Prakriti Vidya Peeths

The Problem

Lack of sustainable livelihoods due to inefficient use of agricultural methods and depletion of natural resources.

India is an agrarian economy – 58 percent of rural households depend on agriculture as the principal means of livelihood. As the nation’s population grows and the demand for food production increases, the number of people getting involved in the agricultural sector also increases.

However, the amount of arable land in India is limited. As the number of farmers increases on a limited area of land, the average landholding of a farmer decreases. Currently, the average holding size of a farm is merely 2.84 acres with 44.6 percent small and marginal holdings.

The decreasing size of farms means that a farmer will have to practice intensive agriculture to get maximum yield out of his limited land. However, to practice intensive agriculture, one needs to ensure consistent provision of good quality of soil and water, which is not the case.

Water supply to farmers is largely unreliable and unpredictable as 64 percent of farmers still depend on unpredictable rains for feeding their crops and do not have a reliable irrigation system. The decrease in groundwater levels and drying up of surface water sources along with the unpredictable change in rainfall patterns makes it increasingly difficult for farmers to attain a consistent supply of water for their crops. Inefficient irrigation methods like flood irrigation and incorrect growing of water-intensive crops worsen the water-scarcity crisis for farmers.

In addition, incorrect cropping methods and exploitation of arable land due to chemical fertilizers and pesticides cause soil degradation, which in turn leads to a low yield of crops.

The decreasing size of farms with the increasing depletion of natural resources makes it nearly impossible for a farmer to produce enough yield and practice agriculture profitably to support the growing population and himself.

Where we come in

To successfully feed the growing population and support themselves, farmers need two things:

• The latest know-how of the best intensive agriculture practices to get maximum yield from a limited holding of land.
• Knowledge of how to use natural resources sustainably and optimally so that they are available in quality and quantity for a longer period of time.

To build capabilities of farmers in both these aspects, The Art of Living Projects team has initiated the Prakriti Vidya Peeths (PVPs) or ‘Farmer Field Schools.’

PVPs would empower farmers and equip aspiring rural youth with the necessary knowledge, skills, and training to be profitably and sustainably successful in the agricultural sector. The training programs would help the small farmers/producers to have better access to technology, finances, and the market, thus ensuring a significantly higher income.

 

PVPs would be community-based sustainable colleges where farmers, youth, and women would be trained in sustainable agricultural practices.

Why we do this

We believe that the real transformation and sustainable development of India will happen only when the people of rural areas:

• Realize that they have the power to change
• Are empowered with business development “know-how”
• Are equipped with the right skill-sets
• Take responsibility for decentralized management of natural resources

Ultimately we aim to redeem the pride in farming for rural youth on sustainable agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry by making these rural enterprises viable, economically more productive and the farmer a “proud ecopreneur” while ensuring that these methods are ecologically sustainable.

How we work

PVP takes an innovative and alternative approach to work with the farmers and rural youth in their traditional occupation of farming and water conservation. The approach involves a twofold process of training and mentorship.

Training :
Prakriti Vidya Peeth, are village-based learning institutions that:

• Teach sustainable natural resources management methods in natural farming, water conservation, and agribusiness
• Combine traditional wisdom with scientific techniques
• Train rural youth in green trades
• Utilize latest technology methods of audio-visual content, learner groups, and forum to spread knowledge
• Encourage peer-to-peer learning

Mentorship:
The PVP mentorship program ensures that the training modules learned by farmers are successfully implemented and integrated by them in their everyday lives. The mentorship program ensures that the farmers are supported and guided in their journeys even after they graduate from their training.

It consists of a holistic model where :

• Each farmer is provided with a mentor. The mentor provides consistent guidance and handholding to each farmer to ensure the farmers' needs and obstacles are being addressed and resolved.
• Each farmer is perceived as a unique individual and is given personalized attention based on his unique personal, economic conditions.
• Farmers themselves have a support group to share their best learning practices via peer to peer learning and support each other in any common issues they might face.

The mentorship program, with the training modules, ensures that every farmer reaches the goal to be a successful and self-reliant eco-entrepreneur who will invigorate rural livelihood not only for himself but his entire community.

Impact

PVP will bring the following benefits :

• Increased community-driven water and soil conservation and management.
• Increased inclusive growth as migration to urban areas will be mitigated by encouraging entrepreneurship and employment in rural and remote areas.
• Increased integrated and sustainable agriculture for food, economic and environmental security.

Our Sponsors

The Hans Foundation