Doubling farm production and income by 2022 is one of the most important agendas of the Government of India. Keeping this as a priority Caritas India intensified its efforts through Smallholder Adaptive Farming and Biodiversity Network (SAFBIN) towards smallholder’s participatory research to scale-up location-specific crops production, cost-effective measures, smallholder’s owned climate-adaptive research initiatives and models to enhance their farm production and productivity. While Caritas India’s initiatives in doubling farm production, farm diversification was one of the most effective approaches to increase their production and income.

With these initiatives, Caritas India through SAFBIN has helped 1366 small farm families with climate-adaptive (resilient) farming system approach where 948% (1285) small far families have improved their small farms with increased biodiversity, 63% (811) small farm families have successfully doubled their farm production and income.

Farm diversification has many advantages by improving soil health and nutrient concentration, better utilisation of small landholdings with crop rotation, less risk of crop failure due to any change in climatic conditions, the by-products are well integrated with other farm components like cattle, small ruminants, and poultry, quicker return from different crops and components. However, with the help of the SAFBIN program, Caritas India has gone beyond by promoting small farm families to have secure income (regular income), increase smallholder’s capacity to adapt new techno-knowledge (improved process and varieties), long-term security (greater stability and securing a better future), traditional farming (replication of indigenous climate-resilient seeds and crop varieties for better production), and new skill (adaptation of new skills, network and linkages to cope of with various adverse conditions).

It was so difficult for us to cope with the frequent climate conditions followed by the high prevalence of disease and pest infestations due to prolonged dry spells and irregular rainfall. Agriculture was so uncertain, and we do not know whether we will get a good harvest or not. Says Bimla Devi of Bagrohi village recalling her days back.

Since 2018 a diverse range of problems related to farming practices were identified and overcome through the smallholder led integrated farming system approach, where smallholders share their challenges related to their agriculture and mutually agreed to adopt localised (socially accepted and culturally appropriate) solutions to up-scale their farm productions under the guidance of SAFBIN team. Lack of proper knowledge and information related to farm diversifications was also one of the key challenges many faced and struggled to incentivise their small farm production. However, SAFBIN has played a significant role in organising interface meetings and consultations with local duty bearers by providing a common platform for smallholders to share their concerns with appropriate solutions for their consideration.

Through our smallholder collective farming (SHFC) units and district farmers forum (DFF), we could establish our presence in all the relevant departments with regard to our farming needs. SHFC and DFF have provided a place for smallholders like us to have the most appropriate localised solutions to our challenges especially related to production and income. Said Shant Lal Yadav of Khairi village, Mandla.

Series of consultations and stakeholder interactions have been done where 85% (1166) small farm families who have adopted at least two or more climate adaptation practices (moisture management, soil health and nutrient management, agro-ecological practices, and farm asset building) however, 98% (1334) small farm families have accessed to 11 types of different socio-economic entitlements even during the pandemic situation.

The key to success was the efforts invested in building community institutions and strengthening synergies. The inclusive approach of SHFCs was well recognized by each section of the farming communities by diversifying various farm components to make their small farms more resilient. Also, the collaborative efforts along with relevant stakeholders like research institutions, departments, KVKs, local authorities have brought significant changes in mobilising necessary technical support and farm inputs. The knowledge built at the local level was key to recycling the farm waste and resources by reducing external dependency making smallholders more self-reliant.

Diversification of farm components has made us survive even during this pandemic. For a couple of years, we have been experiencing many ups and downs. But by adopting these practices, at least we could save our farms and thereby family food requirements. Said Binod Patel of Hanumantora village

Smallholder adaptive farming and biodiversity network is aimed to contribute towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-2) End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture is supported by Caritas Switzerland and Caritas Austria in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.