SwitchON has been developing 2 model farms in Hanskhali block of Nadia district and Onda block of Bankura district in West Bengal for promotion of sustainable agriculture and farming practices in the region. The primary idea behind setting up the Model Farms is to provide real-life set up demonstration of new and sustainable technologies to promote their adoption by small and marginal farmers and hence enhance their income.
Sustainable farming is the need of the hour, especially in this age of chemical intensive farming detrimentally affecting soil and water resources. SwitchON is looking back at indigenous practises in agriculture, and using those ideas, have developed organic farming practises that are being practiced in both the model farms, using organic fertilizers and pest control methods. SwitchON’s model farms house vermicompost pits to prepare organic fertilizers from the farm wastes, providing a replicable zero-waste model of production. Organic neem pesticides are also prepared on the farm. Local farmers in Nadia have already adopted organic farming practices in Nadia, with promising results in black rice, black cumin and pulses cultivation.
Vermicompost pits in SwitchON’s Model Farm in Nadia
The Model Farm is designed to be a high-technology test ground but has highly replicable practices. The model farms are equipped with solar water pumps, utilizing renewable energy sources in agriculture. Local farmers are being inspired by solar technology and are motivated to install solar pumps. SwitchON supports and facilitates such solar pump installations, thereby enhancing the clean energy access to rural Bengal. To address the local groundwater depletion issues in the regions due to over-extraction and overdependence on groundwater for irrigation, groundwater recharge structures are being developed in the Model Farms.
The Model Farms house a variety of cultivation patterns, including mixed cropping, fence farming, medicinal gardens and fruit plantations. Exemplifying crop diversity, the model farms are practising multi cropping and promoting the same in local communities to diversity crop loss risk as well. Most notable among them is the medicinal garden in the Nadia model farm, which houses plantations of Tulsi, mint, Ashwagandha, Moringa, Bramhi and other medicinal plants. Tier cropping is also being practised, with large fruit trees, lime and berry shrubs and creeper vegetables being grown simultaneously in the same plot. Other fruit trees like arecanut, litchi and mango have also been planted in and around the model farm to ensure shade and presence of natural pollinators like insects and birds.
Medicinal Garden in SwitchON’s Model Farm, Nadia
In the Indian agronomy, technological interventions are low, bringing out a gap in farm mechanisation impacting productivity. To bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and their on-ground implementation, the Model Farms are exemplarily designed for amplifying agricultural technologies and best practices in the region.
They provide real life insight on resource efficiency, productivity increase and promote financial independence through farming. In order to promote sustainable irrigation, SwitchON has installed micro irrigation systems, both drip and sprinkler systems, in the Model Farms. These systems are being used in open fields to practise mixed cropping as well as in polyhouses that are installed. Seeing the success of Micro Irrigation systems, some local farmers have shown interest to install the same in their fields. This also gives a boost to horticulture and high value crop production.
Cultivation in Polyhouse setup at SwitchON’s Model Farm in Bankura
A 1000 m2 polyhouse has been installed in the Bankura Model Farm, and drip and fogger irrigation systems have been installed in the same. The polyhouse is currently being used to cultivate short-term high-value horticulture crops like bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, coriander, spinach, etc.
The Model Farms are SwitchON’s flagship endeavour to create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem in rural Bengal, providing the platform for the local population and authorities to come and work hand-in-hand to learn and adopt more sustainable methods of farming.
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