Years of neglect, displacement forcing tribals to take up arms.
-Express News Service

SRI in West Orissa

After the successful trial of SRI by about one hundred farmers in Kalahandi, Bolangir, Bargarh and Nuapada districts during 2008-09 there is a big jump in the number of farmers who are showing interest to take up SRI during Kharif 08. On 8^th April, a preparatory workshop was held at Bilenjore, district Nuapada where it was planned to involve about one thousand farmers during Kharif -08 for SRI. However, it has been found that by 10^th May 08 altogether more than 3000 farmers have registered their names to go for SRI. Looking at this overwhelming response from the farmers SVA and Peoples Science Institute (PSI), Dehradoon have decided to support about fifty master trainers who will be available to guide the farmers who have been going for SRI for the first time.

SVA and PSI have been implementing a programme jointly to promote SRI during Kharif 08 in three districts of West Orissa. The programme is being partly supported by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.

At present already training camps have been going on in the villages to train farmers about various steps of SRI. SVA is also providing Mandua weeder to the farmers at subsidized price. The training materials and manual published by SVA have been found to be very useful and they are used by Government officials as well as many farmers and NGOs all over Orissa.

Along with SRI, SVA has been putting emphasis for various improved practices for Sustainable Agriculture. On the theme of SRI and Sustainable Agriculture SVA has produced several CD films, posters and books which can be available from SVA at nominal cost.

Forest Right Workshop – Padampur

On 26^th April 08 a district level workshop was held at Rajaji Town Hall, Padmpur to make strategies for effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act. The workshop was attended by about 400 participants from different blocks of Bargarh district. The meeting was presided over by Jagadish Pradhan, President, Sahabhagi Vikash Abhiyan and the Sub Collector Padampur Mr. Pravat Kumar Bhoi attended as the Chief Guest. Among others who attended the workshop were Mr. B. R. Singh Bariha, former MLA, Mr. Patel, Tahasildar – Padampur, Mr. Dora, Social Welfare Officer, several advocates, journalists and intellectuals.

In the workshop it was decided that in all the villages the villagers will take steps to make claim for the community right over the forests where they had been depending earlier. Also, it was decided to sensitize the villagers to protect the forest area around their villages. A Committee was formed to monitor the functioning of the various committees regarding the settlement of the lands and forest rights in the district.

Workshop on SRI at Titilagarh

At the behest of Sahabhagi Vikash Abhiyan a district level workshop on SRI was held at the Agriculture Information Centre, Titilagarh on 16^th April 08. The workshop was attended by about forty farmers from different blocks of Bolangir which was presided by Shri Thakurdas Mohanand of POKS. Shri S. K. Parija attended it as the main trainer. From the Agriculture Department, Shri B Rana, A.O., Shri D. Majhi, A.O., Shri C. Sahoo, AAO, Shri G. Rana, JAO, Shri Chitta Sahu, DAO and several others participated. Several farmers from Nuapada and Bargarh districts who have practiced SRI shared their experience. The Government officials explained about the various provisions available from State Government for SRI. It was finally decided that SVA will work closely with the local Agriculture Department officials to promote SRI in a big way during the Kharif 08.