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New Solutions: New Ways of Life
Bundelkhand
is a region known for rocks and sun. In totality, one can say that it is
a region where agriculture is very difficult, if not impossible. The
concept of ‘water for plant not for soil’, floated by Dr SN Pandey, is
an excellent example of the principle that the various Indian States can
adopt or innovate new technologies/programmes to suit their
geographical/cultural conditions. He initiated a system where the plants
are given water by using the drip system which is controlled by a
switch. Whenever there is a need of watering the plants, the machine is
switched on and the plants start getting water drop by drop. The water
level in Bundelkhand is very low and it is important to harvest the
water whenever it rains. Dr Pandey has prepared a piece of land in such
a manner that when it rains, not a single drop goes waste but is stored
in a strategically created pond at the end of the cultivation land.
‘A satisfied customer is the
best advertisement.’ The end-product of the effort is the
satisfaction that comes to the farmer. He and his family members have
found a solution to a problem, met a need, acquired a new skill as also
some other changes in behaviour. At Pahuj, Jhansi, one can observe a
demonstration site that has been developed by Dr Pandey and his team in
order to ensure that the farmers get a feel of the different ways and
means of agriculture and agricultural practices in relation to the
context area. The maintenance and upkeep of the demonstration site is by
a few individual farmers. These farmers are the early adopters of the
techniques and methods demonstrated by Dr. Pandey and his team. The
early adopters attract the attention of other farmers in the villages,
who also start adopting the means and methods of agricultural practices.
Things have been kept simple
and practical to help the adopters to understand the process, observe
the results and adopt the techniques.
It is a perfect blend of
principles of a subject in practice and bringing amazing results for the
organisation. It also re-establishes the fact that with continued action
with perseverance anything is possible. Dr Pandey and his team are doing
the same in Bundelkhand, the land of stones, rocks and sun. q
Ziaul
Hoda
zhoda@devalt.org
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