A model to include women in developmental initiatives

Yogesh Bhatt1 and Sukumar R2

1 Yogesh Bhatt is an Agriculture and Management graduate heading agricultural programme at Dangs Programme Area of AKRSP(I) 2 Sukumar R is a Post graduate in Mathematics & NGO management & Mhil in HR management, heading Research & Monitoring unit at Dangs Programme Area of AKRSP(I) 108 A model to include women in developmental initiatives Introduction creating livelihod options and are involved in almost all agricultural Any discussion on women always activities, are in general worse off as veers around to the gender disparities their role is never recognized and prevailing in the community. This is the ownership of the land lies with the case with agriculture,too, where women men. The AKRSP(I) has tried to bring are never recognized as a core workforce. about small but qualitative changes in the The subject, “Women in Agriculture” has lives and livelihoods of these communities several aspects: 1. Women’s contribution through the management of natural to the total labour in agriculture; 2. Food resources. Some of the activities initiated safety and security for all the women by the AKRSP(I) were diversification members 3. Women’s share of agricultural of agriculture, participatory irrigation profit/ loss and natural resources; 4. works, livestock rearing, improvement of Women’s participation in trainings and land, and protection of forest and forest- exposures organized by state universities, based livelihood initiatives.Women were Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK), NGOs, encouraged not only to participate in and other development partners; 5. these activities, but to spearhead social Women’s involvement in activities allied change through village-level institutions. to agriculture, such as sericulture and This was achieved by introducing women- fisheries. specific agriculture activities, and through capacity-building of women’s institutions. The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme It is not easy to bring women out of the (), which has focused on identifying confines of their homes and to motivate and reducing the challenges faced by tribal them to take their own decisions, especially communities in south for the last in tribal communities, but continuous three decades, has used the crosscutting dialogue, rapport building, training themes of gender and development as the and extension programmes, education on basis for all the development initiatives financial decision-making and inclusion under it. in developmental activities have brought about changes which are visible at the The main tribes of south Gujarat are field level. Women in the AKRSP(I) Bhil, Konkani, Kotwalia and Kunbi. working area are now managing SHGs, Traditionally these communities are running micro-enterprises, agro centers, marginal farmers who depend on rain- farm tool libraries, managing irrigation fed agriculture and non-timber forest assets and also fighting for land rights. products for survival. Over-exploitation and outmoded agricultural practices have This paper discusses the strategies eroded the natural resource base of these adopted and steps taken under the communities and pushed them into a inclusive model of development vicious cycle of poverty and indebtedness. implemented in the Dang district of Women, who play a pivotal role in Gujarat.

Empowering Women in Agriculture 109 Organizatinal Profile Others The Aga Khan Rural Support 9% Programme (India) is a non- Konkara Bhil 26% denominational, non-government 50% rural development organization, established in 1984. It is active in Varli 15% three distinct socio-geographical areas (the coastal district, the drought-prone and the tribal, rain-fed --Tapi-Narmada districts) of Gujarat. In the year 2004, three talukas and 311 villages. The AKRSP (I) expanded its sphere of district headquarters is in Ahwa town. action to Madhya Pradesh and set up an office in Khandwa and in 2008, it As per the Census 2011, the total started working in Bihar. population of the district is 228,291, 96% of which is tribal. The major AKRSP (I) believes that though tribes are the Konkanis (50%), Bhils NGOs cannot replace the State, they (26%) and the Varlis (15%). can provide models of participatory, bottom-up development and evolve Though rich in land, water and forest approaches for replication. Its resources, the district is among the mission is to enable the empowerment poorest in the state. It is also one of rural communities and groups, of the lowest ranking among the particularly the under privileged and tribal regions of the country with women, to take control over their lives respect to the HDI and gender- and manage their environment, to create related development . It is ranked a better and equitable society”. as among the most backward areas in the country in terms of the wages In July 2010, the AKRSP (I) extended and output of the agricultural its activities to the Dangs through sector, according to a ranking of 477 its livelihood initiatives. The main districts by the Planning Commission objective was to improve the (Source: Planning Commission, quality of life of the tribals with the 2003). involvement of other development partners. It is noteworthy, however, that the district has a sex ratio of 1006 women The Dangs District for every 1000 men. The Dangs is a predominantly tribal district in south Gujarat. It is the smallest district in the state, with

