Source: NABARD
The drought-prone region of Marathwada, particularly Babhulgaon village in Nanded district, has long suffered from crop failures, soil degradation, and farmer indebtedness. Farmer couple Sumantai and Namdeorao Borole turned their ancestral land into a model of natural, diversified farming, demonstrating a successful path to financial stability and ecological restoration.
Background: Agrarian Crisis in Marathwada
- Traditional Farming: For nearly 20 years, the Boroles relied on chemical-intensive farming (sugarcane, cotton, soybean), leading to soil degradation, high input costs, and declining profits.
- Debt Trap: Interest on private loans reached 10% per month, forcing the family to farm mainly to service debts.
- Regional Stress:
- 69% of Nanded’s population depends on agriculture
- 79% are small/marginal farmers with limited risk buffers (NABARD)
- Droughts, unseasonal rains, soil erosion, and water scarcity intensified hardship
- 110 farmer suicides reported in the first 8 months of the year
Turning Point: The JIVA Programme
- Initiated in 2023 by NABARD, implemented by Sanskriti Samvardhan Mandal (SSM) with WASSAN as technical support, funded by GIZ through SuATI.
- Promotes agroecological farming integrating crops, livestock, and trees for climate resilience and food security.
- Training included:
- Beejamrut (seed treatment)
- Jeevamrut (soil enrichment)
- Mulching (aachadan) for moisture retention
- Wafsa for soil moisture monitoring
- Shift from chemicals to botanical pest control (e.g., Agniastra) proved effective.
The ATM Model: Diversified Farming for Continuous Income
- Adopted ATM (Any Time Money) model from Andhra Pradesh’s natural farming programme.
- 2024–25: 0.4 hectares planted with 20–25 vegetable varieties: tomatoes, okra, brinjal, greens, coriander, pulses.
- Direct market sales via Kandhar market led to loyal customers among teachers and government staff.
- Financial Outcome:
- Net income: Rs 1.02 lakh from 0.4 hectares
- Investment: Rs 15,640 in four months
- Subsequent crop: Kartule (spine gourd) on 10 gunthas earned Rs 1.06 lakh in 2 months
Ecological Impact and Biodiversity Restoration
- Soil improved: dark, porous, rich with earthworms
- Pollinators and birds, including the Asian green bee-eater, returned
- Practices adopted: intercropping, border cropping, crop rotation
- Livestock (buffalo) integrated for milk and compost, completing a sustainable cycle
- Farm now provides most household food, reducing dependency on markets
Community Learning and Replication
- The Boroles’ farm is a demonstration site for farmers and officials.
- Neighbouring farmers adopting Jeevamrut, mulching, and botanical pest control after observing results.
- Household empowerment:
- Sumantai handles accounts and market sales
- Daughter-in-law involved in bio-input preparation and crop planning
- NABARD and SSM cite their model as a blueprint for climate-stressed regions.
