2 of 28

RA - the Natural Choice for PRADAN

The larger development world is clearly making the shift to regenerative agriculture- we need to align with it

Government & Funding agencies
Civil-societies & Consumer world

Regenerative approach of agriculture is better positioned to attain the five dimensions of comprehensive livelihoods significantly. ( The table below captures this through a perception assessment among 123 Pradanites)

The conventional agriculture is hardly good for anyone

Uncertain farm productivity and reduced economic return to farmers
Fast degradation of natural resource posing threat future generation
Toxicity and depleted nutritional density in food leading to health crisis

The crisis are eminent and severe. It needs urgent attention

PRADAN needs to act now & lead

Farming approach	Income	Inclusion	Gender	Nutrition	Ecology	TOTAL
Relative performance of RA against CA	99%	188%	170%	217%	515%	188%

3 of 28

RA: Vision, Mission & Goal

Vision:

Bringing about a sustained transformation in rural area by making agriculture climate resilient, economically rewarding while producing safe and nutritious food

Mission:

Empower small holder farmers sustainably earn more, rejuvenate their farm and consume healthy food with regenerative agriculture

Goal- 2030:

Covering 1 million farmers and 1 million hectare land under RA
Grooming 1000 professional experts and 1 lakh champion-farmers to spread the idea
10000 complete RA adoption villages and 1 lakh high performing RA model farms
Safe and nutritious food to 100 million people

4 of 28

Resource rejuvenation for future generation

Economic prosperity for farming community

Healthy food

for consumer world

Farm resilience

to climate crisis

RA Objectives

Four-prong objective

5 of 28

Resource rejuvenation for future generation

Economic prosperity for farming community

Healthy food

for consumer world

Farm resilience

to climate crisis

RA Objectives

Four-prong objective

Significant income gain
Inclusive – marginal farmer, landless, women, etc.
Sustained and reliable income
Fostering local area economy

Healthy soil
Sufficient and clean water
Carbon sequestration
Vegetation & clean air

Food sufficiency
Free from toxicity
Nutritional dense food
Diverse food

Prolonged dry-spells
Heavy sowers and storms
Excessive heat and cold waves
Both rainfed & irrigated

6 of 28

4-E Guiding Principles

Strengthening local economy

Restoring ecology

Empowering rural community

Equitable and Inclusive growth

7 of 28

Challenge in the Expansion of Organic Agriculture

Over dependence on desi- cow and large quantity compost/FYM
Production loss in initial transition- difficult for poorer farmers to adopt
Lack of local support system-

Assumption that farmer need to arrange, produce, and apply all bio-inputs
Part approach (ineffective in many cases leading to negative track)

Absence of required ecosystem support to establish a counter narrative
Tangible reward from RA is low initially; just opposite to current approach of CA
Absence of high impact models for small holder farmers and in rainfed condition

Situation Analysis

However, everyone is concerned and willing to change

8 of 28

Integrated Pathway to RA adoption

Rejuvenating soil biology

Enhancing agroecology

Establishing local service system

Strengthening larger eco-system

BRC

9 of 28

1. Rejuvenating Soil-Biology

Quality seed & seedling

Cropping practices

Building

soil organic mater

Microbial inoculation

Plant nutrition

Plant protection

Mixed cropping

Border plantation

Moisture management

Space management

Mulching

Non synthetic input

10 of 28

Details of the Six Intervention Domains

Selection of good quality seeds and treatment. While we suggest opting for O.P and local varieties, the NF works well in hybrid seeds also. However, the chemical treated seeds need to be cleaned by cow urine. All the seeds need to be sorted and treated with Beejamrit and selected bio-cultures.
Addition of good quantity organic matter: Care need to be taken to improve the quality of FYM and adding sufficient biomass through green manuring, incorporating crop residue to enrich the organic matter.
Inoculation of diverse microbes to the soil: Application of local inoculants like (Jeewamrit/ Ghanjeewamrit and other selected microbes like trichoderma, pseudomonas, rhizobium, NPK consortia, mycorrhiza etc. at least for 3-4 times during initial few seasons.
Ensuring proper nutrition of plants by foliar application of multi seed extract and other bio-stimulants. This is important in the initial few seasons of transition to ensure production at par with conventional farming.
Taking precautionary and protective measures from disease and pests by spraying neemastra, agneyastra, brahmastra, mathastra etc.and using different traps etc
Adopting different cropping practices like mixed cropping, mulching, proper moisture management, spacing for root and canopy growth etc.

