FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY
OF
FARM LIFE
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FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY |
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through EMPOWERMENT OF FARMERS
Project proposal by: Today we see sustainable agriculture becoming popular but farm life is at stake due to various reasons. A large number of farmers are losing interest in agriculture thus indicating a greater threat to food and social security of this nation in the coming years. External factors like government departments, extension agencies and state sponsored farm journals have not been successful in making them farmer friendly. Though there is best extension model in theory its impact is not evident at the practical level. Thus the gap between lab and land still exists resulting in increased amount of frustration among farmers. Lack of proper information has made them unable to take decisive steps at appropriate time in different stages in farming. NEED OF THE HOUR:
In this regard, INFORMATION can play a vital role. This is the era of information and it can be a catalyst in the agricultural development process. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and though this, the farmers will be empowered to take a decisive step for their welfare. This will result in assisting them to lead a sustainable farm life. Also the overall farm communication system has to be strengthened with qualitative academic input. At present there is hardly any academic opportunity to specialize in farm communication in India. HOW TO ACHIEVE?
BACKGROUND: The myth that agricultural communication is 'transfer of farm information to ignorant farmers' is fast disappearing, of late. Alternative agricultural media have blossomed along with eco-friendly, sustainable farm practices, which are at loggerheads with the 'bannered' green revolution agriculture. Various alternative communication efforts, which are need-based, pro-farmer and involving farmers' participation, have sprung up all round the world. The alternative agricultural media, which stresses the need for pro-farmer ideologies and practices in agricultural research and communication, is encouraging the farmers' self- respect and self- reliance. Such agricultural media have strengthened the bond between farmers and farmers; farmers and research sectors. They have thrown light upon farmers' innovations and indigenous treasure house of native technology. These media have also revealed certain other issues related to farm sector. Today, we see many farmer friendly journals brought out successfully from different places all over the world. Adike Pathrike (from Puttur), LEISA (from The Netherlands), DCFRN's bulletin (Canada), Bhoomi Malayalam (Kottayam), Siri Samridhdhi (Tiptur), Sujatha Sanchike (Mangalore), Honey Bee (Ahmedabad), Hittala Gida (Bangalore), Footsteps (UK), ECHO Development Notes (USA) - to name a few. These efforts, countering the archetypal, narrative approach, by interpretative and analytical presentation of facts, are considered by farmers to be more 'down-to-earth'. "Farm journal published by the farmers and pen to farmers' hands" - this is another unique feature of alternative agricultural media. It is proved beyond doubt that the information, which evolves directly from the kiln of farmer's hard earned farm experience, is more transparent, time tested and authentic. This clearly indicates the need for farmer-to-farmer communication, in the present day. As a result of practical training in journalism given to farmers, they have now started writing farm articles, bringing life and meaning to agricultural journalism. The farmers' journals are not only disseminating farm knowledge but also operating as farmer-friendly centres, catering to the needs of local farmers. For instance, Adike Pathrike, a farm journal published by a group of farmers (since 1987) seems to has expanded the horizons of agricultural journalism. The unique success story of this journal, which relied on 'self-help journalism', has developed into a need-based knowledge exchange system. Its efforts to bridge the communication gap between farmers amongst themselves, between the farmers and the government have yielded fruitful results. The journal conducted workshops in agricultural journalism for farmers and the results were encouraging. The trained farmers not only began to write about their experiences and innovations, but also began to report, interview and narrate the farming experiences in their neighborhood. The journal also offered free space for exchange of information about seeds and plants available with farmers for distribution. We have another case study from Madhya Pradesh wherein 26 major centres in five blocks of Dhar district are connected through an intranet network. Under this novel programme called 'Gyandoot', a computer is installed in a soochanalaya in a gram panchayat. Each centre services about 15 gram panchayats and about 25-30 villages. The centre also works as rural cybercafe. Any resident of Dhar can check the market rates on computers or demand copies of land records. They can email their complaints to the district administration. The computers are operated by unemployed youth who have completed high school. Gyandoot, launched in January 2000, was given the Stockholm Challenge Award for public service and democracy among 109 projects from across the world. These case studies clearly demonstrate that once the farmers are brought to the information highway, they find answers to many of their problems on their own. The proper communication and efficient interaction can not only improve the overall rural scene, but also help the state to plan its development strategy better. The idea is to gear up farming knowledge, flow of scientific and technical details, integrate the production, processing and marketing aspects with a clearer manoeuvrability so as to make farming a confident professional alternative. Also there will be focus on farmers' innovations and native knowledge resources. Establishing a centre where:
FACILITIES TO BE MADE AVAILABLE:
The foundation can establish effective network among the farm clinics to be set up by the state government at every hobli centre. It is to be noted that all these clinics will be provided with Internet facility. The foundation can also disseminate farm related information to schoolchildren through Internet. (State Government will start computer education in selected schools very soon.) In general, the foundation can function as a nodal agency to farm information network in the state. The innovative 'iStation' developed by a Bangalore-based company brings new hope in the field as it enables e-mailing without a personal computer. This low cost technology facilitates even common people to have access to the information sharing system easily. In a pilot project, computer illiterates in 70 odd villages of Mandya district in Karnataka will soon be provided with the facility and trained in sending and receiving e-mails in Kannada. With more number of Software Technology Parks being set up in different parts of the state, IT has started stretching its wings to rural areas. Moving away from its elitist image. Foundation is hopeful of using this promising medium in its activities. The foundation may organise exclusive workshops for policy makers, administrators, teachers and media persons on certain current topics, in coordination with specialised institutions in the field. The foundation will have a publication unit, which will publish informative books and other literature on different aspects of farm life. |
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