From Field to Market

What is the problem or need the project is addressing?

Raichur is one of the poorest districts in India. A decline in cotton prices over the last decade has destabilised the local economy and destroyed the livelihoods of about 1 million people.

Many problems facing cotton farmers are due to the use of pesticides/ agrochemicals. The average cotton farmer spends over 50% of his income on pesticides/ agrochemicals. This has led to an increase in indebtedness, suicides and migration. The problems facing cotton farmers have had a knock-on effect on labourers, and many have been forced to migrate in search of work and sources of income.

What is the project doing?

• Establishing village-level groups to enable farmers to access to a range of benefits and encourage collective working.
• Providing training to support farmers convert to organic farming. This will include: new technologies; cultivation practices; harvesting; storage; marketing; mixed cropping; etc.
• Providing agricultural servicesto support organic cotton cultivation: agricultural inputs (seeds, bio-fertilisers/pesticides, tools and equipment); drip irrigation equipment; raw material/ inputs etc.
• Establishing a revolving fund will help farmers buy goods/services.
• Lobbying for improvements in domestic and international policies that have a negative impact on cotton farmers and labourers. This will include meetings with key decision-makers, lobbying policy makers and campaigning with the general public.
• Starting a pilot business initiative for landless labourers. This initiative will provide employment, training and income for landless labourers (particularly women).

What impact has the project had?

This is a new project. However we expect the following outcomes:

• Improved performance of cotton farmers through better yields, better quality, better business management etc.
• Reduced dependency on cotton farming through the promotion of rotational crops.
• Reduced production costs and improved personal/environmental health through the removal of chemical pesticides and conversion to Fairtrade/organic farming
• Increased capacity of small cotton farmers and labourers to market their products
• Farmers and labourers are organised into groups that enable them to develop a collective voice and negotiate with policy makers and supply chain actors.
• Strong links developed between groups, enabling effective collective action at district, state and national level.

Our local partner

We have 5 local partners, each chosen because of their different skills and experience:

• SAFAL is an NGO that develops livelihood opportunities for poor communities. It has vast experience of helping communities improve their market access and earn viable incomes.
• PRERANA is an NGO with significant experience in the project area. PRERANA works to improve the livelihoods of poor communities through collective action.
• Navnirman Trust is an NGO that works to empower poor communities by encouraging them to work together. It has significant experience of: mobilising communities to form groups; making them aware of their rights; and supporting them in lobbying/advocacy.
• SEVA is an NGO that is well known for its work in the cotton industry. SEVA has done research into the effects of pesticides/agrochemicals on women/children workingin cottonfields and also piloted projects with farmers, labourers and weavers.
• Agrocel is a social enterprise that has worked with TX on a very successful project to support cotton farmers in Gujarat, India. Agrocel will provide technical support to farmers and will help to establish an agro-service centre to provide goods/services.

How is this project funded?

The project is funded by the Department for International Development, UK.