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Community pastures are an important resource in the arid state of Rajasthan. BAIF's pastureland development project has involved the community in revitalising common pastures, solving the problem of fodder, regenerating wastelands and boosting soil and water conservation
Village community pastures (charagah or charnot), revenue wastelands and forests have always been an important common resource in the dry state of Rajasthan. Before Independence, community pastures used to be looked after by thikandedars or 'caretakers' appointed by the princely states. With the transfer of power from the princely states to the state government, the management of these common properties was entrusted to the gram panchayats. But lack of resources, technology and accountability on the part of panchayat members resulted in the mismanagement of common lands. There were no community initiatives to develop common properties. Meanwhile, changing rainfall patterns in the state have led to a shift from agriculture to animal husbandry. Livestock constitutes a major source of livelihood for the poor, but is constantly under threat due to shortage of fodder, fuel, potable water and groundwater depletion. In 1979, the Bharatiya Agro Industries Development Research Foundation (BAIF) initiated ways to sustainably develop these pastures and the communities that depend on them. The organisation set up a cattle development centre in Asind, a village in Rajasthan's Bhilwara district, with support from the district rural development authority. BAIF set about developing community pastures in Kavlas, a village 8 km away from Asind, where wild blue bulls (nilgai) regularly damaged crops causing the farmers heavy losses. The Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation met the cost of covering 40 of the 180 hectares of land owned by a temple trust. Initially, the response from the locals was poor as many felt they would lose valuable grazing ground. However, after a little persuasion and the assurance of benefits, including the availability of a large portion of the land for free grazing, the villagers, in consultation with the trustees of the temple, agreed to join in with the pasture development plans, under guidance from BAIF. The villagers volunteered their labour. A committee for community pasture management was formed. The entire community offered their support in the form of a daylong shramdaan. The villagers also agreed to devote one day every week towards voluntary work to help develop the pastureland. Special trees were planted to create woody perennials to improve the microclimate and increase soil fertility. Dhaman grass seeds were sown to ensure adequate groundcover. With an annual rainfall of 680 mm, the growth of grass was satisfactory and about 65% of the saplings survived. By October 1992, at the end of the second rainy season, there was plenty grass ready for cutting; forage yield was 2.5 tonnes of dry grass per hectare. To avoid the high cost of labour, the committee encouraged local families to cut the grass and deposit 50% of it with the committee. This grass was then sold to needy members. During the period 1994-1998, the average income generated from the community pastures was between Rs 2,500-Rs 4,000 per hectare. Of this, 80%-85% came from the grass, the rest from the sale of seeds and fines levied on stray cattle, etc. After spending a certain amount on watch-and-ward, the committee made a net saving of Rs 80,000 by the year 2000. By 2001, the blue bulls had become used to the pasture and grazed fearlessly even during the day. As the programme began to show results, people came up with their own ideas and suggestions. In addition to growing dhaman grass, the committee decided to introduce stylo (Stylosanthus hamata), a leguminous plant suited to dry regions. Apart from the sale of grass, the committee also allowed their members access to trees for forage and fuel wood. Under this scheme, members had to pay Rs 10 to access a tree. He/she was allowed to cut thin branches off the tree and use them for fodder and fuel. However, the activity was restricted to a particular period in autumn. This system provided additional biomass, whilst inducing better growth of trees and grass. The success of the silvipasture development in Kavlas generated wide interest in the district. In 1997, based on Kavlas, BAIF initiated a new programme at Jodhaka Kheda in the Hindoli tehsil of Bundi district. The emphasis of this project was to treat the pastureland with wide trenches. Apart from community lands, the scheme also covered private wastelands. The project also created awareness about soil and water conservation. Problems of low agricultural productivity were discussed and suitable agricultural practices were introduced on private lands. Enthusiastic villagers visited Kavlas to learn the technicalities of managing pastureland. Their efforts brought immediate results. Increases in grass-production were observed right from the first year. As per proper soil and water conservation techniques, the channels in the agricultural fields were located downstream. As a result, several farmers were able to cultivate their fields for the first time in decades. Earlier, farmers used to grow only one sorghum crop. Now they were able to grow two-three crops a year. Percolation tanks helped recharge wells as well by raise the groundwater table. One of the large percolation tanks was entrusted to landless families for fishery. Each of the eight families was expecting to earn between Rs 12,000 and Rs 15,000 during 2001. With BAIF's agricultural extension service and inputs from the local committee, crop yields increased by 50%-150%. Above all local communities, particularly women, gained confidence in their ability to manage their own resources. There was a vast improvement in the lives of the farmers -- there was now plenty of grass for fodder and clean drinking water in the wells throughout the year. More and more farmers began taking an interest in dairy-husbandry and goat-rearing, although they were hesitant to make investments due to the fear of adverse weather conditions, crop failure and lack of co-operation by vested interests. During 2001, BAIF initiated the development of 320 hectares of community pastureland, spread over nine villages in Bhilwara district, with financial assistance from the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. Based on the success of this programme, the government of India offered financial support under the Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) to replicate the programme in 69 villages spread over 2,500 hectares. Contact: Rajasthan Rural Institute Of Development Management
-- 103 Prithvi Nivas, Subhash Nagar Extension,
-- Bhilwara 311 001
-- Telefax : 01482-38116
-- E-mail :
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Infochange News & Features, July 2003
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