The climatic condition of Lohardaga district, because of its higher elevation is suitable for round the year vegetable cultivation. Also most of the villagers of the district are traditionally agriculture based and Lohardaga is linked with large vegetable markets like Rourkela, Jamshedpur and Calcutta . Some of the farmers mainly non-tribal are into the intensive vegetable farming. As the tribal families are struggling for food security, they are using their irrigated land for wheat cultivation in winter and upland paddy in Kharif season. The reasons are lack of orientation of the farmers, low risk taking ability, low skill, knowledge and confidence of the farmers taking vegetables and other high remunerative cash crops replacing upland paddy and wheat. There are positive experiences in Lohardaga. Regular crop planning on a specific plot, providing technical support for improved cultivation and intensive follow-up has helped the tribal people to adopt round the year vegetable cultivation.

But the number of farmers reached through this is limited. So through RSVY, giving subsidy in purchasing modern equipment, in land development and in purchasing agriculture input in the first year cultivation with intensive training and follow-up, more number of families will be attracted. At the same time, this scale of operation will have an area impact for bringing more number of poor families into the activity. Presently the scaling up is not happening, because the farmers who are into the intensive vegetable cultivation are few and better off. Also for other cash crops like pulses and oilseeds, good demonstration and exposure of other farmers of the area will be helpful in spreading the crops. To enrich the soil, only application of chemical fertilizer is not sufficient. Organic manuring increases the soil fertility, moisture retention capacity and over all condition of land. Lohardaga Gram Swaraj Sansthan is an NGO involved with the production of vermi-compost by supporting the villagers. Under this project, it is proposed to expand this activity involving the NGO. Thus the agriculture intervention is divided into two parts:

(a)      Round-the-year Intensive Vegetable Cultivation

(b)      Demonstration of pulses and oilseeds

(c)      Production of Vermi-compost.

 Round the year Intensive Vegetable Cultivation

Objective:

To increase the family income by Rs. 10,000 from a small plot of irrigated land and to demonstrate that round the year highly profitable vegetable cultivation is possible by the poor families of the villages.

Mode of Implementation:

The project will be implemented in active collaboration with NGOs and through the Women's Self Help Groups (SHGs). Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) which is a national level NGO is into the activity and will work with 2500 rural families in Kuru, Senha, Kisko and Lohardaga block. Chhotnagpur Durgam Kshetra Krishi Vikash Sansthan which is another NGO will work with 500 families in Senha and Bhandra block. 

With the help of the NGO, the SHGs will plan and identify the farmers among themselves to be included in the programme. The plot for vegetable cultivation of each farmer should have irrigation facility at least for ten months and of minimum 10 decimal (0.04 hectare). The SHG with the facilitation of the NGO will prepare a detailed estimate within the 1.2 times the allocated fund (as 20% should be contributed by the farmer herself) for all the farmers based upon the rate fixed by the DRDA for agriculture equipments.  The application, details of the farmers along with the plot selected for vegetable cultivation alnog with the cost estimate duly forwarded by the NGO representatives will be submitted to DRDA and within one week the DRDA will release the money i.e. 20% less than the estimated cost in form of bank cheque /draft to the SHG. The NGOs will train the farmers and make intensive follow-up. Within a year of money disbursement, the SHG will submit the expenditure details with required supporting and return back the excess money if any to DRDA. At the same time the NGOs will submit a report on outcome of the programme describing the profit made by each farmer.

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