Integrated Natural Resource Management:
An approach for Sustainable Livelihood

Bundelkhand region is characterised as a hot semi-arid eco region and the agriculture depends on rainfall. Rain fed agriculture is gamble in this region because some times either low rainfall or long dry spells during the crop growth periods or high rainfall for a short period create water logging. In both the situations, crops simply fail.

The major problem of the Bundelkhand region is poor soil fertility, low irrigation facilities, mostly rocky gravelly area, use of traditional methods of agriculture, lack of livelihood opportunities, and high pressure of human and livestock. Due to the human pressure, the size of land holdings is very small and the high pressure of livestock has resulted in overgrazing of grasslands. Therefore, the overall low crop productivity and livestock production require proper attention to increase the productivity both in terms of land and livestock.

To overcome the above problem, appropriate use of land, water, and livestock in an integrated manner has been found to be suitable in creating livelihoods, employment generation for landless people and increased total productivity of land and livestock on a sustainable basis.

Tree-based Farming System

Bundelkhand has been facing severe water scarcity over the last five years, affecting the agriculture production. Even so, farmers continue to practice traditional and rudimentary cropping patterns. Looking at the fluctuation in climatic conditions and to fulfill the need of the farmers, an agro forestry based farming system was initiated with 50 farmers in 10 villages. Aonla (Emblica offcinalis) and Kanchan were introduced in existing cropping system at the spacing of 8*8 between plants and rows. Aonla, a very hardy tree, can survive in 480 C temperatures and also tolerate hot winds as well as frost. It can be grown in marginal lands under rain fed conditions with an annual rainfall of 500-1100 mm. In Kachhipura village, farmers adopted the Aonla-based agro forestry system with vegetables as an under story crop. These farmers used to cultivate the Desi variety (Utkal) of brinjal but this year they have shifted to its high-yielding variety. During the fourth year of plantation, Aonla will start fruiting and give around 450 kg/ha (worth approx Rs 9000) and in the seventh year, the yield will be around 3500 kg/ha (Rs 70,000), which will be a welcome additional income to the farmers. The saplings planted at the boundaries as biofencing will act as a barrier in the future and also yield a produce. The same kind of model was adopted by the farmers of Hastinapur, Rundrakarari, Bamhori Sheetal, Bagan, Richari, Vijaypur and Sarmau villages. The maximum rainfall (around 800 mm) occurred from June 15 to July 20 and decreased amount of rain was anticipated during August and September. Keeping this issue in mind, low water requirement and low input cost crops were promoted to reduce the risk faced by the farmers. The 30 farmers of Bilt villages decided to cultivate a low water-intensive crop (Lentil) during the Kharif season. Although the rainfall this year has been above average, the under-ground water is not adequately recharged.

Livestock-based Farming System

Over the years, grazing lands have either been encroached or are being used to grow Parthenium and Lantana weeds. Over time, the best grasses become overgrazed and only the inedible varieties remain, thereby acerbating the crisis. As a result, both animal health and milk yield become affected. A total of 100 farmers in 10 villages of the Orchha cluster of Niwari block demonstrated for betterment of the performance of traditional animal productivity practices, improved fodder production for increased milk yield, feeding mechanisms for safe health, and artificial insemination for improved offsprings. Earlier, women were responsible for collecting fodder or taking their animals out to graze. Now, their drudgery has been reduced through the cut and carry system of grasses from their own farms. At TARAgram in Pahuj and a gaushala, both horti-pasture (fruit tree + grass) and agri-horticultural systems (crop + fruit tree) were demonstrated along with micro-irrigation systems, respectively, to show the appropriate synergy of integration of crops, trees and water. In this system, if crops fail due to unfavourable conditions, the tree component will compensate the losses.

Capacity Building of Institutions

Various capacity building programmes were initiated along with community based institutions in order to facilitate them in adopting improved agriculture practices. The farmers were trained to use the drought-resistant variety, HYV, and the micro-irrigation system here and made aware of the various Government schemes. Several stakeholders provided their technical knowhow in adopting the improved farming systems.

Linkages with Government Institutions

Community institutions have been linked with National Research Institutes and State Agriculture Government departments to leverage technical services. The Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute at Jhansi supports growing of improved green fodder in order to enhance the milk production. The green fodder (MP Chari, Makka) was demonstrated at a gaushala and later replicated in the nearby villages of Bagan, Ladpura, Majra, Maharajpura, etc. Capacity building programmes on animal husbandry were organised at the gaushalas with the support of the Animal Health Centre at Orchha. The farmers and SHG members were trained on vaccination, hygienic conditions, feeding systems, and artificial insemination of animals. To create green jobs among the youth, hands on training programmes of Ber grafting were conducted at Hastinapur with the technical support of National Research Centre for Agro Forestry.

Conclusion

The agro forestry system and alteration in cropping patterns as per the existing weather conditions is a sustainable option in improving the livelihood as well as creating employment opportunities for the rural underprivileged people of Bundelkhand region. q 

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