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INDIA - $5,000
Capacity Building and Revolving Fund
Project Coordinator: Mr. Mathew Jeeva

The project is for capacity building and seed money for sustainable agriculture practices, along with animal husbandry, for 30 marginal land holders. The women will be trained in organic farming, animal husbandry and allied activities including kitchen gardens and vermi-compost, navakaviya and herbal pesticides. The major crop will be groundnuts, grams and beans grown on one acre. The groundnuts will become animal fodder and fertilizer, as will the grams which are nitrogen fixing plants. Two nine-month old female calves will be purchased by the farmers. After 12 months the calves will be ready for insemination. Calves will be sold at 6-8 months for $175-215. Navakaviya will be produced from cow dung, urine, milk, ghee, curd and honey. (This is a crop fertilizer and pesticide). Each beneficiary will raise herbal kitchen gardens with a variety of vegetables and herbs. They will also each receive nine country chicks and one cock to raise for eggs and meat. In total, each woman will receive seed money of $185, to be repaid in two installments (one per year for two years) at 15% interest per year.

GROSS INCOME PER YEAR	EXPENSES	LOAN PAYMENT	INTEREST	NET INCOME PER YEAR
$715	$50	$91	$14	$550

 

From Dr. R. Kannan’s site visit report, “Panchayat Raj Movement is a well known organization in environment, agriculture and allied activities. Mathew Jeeva is an advocate and practitioner of organic agriculture for the past 20 years. The PRM staff is well versed in environmental and agricultural activities. Previous RSWR projects are models in alternative agriculture. Integrated farming integrates environmental concerns and economical prosperity.”

Project completed: June 30, 2009