110 A model to include women in developmental initiatives Cultivable Waste Forest Un Utilized 1% 7% 33% 59%

Total Geographical Area 172356 Ha.

agricultural labour. Other than these, Topography there are the Kotwalias, one of the The total geographical area of the most disadvantaged landless tribal district is about 1.7 lakh hectares, communities, who make bamboo out of which only 33% is under articles for a living. Firewood meets cultivation. The predominantly hilly the fuel requirement of 91% of the district has a forest cover of 59% and households. only 1% of the area is waste land. The average annual rainfall is 3000 There are approximately 100 mm over about 100 days, but run-off small-scale industries in the Dangs. is high due to hilly topography. The Tourism, which is already one of low-lying areas have fertile black soil, the important industries can be while the rocky red soil on the slopes developed further. With proper is prone to erosion. management, the forests could serve as a sustenable means of generating livelihoods. Plantations and nurseries Economy may be developed to generate Agriculture is still the main employment as may agro-processing economic activity, with 90% of the and dairy units. population depending on it for their sustenance. For many small farmers, however, the income from Agriculture agriculture does not suffice, so they Paddy, nagli, pulses and oilseeds are are forced to migrate in search of the main kharif crops, while gram, supplementary income. A large part black gram, groundnut, sugarcane of the population comprises landless and wheat are the main rabi crops in tribals engaged in cattle-rearing and the area. Finger millets (ragi) are the

Empowering Women in Agriculture 111 best adapted for cultivation in the 2. Extension programmes to ensure Dangs as it can grow on hill slopes efective dissemination and and in comparitively dry conditions. adoption of the interventions Mangoes and custard apples are the major fruits grown in the area, exotic Overall AKRSP(I) approach revolves fruits like strawberries have started around Village institutions, where being grown in the Shamghan area. farm based and non farm based programmes are implemented and hence village institutions are cross Intervention cutting across all the programmes.

Approach The extension of the programmes Agriulture is the major source of are also ensured though the Village livelihood for the rural population. institutions Hence any intervention aimed at enhancing incomes at the village VI- Village Instituions, APD- level must aim at increasing Agriculture Programme Develoment agriculutral productivity. AKRSP(I)’s WRD- Water resource Development, intervention programmes on SWC- Soil and Water Conservation, agricultural development, water FDP- Forest Development resource development, and soil Programme and water conservation are all implemented with the objective of enhancing agricultural inome Agriculture-Related in a sustainable manner. The interventions are designed not only Interventions to be environmentally sustainable Interventions in other but also institutionally sustainable. areas Consequently, they are carried out through the medium of village In Bharuch, Narmada, Surat, Tapi, institutions. AKRSP (I)’s experience and , where the AKRSP has shown that efforts at income (I) has been mobilizing tribal generation through increased communities for the management of productivity must be accompanied by natuaral resources for three decades, measures to improve awareness and women have been the chief focus access. Hence AKRSP(I)’s agriculture of its activities. Altogether 11, 362 programme consists of two parts: women have been involved in various activities listed in the following 1. Interventions/ technologies for table. These women have formed enhancing incomes through village-level mahila vikas mandals and agriculture self-help groups. Four federations of mahila mandals, called mahila manches, have also been formed.

112 A model to include women in developmental initiatives The following model gives an idea of our approach AKRSP(I) Vision and Mission

Activities Involving Women Agricultural activities Soil and moisture Water resource conservation ctivities development activities Agriculture demonstration Leveling land Constructing check dams Input supply Plugging nalas Setting up lift irrigation systems Horticulture Constructing Digging and deepening gabions, wells Organic farming Bunds and check Mobile engines walls Root intensification Working on micro irrigation schemes Vegetable cultivation Vegetable kits Setting up vegetable nurseries Vermicomposting

Empowering Women in Agriculture 113 Women take the lead Navagam is a village of 219 households. The majority of the population belongs to the Vasava community. The intervention in this village started in 2009 with the formation of a mahila mandal comprising of 120 members. AKRSP organized training sessions for these women to help build their capacity and boost their confidence. Initially, the mahila mandal started with demand generation for activities such as biogas, SRI and growing nurseries.

