Integrated Agro Development Project – Jayankondan Block, District

Minutes of the Brainstorming session

Date : 3rd February 2016

Place : Gnanam School of Business, Sengipatti, District.

Participants

1. Fr. Maria Arokiam Kanaga SDB 2. Mr. Pankras Amalan 3. Mr. Irudayasamy 4. Mr. Antony Samy 5. Mr. Joseph Regis 6. Fr. Andrew Joseph 7. Mr. K. M. S. Rajesh Kumar 8. Mr. S. P. Selvaraj 9. Fr. Thomas Louis 10. Fr. A. Raj SDB 11. Arthi Devi 12. John Milton 13. Mohith Santhosh Kumar 14. Sibi Chakravarthi

The first of brain storming sessions for the Integrated Agriculture Development project in Varadarajanpet happened 3rd February at Gnanam School of Business, Sengipatti, . The session started at 3 pm in one of the Conference halls in the campus. The primary objective of this Brainstorming session was to bring out ideas and suggestions which would evolve into a comprehensive project aiming at the Integrated Agricultural Development of the region in focus i.e. Jayankondan Block of Ariyalur District with special focus on Varadarajanpet and neighboring villages.

The session began with a prayer. Fr. Raj introduced all the participants of the session. Following the introduction, Fr. Maria Arokiam explained the purpose of the gathering. In his talk he briefly highlighted the problems the region is experiencing in the agricultural sector and other social concerns of the region. Low agricultural productivity, monsoon failure, migration, depleting cultural values and increased alcohol addiction were some of the concerns he raised.

Later, Mr. Pankras Amalan narrated the problem situation in the region. He shared his insightful knowledge about the region as a native resident from Varadarajanpet. He explained the changes that have happened from the past till the present and how it has affected the lives of the people. He also emphasized on few concerns which he thinks has affected agriculture and water resources in the region. Some of them were the Neyveli Lignite Corporation, increase in number of cement factories and Eucalyptus plantations.

Fr. Schlooz Bore well project

Mr. Pankras has said that the people who have availed this scheme supported by Father Schlooz Foundation through the parishes have greatly benefitted from it and they are doing far more well in terms of agricultural productivity. But Fr. Raj clarified that the overall objective of the project was not achieved as the beneficiaries were not ready to share water with the farmers nearby as it was intended. And the project was suspended.

Situation Analysis – Mr Joe Regis

Mr. Regis conducted the brainstorming session where he asked the participants to express striking words from the earlier narrations. This exercise focused on understanding the problem as such and in designing effective strategies to achieve the intended changes. Some of the important topics that came up in the Brainstorming session were Water resource management, training and empowerment, self-reliance and sustainability, Infrastructure, collective ownership, migration, agency support, organic techniques, challenges, intervention etc.

From all that was said in the exercise, it was classified on the three broad themes

1. Problems (Lack of knowledge on Water & Soil management, Income, Migration, Food productivity, Culture, Drug addiction etc.)

2. Intended Changes (Increased productivity, Higher income, empowerment of farmers, etc.)

3. Strategies (Motivating Farmers, Model Farm, Optimum use of available water, Kitchen garden, knowledge sharing across various platforms)

Mr. Regis in his presentation on situation analysis also highlighted some of the successful case studies from his collection and emphasized on the need for collecting and documenting such best practices which can communicated to the farmers so that it inspires them. He also threw light on one of the government scheme which could be exploited through this project1.

Other ideas that came up in the discussion.

• Base line survey to be conducted • Forming farmers union

1 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tn-to-promote-dryland-farming-under-cluster- mode/articleshow/56901011.cms • Self Help Groups among women to reach out to farmers. • Promoting Poultry units. • Value addition of Farm produce. • Contract Farming to gain trust among farmers. • Collective enterprises.

Support Institution:

Fr. Andrew emphasized the need for a support institution, a community based organization to ensure the sustainability of this effort in the long run. He also stressed on the need to work with the people for a longer period, say 15 years so that this project will have tangible impact on the community and its integrated development. Fr. Andrew wanted this support institution, to function independently of the Salesian administration in the region, so that a change in administration will not have any impact in the continuation of the project.

Fr. Andrew also proposed a lot of schemes of the government (NABARD) which could be exploited like registering a Farmer Producer Company which attracts a lot of subsidy and financial support from the government for registration and for training of the farmers. Establishing model farms involving micro farming techniques were some of the other ideas that he proposed.

Farming practice “With & Without” money - Mr. Antony Samy

Mr. Antony gave a comprehensive presentation about the various aspects of farming from his long term experience and knowledge as an agriculturalist. His presentation was broadly based on two themes for this project. One is the activities which shall be carried out without money and the other is the activities which require money.

He started off by pointing down the various aspects which are essential and integral components for farming practice (Agriculture).

• Attitude (which he said is the most important aspect of farming) • Hard Work • Land & Water • Cropping • Labour • Soil • Technology • Planning • Marketing And he went on to explain the minute aspects of each of the above components and their present relevance and condition with reference to the brainstorming discussion.

Without Money

• Publishing booklets . Government Schemes . Soil Pattern . Information on Bank loans & Schemes . Nursery & Seed information • Soil Testing & Analysis (To identify suitable crop and nutrition requirements) • Crops rotation technique • Influencing peer groups • Making use of Government schemes and subsidies

With Money

• Community Bore wells • Community farm equipment • Contour Bunding • Solar Energy

Action Needed

Later, the participants were asked to ponder on the discussion that has happened before and respond on the action to be taken in going forward with the project. The participants came out with their responses. These responses were listed down and the immediate action plan was drawn out based on the prioritized needs and responsibilities were entrusted. They are

1. Baseline study – Fr. Andrew Joseph and Dept. of Social Work, Sacred Heart College, Thirupattur 2. Support institution – Fr. Thomas Louis, Mr. Pankras Amalan - DB Varadarajanpet. 3. Need for information Booklet – Arthi Devi assisted by SPS Foundation.

Conclusion:

The session concluded at around 6 pm where Fr. Maria Arokiam thanked the participants for sparing their time and knowledge in this effort. Also it was decided that the next meeting would happen on 14th March 2017 at Don Bosco, Varadarajanpet. This second meeting would involve participation of stake holders from the farming community.