Over 250 Jharkhand farmers adopt agroecology under NABARD programme | Hindustan Times
What happened
Over 250 farmers in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district adopted agroecology under NABARD's tribal development programme in 2024. The JIVA project, launched in 2023-24 with GIZ collaboration, promotes natural farming through organic fertilizers like Jeevamrut. Farmers report 90% reduction in input costs - from ₹22,000 to ₹2,000 per 1.5 acres. NABARD's TDP covers 64 projects across all 24 Jharkhand districts, benefiting 39,000 tribal households. Wadi project generates ₹2 lakh annual income from mango cultivation.
Why it matters
NABARD's agroecology initiative in Jharkhand represents a shift from chemical-intensive farming to sustainable practices that restore soil health while improving farmer incomes. The programme operates through multiple schemes: TDP (Tribal Development Programme) providing foundational support since 2013-14, Wadi project for horticulture development, and the newer JIVA project focusing on natural farming techniques. The economic impact is substantial - farmers using Jeevamrut organic fertilizer see input costs drop from ₹22,000 to ₹2,000 per acre, while diversified cropping generates higher returns. Poly-cropping practices yield ₹1.5 lakh net profit on 5 acres compared to traditional mono-cropping. The programme addresses key rural challenges: soil degradation from chemical fertilizers, low productivity in rain-fed agriculture, and seasonal migration. Formation of Farmer Producer Organizations like Snehlata Agro Food Producer Company (1,200 members) enables collective marketing and value addition. Bio-digester units for Jeevamrut production demonstrate technology transfer. The holistic approach combines ecological restoration with institutional strengthening, creating sustainable livelihoods that reduce rural distress migration while building climate resilience.
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