Sustainable Farming

PPI’s agriculture projects help small and resource poor farmers by training them to increase yields without using costly chemical inputs and pesticides that are damaging to the environment and human health. Farmers are trained in sustainable and organic farming techniques such as soil building, water conservation, creating compost and organic pesticides, crop rotation, and in maintaining seed banks. Farmer groups have also been provided training in marketing of produce.

PPI has supported innovative farming projects in several states. In the Thar desert of Rajasthan and the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, earthen embankments (khadins) for retaining rainwater improved soil moisture for growing crops. In Maharashtra, Adivasi farmers were able to increase their income through taking a second crop because they received support for irrigation. In West Bengal, PPI support for training in SRI farming helped Kheria farmers increase their rice yields. In Karnataka, soil fertility was improved with azolla. In Orissa, PPI’s support helped create a marketing outlet for farm produce.