Tata Power organises Swavalamban Drive to train framers towards self-sustainability in villages of Maharashtra
Mumbai: Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power company, has always been committed to the well-being of the communities that surround its areas of operations. In continuation with this objective, Tata Power organised Swavalamban Drive for farmers in villages of Maval (Khopoli and Bhivpuri division), Maharashtra. The objective of the drive was to self-sustain the farmers towards seed requirement for major crops in Kharif and Rabi seasons. The drive benefitted around 1,642 farmers from 42 villages.
The Swavalamban Drive included:
Formation of local farmers’ committee and training them on seed collection and seed treatment (processing)
Seed collection, grading and treatment (processing) of paddy seeds
Promotion of seed plots with selected farmers to reduce the dependency of seeds from the market
Encouraging SRI (System of Rice Intensifications) practice among the farmers.
Re-introduction of traditional crops such as Vari and Nachini, which are nutritious and have good demand in the market.
Promotion of bio-fertilisers.
Farmers have been trained for paddy seed plots’ development, seed plots cultivated in 41.5 acres. 330 farmers adopted the SRI (System of Rice intensification) practices, SRI cultivation in 303 acres. Around 66 farmers have been supported for organic farming that requires bio-fertilisers and fungi. As many as 91 farmers were supported for ground nut cultivation. Nachni / Vari seed plots were introduced among 25 farmers
Commenting on the initiative, Ashok Sethi, COO and executive director, Tata Power, said, “At Tata Power, we are always mindful of creating various programmes to improve the lives of communities surrounding our premises. We continually strive towards ensuring long-term positive impacts on the society we operate in. This initiative will help the farmers to be well prepared during Kharif and Rabi season. The local farmers will be trained and skilled to develop their own seeds. Further, the interaction with agriculture experts will keep them abreast on the developments in agriculture, which can be implemented to their benefit.”
The initiative developed seed plots of paddy varieties such as Indrayani, Fule Samrrudhi, Karjat-2, Karjat-3, Karjat-7, Karjat-5 and Kolam. Seeds plots for paddy and Vari/Nachnani will ensure self-sustenance of seeds. Additionally, Tata Power arranged for quality paddy seeds, at reasonable rates, for their future requirement.