Ecological crisis of mountain farming

  Mountain farmers, mostly small and marginal holders, of rain fed agriculture are vulnerable to the vagaries of the monsoon; frequent occurrences of drought and floods causing soil moisture stress as well as topsoil runoff. This process has accelerated the loss of soil moisture, nutrients, productivity, food security, biodiversity and environment.  As a result of this and additional factors like high labor intensity and low remunerations, disenchantment to agriculture paced up and began the process of rendering land arid and fallow. Smallholders left with no options except migrating for alternate source of livelihoods, which have made their lives penniless and undignified.   Ecologically friendly farming practices, which have the combination of traditional and modern organic methods, are the best solution to mitigate surface runoff, arrest soil degradation and restore soil nutrients as well as to reorient the smallholders’ interests of agriculture.

The specific problem of hill agriculture is soil degradation caused by topsoil runoff. The types of surface erosion are splash, sheet, rill and gully, which is 62.5 tons per ha much above the tolerance limit of 11.2 tons in the world and 70-80 tons in Uttarakhand Himalayas. Continuous depletion of soil fertility has led to low yields affecting the food security of the smallholders.  It has become very difficult for them to continue the agriculture because restoration of soil fertility every year is becoming a difficult task on scattered lesser width and more length terraced fields. At present, investment, including manpower is qualitatively more than compared to return. Therefore, the small and marginal farmers are opting out for off-farm livelihoods, further adding their miseries. Mountain agriculture around 2323.40 thousand hectares or 44.4% of total mountain land, supporting 12% of the total population of the world, everywhere  faces similar problems depending upon the topography, weather conditions and pattern of precipitations. Solution lies in comprehensive sustainable farming practices, a combination of indigenous knowledge, wisdom and modern organic methods. This practice is flexible and adaptable to climate change.  

The solution is a 'technology package of ecological farming'  combined with old and new knowledge. The indigenous knowledge  consists of practices like mixed cropping and crop rotation; growing of two or more millet crops in mixture  provide a better canopy over and layer of residues obstructs overland flow. The dense foliage of erosion resistant leguminous crops like   cow-pea and dry bean reduces soil loss by preventing the rains from biting the soil surfaces directly. Similarly, Fagnai (leaving the land fallow for one crop season) not only protect topsoil from being carried away by water due to a layer of residues, but also help the soil to regain fertility, whereas modern organic methods,  further contribute mitigating soil erosion, replenishing soil nutrients  and increasing productivity. This methodology is also resilient to climate change which not only ensure soil health and restore fertility,  but also contribute in decreasing greenhouse gas emission and increase carbon sinks. This technology package increase the production by 50% and  increased production of mountain grains with delicious taste and rich nutrients has greater demand in the market,  can be seen in the growing global organic market of 97 billion US$ by the end of 2017 according to IFOAM.

Our target population is small and marginal farmers spread all over the world in mountain areas. Their need is to mitigate soil erosion caused due to surface runoff to restore soil fertility. They are about 12% of the total population living in the 25 % area of the earth. The ‘technology package of ecological farming' practices envisages to address smallholders' needs of nutrients and food security, so that their interests are reoriented to farming the mainstay of their dignified livelihood economy. The conventional farming or industrial agriculture has not only caused immense loss to soil, biodiversity and environment by excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, but also pushed  them to the brink of vulnerability by turning the trade against their favor. Therefore, ecological farming practices focus on sustainable intensification for soil and water conservation, to improve soil fertility, increase productivity and food security. Sustainable intensification can inculcate climate adaptability tendencies among  small and marginal holders which help in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and increase in carbon sinks, integrating with national climate plans known as national determined  contribution (NDC) in UN parlance.

The Challenge of land degradation of mountain agriculture is to mitigate the runoff, which is continuous and unabated. Small and marginal landholders, whose mainstay of livelihoods is agriculture, are facing existential crises and the 'unique technology package of ecological farming practices' can prove an alternative methodology to sustain the mountain agriculture.   Therefore the remedies lie in sustainable intensification measures of soil and water management, both traditional and modern included in the package. Restoration and replenishment of soil nutrients and microorganisms are only possible if moisture in the soil is present.

