03 Oct, 2023
Group photo of Cumin and Turmeric Farmers interaction Program
The DPP Spice Project organized a farmer's exposure visit from 3-6 October, 2023, aiming to promote sustainable farming practices and facilitate knowledge sharing. Twenty-four cumin farmers from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, participated, engaging in exploring, learning, and exchanging farming ideas in Erode, Tamil Nadu.
The visit began at Hotel Rathna Residency in Erode, where farmers discussed innovative farming techniques. They further visited various farms to witness firsthand the implementation of sustainable practices.
Exploration of Sustainable Practices: Insights from Field Visits
1. Ms V. Jagatha's Field: Demonstrated various formulations and innovative techniques, including crop residue mulching for turmeric cultivation and using vegetative mulching crops like Vigna Aconifolia for nitrogen addition and weed reduction. Additionally, showcased an organic kitchen garden promoting health and nutrition.
Ms. Jagatha demonstrating the preparation of various bio-formulations.
2. Mr Rajesh's Field (Vellode): Educated on sustainable practices like waste decomposers, insect repellents, biogas units, and vermicompost units, offering valuable insights into eco-friendly farming. Demonstrated the process of making biogas units and vermicompost units.
Insect repellent spray prepared by Mr Rajesh
3. Ms. Kousalya Devi Viswanathan's Field (Chinnapuliyur): Exhibited value-added products by empowered women, such as groundnut oil, turmeric powder, and jaggery powder, showcasing the impact of women's initiatives in enhancing family finances.
4. Mr. Easwaran's Field: Highlighted the difference and impact of conventional and sustainable farming methods through practical demonstrations, emphasising the importance of adopting improved agricultural practices.
Mr. Easwaran's model plot demonstrating best practices for turmeric crop.
5. Mr. Palanisami’s Field: Shared expertise in organic and sustainable turmeric farming, highlighting vermicompost preparation and array of eco-friendly practices, including light traps, fly traps, rat traps, and a thriving mixed cropping system.
Mr. Palanisami explaing importance of solar light traps for pest control
The culminating event at Ratna Residency included closing remarks from Mr. Ashok Nair, where farmers shared their learning experiences and expressed enthusiasm to implement newfound knowledge in their upcoming farming seasons.
The contrast between the arid conditions of Jaisalmer and the thriving agricultural environment of Erode added depth to the learning experience, highlighting the importance of adaptive and sustainable farming techniques. This visit exemplified the power of knowledge exchange and collaboration in promoting environmentally conscious and productive farming practices, bridging the geographical gaps, and fostering a more sustainable future in Indian agriculture.
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The ‘Enhancement of Smallholder Spice Farmer’s Capacities in Sustainable Farming’ aims to strengthen the production of cardamom (Kerala), Cumin and Dill seed (Rajasthan) turmeric (Tamil Nadu and Karnataka), Celery (Punjab and Haryana) by increasing the capacities of spice farmers and making the production practices economically, socially and environmentally more sustainable.
The project is part of the develoPPP.de Programme implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The lead executing agency for this project is AVT McCormick. develop.PPP was set up by BMZ to involve the private sector in areas where business opportunities and development policy initiatives overlap. Read More
For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de
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