i. Convergence of agricultural interventions in Maharashtra (CAIM)
The organization AGVSS is implementing CAIM project in 30 villages of Hinganghat bock of Wardha district. This project is being funded by Government of Maharashtra with the support of Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD). Under this project Village Development Committees have been formed and activities like drainage line treatment, farm bunding, propagation of Broad Band Furrow and Better Cotton Initiatives amongst the farming community members. The main objective of this project is to minimize the agrarian crises in suicide prone regions of Maharashtra and make agriculture a profitable venture through concerted actions in convergence with various line departments.
ii. Capacity building of farmers on organic farming
The organization imparted trainings and awareness programs on organic farming in Arvi and Ashti blocks of Wardha district through trainings and demonstration plots. The farming communities were oriented about various aspects of organic farming like vermin compost, jeevamruth, nimboli arka, dashparna arka, Non Pesticide management (NPM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), LEISA techniques etc. The farmers were also shown demonstrations through demonstration plots so that they can easily understand. Due to this program total 160 farmers from Arvi and Ashti blocks has shifted to organic farming and other are on the way to adopt organic farming. The primary aim of this project was to disseminate information and knowledge to farming community on means and measures to reduce the cost of cultivation through abstaining from use of costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides which also decreases the soil fertility and to resort to organic and bio pesticides and fertilizers which they can produce at their household level and is cost effective and has proven to increase the crop productivity. Through this program the farmers were oriented how they could reap high benefits through practicing organic farming.
iii. KISAN MITRA
BBKGSS is a partner organization of Kisan Mitra Central India Network, consisting of NGOs from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which primarily works for the up-liftment of farmers and minimizing the agrarian distress through concerted efforts. The networks carries out joint programs for dissemination of innovative farming techniques, capacity building of farmers through trainings and workshops, demonstration camps, and agri allied businesses along with advocacy on pro farmers policy. The project is funded by Action Aid India under its reserve funds. The organization BBKGSS being a part of the network has implemented several programs like trainings of farmer communities on organic farming, agri. allied occupations, innovative farming techniques, demonstration plots etc. It has also organized regional and State level public hearings, workshops, exposure visits, as part of its advocacy campaign for affecting policy decisions pertaining to farmers. The main charter of demands advocated by the network is implementation of the recommendations of MS Swaminathan Committee and Narendra Jadhao committee, inclusion of farming activities from sowing to reaping in MGNREGA and minimum support price for all agri. produce.
iv. Capacity building of tribal youths on innovative farming techniques
The organization imparted trainings to tribal youths on technical aspects such as wiring, electrical motor re-winding, electric phase, electric water pumping machines/motors, drip irrigation, sprinklers, pipe fitting etc. This program was funded by Tribal department in which skill trainings on farming sector were imparted to tribal youths with an aim that they could earn a decent living for themselves in their own village rather than migrating to distant cities in search of wage labour and at the same time boosting the farming sector from their region with providing technical and skill help in aspects like drip irrigation, sprinkler, pipe fitting, electric water motor, etc
v. Formation of farmer groups
Under this project the organization has formed like minded groups of small and marginal farmers cultivating similar crops in their farms. These farmers groups were imparted with capacity building trainings on innovative farming practices, organic farming, and variety of seeds, collective purchasing and selling of their agri. produce and were motivated for formation of farmers Producer Company. The project aims at forming groups of farmers so that they can form a Farmer company. These farmers group having common interest in them, deliberate on matters pertaining to their farms and take collective decisions pertaining to adoption of farming technology, seeds, purchase of pesticides and fertilizers and selling of their agri. produce which reduces the cost of input and better bargaining power.
vi. Organic certification
The organization role under this program is that of a facilitator/mediator. For promoting organic farming the organization recommends the application of the farmer who had cultivated crops practicing organic farming methods to the Regional Center for Organic Farming, Nagpur wherein after following due process of verification and analysis certification to the effect that the said crops is organically cultivated is issued. Through this certification the farmer can sell his agri produce at a higher price in market. Agri produce cultivated through practicing organic methods are being certified under this program by Agri. dept State Govt. through its regional office at Nagpur.
vii. Promotion of kitchen garden
This project was supported by AFARM, Pune. Under this project the organization distributed seeds of green vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, coriander, cabbage, brinjal, lady fingers etc for cultivation in the household backyards. Through this project the beneficiary households cultivated vegetables which they consumed and the surplus was sold in local markets thus earning an additional income for the households. : Under this project the villagers were motivated for establishing kitchen gardens in their backyard with the aim of increasing their household income and at the same time ensuring that the households gets nutritious green vegetables round the year.
viii. Nursery Training program
Under this program the organization with the support of tribal dept, imparted trainings to tribal farmers and youths on nursery cultivation and development. The participants were trained on the aspects of seed sowing, soil enrichment through appropriate fertilizers, bio pesticides and common infections/ plant diseases and pest attacks, green house and temperature, etc. The organization had arranged a 30 days training program for tribal farmers on nursery. This program was funded by Project officer, Integrated Tribal Development Project.