In 2012, under an employment guarantee programme of the Forest Department, the mahila mandal undertook the construction of 10 boribandhs3. On successful completion of this project they were further awarded the work of border plantation from the department, for which they earned Rs. 30,000 (approximately). Next they were entrusted with the building of a check dam along the border of three villages. With an outlay of Rs. 4,412,000, this dam has helped raise the water table in the village and directly improved the irrigation facilities of 15 persons. The women are now planning to start a fishery in this dam.

The mahila mandal has taken up watershed work for a scheme under the National Rural Employment Gurantee Act. What is more, it has become involved in the conservation of 171 hectares of forest belonging to the village. It has persuaded the forest department to ban the felling of trees and has dug a trench around forest. About 10 to 12 women take turns in guarding the forest. regularly.

The growing confidence of the women has helped them take the lead in the decision-making process in the village This has become a source of inspiration for other tribal villages in the area. AKRSP (I) Strategy 3 Temporary placement of cement bags filled with stones, mud and sand during the time of low stream flows directly on small streams and above existing check dams on the larger ones, for capturing late season flows.

114 A model to include women in developmental initiatives In keeping with the philosophy Replication in The of AKRSP (I), to begin with, staff members interact with the village Dangs Area leaders and women to make them aware of the organization’s activities. Community mobilization Next, the villagers are taken to other When AKRSP(I) entered the project areas to get a feel of what Dangs in 2010, its initial task was AKRSP (I) does. After the initial to understand the community and interaction the Gram vikas mandal build bridges. In January 2013, (GVM) is formed, which acts as a with support from the Axis Bank platform for learning through the Foundation, it launched the Dangi sharing of ideas, the villagers elect Vikas Project with the objective of their own leaders. It is mandatory improving the livelihoods of more to have an equal number of leaders than 20,000 households in the Dangs from among men and women. and the adjacent blocks over a The GVM meets once a month period of five years. to discuss the activities initiated by the AKRSP (I) as well as other development issues. Under the GVM, Women’s which is a general forum, there are thematic groups like SHGs, user Involvement in groups, lift irrigation society and Agriculture and pani samiti. The problems faced by these sub-groups and their agendas Allied Activities are discussed at the monthly GVM meetings. For The GVM selects Women are actively involved in extension volunteers (EV) to help the decision-making process of the AKRSP (I) staff to implement the village-level institutions. They different programmes at the village participate in agricultural decision- level. These volunteers get an making, training, field-level incentive for the work they do. The demonstrations, input procurement, AKRSP (I) facilitates the functioning and financial decisions. Certain of the village-level institutions in the activities, such as kitchen gardening initial phase. Later they are able to and vermicomposting are designed conduct the procedure themselves. especially for women. Some of the Many EVs, for example, are very ways in which women are involved in active and are doing wonderful work different activities are as follows. on their own initiative.

Empowering Women in Agriculture 115 1. Input procurement cultivation, landless garden, and Every year the AKRSP (I) facilitates vermicomposting. Under the SRI the procurement of agricultural programme, AKRSP (I) involved inputs worth around Rs 3-4 million by around 4000 women farmers from the farmers in Dangs. Women leaders new and old villages in village-level and GVM members collectively decide field days or exposure trips organized on the seed varieties and other inputs with a view to familiarizing them with required through negotiated price the new cropping system. Women’s with the vendors by. The women help SHGs have been formed for the in the process by taking loans from dissemination of knowledge. SHGs, which plan savings during the peak season. Since the women are able to arrange for the money from 3. Field-level their SHGs, they have the right to implementation take decisions. Women leaders of the GVM also keep track of the demand Women have been participating for inputs and are involved in buying actively in the implementation these inputs. of the SRI programme. In the peak cropping season, especially during monsoon, when rainfall 2. Trainings and Exposures is unpredictable and there is a The AKRSP (I) strategy is to take the shortage of labour, women’s groups farmers through a rigorous process have been coordinating effectively of training and exposure before to carry out the SRI in their land. launching an activity. The activities In 2012-2013 and 2013-2014, when launched in the Dangs are the system there was a shortfall of rain, it was of rice intensification (SRI) entailing the determination of the women’s a rotation of paddy and gram and workforce that led to the success of some other measures, vegetable the SRI programme.

