Kissan sammelan (Farmer's meet) and women's day celebration

30^th March 2011: Kissan Sammelan (Farmer's meet) and women's day celebration under LIFE & IDEA project at Ajmer (Rajasthan)  around 250 community members have participated in the programme.

LIFE project on Facebook...

Now LIFE project is also on facebook....(Lifecaritas India)...

2 more farmers club been approved by NABARD in LIFE project

In our LIFE project (Rajasthan)  out of total of 14 Farmers Club (at both SJVS-Banswara & RCDSSS-Ajmer), earlier three were approved by NABARD, yesterday two more Farmers club get approved by NABARD. So now in total 5 Farmers club been approved by NABARD.

Agriculture Know-how: Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy on decontrolled Phosphatic & Potassic fertilizer

New Delhi: The Cabinet has approved to implement the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy on decontrolled Phosphatic & Potassic  fertilizer with effect from 1st April, 2010.  It has been decided to fix the subsidy on the nutrients ‘N’  - Nitrogen, ‘P’ - Phosphorus, ‘K’ - Potash and ‘S’ – Sulphur contents for the year 2010-11.  In addition to the fixed subsidy on above mentioned nutrients, there will be an additional per tonne subsidy for subsidized fertilizer carrying other secondary nutrients and micro nutrients in formulations approved under FCO 1985.

The intent of the Government to move towards NBS in fertilizer sector was announced in the Budget Speech of 2009-2010 delivered by the Finance Minister. The NBS regime is expected to promote balanced fertilization and consequently increase agriculture productivity in the country through higher usage of secondary and micro nutrients.  It is also expected that new innovative fertilizer products would be developed subsequently under the NBS regime to meet the different requirements of Indian agriculture. The NBS regime is expected to depict the actual demand of fertilizers in the country and promote realistic pricing of fertilizer products in the international market. Unshackling of fertilizer industry is also expected to attract fresh investments in this sector.

It has also been decided to constitute an Inter-Ministerial Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Fertilizers) to examine various scenarios and make recommendations for finalization of per nutrient subsidy to the Government under the proposed Policy.

Under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) regime, since the subsidy on the subsidisednutrients and consequently subsidized fertilizers will remain fixed, the retail prices of subsidized fertilizers at farmgate level will be decided by the Companies. The Fertilizer Industry has assured that under NBS regime, the price line around the current level would be maintained during Kharif-2010. The Government in consultation with the fertilizer industry will make interventions in such a manner that the farmgate prices of non-urea fertilizers are, as far as possible, near the current prices so that the farmers are not adversely affected.

The provision of additional subsidy for fortified and supplemented fertilizer will encourage production and application of fertilizers carrying secondary and micro nutrients.

Urea which has the maximum tonnage consumed nitrogenous fertilizers in the country will continue to be under the current MRP regime.  However, it has been decided to increase the maximum retail price of urea from Rs.4830/- per MT to Rs.5310/- per MT with effect from1st April, 2010.

The subsidy will continue to be disbursed through the Industry during the first phase.  The industry will receive subsidy based on certification of sale by the State Governments / Statutory Auditors of the Company as in the past. The implementation and distribution of the fertilizer will continue to be monitored through the on-line web based “Fertilizer Monitoring System”.

Focus of the LIFE project (in 2nd year)

• On sustainable agriculture-in the form of organic cultivation by adopting & practicing the methods & techniques of organic cultivation.

• Self Help Groups (SHGs) & other CBOs beyond saving & credits

VIDEO Case studies: March 2011

10-03-2011: Md. Iqubal (youth development...securing livelihood)...

Phorographs: March 2011

Crop Demo-plot-Wheat (4037) of Galku Devi (Women farmer), Napoli (one of the project village of LIFE project, Mavashiya Panchyat, Ajmer)

 

Interaction with the Tribal farmer-Ramdev Bhil regarding production of crop after demo plot under LIFE project

Anecdotes: March 2011

Farm Pond; A venture of modern irrigation 

I am a small farmer of Nolkha village (Ajmer District-Rajasthan) with 15 bigha of land. My livelihood depends on agriculture and the production of livestock I have. Electricity cut and shortage of irrigation water affected my cultivation very badly. There is only 6 hours electricity available in my village and these 6 hours are divided among we four bothers. Staff of LIFE project advised me to construct a farm pond at upstream side of land for which 50% govt. subsidy is available. I consulted my other three brothers and did all the formalities to avail the subsidy for the pond of 40'x30'x6' dimension. With the staff I went in "Prashasan Apke Dwar Camp" and my application is approved and I got subsidy of Rs. 50,000/- for the pond. I am also planning to do fishery in this pond and earn additional income. Now I will save electricity, time, money and labour in my agriculture work and teach others to do so. Thanks to LIFE project for this wonderful LIFE.

- Lal Singh Rawat
S/o Chotu Singh Rawat, Nolkha

Opportunities ...

JINDAL PRIZE-for development organization/individuals

The “Jindal Prize” is instituted by the  S  J Foundation to accolade exceptional service of current significance rendered by individuals or organisations for the welfare of Indian citizens in the country.

Established in 1969, the Foundation is an  apolitical, non religious and charitable trust, engaged in the field of education, health and social service with special emphasis on nature cure. The Foundation, besides extending financial support to other charitable institutions, has also directly  set up several educational institutions and hospitals.The Foundation also assists the poor and deserving students through scholorships. 

The Jindal Prize aims at promoting moral values, peace, harmony, health, education, patriotism, national integration and religious tolerence and at inspiring individuals to serve without motive of personal gain, social or political mileage.

It is expected that the recognition garnered by the Jindal Prize awardees will catalyze their efforts towards social upliftment. 

There shall be five Prizes of Rs one crore each, to be conferred annually,
one for each of the following categories. 

• The Jindal Prize for Rural Development & Poverty Alleviation
• The Jindal Prize for Health including drugless healing
• The Jindal Prize for Education with emphasis on moral upliftment
• The Jindal Prize for Science, Technology and Environment
•The Jindal Prize for  Peace, Social Harmony and Development

The awardees shall be selected by the Jury of eminent and reputed persons of high integrity through a process independent of the working of the Foundation.

For more detail  log on to: http://www.jindalprize.org/