Dharamitra

MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF DHARAMITRA

• Conducting research and generate eco-friendly technologies relevant to rural areas
• Promotion of Ecological Agriculture / Regenerative Farming
• Implementation of Watershed Development Programme
• Promotion of kitchen gardens
• Training and capacity building of govt. staff, NGO representatives and farmers in watershed development (associated with Yashada, Pune as RNGO)
• Providing technical services like soil testing, training on fruit processing, soil and water conservation, ecological agriculture, processing of medicinal herbs, handmade paper production, honey processing, composting, etc.

SPECIFIC WORK IN THE FIELD OF RAIN-FED AGRICULTURE

• Development of a package of about 15 techniques to promote Ecological Agriculture based on use of locally available resources
• Promotion of this package among more than 2000 farmers in Vidarbha
• Developed technique for construction of contour bunds for conservation of soil and water in the farm, especially suitable to land with slopes
• Developed water conservation and land recharge pit to collect run off from land; this pit provides water for protective irrigation during long dry spells in monsoon season and water for irrigation of short duration / low water demand crops during post monsoon period
• Developed various techniques of compost making using hard agri-waste like cotton stalks and pigeon pea stalks and water hyacinth
• Application of a package of techniques to improve health conditions of local breeds of goats and backyard poultry birds to enhance income of faring families
• Developed a package of techniques of improved kitchen gardening to enhance nutritional status of farming families
• Establishment of more than 3000 kitchen gardens in rural areas of Yavatmal and Wardha districts in Vidarbha to combat malnutrition prevalent in rural families
• Studied traditional crop patterns in various parts of Vidarbha