Two days learning visit was organized in Shahgarh block of Sagar district of Smallholder Adaptive Farming and Biodiversity Network (SAFBIN) program to promote sharing knowledge and experiences while allowing them to view evidence-based successful climate resilience practices and small farm-based innovations.

Since lockdown, Smallholder Farming and Biodiversity Network (SAFBIN) conducted 26 such trainings and virtual learning platforms to promote mutual learning among not only smallholders but also encouraged program staffs to share their learnings and experiences with smallholders of other regions. This visit was conducted as part of building the capacity of smallholder farmers as well as field staffs on sustainable agricultural practices.

The whole process is the best way of learning with an added advantage in building capacities and confidence to replicate in our respective regions. Says Neeraj Tomar, VRP Vidisha.

The entire Sagar team members under the guidance of Caritas India and its implementing partner Manav Vikas Seva Sangh (MVSS) Sagar facilitated this learning visit. During the visit, key initiatives like low-cost fodder production through hydroponics, promotion of farm components and connections established, integrated nutrient management, reuse and recycle of farm resources were demonstrated.

Livestock is one of the most vital components, playing a crucial role by contributing 16% of the small farm’s income and 25.6% of total agriculture GDP (vikaspedia.in). It is estimated that almost 20.5 million people depend upon the livestock for their livelihood. While sharing the innovative models, the low-cost hydroponic units installed by smallholder’s farmer collectives (SHFC) to ensure green fodder has drawn the entire attention during this visit.

It was interesting to learn the whole process of growing fodder without soil with very little water and minimum resources within six to seven days. Though it seems difficult, it is a simple technique where I could see the contributions and greater involvement of women than men. Says Sudhir Rai, DPO Vidisha.

Ramesh Bhalla, one of the smallholder farmers of Bagorhi village demonstrated an in-depth live presentation on the promotion of farm components and establishing healthy connections to help build a better farm ecosystem. He emphasizes the low-cost methods of integrated nutrient management and recycling of own farm resources optimally to reduce input cost while maintaining healthy farm thereby farm ecosystem.

I was inspired to see the knowledge imparted by the smallholders in utilizing every resource available at his small farms effectively. The simple way of connecting farm components was one of the best learning for me. Says Sonu Dhakad, VRP Vidisha

Before the closure of the visit, the team was introduced to the community managed seed banks established in each village where they learned about the collection process and management practices while serving the need of smallholder farmers at the local level.

The exposure visit has contributed to the change in perceptions of the district team when they are facilitated to learn via actual viewing and interactions with smallholder farmers. Team Vidisha would be able to apply their ascribed knowledge from exposure visits in their context especially towards changing their views in the best agricultural practices.