Safal Project

Introduction
In the ‘Adarsh Gram Yojana’ run by Surya Foundation is working on education, health, self-reliance, harmony and environment. A large numberof rural India about 68%, is involved in agriculture and animal husbandry. Agriculture sector contributes 15.5% of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and dairy sector contributes 4.5%. Without the upliftment of this class, we cannot even imagine a developed India. In the current scenario, agriculture and animal husbandry are facing many problems such as increasing urbanization, decrease in land fertility, uncontrolled climate, global warming, decreasing agricultural land with increasing population, increase in the cost of agriculture due to indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, etc. We believe that only through their upliftment will the country move towards becoming economically self-reliant and self-sufficient. For this purpose, the SAFAL project has been started by the Department of Agriculture and Dairying run by Surya Foundation.

Objective of SAFAL Project
The aim is to increase the income of farmers by increasing the fertility of land and reducing their agricultural costs through traditional and advanced technology and by increasing the productivity of livestock, so that the farmer become self-reliant and self-sufficient and become an inspiration for other farmers.

Results and benefits of SAFAL Project
• Empowering the poor and weaker sections as per the principle of Antyodaya.
• To inculcate the dignity of labour and the spirit of voluntary service.
• Improvement in standard of living and quality of life.
• To provide opportunities for maximum productivity, improved human development, improved health and nutrition as well as better livelihood.
• To prepare an effective model of agricultural development at the local level so that nearby farmers can be inspired towards this model.

Problems faced in agriculture
• Continuous decrease in the fertility of the land.
• High cost (seeds and fertilizers).
• Climate change (heat, rain-hail/extreme cold, frost).
• Lack of advanced technical knowledge.
• Due to less land, problem in selling low produce.
• Not getting fair price for the crop or not doing value addition of the crop.

Our Focus Area
Although there are many types of problems and solutions in agriculture. But an action plan should be prepared by focusing on some main problems so that results can be achieved quickly.
• Soil nutrition (increased fertility)- Jeevamrit, Go-Kripa Amritam, Sajiv Jal.
• Pesticide free Farming- (Insect controller, liquid chemicals, use of buttermilk)
• Introduction to advanced techniques (Low Tunnel Polyhouse, Mulching, Multilayer Farming)
• Value addition - (Processing, Packaging & Marketing).

Action plan
Survey –Training –Enablement-Impact Analysis
Area Selection and Project Timeline
Under this, a total of 210 farmers will be surveyed, 70-70-70 respectively, from Bhind district of Madhya Pradesh, Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand and Sonipat district of Haryana. After training these farmers, finally 100 farmers will be selected (on the basis of interest and ability to work) and this project will be for 3 years.

Work ethic
The process of determining the village and selecting the farmers will be as follows -
Village selection
For a Safal Project, such a village has to be selected where the ideal village Activities has been being conducted for the last 3 years.

Process of selection of farmers
• Should be connected to the ideas of Surya Foundation.
• Should be interested in innovation apart from traditional agriculture.
• Be ready to experiment on at least half an acre of land.
• Should keep a native cow or there should be availability of cow dung, cow urine and buttermilk nearby.
• Can make time to attend training camps from time to time.
• The annual income of the farmer should not exceed Rs 5 lakh.
• Age group should be between 20 to 60 years.
• Process of selection of farmers for multi layer farming
• The selected farmer should have at least one acre of land. (43,560 sq. ft.)
• To cultivate in this method, one must be willing to experiment on at least 3000 square feet of land.
• The estimated cost per farmer in this method would be Rs 26,000.
• Only those farmers will be included who are ready to bear half the total cost.
• Surya Foundation will bear the remaining half cost of MLF project i.e. 13,000 (SF) + 13,000 (farmer). Which will not be in the form of money but in kind.

Process of selection of farmers for Mulching and Low Tunnel Polyhouse
• The selected farmer should have at least 2 acres of land. (87,120 sq. ft.)
• Should be ready to experiment on at least half an acre (21,780 sq. ft.) for mulching and half a bigha (300 sq. ft.) for Low Tunnel Polyhouse.
• The estimated cost of applying mulching will be Rs. 20,000 per half acre and the cost of Low Tunnel Polyhouse will be Rs. 10,000 per half bigha.
• Only those farmers will be included who are ready to bear half the total cost.
• Surya Foundation will bear the remaining half cost of MLF project i.e. 15,000 (SF) + 15,000 (farmer). Which will not be in the form of money but in kind.

Seven days agriculture training class (Annual at central level)
A seven-day training camp will be organised once a year at the central level for all the farmers associated with the SAFAL project at Surya Sadhna Sthali, Jhinjhauli. In which advanced techniques of agriculture, integrated farming system, Poly and Net House, measures to improve animal husbandry will be taught.Guidance will be available from agriculture and animal husbandry experts on many topics like these.

One day training
Along with local and central training, one day training (Refresher Camp) will be organized from time to time in which many topics like problem solving in agriculture at local level, government schemes on agriculture and animal husbandry will be a part of this camp.

Nutrition Garden Seed Distribution
Seeds of high quality vegetables and 5 fruit plants will be distributed among the identified families once.

Baseline Survey and Endline Survey
Baseline survey will be conducted in the identified families by selecting farmers in each of the designated villages. It has two purposes -
• The first is to determine the existing scenario in various sectors so that reforms can be appropriately identified.
• Secondly, basic data regarding the future economic and human development possibilities along with the shortcomings and deficiencies should be available.
• Baseline survey includes personal details, family details, land details, agricultural produce details, status of livestock, annual income and expenditure will all be mentioned in detail.
• After the completion of the project, land improvement, increase in income, improvement in life, change in family situation, health improvement etc. will be assessed on the basis of baseline survey.
Soil test
Soil samples will be tested in the farms of the families who will undergo baseline survey (where they want to practice natural farming, multi-layer farming, mulching, low tunnel polyhouse).

Method of taking soil for soil testing
• While taking soil sample, the field should be empty i.e. there should not be any crop of any kind.
• Take soil up to one foot from all four corners and the centre of the field from which samples are to be taken.
• Mix the soil from all the five places (4 corners and center) thoroughly and divide it into 4 parts
• Dividing one part into four parts again.
• Finally, about 300-500 grams of soil remains, make a packet with the name of the farmer and give it to the soil testing lab.
• Getting Soil Health Card after giving sample.
Training
Training Camp at Local Level
Motivating selected farmers of their area to increase agricultural productivity and encouraging them to leave traditional crops and move towards horticulture and orchards. For this, preparing farmers for all kinds of trainings like multilayer farming, correct method of using Gokrupa Amritam, natural farming training program. This training will be of 4 days, which will be completely non-residential.