During the trip, the fellows traveled to villages, where Welthungerhilfe, in partnership with Development Research Communication and Services Centre (DRCSC), has been implementing Sustainable Integrated Farming Systems and Green College initiatives.
A transect walk in village Chingri to understand village life and livelihood.
Meeting with Ms.Padmabati Mandi, a woman farmer, who practices integrated farming and trains fellow farmers.
Observing a Farmer Field School (FFS) session in village Beriathol. In this session farmers are learning about ways to make bio pesticides and manure.
In Purulia, experiencing a training on Jaggery making. This jaggery is a concentrated product of palm juice extracted from trees locally.
Interaction with ‘ecopreneur’ Mr. Mahadeb Tudu, a former green college trainee in the village of Bartanr. Making the most of his training and by integrating various components (e.g. crops, livestock etc.) on his farm, the 23 year old is now earning 1,00,000 INR (1380 Euros) profit per year.
The two and half days visit culminated in Kolkata with an in-depth discussion with Dr. Parthib Basu, an expert on agroecology, University of Calcutta.
The research trip was organised by journalists-network.org and supported by Bosch foundation, Henkel, Berge & Meer, Siemens and Welthungerhilfe.
Sustainable Integrated Farming Systems (SIFS) Programme
