In a mission to transform traditional farming practices and champion the cause of organic natural farming, Caritas India’s Ujjwala U3 program has been working closely with farmers to spread awareness. One of its dedicated partner organizations, DAHPS Adilabad, recently organized a three-day workshop on Natural Farming with the support of Caritas India and Misereor from 12-14 September 2023. This workshop saw the active participation of program directors, implementers, and selected community facilitators from the U3 cluster project.

The workshop emerged as a platform to underline the critical importance of establishing demonstration plots within controlled agricultural systems. These plots serve as living models of sustainable agricultural systems, embracing practices such as beekeeping, multispecies tree cultivation, millet farming, renewable energy adoption, and measures for soil and water conservation.

The inaugural day commenced with a graceful prayer dance performed by students from Carmel School. Fr. Daniel delivered a warm welcome note, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The proceedings were further graced by the presence of His Grace Bishop Joseph Kunnath, Fr. Daniel (Director of DAHPS), and Dr. Haridas (Thematic Lead – Climate Justice at Caritas India), along with their respective teams.

His Grace Bishop Joseph Kunnath, in his keynote address, lauded the tireless efforts of Caritas India and its partners in serving the nation’s neediest, especially in remote areas where assistance is often scarce. He commended their historic work and expressed pride in their unwavering commitment.
Dr. Haridas, set the program’s context, expressing heartfelt gratitude to His Grace for his motivating words. The session then transitioned to state-level presentations, with representatives from West Bengal, Karnataka, and Telangana sharing their regional achievements. This provided a valuable platform for cross-learning among the three U3 partners, fostering the exchange of opinions, suggestions, and experiences.

The second session, led by Dr. Mukund Deshmukh, Assistant Program Lead – Sabal, delved into organic farming and sustainable agricultural practices. It proved to be a colossal session, addressing numerous doubts and generating a wealth of takeaways. Program implementers, community educators, and the entire team found clarity on various aspects and received tasks and demonstrations planned for the field visits the following day. The interactive session featured an extensive question-and-answer segment, ensuring that participants left with newfound knowledge and the ability to apply it effectively.

The second day unfolded with a field visit to the tribal region of Manikapur, Ginadari, and Kolamguda in Komaram Bheem Asifabad District. This journey, traversing rugged terrain for approximately 79 kilometers, was met with enthusiastic welcomes from the Gond, Pardhan, and Kolams tribes, who showcased their traditional welcome dance—a mesmerizing sight.

At Manikayapur village, the U3 team interacted with local farmers and Self-Help Group (SHG) women. A live demonstration of Effective Microorganism (EM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods was conducted. Farmers were enlightened about the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of preparing organic solutions for their farms, instilling a sense of empowerment.

The visit extended to Kolamguda, where 18 out of 21 households were utilizing biogas, thanks to the presence of livestock. The village stood as a beacon of sustainability, boasting solar plants, organic farming, waste conservation, a vermicompost unit, and a nutrition garden for self-consumption. A Pollution-Free Poultry Farm supported under U3 was also observed, providing livelihood opportunities to local residents.

Each village featured a manure preparation area, contributing to the overarching theme of environmentally friendly practices.

The third day’s session focused on beekeeping and was conducted by Kavitha and her team from Samruddi Society. The program unfolded as a voyage of discovery, introducing participants to the intricate world of bees—from queen bees to male bees and working bees. An enlightening demonstration showcased the process of honey extraction, emphasizing the pivotal roles played by individual bees in the honey-making journey.

Kavitha’s team shared invaluable insights into beekeeping, shedding light on bee lifecycles and practices that were entirely new to the U3 team. This session, marked by a flurry of questions and answers, ensured that participants departed with a deep understanding of beekeeping.

The final session, led by Mr. Dileesh, Lead MEAL, delved into disaster disability, various diseases, migration, and Management Information System (MIS) training, specifically designed for State Program Associates. These three days were an enriching blend of learning and exposure.

Caritas India’s relentless commitment to sustainable, natural farming practices and its dedication to empowering farmers to embrace organic methods were evident throughout this enlightening workshop. As the participants return to their respective regions armed with newfound knowledge and passion, the seeds of change have been sown. The future of farming in India looks greener and more sustainable, thanks to Caritas India’s unwavering efforts.