In the heart of Doha village, Sagar, a tale of transformation unfolds. Bharat Ahirwar, a smallholder farmer with a 2.5-acre plot, once grappled with the challenges of single-crop farming. His story is not just about agricultural change; it’s a testament to human resilience and the power of community-driven initiatives.

Bharat’s life revolved around his soybean crop, a precarious existence that barely sustained his family of four. The monsoon season brought hope, but also uncertainty. As erratic weather patterns became the norm, Bharat’s yields dwindled, pushing him to seek masonry work to make ends meet. The dream of crop diversification lingered, but the path remained unclear.

January 2024 marked a turning point. Bharat joined the Maa Annapurna Smallholder Farmers Collective (SHFC), an initiative by Manav Vikas Seva Sangh under the SAFBIN project. This project, a beacon of hope in ten villages of Sagar district, aims to bolster climate resilience through innovative, eco-friendly farming practices.
The SAFBIN team’s first move was groundbreaking – quite literally. They facilitated soil testing for Doha’s farmers at the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra. The results were enlightening: Doha’s soil was perfect for sesame cultivation. Armed with this knowledge and GT-5 improved sesame seeds, Bharat and 61 other farmers embarked on a new agricultural journey.

“We started small,” Bharat recalls, his eyes twinkling with newfound enthusiasm. On just 0.15 acres, he planted sesame, embracing ecological practices and locally prepared pest control solutions. This small step led to a giant leap in profits. The harvest of 25 kg of sesame, worth about Rs. 3,000, significantly outperformed his previous soybean yields.

Bharat’s success story rippled through Doha. The Farmer Field School, an experiential learning platform popularized by SAFBIN, used Bharat’s farm as a living classroom. Here, farmers learned firsthand about sesame crop management, fostering a community of knowledge-sharing and mutual growth.

The SAFBIN project’s impact extended beyond crop diversification. Systematic nutrition gardens improved food security for Bharat’s family. The shift to organic, integrated nutrient and pest management not only boosted profitability but also aligned farming practices with environmental stewardship.

Bharat’s eyes light up as he shares his plans. “Next year, I’m expanding to a full acre of sesame. I’m expecting at least Rs. 14,000 in profits.” His enthusiasm is infectious. “Sesame is hardy, resilient to climate stresses, and in high demand. It’s not just a crop; it’s our future.”

As the sun sets over Doha village, Bharat stands in his field, a symbol of resilience and adaptation. His journey from soybean struggles to sesame success is more than a farmer’s tale – it’s a story of hope, community, and sustainable change. In the face of climate challenges, Bharat and his fellow farmers are not just surviving; they’re thriving, one sesame seed at a time.