PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE PERIOD April
2002 to March 2003
MYRADA has been working in Talavadi Block of Erode District since
1980. In 1992, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR,
Government of India) sanctioned a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (K.V.K)
to Myrada to support agricultural extension and farming systems
development in the entire district. As a consequence, in the year 2000,
the Project relocated its administrative office to Gobichettipalayam to
enable it to reach all parts of the district more easily. Currently,
while it continues its work in Talavadi Block, it is also supporting
various activities in T.N.Palayam, Anthiyur and Mulanur Blocks.
Major Activities
Hill Area Development Programme through Participatory Technology
Interventions.
The current year is the 5th and final year of a major programme
supported by Novib and involving a collaboration between the KVK
and the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, The
Philippines. It has focused on the promotion of LEISA
technologies, watershed and farm development in various locations (also
partially supported by PLAN International through Myrada-PLAN
H.D.Kote Programme Unit), promotion of low cost irrigation systems,
scientific grain storage structures and practices, farmer capacity
building (including the development of farmers as trainers),
staff capacity building, and the development of more effective
communication and extension methodologies. There was a component of
conservation of vanishing seed varieties and another of policy advocacy,
both of which could not be taken up for valid reasons. The programme is
due to be externally evaluated in April 2003.
The Building Family Ties Programme
In 1993, 300 very poor families were identified for family-to-family
support through a sponsorship programme in partnership with HOPE-Canada.
In the current year, this programme was close to completion and HOPE
extended it to include 100 new families. The selected families are
supported for housing and home improvement, inputs for income
generation, and inputs for health and education (singly or in
combination, as the case may be). There is also a component
available for community development programmes which has not been
utilised in the current year.
Watershed Development
With the support of HOPE-Canada, micro-watershed development
programmes have been taken up in 3 villages. Components have not only
included erosion control works but also those related to productivity
improvement such as livestock procurement and fodder development,
promotion of biomass species, establishment of micro-irrigation systems
(drum kits, rain guns), procurement of improved agricultural
implements (iron ploughs), and the capacity building of farmers
and watershed institutions. This programme is nearing closure (September
2003).
Under the Integrated Wastelands Development Project of the Government,
the KVK did not have any responsibility for the execution of
watershed works but was involved in facilitating the formation and
registration of Watershed Associations, capacity building of farmers and
Department Staff, and assisting watershed farmers in the preparation of
micro watershed development plans. Most of these activities were
completed for the current year. Funds have been released (partially)
to the watershed associations for entry point programmes and for
watershed works. The programme covers 11 micro-watersheds and
approximately 5,500 ha. spread in different locations.
Under the National Watershed Development Programme (NWDPRA),
the KVK is involving itself as Project Implementing Agency, which
gives it far greater flexibility to promote participatory, transparent
and empowering processes in the field. This programme has just been
initiated and extends to cover 5,000 ha. in Talavadi Block, divided into
10 micro-watersheds. The first instalment of funds has just been
received to take up the preparatory activities.
Agricultural Extension
ICAR’s support to the KVK extends to cover several types of extension
activities. In the current year, the programmes taken up included
farmers’ training (on various topics), vocational training (on
small scale production of bio-fertilizers, small scale production of
bio-control agents, and two programmes on coir rope making), crop
demonstrations (on selected varieties of groundnut, sesamum,
vegetables, cotton), on-farm testing (thrips management in
onions, use of aloevera for control of worm infestation in sheep),
seminars for farmers and extension functionaries (on various topics),
advisory visits to farmers’ fields (to diagnose and suggest remedies
for various problems for which consulted), and information
dissemination through the use of mass media (radio talks, production
of leaflets, publication of a calendar with appropriate messages for
farmers, publication of a quarterly 8-page farmers’ bulletin called
‘Uzhavar Malar’).
Health and Sanitation
The KVK is continuing to monitor the performance of the UNICEF-supported
programme of revolving funds for toilet construction. This concept which
was proposed by the Project was the first such programme supported by
UNICEF in India. More than 350 toilets have been constructed, and as
funds are returned, more toilets are being financed. The funds are being
completely managed by self help groups and federations. In the current
year, UNICEF suggested that the experience be documented on video
and offered to pay for the same. The Tamilnadu State Women’s Development
Corporation was involved to develop the script and facilitate the
filming. The filming has been completed; the final editing remains to be
completed.
The Project is also involved in the District’s Total Sanitation
Programme which includes awareness campaigns complemented with minimal
financial support for the construction of low cost toilets. While it has
stayed away from toilet constructions (due to differences with the
Government on the suggested model of toilet), it has actively
participated in the awareness campaigns.
With UNICEF support, the Project was also involved in a programme
of rainwater harvesting and vermi-composting (at household level),
and conducting training programmes on health-related issues. All these
programmes were completed in the current year.
Local Level Institutions
The Project is currently working with 468 self help affinity groups, 27
SHG federations, 16 watershed associations and 9 farmers’ groups.
The last mentioned category is an effort to add content to the VVV
programme of NABARD. Several details related to their structure,
functions and operational systems still require to be worked out.
Due to operational difficulties, the Project decided not to sign the
Agreement with the Tamilnadu Women’s Development Corporation for the new
phase of Mahalir Thittam. However, it continues to work with the groups
formed in the earlier phase under the same programme.
Arivalayam Training Centre
Situated in the midst of reserved forests in Talamalai, the Arivalayam
Training Centre continues to host residential and non-residential
training programmes for farmers and local level institutions as well as
for participants from other institutions. Despite the ever-present fear
of Mr.Veerappan, its facilities continue to be well-utilised though the
campus itself is more deserted after the shift of the administrative
offices to Gobichettipalayam. In the current year, the Centre was
occupied for 134 days and participants numbered 530.
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