Afforestation Effort in Barmer, Rajasthan

21 Aug, 2024

Afforestation is a process of planting trees in areas that have been stripped of their forest cover is more than just a way to green the land—it’s a critical strategy for restoring ecosystems, improving air quality, and enhancing soil health. Barmer, located in the northwestern part of Rajasthan, is known for its arid climate and scarce water resources. The region's harsh conditions like high temperatures and minimal rainfall, have led to significant deforestation and soil degradation over the years. In this context, afforestation becomes crucial for mitigating the impacts of desertification, improving soil fertility, and providing essential green cover.

On 21 august, the Maru Laxmi Women’s Cumin Producer Organization in collaboration with develoPPP project 'Enhancement of Smallholder Spice Farmers' Capacities in Sustainable Farming' proudly hosted an afforestation program in Undoo Village of Barmer, Rajasthan for cumin farmers. The event saw the participation of over 465 farmers, including 250 women, with the goal of improving environmental conditions and supporting sustainable farming practices in the region.

As part of the initiative each farmer received three carefully selected saplings:

• Budded Cordia Myxa (Gonda): Enhances soil fertility and restores nutrient levels, making the soil more suitable for agricultural activities.
• Zizyhus Budded (Ber): Known for its drought resistance, this species provides resilience and stability to the local ecosystem.
• Carissa Carandas (Koronda): Expected to thrive and support soil conservation efforts by preventing erosion and enhancing overall soil health.

The event was coordinated by AVT McCormick Ingredients Pvt Ltd and played a significant role in educating farmers about the advantages of tree planting. GIZ was instrumental in the effort, providing the saplings through the develoPPP spice project.

Under the slogan “One Tree in the Name of Mother,” the program’s primary goal was to combat forest decline and foster a healthier environment. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to improving local agricultural practices and promoting ecological balance.

As a commitment to the afforestation program, key participants collectively planted the saplings near the event location. This afforestation effort marks a significant step towards sustainable development and environmental stewardship in the region.

Inaugural Distribution of Saplings | © GIZ/Abhishek

Key participants planting saplings | © AVT McC/Sinish

Group photo featuring women FPO (Farmer Producer Organizations) members and key participants | © AVT McC/Sinish

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About the project

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