FARMERS’ AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

FARMERS’ AWARENESS CAMPAIGN –2006. ORISSA

Recognising that rural prosperity is the key to overall economic development, several measures are taken by the Government for poverty reduction, employment generation and income creation in the rural areas throughout the country. Despite these measures, a vast majority of small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers are still living below the poverty line and therefore, it is essential to reinforce the policy measures along with programme support for raising the income level for this vast section of rural community. Among other measures, there is an urgent need to fill the information gap in respect of technology, market and other inputs for the betterment of the farming community. It is also necessary to support the small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers by enhancing their access to technologies, market information and linkages, expert advice and risk coverage options through knowledge connectivity at District, Block and Village levels.

THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF AGRIBUSINESS PROFESSIONALS (ISAP) registered under the Indian Company’s Act is a non profit, Civil Society Organisation having a network of professionals in India and SAARC countries and experience ranging from irrigation, food processing, international trade, research, agri-inputs, agri-extension etc. The functional areas of ISAP, inter-alia, includes SHG formation, capacity building / training , workshop / seminars, advocacy, information dissemination, technology transfer and absorption. The ultimate goal is to increase the income level of the rural poor and farming community. This could be possible through knowledge connectivity to the farmers and diversifying the farming activities in the areas like poultry, dairy, bee keeping, agro processing and agro-related services.

It is now widely known that agriculture production and growth rate has been declining over the last few years which is causing great concern for the policy makers, planners, programme implementers and all other stake holders. It is equally a matter of concern for Civil Society Organisations and others in the voluntary sector who also wish to play the role of a catalyst in accelerating the pace of agricultural growth rate in the economy for achieving the objective of rural prosperity.

It is in this background that ISAP in collaboration with its NGO member organizations Gania Unnayan Committee, Nayagarh , DEESHA, a research organization based in Bhuveneshwar, Orissa and ANTODAYA, Bhawani patna, Kalahandi, Orissa propose to organize a one day Farmers Awareness Campaign in Districts of Nayagarh and Kalahandi , Orissa .

The venue and date of the campaign are as under :

District Nayagarh Farmers Awareness Campaign on Friday , April 7, 2006 at K. C. Vidyapitha Ground , At./P.O : Gania, Gania Block , District Nayagarh, Orissa and

District Kalahandi Farmers Awareness Campaign on Monday , April 10, 2006 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra , Bhawanipatna , Dist. Kalahandi . Orissa

The campaign will primarily focus on rendering extension service to the farmers with the help of governmental extension agencies and at the same time provide a forum for market linkage to the farmers and also SHGs for getting a better price for their produce and thereby enhancing their income and earning capacity. Further details about the objectives, participants, team etc. of the campaign are described below:

PARTICIPANTS:

We are expecting a huge participation from farming community, Self Help Groups, Social Institutions, Farmers Federation, State and district level government agencies, People’s Representatives and Corporate in this event.

CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES :

Ø To extend the outreach of Agricultural Extension Service to farming community and rural poor;

Ø To strengthen knowledge linkage between development stake holders - farmers, SHGs, CBOs, Grassroot NGOs, Panchayat, Local Government Officials, Agribusiness Community, Insurance Companies, Financial Institutions and ISAP;

Ø To create awareness about different schemes, projects and programmes of Agriculture and allied department, Rural Development supported by Zilla Panchayat, State & Central Government;

Ø To provide a platform for interaction between agri experts and technology users on various agro-based enterprises;

Ø To explore market linkage between farming community and Agribusiness Community thereby generate income-enhancing opportunity for the farmers.

CAMPAIGN THEMES :

The Campaign would address the following areas:

Ø Agriculture & Rural Development Schemes, Project & Programmes at

§ Zilla level

§ State level

§ Central level

Ø Extension Services of ISAP for farming & Agribusiness community in particular Query Redress in collaboration with

§ CBOs, SHGs, Farmers Federations & NGOs in Query Redress Service and Market Linkage

§ Agribusiness Community for Marketing of Agri based products

§ Implementation of projects and Programmes of government & other funding agencies

Ø Organic & Dry Land Farming Practices ,

Ø Low cost irrigation facilities ;

Ø Vegetable Disease Management ;

Ø Post Harvest Management & Value addition in fruits and vegetables and

Ø Contribution of financial institutions & Insurance Companies in Agriculture Development

IMPORTANT NOTE :

There will be provision for Display and Sale of Agri inputs – seeds, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers- Chemical and Biofertiliser, Vermicompost products, farmer’s friendly low cost tools & equipment from Agri based companies, NGOs, CBOs, SHGs and Farmers Federation and other micro enterprise stakeholders .

Corporate, Financial Institutions, and Insurance companies and others are also invited to extend a helping hand to the farmers and other rural poor for their livelihood enhancement .

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