11 of 28

Wasteland development

Forest rejuvenation

Lorem Ipsum

Controlling soil erosion

Harvesting water

Feed & fodder to livestock

Additional Income source

Raw material for bio-inputs

Draft-power and FYM supply

Regenerative Agriculture

2.Enhancing Agroecology

Natural Resource Management

Livestock Integration

12 of 28

3. Establishing Local Service System

Note: VO- Village organisation, PG- Producer group, CLF- Cluster level federation, CSO-Civil society organisation, CRP- Community resource person, FFS- Farmer field school, FPO- Farmer producer organisation, AE- Agriculture entrepreneur

13 of 28

4. Strengthening Larger Ecosystem

Prototyping clusters

Ecosystem districts

CBOs, PRI and lead CSO

District and block administration.

State Ecosystem

National Ecosystem

RA CoE (PRADAN)

RDD, DoA etc.

MoRD, MoA, Niti Ayog etc.

State level coalition

(CSOs, Experts, Institutions etc.)

National coalition

International network

Note: MoRD-Ministry of rural development, MoA- Ministry of agriculture, CoE- Centre of excellence, RDD- Rural development department,

DoA- Department of agriculture, CBO- Community based organoisation, PRI- Panchayat raj institution

14 of 28

Different Cropping Models

Paddy with relay cropping

Green manuring
SRI/DSR followed by grams
HH Consumption

Mixed vegetable model

Irrigated land
Permanent raised bed
HH income

Homestead model

Mixed cropping with fruits, spices, vegetables etc.
Round the year production
HH Consumption

Multilayer model

Optimal resource use
Homestead irrigated
Consumption & Income

Orchard with intercrops

Mango/Guava/citrus
Irrigated upland
Mostly for HH Income

Rainfed mixed cropping

Millet + pulses + oilseeds
Rainfed upland
Consumption & income

A mix of these models in

1.5 acres land would

help a HH attain

food & nutritional

security along with a

stable annual income of Rs 1 lakh

15 of 28

HH level crop planning and expected annual return

Model	Land type	Purpose	Avg Area covered	% of HHs covered	Average annual return
Multi layer cropping	Mostly homestead	Nutritional security	5-10 decimal	70	2 kg vegetable every day + Rs 10,000 cash income
Paddy with relay cropping	Medium -lowland	Food security	50 -100 decimal	80	Food security (15 quintal paddy) + 20 kg pulses
Rain-fed mixed cropping	Mostly upland	Consumption & income	50-100 decimal	70	Pulse(30kg) & Oilseed(30lit) for consumption+(Rs 10,000 cash income)
Mixed vegetable (two season)	Medium - upland	Income	20-30 decimal	40	Rs 50,000 cash income
Orchard with inter cropping	Mostly upland	Income	30-50 decimal	30	Rs 30,000 cash income
Average area covered per HH : 1.5 acre Average stable annual income: Rs 1 lakhs cash income Average annual consumption: Vegetable/fruits: 1000 kg, Pulses- 50 kg and Oil- 30 lit

16 of 28

Expected Result Areas over 5 Years

17 of 28

Where are we now?

Status as on 30^th Sept’22
Numbers of farmers covered under RA	81946
No of Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) promoted	172
No. of nursery units following RA approach	276
No of FPOs where RA practices are integrated	37
No. of CRPs engaged in RA promotion	998
No. of professionals trained on RA	280

Observations & learnings
There is no drop in productivity in first year of RA Quick soil improvement- earthworm reappearance, softness Produce quality- longer self life, taste and look Water requirement- low irrigation frequency Resilient to dry spells as well as excessive rainfall RA is effective for hybrid seeds and in isolated plots There is no gradual shift approach to RA Pest infestation is comparatively low Farmers are eager to shift from CA to RA

18 of 28

Cutting the Clutter

Apprehensions and realities of RA

Consideration for economic assessment

FPO - RA integration

19 of 28

Apprehensions vs the Realities

Assumption	Reality	Intervention
Significant yield loss (about 30%) in initial 2-3 years of transition as soil health restoration takes time	The loss is zero or minimal even in the 1^st season of RA adoption and soil heath improves significantly within a year or two.	Critical inputs & practices are ensured as a package including foliar application of micronutrient solution
A large quantity of FYM is required to replace synthetic fertiliser	FYM is not for nutrient but for maintaining soil porosity & provide feed and shelter to microbes	5-10 tons of FYM per acre in first year is sufficient 3-5 % SOM requirement
Most of the RA measures like Astras are not effective to control disease and insects	It is found to be quite effective especially when certain minimum package is ensured	Certain vegetables need extra care especially in poor soil
RA is ineffective if not practiced in the whole patch especially to control pest and in hybrid seeds	RA adopted in individual plots are quite effective to control pest and ensures yield. In general the gest infestation is relatively low	Some comprehensive measures like seed treatment, timely application of botanical extracts can address this challenges in most cases
Exclusive dependence on desi-cow urine or dung	The critical ingredients like microbial culture and organic acid obtained from desi-cow can be obtained from other sources. Further desi-cow is preferred not because of its breed but due to its non-toxic and diverse food habbits	The quantity can be reduced significantly. Different organic acid sources can replace cow urine

