|
A tiny plant brings about an economic revolution for rural women in Orissa.
The BB 44 variety of eggplant is resistant to wilt has no thorns and does not need much water. Nalini Mahanik was introduced to this new, profitable and hybrid eggplant by Minati Sahu, the local Lady Village Agricultural Worker (LVAW), in village Tarapal of Dhenkanal district in Orissa. The LVAW is an active functionary of Training and Extension for Women in Agriculture (TEWA) started in Orissa in 1987. DANIDA (Danish International Development Agency) is assisting the project, to initiate farmwomen-oriented extension programmes across the state. Minati arranged to supply the seeds to Nalini, who prepared the nursery bed and sowed the seeds. After one month the seedlings were ready for transplanting. The main field was prepared thoroughly, and after application of a basal dose of compost and chemical fertilisers, they were transplanted. Inter-culture operations -- hoeing, weeding and adding fertiliser to the soil -- were done at intervals of 20 days. Within two months the plants were ready for picking. Nalini sold the crop in the local market and earned Rs3,000. Nalini's success impressed the other farmers of the village and soon the BB 44 variety became popular not only in the village but in the entire district. The villagers went to the LVAWs to seek their advice and assistance regarding other vegetable varieties. In the TEWA project, the key functionary is the village LVAW, who identifies the best and most relevant practices, teaches skills to farmwomen, and motivates them to adopt recommended production practices to improve agricultural productivity and reduce post-harvest losses. The farmwomen are trained in small groups, so they tend to be less shy, less hesitant and more interactive and co-operative. TEWA helped families in Lambadarapur village of Dhenkanal district start cultivating mushrooms. A group of eight earned Rs 4,500 over a period of four months. This project helped develop the self-confidence of the women involved. Contact: Training and Extension for Women in Agriculture (TEWA)
DANIDA Advisor
120-A, Surya Nagar
Bhubeneshwar-751003
Orissa, India
Tel: 91-0674-451502
Email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
';
document.write( '' );
document.write( addy_text85851 );
document.write( '<\/a>' );
//-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
