Uncertainties in weather conditions and ever growing new pests and diseases are placing even more demands on the farming community which, in turn, require skills and updated information/knowledge to handle these challenges in their day to day activities.

In this context it is important to promote continuous learning of farmers to deal with these uncertainties and improve their livelihoods. This is what M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) – Commonwealth of Learning, Canada (COL) partnership is striving to do through the Lifelong Learning (L3F) initiative in and around the villages of Kannivadi, Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. And this is done by addressing problems related to agriculture and allied activities.

The continuous learning is promoted by employing different modes of information includinig print media, notice board, mobile phones and other social media tools such as WhatsApp, Facebook and YouTube. Training and skill development programmes related to agricultural practices and livestock care and management are conducted for farmers. The farming community is up-dated with local and season specific agricultural and livestock information. Besides, staff with agricultural background from Reddiyarchathiram Sustainable Agricultural Producers Company (RESAPCOL) – a Farmer Producer Company supported by MSSRF – visits the farmers ‘fields to guide them and suggest appropriate crop advisories to be followed.

One of the information tools SeidhiSolai, a monthly local newsletter published and distributed by RESAPCOL to the farming community has gained a wider appreciation for its timely season-based and local specific agricultural, livestock and other relevant information. A study based on 25 case studies of farmers from the villages of Kannivadi region, reflect vividly the benefits of using the content on agriculture and livestock. It helps in preparing and equipping the farming community to handle various issues and to enhance their income. The content in Seidhi Solai is complemented with other channels such as voice mail, training programmes, meetings with experts – external as well as in-house (MSSRF/RESAPCOL).

The structure and the presentation of the need based and local specific content in the newsletter are considered as a guide and a reminder and is very much appreciated by the farmers.

The newsletter promotes sustainable agricultural practices. And it provides necessary information that is relevant to a particular season crop cycle – right from the land preparation and other details such as seed treatment, fertiliser management, and pest /disease management- is disseminated step by step.  The importance of soil testing, spacing, inter-cropping, multi-cropping, water management and so on is covered. Similarly, season specific livestock information/advisories are also provided.

Continuous flow of relevant seasonal and contextual information related to agriculture and livestock has positive impact on the users. Informed decisions are taken by adopting different technologies. They try their best to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, and that has helped them reduce cultivation cost and improve yield.

There is increased awareness on the importance of using micronutrients, an important limiting factor in crop productivity and also applying bio-fertilisers to the crop. Women are happy to share with us, that they are inspired to learn new technologies and sustainable agricultural practices. They are able to keep their cows an important secondary source of income to the household, in good health. The cash flow is very helpful for the household to meet its day-to-day and other expenses. They mentioned that they now feel confident because one way or the other they are kept alert about the measures to be taken at various stages of crop growth and cattle rearing.

The content in the newsletter is valued by the respondents so much that some of them save the issues for future reference. For instance, to prepare bio inputs such as panchakavya, and amirdhakaraisal and to treat the diseases affecting the livestock, the back issues of the newsletter is referred. The content in the newsletter is shared with the relatives and friends. Some respondents who could not use few advisories for example, water management due to lack of facilities share it with others outside their village. Similarly, there are examples of few women who do not own cattle themselves, but are happy to share prescriptions provided in the newsletter for treating cattle related diseases such as udder disease with others who engage in cattle rearing.

It is interesting to note that one of the women who helped her relative to treat the cattle does not know to read or write. She gathered the information when the newsletter was read out during one of the self-help group meetings where she is a member.

Similarly, a woman farmer who has never attended a school shared the information with her relatives to prevent and control stem borer in eggplant. There are more incidences of sharing information related to both agriculture and livestock care and management.

It emerged in the early interactions that a farmer has to struggle a lot against many odds and he/she needs guidance and support at every stage of the crop cycle. The informal interactions with farmers brought out the need and necessity of timely and latest information through channels such as Seidhi Solai and also voice mail, training programmes and meetings with experts for their livelihood improvement. According to them, continuation of these services would motivate and increase their confidence particularly amongst the younger generation to continue agriculture as their main livelihood option.

A young Ph. D scholar stated that it is because of MSSRF/RESAPCOL programmes youngsters in Kannivadi region reveal interest in agriculture. He mentioned this interest should be sustained by institutions such as MSSRF to ensure farmers get adequate and timely guidance for the agricultural extension service system. He says that MSSRF is seen as a great support system for which the farming community is grateful.

Another young man stated, “I have become aware of many aspects related to agriculture and cattle care and management. If farmers in this area are able to cope up with difficulties and carry out agriculture without losing interest, it is mainly because of the services rendered by RESAPCOL to improve the lives of farming community through Seidhi Solai and other modes of information dissemination /capacity building programmes.”

According to a woman farmer, “MSSRF in our area has brought in lot of positive changes in women and men farmers’ lives. It has given the, a direction –  it has created an awareness on the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. If today women are coming out in our villages and going to the banks and participating in various training programmes it is because of the services and programmes conducted by the foundation and grassroots organizations working here in our place”.

Note: This blog is based on the Kannivadi site intervention by the Ecotechnology Department of MSSRF.