1.    The ecological farming methodology is organic by default and sustainable and also resilient to climate change. The science and technology interventions as well as indigenous knowledge and wisdom, especially soil and water conservation methods may vary on the ground situation, but the innovations really depend on the applications of the interventions and knowledge. The ‘unique technology package of ecological farming practices’ is innovative in resilience methodology that it can be applied everywhere in mountain agriculture because resilience often used as a measure of a socio ecological system’s capability to respond and adapt to new condition.  The unique technology package envisages bringing change in farming practice from conventional method to sustain with the modern knowledge of organic cultivation as well as indigenous knowledge and wisdom of natural agriculture practices. In Uttarakhand Mountain crops like jhangora (barnyard millet), mandua (finger millet), Kauni (foxtail millet), Chinna (proso millet) and chaulayi (amaranths) and leguminous crops like cowpea and dry beans not only protect soil from runoff, but  have the inherent biological gene to tolerate drought conditions and weather fluctuations, which make them resilient to climate change.    

The technology is a combination of traditional and modern organic farming practices; hence the name of package is ‘technology package of ecological farming' practices. The technology is divided into three parts: 1. Engineering methods of ex-situ soil and water conservation. 2. Biological methods of in-situ soil and moisture conservation, biomass infiltration and replenishment of nutrients and microorganisms. 3. Organic methods of seed treatment and conservation, disease control and pest management, including IPM, improved cultivation methods and organic certification of products. Here the technology interventions are very complex as well as crucial, particularly in the realm of ecologically friendly farming, as the undergoing effects of climate change compromises food system. Sustainability is the measure of system performance, whereas resilience can be seen as a means to achieve it as it has the potential to contribute to food security by enhancing farmer’s capacity for possible changes. In a pilot project as we envisage technology interventions will be through on-field trials by our agricultural scientists and the development of training packages to the farmers' groups. Since target groups are marginal and small farmers, hence it will be they and in context of mountain the women who shoulder the major agricultural workload due to migration of male members, will take the technology to the fields for implementation.  

The organic farming technology has become a buzzword all over the world. According to IFOAM 181 countries and 2.9 million organic producers have increased their farmland by 20% from 2016 to the end of 2017 and during the same period global market for organic food reached 97 billion US$.  The technology package is flexible and applicable to all mountain agriculture as per the climatic conditions of the countries. From everywhere, there are established reports that agriculture under organic farming has not only registered an improvement in food productivity, but also contributed to improved soil health, biodiversity and decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sinks.   The mountain natural agriculture, though being climate resilient and organic by default before the advent of industrial agriculture, was badly affected and lost its sustainability as well as productivity can be  rejuvenated with interventions of this unique technology package of ecological farming practices.  

The theory of change is ecologically friendly farming practices which address the problem of declining soil health, productivity and food security, biodiversity and environment.  The main problems mountain farmers facing on rain fed agriculture are land erosion and topsoil runoff. To mitigate this will need to restore soil moisture, which is a precondition for replenishing soil nutrients and microorganisms for making the soil healthy and fertile for production.

 The inputs needed, and activities undertaken are the science and technology interventions prescribed  indigenous knowledge and modern organic farming methodologies by organizing and empowering the stakeholders and smallholders. The inputs include soil and water conservation methods; ex-situ and in-situ, preparation of bio-composts,  bacterial fertilizers, seed treatment and conservation, organic methods to control diseases and pests, post-harvest management and organic certification. Activities to produce outputs and outcomes will be awareness campaign, organization of smallholders into farmer's interest groups, motivation, training and exposures and field trials. 

The outputs would be 1. Awareness materials and training packages formulated and published. 2. A number of groups formed, nurtured and linked to banks for CCL. 3. Number of awareness events organized and their documentation. 4. Number of training imparted to a number of groups  on technology package and their documentation. 5. Number of field trials conducted and their documentation. 

We expect to deliver following outcomes: 1. Improved soil moisture, health and fertility, verification through soil testing and comparison with baseline data. 2. Increase in productivity and production, verification through baseline data on productivity and production using the unit a quintal per hectare. 3. Increase in production leads to food security and enhanced incomes, verification through a baseline survey data on food security and income. 4. Improvement in the awareness level of group members on organic, sustainable and climate resilient adaptability, verification through a baseline survey data format. 5. Improvement in biodiversity and local environment, though a long-term impact, but can be gauged through studies. The impact of such interventions were comprehensive as seen in the past and foreseeing in future as the approach envisages on growing food with efficient use of natural resources. 

