1. Introduction

Human Resource Development Foundation (HRDF) has committed to carry out 5 months project titled Sustainable Agriculture and food security through Promoting Community based Organic Farming Practices with the support of Korea SHE Foundation for the food security and Economic Stability of rural women farmers at HRDF target areas in Chengalpattu District, Tamilnadu, INDIA. Based on this, HRDF has implemented 2 key activities, village level orientation meetings and capacity building training on organic farming for rural women farmers. The brief report for the activities are as follows.

 

2. Village level orientation meetings

HRDF has conducted 3 one day village level orientation meetings for strengthening the women organic farmers groups in 3 villages. These orientation meetings were facilitated by the program coordinators of HRDF. 120 marginalized women farmers participated in these meetings. The women farmers were sensitized on the project concept, implementation process, role of the project beneficiaries, importance of organic farming and its basic inputs and collective farming system.




Capacity building training for rural women farmers on organic farming

HRDF has conducted 2 days training for rural women farmers on sustainable organic farming practices at Anoor village, Thriukazhukundram Taluk. 40 women farmers, HRDF staff and resource persons participated in the training.



Objectives of the training

• To promote the skills of rural women on organic farming
• To encourage sustainable organic farming practices
• To create awareness on protecting natural resources and environment at rural area.
• To promote collective farming among rural women.

Mr. Subbu – an organic farming scientist, Mr. Dayalan – Director of HRDF, Ms. Jegadeswari, organic farming trainer, Sivasakthi  - Trainer cum program coordinator of HRDF gave their valuable inputs in the training on  various aspects of organic farming as follows

• Organic farming and the development of rural women
• Soil fertility and seed processing procedures
• Water management and seasonal cropping
• Preparation and application of organic crop tonics, nature manure and organic pesticides
• Intercrop and multi cropping methods

The trainers clearly explained the importance and benefits of organic farming. Particularly the women farmers were clearly taught on the importance of soil fertility, how to increase the soil fertility by ploughing the land using naturally available manure such humus leaves, cattle dung, green manure, alluvial soil, vermin compost etc., summer ploughing, soil treatment and soil rotation systems were also taught.

Moreover the participants were practically taught on preparation of nature crop growth tonics and organic pest control liquids by direct demonstration. They taught on the preparation of Panchakaviya, Amirthakaraisal, fish acid solution, ginger-garlic-chilly solution, Themorkaraisal, Jeevamirtham which helps to good germinability good growth and yield of crops and control the pest attacks also improve the soil fertility.

The beneficiaries were practically taught on Seed processing is one of the most important processes in organic farming. Processing of seeds helps to good growth, good yield, nutritious of crops. There area various types of seed processing’s are followed in organic farming. Collecting of indegeneious country seeds and process them using salt water liquid solution, poanchakavya mixture with ingredient of dung and urine of  cow and goat, Banana, curd, country sugar. The seeds should be soaked in the solutions for 24 hours.

The women farmers were sensitized on water management in farming. They were explained on Micro irrigation, spray irrigation, sprinkler irrigation systems which are very much useful in organic farming which takes less usage of irrigation water and avoid water wastage and it helps to bring the water directly to the crop roots.

All the participants were encouraged to farm home vegetable garden at their residents and the process for farming home vegetable garden was taught to them. Tomato, Bhindi, egg plant, Chilly, beans and Lettuce are suggested for home vegetable garden.

Training materials (Educational materials) on organic farming were prepared and provided to the women farmers for easy learning. Particularly the educational posters on preparation of natural manure, crop growth tonics, organic pest control liquids, vermi compost, water management systems, seeds processing and methods of water conservation irrigation systems.



This two and half month period project implementation has made the project women farmers to have clear understanding on organic farming systems and its values. And they have been equipped with knowledge and practical skills to involve in organic farming which will lead them to a sustainable organic farming practices in their respective villages.