116 A model to include women in developmental initiatives Adar is a common practice in the Dangs. Under this practice, 2-3 months before the sowing of paddy and millets, farmers prepare the land by burning crop residue, wood, leaves and cow dung and mixing the ashes with the soil. They believe that this speeds up the process of germination and enhances the fertility of the soil. In reality this practice reduces soil fertility by destroying nutrients in the soil. It is also a waste of raw material that can be used as manure.

The AKRSP (I) has been dissuading the farmers from carrying on with this practice and has been promoting raised-bed nurseries instead. It conducted demonstrations and trainings for women as they form the major workforce involved in adar. In 2012, when this initiative began, only 68 farmers prepared raised beds. By 2014, the number of farmers practising the raised bed system increased to 800. This is one of the best examples of how women can serve as agents of change at the grassroots level.

Empowering Women in Agriculture 117 Another initiative was to promote landless gardens4 among women Support Activities of very poor households to ensure the nutritional security of such Promotion of organic households. Training sessions were agriculture held for farmers’ groups and for SHGs, with a special focus on women. The tribals of the Dangs traditionally More than 1000 women were trained use crop residue and dung to make in the skills of growing vegetables on organic manure, so there is a lot homestead land. It was seen that just of scope to develop this district a small investment of around Rs 50 as an organic district. Realizing could fetch them visible gains. this, the AKRSP (I) worked closely with SHGs to mobilize women for 4 In landless garden, vegetables are grown by specific method. A plastic gunny bag is filled with the production of vermicompost soil, FYM and manure in appropriate proportion. and Amrit pani5. Women were A piece of bamboo is inserted vertically in the middle of bag to make passage for watering, given support in the form of which is removed later on. About eight holes training and exposure to take up are made on the sides of the bag and seeds of vermicomposting for their own use particular vegetable are sown in the soil. When branches come outside, these are stacked with and for sale among farmers as a wall so that it may spread on the roof. means of earning their livelihood.

5 An organic pesticide 118 A model to include women in developmental initiatives Training In Income Dissemination of Generating Activities Knowledge Women are also being trained in The AKRSP (I) encourages other income-generating activities, its beneficiaries to share their such as mushroom cultivation and experiences with others during bee-keeping. The SHGs are directly events organized under Mission involved in these activities. Landless Mangalam, a government initiative women and widows of select tribal to promote SHGs, and those communities like the Kothwalia are organized by other development being encouraged to take up goat- partners. rearing. The AKRSP(I) provides each woman with five goats and helps with Initially, the AKRSP staff was insurance. actively involved in disseminating information at such events, but now the women feel confident enough Improved Housing to share their experiences at such About 90% of the houses in this forums. They have also helped in district are made of wood and the development of communication bamboo, cemented by slurry of material, such as a documentary on dung and mud. Earthen tiles are SRI developed by the AKRSP (I). used for roofing and there is hardly any provision for ventilation or the passage of sunlight. Women and small children suffer the most as they spend the longest hours in these dingy, airless houses. In an effort to improve their living conditions, acrylic sheets have been used as improvised skylights to allow the passage of sunlight.