At present we are working on this project with a total 600 households of marginal farmers in 5 gram Panchayats in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, India. This project is planned for 3 years, i.e. per year we are working with 200 households, and if the project extends to newer villages after 2 years for 3 additional more years, the number in the coming five years would be 1000. It is hoped that the application of low cost and appropriate organic technology of ecological friendly farming practices will be smoothly optimized with climate resilience adaptability. The technology itself is flexible and replicable. The technology and its interventions will directly benefit the stakeholders and marginal farmers in the project area and indirectly have positive impacts on government departments of agriculture, horticulture   and science and technology institutions, market forces and consumers.

Our goal is to take this technology to  all smallholders of the mountain areas but presently focusing on 600 marginal landholders in the project area on a pilot basis for the next three years. We foresee its replication in 1000 marginal holders within five years. Once the replication begins, its impact would be felt wider and will be adopted in all mountain areas, the world over. To achieve the project goal we have methodology and work plan to implement it. The methodology of the project is participatory based on PRA approach. Farmers’ interest groups would be formed and sensitized and their views incorporated in planning, implementation and sustaining the interventions.  They would be provided in-house as well as on field training on S&T interventions.  Also existing SHGs especially of women would be empowered to take the technology to the fields.  Land in each village would be identified for demonstrations on S&T interventions so that farmers replicate it in their land. On field trails of soil and water conservation activities both ex-situ and in-situ will be undertaken phase wise.  Value addition of millet and pulses would be done through organic certification. A work plan on Gantt chart would be prepared with start date, progress and completion of various activities proposed.   

The main barrier at present is a resource crunch, especially of funding problems. So far no sponsor has yet come forward to support this project. Technically, there is no problem as our team is well balanced on management, science and technology, organization, facilitation, training and marketing. Science and technology institutions; KVK an agriculture extension center a link between farmers and Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) is 30 kilometers and an agriculture technology university just 100 kilometers away from the project area. Legally and culturally there is no problem as an organization and its office-bearers and workers belong to the same community with which they are working. Market accessibility, has always been a problem for mountain people especially growers but we have a consulting firm VNV Advisory intend to voluntarily work for this project.  Moreover, absence of organic certification to mountainous grains is a big hindrance on its marketing potentials due to the very low prices of millet and pulses though very high in nutritional values.

 We are in constant search of a financier especially funding agency. Though, nowadays, searches have been badly affected by corona pandemic due to nationwide lock-down. We intend to approach Department of Science and Technology, government India for financial grants. We are also looking for CSR funds, but in India corporate’s hands are very tight especially on philanthropy. Now we are planning to advertise our proposal through our website as well as NGOBOX platform. Our proposal is based on cost sharing basis of 90:10.   90 percent grants and 10 percent community contribution. To overcome market barriers, we have approached VNV Advisory a consultant based in Bengaluru, India, which have visited our project site and informed us about its follow ups for making arrangements of buyers and organic certification.  

Our solution is part of the NGO the Himalayan Ecology & Treatment of Natural Agriculture Samiti's objectives, a non-profit rural based society, working among small and marginal farmers in the mountain of Uttarkashi and Tehri districts of Uttarakhand, India. The aims and objectives of this organization are similar to the contents of solution advocated here. The organization's main objectives are working for the protection of environment with people's participation with special focus on promoting organic farming indigenous knowledge and wisdom of natural farming practices in mountain agriculture and link it to the market.

     A. Full Time:

• Principal Investigator – Mr. Ranveer Singh Rana, MA  in History with  20 years’ experience.  
• Project Assistant – Mr. Rajvir Singh MA in Sociology with 5 years’ experience.

     B. Part time:

•  Agriculture Scientist – Mr. Anil Panwar M. Sc. in Agriculture, presently    Assistant Professor in a University with 2 years’ experience.  
• Trainer - Mr. M. S. Rawat MA in Sociology with 15 years’ experience. 
• Facilitator: Mr. Manbir Singh Rana BA with 6 years’ experience.

    C. Volunteers:

• Marketing Consultant: Mr. Sandeep Roy Chaudhry, Director, VNV Advisory  
• Bio-Fertilizer Expert- Mr. Amitosh Nautiyal   M. Sc. In agriculture with 2 years’ experience.  

Our team is balanced on skills and experiences. Principal investigator a post graduate in agrarian medieval history has 20 years' experience in investigating action research projects on agriculture, livelihoods, water and sanitation, technology dissemination and gender issues. His capacity is built on the rich experiences in leading these projects of vital social, economic and environmental implications and exposures to various quality training, workshops and seminars.  Agriculture scientist is a post graduate from a reputed agriculture university known as G.B. Pant university of Agriculture and Technology. He has 2 years’ experience in soil science and production technology. Project Assistant a post graduate in sociology is also having 5 years’ experience in livelihood projects based on agriculture. His capacity is also built on field works and quality training and exposures received at reputed institutions during the course of project works. Community facilitator a post graduate in sociology is also well experienced of 5 years’ experience in different community participation programs with participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and wealth ranking exercise (WRE) tools. 

