Soil rehabilitation demonstrated by Uma Tai
Uma Tai from Malkaranja village in Osmanabad used to depend heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides while farming on one acre of land to grow the cash crop – sugarcane. However excessive chemical use took a toll on their land, which became degraded and adversely affected the yield and quality of crops..
Uma Tai became associated with SSP in 2018 and received training on dairy, organic farming methods and soil management. Through careful application of these practices, she slowly improved the soil health and began to cultivate her crops organically. She bought cattle from the money she received as a loan from SSP and used the waste for vermicomposting to produce manure and natural insect repellent for her farm. She also acquired a biogas plant, by availing a government subsidy scheme, and uses the environmentally friendly biogas for household cooking, along with the slurry as a natural fertilizer. Uma Tai collects a soil sample yearly, and gets it analysed by the local Krushi Sahayak, which helps her in growing crops more suitable to the local soil and environment.
She currently grows grains, pulses, vegetables, fodder and fruits on her farm, which she uses at home and sells in the market for income generation. She has noticed a marked increase in the quantity of harvest, which is also more nutritious than before.
Her household income has also increased to around one lakh rupees at every harvest. Seeing her successful efforts, 20 households have also installed biogas plants in their homes. Further, as a community leader, Uma Tai supports and guides around 200 women in availing government schemes and converting to organic farming. Her future plans include better marketing of her produce and converting her vermicomposting activities into a small business.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
06 December, 2021