Jagrut Mahila Samaj

This a 3-year project to train landless women, youth and small farmers in sustainable farming and livestock rearing. The beneficiaries in five villages are organized in six
self-help groups of 10-12 members each. One of the groups is of young men, three are of landless women and two are composed of small farmers. They have completed two planting seasons and are getting ready for their secondyear harvest. The groups have planted paddy,
soybean, pigeon pea, sorghum, ground nuts and cotton in the kharif season and wheat,
vegetables, and chick peas in the rabi season. One of the small farmers' groups is also
planning to plant fruit trees; custard apple and amla. The groups are learning-by-doing and are becoming proficient in soil improvement, efficient water management and other sustainable farming practices. They are earning income through the sale of soybean, cotton, vegetables and milk and are saving paddy and pigeon pea for their own consumption. On the down side, yields were lower than expected in 2008 due to low rainfall and pest attack. This year (2009), the rain deficit has worsened and the groups are hoping for compensation from the government.