Knowledge based Integrated Organic Farming & Nutritional Fulfillment Approach
Sustainable organic kitchen gardening uses local resources and skills to build long-term safe food and nutritional security as well as protect natural ecosystems to promote sustainable organic farming initiatives among the poor small scale farmers in the rural areas of Maharashtra.
This project proposes to use the farm resource management for enhancing the soil fertility and design organic kitchen gardens. It will impart knowledge and skills to the participating target beneficiaries, singling out composting and growing own food in backyards as the means to achieving its goal. Compost generated in the family kitchen gardens can be used as manure. & careful integration of the farm resources, encourages re-use and recycling thus diversifying the output and benefits.
i. Composting:Fertility building is using the organic materials and ‘waste’ as raw materials for making quality natural fertilizer.Plants remains, crop residues and livestock waste (manure and bio slurry),which will tactfully be incorporated to decompose and give nutrients-rich compost to be used in the family gardens.
- Indoor Composting by using a special type of bin.Brown and green materials are added as they are collected, making sure larger pieces are chopped or shredded & keep it moistened.
- Once the compost pile is established, grass clippings and green waste should be mixed into the pile and bury fruit and vegetable waste under 10 inches of compost material
Periodic tending of waste & a properly managed compost bin will not attract pests or rodents . It takes 2 to 5 weeks for the compost to get ready. So simultaneously 3-4 such compost bins can be made.
ii. Establishment of Kitchen Gardens: an Organic Kitchen garden should contain skillfully mixed and diverse crops including indigenous vegetables, cereals and root crops designed to provide balanced diet to the families. It w supports Y4D’s project vision of a just, self-reliant rural community which is social-economic and environmentally conscious and sustainable. Y4D will deploy a team experienced to execute this project in the selected area.
To sustain benefits, the project, provides for the households to learn, practice, share and facilitate continued learning.The mobilization planning and implementing will be participatory for the beneficiaries. Resource sharing to expand their learning is the motive.
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