Lands |
Regenerating Livelihoods from Assigned Lands
Village: Mushrifa, Mandal - Kosgi
WASSAN
with support from SERP has initiated the processes of
regenerating Livelihoods from the assigned lands. This
program was taken up in the village Mushrifa in partnership
with the VO and the Kosgi Mandala Mahila Samakhya.
Background:
The
block of land chosen for the purpose has 183 acres with 63
SC families. The land was assigned to these families in the
year 1972-3. With facilitation from the KMMS the land was
surveyed in the year 2001 and taking help from the Food For
Work program demarcation bunds were taken up. Of the total
180 acres, xx acres of land was fallow at the start of the
program.
The MMS
has facilitated digging of 27 borewells with support from
the SC Corporation. As water yield from these borewells was
not sufficient they were abandoned. Even the borewell pipes
were stolen! There is one 20 feet deep open well at the
downstream of the block of land.
Roles:
The
Kosgi MMS along with the VO has taken up field level
facilitation, while WASSAN provided hand holding support
services. The agriculture activist of the Village
Organisation and the Community Volunteer of the MMS played
anchor roles in the program.
Initial Situation Analysis/ Dialogue with the Community:
There
were several initial interactions with the community. Their
main demand was for a bigger borewell(s) and an electricity
transformer at the site. There was resistance to land
development. It took almost 4 rounds of initial discussions
and orientation programs to finally come to an agreement
that land development is the starting point and irrigation
is not possible; these discussions drew lessons from their
own experience.
Preparation of Action Plans:
This is
a process of joint analysis with the male & female adult
members of the family. This methodology was evolved during
the initial field visits. It comprises of the following:
-
Situational analysis of land holdings: land and soil
types, production constraints, erosion status, present
land use etc.
-
Understanding household requirements of food, fodder and
fuel wood
-
Analysis the present agronomic practices and costs
-
Identifying critical constraints and opportunities to
improve productivity
-
Formulating an action plan
The
methodology has been evolved in the four rounds of field
visits. Some farmers, Agriculture activists, Village
Network Assistant, volunteers and the cluster incharge were
trained on the job in the planning methodology. This team
later carried on the exercise and completed it in the first
week of July, 2004.
Proposal Under Sustainable Dryland Agriculture Project:
While
the action plans were prepared, WASSAN helped the VO and MMS
in formulating a proposal to DPMU for release of funds. The
same was approved and an amount of Rs.4 lakhs was released
to start the work.
Bullocks a Critical Constraint:
The
situation analysis identified lack of bullocks as a major
constraint. With some families already having bullocks, a
total of 10 pairs were needed to cover the rest. The option
of hiring tractor vis-à-vis purchasing bullocks was analysed
in depth. It was concluded that though the initial ploughing
can be done with tractor, bullocks are necessary to cover
the rest of the land preparation till sowing. The assignees
also insisted on procuring bullocks.
In the
joint analysis it was agreed that only 6 pairs of bullocks
can be provided as loan from the Community Investment Fund.
It was also decided that those do not have bullocks will be
formed into groups of three. One of the three farmers would
get the bullocks under obligation to plough the lands of the
other two members in the group, while they would provide
collateral for the one taking loan. The VO also put pressure
on the farmers to settle the overdues of the earlier
loans.. The agreement was that interest would be paid
monthly and the principle amount would be paid once in six
months. Asset verification was done by a sub-committee of
the VO formed for this purpose. Purchase receipt of
bullocks was in the name of VO. After total repayment the
asset would be transferred in the name of woman in the
family of the borrower. These modalities were arrived at to
check any misuse.
WASSAN
team also helped them in writing the proposal. Six pairs of
bullocks were purchased July, 2004.
Working Norms:
One of
the concerns is to build primary stakeholder interest in
cultivation . Initially farmers accepted to contribute 50%
of the cost of the work in the form of own labour and 50%
will be grant from the project. . Revolving fund can be
created with the 50% contribution. Some work was done
initially but the work turn-out was low as the farmers felt
it hard on them.
The CIG,
VO and MMS members were taken for an exposure visit to the
Dalit Watersheds of Deccan Development Society where similar
program was taken up by the DDS Sangam.
After
the exposure visit, the issue was discussed in a review
meeting with the CIG and the Executive Committee of the VO
and the norms were revised . The VO agreed to provide 25%
loan for the contribution part of the work. The final norms
being followed were 50% Contribution (of which 25% is given
as loan to individual) and 50% grant from the project.
Works
Taken Up:
Bunding,
manure pits, bund plantation pits were started in August,
2004. In some of the land they had sown Jowar, Redgram,
Castor and horsegram. But it was late in the season. The
works were discontinued because of the agriculture season.
About 80% of the total land was brought under cultivation
in 2004 Kharif.
Farmers
dug the pits for bund plantation in July - August 2004.
They tried to get plants from government nurseries but it
did not materialize. With this experience CIG and VO felt
the need of raising a nursery within the village.
WASSAN
team helped the VO in selecting one SHG for raising nursery.
The support extended includes orientation on preparing
estimates, site selection and also training the SHG in
Nursery raising. The group leased in land and started the
nursery. The exposure visit to DDS revitalized the program
after harvesting of kharif crops.
Work
again started after the exposure visit. Treatment of the
gullies is in progress. All the farmers are applying silt
from a nearby tank.
Institutional Processes: (In village level)
Subcommittee of VO: it consists of EC members of the VO
and the Cluster in-charge. This subcommittee scrutinizes the
action plans and approves the same. WASSAN team provided
necessary inputs.
Works
committee:
It
consists of 2 members from the beneficiaries and 2 members
from the subcommittee and activists. Training was given to
works committee on quality assessment and measurement.
Works committee reports to the sub-committee. As per the
works committee recommendations the subcommittee makes the
payments.
Activists:
The
agriculture activist actively facilitated the program at the
village level. The village network assistant also shared
some tasks. The VO reviews the programs of the activists.
Mandal Level:
MMS is
regularly meeting representatives from Mushrifa VO and
Cluster incharge and sharing the developments in the
program. MMS office bearers are also visiting fields at
times.
The
works will be completed before the next Kharif
season. During the DDS field visit there was also discussion
about the Mixed Cropping Systems. Some of the farmers
expressed their interest in trying out these systems. A crop
planning exercise will be taken up before the season and
necessary inputs will be tied up. Plantation of multiple
species including fodder, fuel wood, fruits.. will also be
taken up during the rainy season. The planting material
being raised in the nursery will be used for this purpose.
With the
necessary institutional, facilitation and financial systems,
land treatment, biomass development and soil fertility
measures in place, the assigned lands block taken up in
Mushrifa is poised for a good kharif crop. Livestock
will also be integrated into the livelihoods during the next
kharif season.
A
detailed documentation of the process is captured in the
enclosed case study, which was documented by the assignees
and the agriculture activist in the village and Ms.
Bhagyalakshmi who has facilitated it in the field.
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