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Orientation on organic paddy farming in Brojoballavpur
© Mlinda

NABARD approves pilot environmental stewardship grant


In June NABARD approved a grant for us to pilot our environmental stewardship programme along-side the solar rural electrification programme.  Finding a way of getting the groups that we help to access solar electrification to engage with us on activities beyond electrification, to change their means of production and consumption, beyond swapping kerosene for solar, has always been our ambition for the rural electrification programme. In time we plan for such activities to be entirely self-financing as well. For the time being however we are very grateful to NABARD for once again placing their trust in Mlinda.

NABARD has provided about €1,500 for us to work with our local partners to train farmers in agricultural processes that promise to increase their yields while replacing chemical fertilisers and pesticides with organic fertilisers in the Sundarbans and Purulia. In Purulia, one of the poorest areas of West Bengal, 40 farmers have already signed up for the scheme. In exchange for membership to the environmental stewardship groups we set up and the associated access to bank credit schemes, the farmers agree to curb harmful rice cultivation methods.

The farmer turned resource person explains the  organic approach and stages to the gathering
The farmer turned resource person explains the organic approach and stages to the gathering
Mlinda Field Officer writing down the key discussion points
Mlinda Field Officer writing down the key discussion points
Resource person ‘in action’ with the participants
Resource person ‘in action’ with the participants
The solution being prepared for organic  treatment of paddy grains
The solution being prepared for organic treatment of paddy grains
Seed treatment of paddy in progress
Seed treatment of paddy in progress
Resource person giving a demonstration on  seed treatment
Resource person giving a demonstration on seed treatment
Resource person in conversation with the participants
Resource person in conversation with the participants
Rebecca Symington
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MLINDA
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