Empowering Women in Agriculture 119 Improvement of land and Another initiative to facilitate conservation of water irrigation has been to provide mobile pumps to SHG members who are Though the district receives a lot of interested and eligible for forming rain during the monsoon, there is user groups. The management of heavy run-off due to the hilly terrain, these pumps is in the hands of the and deforestation has added to the SHG members under the guidance problem. The result is an acute of the AKRSP (I) staff. scarcity of water during the rabi and summer seasons and the gradual erosion of soil. The AKRSP (I) is Conservation of Forest promoting watershed management AKRSP (I) has had a very rewarding to conserve both soil and water. The experience in its efforts to promote selection of the villages for such Joint Forest Management (JFM) in projects, as well as the planning, the Netrang located in tribal South organization of physical labour and Gujarat region, where people have the payment of wages are handled been involved in the protection by the GVM leaders. A number of of thousands of hectares of dense women have been participating in forest. The Dangs area already had these projects as members of GVMs Van Samitis, at the village level, as well as workers. formed by the Forest Department. However, these people’s institutions

120 A model to include women in developmental initiatives were not active. The AKRSP (I) took the village-level problems and are the initiative to revive these Samitis implementing programmes on their and get women to participate in JFM. own. They have become assertive As a result, women are now taking a about their rights to drinking water keen interest in for the conservation supply and sanitation; demanded of forest. proper accounts and social audit of government programmes; and are fighting against alcoholism. Emergence of Village-Level Leadership and Resource Outcome of Persons One of the most important indicators Interventions of development is the emergence Although it is too early to talk of local leaders who take their own about fundamental changes, there initiative to resolve local problems. are definite signs to show that the The efforts made by the AKRSP process of improving the status of (I) to nurture village-level leaders women has begun. and resource persons in the Dangs have begun to bear fruit. The EVs and GVM leaders are capable of implementing programmes at the field level under the supervision of the AKRSP (I) staff. Women leaders groomed in the SHGs and GVMs have become vocal about

Empowering Women in Agriculture 121 Membership of women In The total number of SHGs formed institutions in 84 villages is 440 and the total savings of these SHGs is Rs 2,246,786. Area of work Total Sixteen groups have been formed to tackle the problem of safe drinking Working villages 86 water and women are taking the - GVMs 78 lead in this initiative. Women’s SHGs have formed 19 user groups for - Pani samitis 16 the acquisition and use of mobile pumps for irrigation. In sum, armed - Lift irrigation societies 3 with greater financial resources, - User groups 20 women are not only acquiring assets collectively, but also becoming a part SHGs 440 of the decision-making process. SHG members 4,865 SHG savings 2,246,786 System of Rice Intensification In a short span of time (two years) AKRSP(I) has been able to The system of rice intensification touch the lives of the people of was launched in the Dangs region 86 villages and formed 78 GVMs in 2012. Initially, it was difficult for the implementation of various to convince the farmers to adopt development interventions. About this system. However, once women 50% of the members of these GVMs were involved in training and are women. One of the activities of extension programmes, it gained the GVMs in which women have been acceptance among the community. participating actively is the collective In the first year, only 247 farmers procurement of agricultural inputs. opted for the system, but the figure In 2014 alone, inputs worth Rs 4 increased to 743 in the following million were procured, helping the year and in 2014, the total number villagers save a net amount of Rs 0.7 of farmers practicing SRI was 2620. million. This is a great achievement Some of the measures taken to not only in terms of monetary increase productivity and reduce gain, but also because it helps the the cost of production are collective community to appreciate the value of procurement of seeds, replacing the collective approach. the adar system with the raised-bed nursery method and the introduction of Cono Weeders for weeding. As the table in the following page shows, the net result has been a 40-50% increase in production.

122 A model to include women in developmental initiatives Comparison of yields Grain production/acre Straw production/acre ( quintals) (quintals) Cluster Traditional SRI Traditional SRI

Ahwa 30.58 48.11 60.04 93.24

Subir 24.48 36.29 34.96 47.0976

Vansada 22.57 42.56 57.09 85.26336

Waghai 20.9 30.16 0 0

Conclusion be designed to include activities that can be implemented primarily Women must be the focus of any by women, for example, homestead agricultural programme. Though gardening. It must also focus on they are usually not assertive raising awareness among women, and not involved in the decision- building their capacity and helping making process at the rural level, them to generate sustainable they have the capacity to bring livelihoods. Once women are about fundamental change at motivated, not only does the success the grassroots level. To tap the rate of the agricultural programme resources of this silent workforce, in question increase, but there are a programme must be designed to visible improvements in the living address their needs and interests, conditions of the community. which may be area-specific. It must

Empowering Women in Agriculture 123