NGO helps farmers turn a new leaf

Halvad, an arid and semi-arid region in Gujarat, has been witnessing a major shift in the cropping-pattern.. About two decades ago the farmers of the region used to grow traditional crops like bajra, jowar and groundnuts. Now, it is cotton, cumin and sesame that are the main crops.

According to the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad, horticulture crops like soyabeans, sugarbeet, safflower and wheat, especially lok one, are slowly gaining popularity in the region.

CEE, working in 23 villages of Halvad region since 2001, has been trying to convince farmers here to grow horticulture crops which are conducive to the climate of the region. CEE claims that the farmers are convinced and sugar beet, sweet lime, chiku, lemon, pomegranate and ber have been grown on over 100 acres. Soyabean and Lok One type of wheat is also gaining in popularity among farmers.

Mohan Krishna, Programme Coordinator, Rural Enterprise and Livelihoods, CEE, told Business Standard, "We have been carrying out a project in Halvad block since 2001 since the earthquake. Our project includes sustainable agriculture, water management and introduction of new farming technologies and new crops."

"The cropping pattern has changed with increase in irrigation and wider crop options. Halvad has traditionally been a cotton-growing area. However, with the increase in irrigated area, hybrid cotton has begun to replace older indigenous crops like jowar, bajra and groundnuts. Cotton and til are the main crops during kharif, accounting for 71 per cent of the area sown while cumin is the main crop during Rabi accounting for 64 per cent of the area. While the deteriorating water quality has forced farmers to shift to crops that can withstand hard water crop, the raids by wild asses and feral pigs has forced farmers in the vicinity of Little Rann of Kutch to grow crops unpalatable to wild animals."

"Through our Farmers Field Schools (FFS) we have also convinced the farmers to take up horticulture crops like sugar beet, sweet lime, chiku, lemon, pomegranate and ber. At present horticulture crops cover 100 acres. Soya is also a cash crop and conducive to the climate. About 70 acres is covered by soya beans," he added.

On the area, he said that Halvad block has an average annual rainfall of around 400 mm while the annual evaporation rate is the highest in the country. However, the irrigation through local river has made quite a difference.

Irrigation in the block first came to South Halvad with the completion of the Brahminy river irrigation project, which had a command of 12,654 hectares. However, villages in North Halvad, received little benefit from the scheme. While 2,800 hectares were irrigated in six project villages.

CEE works in 23 project villages - Nava Ghatila, Tikar, Jogad, Kidi, Nava Amrapur, Ghanshyamgadh, Miyani, Mayapur, Ingorala, Enjar, Malaniyad, Ghanad, Mangadh, Ajitgadh, Khod, Mangalpur, Chadadhra, Mayurnagar, Raisangpar, Isanpur, Ranmalpur, Vegadvav and Juna Amrapur.