The Farmer’s Action For Sustainable Agro-Based Livelihood-2 (FASAL-2) project in Siddharthnagar, UP

Project Budget and time period:

The total cost of the project was Rs 1,16,78,148, out of which the local contribution was Rs 25,70,680, and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) have contributed Rs 30,02,800. The grant from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) was Rs. 61,04,668. the time period of project was may 2015 to july 2019.

Objectives:

The project has three main goals:

• To improve livelihood conditions of 1500 households in district Siddhrthnagar of eastern UP through locally relevant and adoptable agricultural & allied practices.
• To upgrade at least 50% project families (750 families) to INR 25000/- annual income level by the end of 4th year.
• To enhance 25% income of 50% remaining project families (750 families) by the end of 4 year.

Project Beneficiaries:

The FASAL-2 project benefited 1500 households in seven gram panchayats of Uska Bazar in Siddhrthnagar district. These households are small and marginal farmers who depend solely on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Project Activities:

• Promotion of Cash Crop: The project promoted the cultivation of high-value crops through the use of machan with an area of 500 Sqm equipped with drip irrigation systems. This activity aimed to increase the income of farmers and provide them with sustainable livelihoods.
• Dhaincha Seed Production: The project promoted the production of dhaincha seeds for seed and firewood, with demonstrations conducted in flood-affected areas and on borders. The project also demonstrated improved cook stove models.
• Pulse Crop Enhancement: The project conducted different demonstrations on farmers' fields to increase the area under pulses and improve productivity. The project focused on varietal, spacing/line sowing, crop intensification demonstration to enhance productivity.
• Crop Productivity Enhancement: The project conducted different demonstrations on farmers' fields to improve the productivity of different crops and increase the gross sown area. The project focused on varietal, spacing/line sowing, crop intensification, and cropping cycle demonstration.
• Backyard Garden: The project promoted backyard gardening in each project family and provided nutritious fruit plants and vegetable seeds on a cost-sharing basis to ensure the availability of chemical-free fruits and vegetables for better health and nutritional security.
• Input Output Tracking Booklet: The project provided a booklet to each farmer for tracking the project inputs provided to them and their output in their families.
• Capacity Building of Stakeholders: The project organized different training for farmers at the project level for their technical capacity building.
• Fund for Innovative Activity: The project conducted some activities based on its learnings during the implementation of the project to enhance the project impact or evolve new effective activity for the project.
• ICT Enabled Knowledge Dissemination: The project disseminated the best agricultural practices/technologies through a pico-projector with the help of CRPs, and farmers adopted practices based on their learnings.
• Business Institution Development: The project formed community federations and promoted relevant business institutions for marketing their produce.
• Non-Specific Activity through Govt Convergences: The project mobilized resources from government schemes/institutions for the project through convergence.
• Baseline of Farmers: The project conducted a baseline survey of each family for the project.

Project Impact :

• Social Impact: Through the implementation of the project activities, the living status of farmers has improved. The adoption of improved agricultural technology for farming has saved their time, cost, and labor, leading to an increase in productivity. This, in turn, has improved their economic status, allowing them to spend on quality health services and create productive and non-productive assets. Additionally, the farmers have come out of the old mindset and sent their children to school for quality education.
• Ecological Impact: The promotion of cash crops and the use of drip irrigation systems in the project has reduced water wastage and conserved water resources. Additionally, the promotion of pulse crops and crop intensification has increased the productivity of crops per unit of land, thereby reducing pressure on natural resources. Moreover, the promotion of backyard gardens has contributed to the production of chemical-free fruits and vegetables, thereby improving the overall ecological health of the area.
• Economic Impact: The promotion of cash crops, pulse crop enhancement, and crop productivity enhancement has increased the gross sown area, leading to an increase in agricultural production and income generation. Moreover, the promotion of business institution development has provided opportunities for marketing the produce and generating additional income. Additionally, the project aimed to provide funding for innovative activities, which could potentially lead to new income-generating opportunities for the community.

In conclusion, the FASAL-2 project implemented by the Swabhiman Samiti brought about a positive change in the lives of small and marginal farmers in the Uska Bazar block and surrounding areas. By providing access to better agricultural practices, technologies, and markets, the project enhanced the income and productivity of farmers, promoted ecological health, and contributed to the sustainable development of the region.