Project Title: Promoting Sustainable Scientific Agriculture Systems Among Small & Marginal Women Farmers in Bhojpur Dt. of Bihar, India
Donor: German Doctors
Duration of the Project: June 2023 to May 2024
Target Group:
300 small and marginal women farmers
Program Location: 20 villages of Charpokhari Block of Bhojpur Dt.
Introduction:
The project aims to sustain and advance the attitudinal and behavioral changes achieved over the past three years among 300 women farmers in 20 villages of Charpokhari Block, Bhojpur District, Bihar. These women have been trained in livestock care, organic farming, and forming a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), resulting in the establishment of Charpokhari Farmer Producer Company Limited. Despite challenges such as illiteracy, landlessness, and entrenched casteism and patriarchy, these women are now central to agricultural training and activities. Nearly 200 women have become shareholders, contributing a minimum of Rs.500 each, and the FPO plans to engage in small businesses like producing sattu and selling local pulses and spices. This proposal seeks to further empower these women by enhancing their economic strength and market access, bridging the gap between farmers and markets to improve their livelihoods.
Goal
Households of women farmers of marginalized communities achieve food security, improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Objectives
- 300 women marginal farmers will have increased sustainable income through cultivation of staple food like paddy, wheat, pulses, oil seeds, vegetables, through sustainable scientific agriculture practices
- Bargaining capacity of 300 women marginal farmers in market increased by 50% through institutionalization (FPO), capacity building etc.
- Families of 300 women farmers have improved health due to increased income from farm produces
- Charpokhari Farmer Producer (FPO) organization of the women farmers is capacitated to enter competitive markets with branded farm-based products
Target Area and Population
The project will be implemented in 20 hamlets of Charpokhari Block of Bhojpur Dt. Bihar.
The direct beneficiaries will be 300 women who are marginal farmers and farmers engaged in share cropping as well as landless labourers.
Activities:
- Training on crop planning, integrated nutrient management (INM), and organic farming practices for women farmer groups (WPGs) in 20 villages for every season.
- Formation of Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) to enable farmers to initiate their own agribusinesses.
- Exposure visits to model farms or Kisan Melas for WPGs to learn about new farming techniques and technologies.
- Monthly monitoring meetings to review progress and address challenges.
- Regular village-level meetings and monitoring of WPGs, including demo plots and vermicompost.
- Coordination with government departments and planning/supervision of project activities.
- Activities after FPO registration, including finding markets, negotiating with buyers, and maintaining accounts.
- Kisan chaupal or street shows to provide agricultural information to farmers.
- Capacity-building training for staff, WPGs, documentation, and networking with government departments.
These activities collectively contribute to the objectives of improving the income and livelihoods of women farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture practices, and empowering small and marginal women farmers in Bhojpur District, Bihar, India.