20 of 28

Economic Prosperity - wider considerations

Expectation: 300% ER in 5 year period

Seasonal to annual to long term (10 years) return
Yield or Productivity to expenses and Net Income
Return from whole watershed/village rather than from specific plot
Return to the whole community rather than specific farmer
Food quality and health expenses
Loss of natural resources- asset depreciation
Loss of resources- fish, herbs, livestock feed
Post harvest loss- significant reduction from about 30% to 5-10 %
Local area economy- less inflow of services, farm inputs, and consumables

21 of 28

RA - FPO Integration

In principle, there is no conflict between RA and FPO promotion. Indeed both are needed and complementary-
Complementary-

Higher self-life, quality produce- demand is higher, low post harvest damage
Possibility of getting higher margin

Possible conflicting areas-

Mono cropping- focus crop with cover crop with crop rotations
FPO dealing with either synthetic inputs or organic inputs- it can deal with both initially and gradually moving to organic as demand shifts

22 of 28

Guiding Strategy and Game plan for RA adoption

Having organizational stance and mandate

Clear goal setting on RA

Establishing a core group with passionate professionals and building their expertise

Generating evidences by establishing RA pilot panchayats

Strengthening ecosystem by nurturing multi-stakeholder network

Having force multipliers like experts, champion farmers, model BRCs

23 of 28

DC Level Preparedness

Comprehensive perspective building event on RA for all the professionals

Identifying and grooming a professional group to take it ahead with clear mandates

Each team to select 2-3 panchayats for the RA pilot from different topography and community context

Arranging dedicated fund of around Rs 10 lakh (excluding professional cost) per GP to start with

Working out the integration mechanism with existing FPO from the beginning

Establishing a learning group and support mechanism among all involved in the DC

Regular data tracking and reporting to DCMC and drawing supports from DC integrators/ CoE-Agriculture etc

Workshops/ Seminars with different stakeholders at regular intervals for learning sharing

24 of 28

Team Level Action Steps -1

Organise exposure and build their perspective
Develop collective action strategy

Make a movement - Involve all (PRI, VO/CLF, Departments, etc.):

Collate and modify different RA-IEC materials for mobilisation
Concept sharing in the intervened hamlets/villages by involving PRI and VO/CLF leaders

Community mobilisation:

Start in selected plots of a family and gradually cover all her plots
Start with plots with less damaged soil. Gradual expansion to challenging plots
Start for consumption purpose and slowly focus to income purpose

Initiating action-gradual change:

Identify 1-2 farmers per village having reliability and interest in RA as champions
Organise exposure visit and building perspective of these CFs
Training and providing handholding support to these CFs
Regular interaction and activate learning process among these CFs (Whatsapp group)
CFs would work as marketing agents of BRC/FPO along with act as trainer to fellow farmers

Grooming of champion farmers (CF):

25 of 28

Team Level Action Steps - 2

High impact model plot development in each cluster:

Establishing 6 different cropping models (5 – 10 plots for each model)
Models to be run by these champion farmers
Model plots to act as exposure sites and training venue for new farmers
Proper data tracking system will be in place to measure progress and impact

Activities which can be started in scale in the initial year:

Multi layer model
Paddy with relay cropping
Pulses and oilseed as mixed crop
Large scale compost making
Supply of seedlings grown with RA practices

Establishing BRC enterprise:

Identifying and orienting BRC entrepreneurs including exposure (preferably one Champion farmer)
Training on different bio-input preparation and business establishment
Establishing systems for these BRC to work with FPO and the champion farmers
Ensuring the supply of different bio-products irrespective of establishment of local BRCs

26 of 28

Year-wise plan to establish a RA cluster

Year	No of HHs	Area under Vegetable / Orchard in acres	Area under Multi-layer model in acres	Area under Field crops in acres	Gross area in acres	Net area in acres	No of villages	No of CFs involved
1^st year	200	20	5	25	50	40	4	4
2^nd year	300	50	10	110	180	100	6	6
3^rd year	500	100	30	225	355	200	10	8

A team should start in 2-3 GPs from different community and terrain

27 of 28