VNV Advisory is a reputed consultant having its branches in Singapore and London. Bio-fertilizer expert is a bio scientist.  So far as team is concerned, it is quite capable to handle the solution Trainer and supportive staffs and volunteers are also skilled and experienced holders in their respective trades. With this team, we are quite confident and capable to deliver the solution on dimensions of climate resilient mountain farming.

 Currently we are partnering with a rural based non-profit small NGO known as ‘The Himalayan Ecology & Treatment of Natural Agriculture Samiti’. This NGO is also working among small and marginal mountain farmers of Uttarkashi and Tehri districts on sustainable farming practices and other issues like rural drinking water supply and sanitation, livelihoods, technology dissemination etc. The focus is on solving ecological crisis of mountain farming, which is mainly due to soil erosion and topsoil runoff.  This crisis is exacerbated by the factors, related to climate change, including farming methods of land use and cropping pattern practiced after the advent of the green revolution. It has adverse impacts on soil health, fertility, productivity, food security, biodiversity and overall ecology of the area. To address this issue NGO’s solution also advocates climate resilient farming practices, which mitigate declining soil health, increase productivity and food security, improve biodiversity and halt ecological degradation. The market opportunity in India is encouraging with Indian organic food market reached a value of US$ 704 Million in 2018. Looking forward, we expect the Indian organic food market to grow at a CAGR of 20%, reaching a value of US$ 2,091 Million by 2024. The organization plans to implement the Solve through a pilot project in a cluster of villages.

The business model is ‘social business model’ of which key resources are the organizational platform of ‘The Himalayan Ecology & Treatment of Natural Agriculture Samiti’, donor networks both government and non-government and community based organizations like self-help groups. Key activities are awareness, training, motivation, exposures, demonstrations and field trials. Types of interventions are   soil and water conservation; ex-situ and in-situ measures, replenishment of soil nutrients and microorganisms, organic methods of seed treatment and conservation, disease control and pest management, post-harvest management and organic certifications. The direct beneficiaries are small and marginal land holders and indirect consumers. The value proposition is the motivation of smallholders to start organic cultivation maintaining organic specifications. The partners are KVK (agriculture extension center) for technology support and VNV Advisory consultant for marketing of produce.  MOA with partners will be entered regarding services they provide.   NGO’s platform would be the channel besides local Panchayats, SHGs, Farmers ‘federation and social media platforms. Cost structure consists of staff, events, training, demonstrations, field trials, logistics, administration, organic certification etc. It can change if there is a hike in taxes, wages and travel expenses. The smallholders, if produce surplus will sell it in the market and earned profits will be used for uplifting their living standard as well as for expanding business. Revenue earned through regular savings and interlinings of the groups will be utilized for promotion of marketing.

Since the main barrier to our solution at present is resource crunch, especially of funding problems. Therefore, we want to strengthen our revenue streams through a sustainable model appropriate and applicable to social business model. The “organization support model” suits us because we being a registered charitable society and also registered under foreign contribution regulation act. We want Solve team to help us in developing our business model for raising funds to meet the objectives stated in this solution as well as other objectives to protect environment, improve livelihoods of the vulnerable sections, on water and sanitation for rural populace especially poor etc. We also want that Solve team help us in building our capacity on social and business management, because the organization and people like us working in backward regions with poor and vulnerable sections needed to be propelled with enhanced capacities so that they can better serve the society and environment.

As stated earlier that we are a rural based small organization working in the backward hilly region of Uttarakhand, India, hence we need support on many issues to develop ourselves to better serve the society and the environment.We are lacking in many crucial areas like fundraising, developing a sustainable business model, clearly identifying, analyzing, and articulating the appropriate technologies and marketing strategy. We also need advisors in our board to enhance our understanding, knowledge and information. We also want to know the new strategy of monitoring and evaluation. We hope that if selected MIT Solve will guide and help solving our problems.

Since, we are applying for Solve solution for the first time, we are not familiar with MIT faculty and Solve members, so we don't have specific names. Hence we leave it to you that who can help us on the subject mentioned above.