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Project that brought many farmers out of debts by MJ Prabu
In 2-3 years after implementation, money generation was seen

Melaneelithanallur village in Tirunelveli district is bone dry most of the year. Lack of water for crops over the years turned the soil into dry wastelands, considered unfit for use.

“Until a few years ago, almost all the farmers in the region wallowed in debt and poverty. Many households lacked even proper metal utensils for cooking as the inhabitants used to pawn them for money.

“If it rained, the men used to work for 2-3 months; for the rest of the year they remained idle. But all this changed after Nellai David's micro economic model was implemented to generate some income for them,” says Mr. David Raja Beula, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Kadayam, Tirunelveli, who took on the responsibility to interact with and bring all the farmers under this project.

Primary aim

“We developed the model based on a study of the flora and fauna of the area, water source, ecological balance, environmental soundness, and the market situation. The project primarily aims to relieve the rural poor from the clutches of poverty.” says Mr. David.

Under the project one hundred bore wells and hand pumps were sunk, several hundred cashew trees planted and farmers encouraged to grow crops such as blackgram, greengram and cowpea (that do not require much water) in addition to rearing some farm animals. In 2-3 years after the implementation almost all the farmers started seeing the benefits in terms of money generation.

Says Mr. Sendhil, a 10 acre farmer:

“I used to get about Rs. 30,000 a year previously, but today I earn Rs. 35,000 from my 100 cashew trees, Rs.32,000 from blackgram, greengram and cowpea in nine acres. The fodder from the crops is used as feed for my three cows which generate Rs.30, 000 as net return annually.”

Net profit

The farmer also maintains ten thousand broiler chicks. The chicks develop into marketable size in two months thereby repeating the process for six times in a year, enabling a net profit of Rs 2,40,000.

The farm yard and poultry manure are applied to the fields. The farmer earned a overall profit of Rs. 3,37,000 in a year and also formed a milk producers' cooperative society. “Initially we found it a little hard to convince the farmers that this project will benefit them. Many laughed it off. I realized that to convince farmers, more than all the talk, proof is necessary. Farmers in general tend to believe what they see and experience firsthand rather than rely on some body talking.

Convincing others

“And Mr. Sendhil fitted the requirement perfectly. I tried to implement everything in his 10 acre land and also prepared him to interact and convince others. And today several farmers are seeing the benefit themselves,” says a smiling Mr. David.

He further adds, “Income generation alone can sustain our country's agriculture. Unless farmers are assured of getting some good income from crops their interest cannot be sustained in their profession. In terms of production, our farmers can do a good job, but what is required now is getting a good price and an assured market.”

“The recent price rise on several food items, apart from affecting the consumers, also leaves a debilitating impact on the already fragile farming economy. A farmer is just not bothered what the government plans are or what it intends to do for them.

Affordability

“For him it is affordability in terms of raising the crops. A farmer's life is an endless struggle for survival. A farmer finds the financial tides drowning him in debts. Several past and present governments introduced numerous development and financial schemes saying farmers will be benefited but the problems for a small farmer still remain the same. Why? “ he asks angrily.

Interested readers can contact Mr. David over mobile 9486285704 or through email: microeconomicsdavid@yahoo.co.in for visiting the villageand getting a first hand information about the project.