About 86 percent of farmers are classified as small-holder farmers in India. In this, 4.6 percent belongs to Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. These predominantly tribal farmers are particularly vulnerable to climatic and economic shocks due to their cultural beliefs and practices. Most smallholder farmers traditionally rely on monocropping, which adversely affects yield, soil health, and food security. Recent statistics reveal that nearly 85% of farmers in India practise monocropping, highlighting the urgency for change.

Monocropping, or the practice of growing a single crop on a piece of land year after year, has its drawbacks. It leaves the soil depleted of essential nutrients, making it less productive over time. Moreover, it leaves the soil susceptible to pests and diseases, further degrading the soil and affecting crop quality.

Diversification, a concept that is gaining support in the agricultural sector, is the answer. Growing a variety of plants on the same plot of land can greatly enhance soil health, lessen susceptibility to pests, and eventually increase production. This practice not only reduces concerns about food security but also increases farmers’ revenue by giving them more options for selling their produce. Additionally, it increases the agricultural ecosystem’s resistance to climatic changes.

Smallholder farmers prioritise yield stability as a crucial component of food security. Seasonal yields are essential for food and economic returns, and low yields can negatively impact family income. Investing in crop diversification can mitigate food insecurity, increase yields, and provide insurance against crop failures.

Recognising the potential of diversification to transform rural economies, Caritas India, in partnership with Caritas Australia, has initiated the Gram Nirman programme. This innovative programme is aimed at supporting marginal farmers in 165 villages across Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Through small-scale integrated farming systems, Agri-markets, and livelihood development, Caritas India is working to improve locally resilient rural economies.

Under the programme, 2836 farmers from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh gained technical guidance and traditional seed assistance to diversify their crops during the Kharif Season (which typically begins with the first rains and ends in October or November). In addition to paddy, 952 of these 2836 farmers have begun farming millet, 797 maize, and 1087 arhar (red gram). Further, all these farmers are linked with community-owned and managed seed banks to help replenish needed seeds if they are lost from crops due to natural or man-made disasters, such as pollution. The idea is to promote biodiversity and enable ecosystems to adapt to an ever-changing world.

The programme takes a holistic approach by collaborating with local agriculture departments and experts to organise village-level awareness and training sessions. These sessions educate the community about the importance of crop diversification and its impact on food security and overall agricultural sustainability. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques, farmers are empowered to make informed decisions about their agricultural practices. Existing CBOs, farmer groups, and PRI leaders have helped the Gram Nirman team identify interested smallholder farmers for further training and input assistance.

Through traditional farming techniques like multi-cropping and inter-cropping (growing more than one crop on the same plot of land at the same time or in succession), the community has discovered the value of diversifying their crops. Farmers are aware that many of these practices were dropped in favour of mass production, but they must work together to bring them back. Through Gram Nirman’s efforts, awareness, and training, a brighter and more diverse future is being sown, promising improved food security, higher income, and healthier soil for generations to come.