Training programmes were organised in collaboration with the Jabalpur Dairy Association, where the association helped TLA mobilise dairy farmers, creating awareness about the training programmes and how the skills gained from training could be useful for their business activities. Support from institutions like the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and Government Milk Cooperative (SANCHI) was also taken for mobilisation of small dairy farmers so that the benefits of training programmes could be extended to them as well.

A series of two to three days’ training programmes were arranged in span of two months on a wide range of topics related to the intervention.

Two training programmes of three days each were organised in Jabalpur on organic composting. The methodology of both training programmes was completely different; the first training programme was a classroom exercise, whereas the second was field based where the training team visited villages and educated small dairy farmers about the operations of composting. Effective dung management skills comprised one of the critical issues for the dairy farmers. The training programme on composting developed the necessary skills of dairy farmers and educated them about the various operational and technological aspects of composting. It was explained that controlled composting (as against open dumping) of cow dung would produce bio-fertiliser that could be used for fodder cultivation or packaged and sold as high-grade ‘organic’ fertiliser to urban consumers.

To ensure the outreach of the programme, instead of having the classroom setup, it was decided to organise trainings at the farmers’ fields. The farmers’ participation with the technological know-how was initiated by using different teaching and learning methods. Demonstrations of the compost unit were also carried out in the training programme. More than 70 dairy farmers have been impacted by this training programme.

Bio Gas

An effective bio gas programme leads to efficient use of cow dung for gas recovery and partial supplement to plant nutrient requirement. Being a very important intervention, a two-day training programme was organised with 34 participants. Various operational and economical aspects of the bio gas plant were discussed in the training. The participants were briefed on how they can use the waste (dung) and utilise them as energy for any further value-based processing. Since this process leads to safe disposal of dung and the methane generated is used as fuel, this process reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the quantum of methane generated is also likely to earn carbon credits as part of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which can generate sufficient funds for taking up methane farming on a large scale. Various models of bio gas plants and applications of energy generated through the Bio Gas plant was discussed in detail with the participants.

The participants were educated on how to examine landfill gas, electricity, agricultural, and wastewater plants. This training also reviewed the application of anaerobic digester design, gas capture systems and electrical generators. The commercial aspects of various sizes of bio gas plants were explained in detail. Case studies were discussed to simplify the process involved. The common bio gas plant with large capacity advantages were further explained, which encouraged the farmers to take up such large-sized plants through cooperative modes.

Carbon revenues have emerged as an effective incentive mechanism for adoption of green technologies. There are many factors that influence the inclination to get their project registered or even help the owner in preparing it as a CDM project. All the actors that play a part in the process - including the owner - are bound to benefit from the training provided on the various aspects of the CDM procedure and carbon revenue accrued to such activities. Hence, a two-day workshop (November 4-5, 2009) meant for the dairy cluster associations, technology providers, financial institutions and other business support service providers was organised in Jabalpur. This orientation workshop and training provided the participants with an in depth understanding of the issue of climate change, the CDM, the carbon market and the process of securing carbon revenues. The purpose of this workshop was to provide an overall picture of the carbon market and associated processes to the participants so that they can identify opportunities for themselves as well as understand the risks of this process. More than 25 participants attended the training.

Enterprise Management

A three-day-long Enterprise Management Training on Dairy was conducted at Jabalpur for the benefit of small dairy farmers. This enterprise management training was targeted at providing the motivated small dairy farmers with the skills needed to manage their dairies. It aimed at equipping the dairy entrepreneurs to learn various management skills which they can apply in their dairy and manage their enterprise effectively. The training also aimed to educate the dairy entrepreneurs to take the green job interventions as a business case. The training was also focused to increase the productivity and profitability of the dairy farmers by proposing various cost-minimising techniques and utilising the resources with their utmost utility and efficiency. On an overall basis, in this training programme the various aspects of entrepreneurship on managing of mini modern dairy challenges and opportunity have been discussed with all the participants. More than 25 participants have attended the training.

A two-day workshop was held in four different villages of district Jabalpur, for promoting and disseminating the information on existing Government Social Welfare/Protection Schemes applicable to Dairy Farm Units and their workers, which was followed by discussions with the representatives of the Dairy Association. Workshops mainly focused on creating awareness among the villagers and farmers to avail of the state- and centre-sponsored schemes. This exercise was to help the participants think and then provide sufficient information so that they could have clarity about the different schemes related to development. Through this workshop they were also able to realise their role in making use of easily available schemes.

The workshop was based on discussions on the views and opinions on various issues raised by the participants and villagers. Plenary and group discussions were used to explore various subjects followed by the programmes and schemes details’ overview by the facilitator. The main points of discussions were water availability, safe drinking, water sanitation, energy and other different social welfare schemes. More than 100 people have been impacted by this initiative. q

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