Agricultural Development
In past, bullocks were used to plough the farm and still this old method is used in many villages of Kutch. People have limited equipments for agriculture and those too are not scientific. Due to the poor condition of people and the natural adversities, agriculture has not improved or mechanized to the expected level. Kutch is one of such regions. It has to face frequent draughts and other natural calamities. Moreover more than half of its land is covered by desert and coastal plains where agriculture is not possible due to encroachment of sea water.
Farmers who are economically sound can face such problems, as they have better means for their farming But the farmers whose economic condition is poor, have to depend on donkeys and camels to plough the farm. These animals are used for other purposes too; therefore they are affordable to poor farmers.
Various problems faced by the farmers are summarized as follows:
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Lack of sufficient water for irrigation
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Lack of required equipments for agriculture due to weak financial condition
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Lack of scientific approach in agriculture due to illiteracy of farmers
With a view to solve these problems, following activities are carried out by Ashapura Foundation.
 1. Khet Talavdies (Farm Ponds)
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Khet Talavdi |
Khet Talavdies (Farm Ponds) is a small pond made in the farm. The rain water is stored in this Khet Talavdi and later, it is used for the irrigation purpose whenever it is required.
Refer the topic "Khet Talvadi" in Water Harvesting page for more detail. |
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2. Distribution of improved Seeds to Farmers |
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Distribution of seed |
The farmers with weak economic status are generally so poor that they unable to own the required tools for agriculture or the improved costly seeds. Naturally there yield will be poor. Instead of tractors, modern means of agriculture and improved seeds, they have donkeys and camels to use them in their farm and poor quality seeds to sow in the farm. To overcome such problems of poor farmers, Ashapura Foundation distributes improved quality seeds to them. |
Ashapura Foundation has distributed certified government approved improved seeds to such farmers during the years 2004 to 2007.
No. of Farmers |
Area Covered |
Villages Covered |
1786 |
8757 Acres |
66 |
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3. Environmental Care |
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Fruit Plants |
Government of Gujarat has started "Samajeek Vanikaran Yojna" (Social Forestation Programme) for environmental care. In association with Ashapura Foundation many fruit plants and Tropical trees have been distributed under this Programme.
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Up to June 2005, Trees and Plants have been distributed by Ashapura Foundation as follows:
No. of Fruit Tress |
No. of Other Trees |
No of Beneficiary Framers |
3645 |
4300 |
42 |
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4. Training and Tour Programmes |
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Tour for Agricultural Training |
With the aim to make the farmer aware of agriculture science and the practices of modern agriculture; the tours are organized by Ashapura Foundation. Many farmers are getting advantage of it by training and making themselves aware of modern agriculture science within and outside the district and sometimes outside the state. |
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