Empowering women farmers through agriculture based interventions in Kota, Rajasthan

Abstract

Rajasthan Grameen Ajeevika Vikas Parishad (RGAVP), Jaipur as a lead agency is implementing Mahila Kisan Sashakti Karan Pariyojna (MKSP) project titled “Empowering women farmers through agriculture based interventions in Rajasthan”. MKSP is a sub component of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and it is supported by Ministry of Rural Development (Government of Rajasthan). One of the core functions of RGAVP is to support programs of community financial inclusion, institutional building, capacity building, skill development and rural livelihood promotions. Initiatives have been taken to strengthen rural livelihoods to build on social and financial capital generation. Agriculture and livestock based livelihoods interventions were undertaken in selected clusters within block level, where community institutions are mature. The focus is on strengthening the livelihood of the poor through productivity enhancement in agriculture and livestock. Implementing the intervention is a challenge due to factors such as low landholdings, low fertility of soil, gravel mixed soil with low depth, arid or semiarid zone, no or protective irrigation, poor literacy community etc. RGAVP played crucial role of designing agriculture and livestock based intervention suited to the community in consultation with professional consultants and by drawing expert services. Major crops taken up under kharif intervention were soybean and urd. Wheat and mustard crops are chosen for intervention in rabi season across partners. Similarly, interventions on livestock based livelihoods were designed to enhance productivity through goat and dairy based livelihoods. These livelihoods intervention were supported under MKSP through financial support from the GOI& Rajasthan Government. The focus in both agriculture and livestock interventions was on improving agriculture package of practices, animal rearing practices, while developing local cadre Krishi Sakhi and Pashu Sakhi.