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Revision of the MoU between Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. and Water User’s Associations (WUAs). |
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About four WUAs in the Vehlal command area are ready to take over the management of the canals. However on going through the draft MoU prepared by SSNNL, DSC had suggested certain modifications based on its experience on Dharoi and also the Rules and Regulations to be informed at the state level. This issue was pending with the SSNNL since the past six months. The SSNNL constituted a committee of five members i.e. three Supdt Engineers of Nigam, DSC and AKRSPI to scrutinize the suggestions made by DSC and give its opinion. The committee met on 11.6.2008 and gave its recommendations wherein the suggestions of DSC made by letter dt 7.1.08 are accepted unanimously. Based on this, the Nigam issued the modified format of MoU.This will be applicable to all the 220 WUAs in which the irrigation management transfer has taken place.This will greatly benefit the WUAs as they will be able to retain 25% of the water charges collected for regular maintenance of canals and their own administration. |
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MoU between Gujarat Green Revolution Co Ltd (GGRC) and DSC |
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The Gujarat Green Revolution Co Ltd (GGRC) is the nodal agency for promoting Micro Irrigation Systems (MIS) in the state. DSC has been promoting MIS in irrigated and rainfed areas in five districts i.e. Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Amreli. In the command area of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd, DSC has promoted Pressurized Irrigation Network System (PINS). Similarly in North Gujarat, the organization has also motivated farmers to have a Group MIS scheme. Looking at these initiatives, the Executive Director and the Chairman-GGRC felt that an institutional arrangement between the two organizations would help in further strengthening such activities. Thus an MoU was signed between the two organizations on 28th of January 2009. DSC's role would be to create awareness and promote MIS while the GGRC would provide technical support including conducting training programmes. DSC would also try to see that the issues faced by the farmers during pre and post installation of the MIS are duly taken care of by the MIS suppliers and GGRC. The MoU, which is valid till the year 2011, would further help the organization in giving focused attention to these issues and scale up such activities. |
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District Resource Centre Sabarkantha (DRC) |
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Since its inception in 1994, Development Support Centre has made a major contribution at the State and National level for promotion of various programmes in natural resource management such as Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) and Watershed Management (WSD).
Field implementation is a major source of learning for DSC and forms the core for providing inputs to its other services. At present DSC has two field units promoting PIM - Mazum and Guhai irrigation schemes in Sabarkantha district. Similarly the organization has one field unit promoting the watershed projects in the Meghraj block, Sabarkantha district. These units have ably demonstrated people’s strength in planning, implementing and managing their own natural resources to enhance their livelihoods and the inter-relationship between technical and social interventions. DSC’s work at the field level has received recognition at the district, state and national level.
At the district level, the concerned departments of the Government such as the Irrigation Department and the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) often utilize the services of DSC’s field units for hosting field visits and as resource agency for conducting training programmes. Looking at the expertise of DSC, there is demand for carrying out documentation of successful cases, produce and disseminate communication material and conduct workshops to create awareness on best practices, orientation of Govt. programmes etc.
Considering the current opportunities, response of the district administration and its own strength, DSC initiated Resource Centre at the Sabarkantha district.
Functions of the District Resource Centre in Sabarkantha
The DRC would perform the following functions:
Work as an Information Centre for programmes related to livelihood enhancement such as watershed management. PIM, agriculture development, drinking water management and micro-finance.
Work in close co-ordination with Govt Depts and prepare a comprehensive livelihood plan for the district.
Document and disseminate information on programmes and best practices on livelihood enhancement.
Conduct workshops, training programmes and exposure visits for Govt functionaries, NGO staff and FOs within and outside the district.
If needed, provid hand-holding support to NGOs, Government and FOs.
Prepare communication material – print/audio visual/street plays etc for creating awareness.
Undertake impact assessment and other issue based studies.
Provide appropriate feedback to respective departments for quality enhancement of their respective programmes.
Activity initiated by DRC
Training need assessment in Watrak, meshvo and vaidi irrigation project on PIM
Exposure cum training on PIM conducted for ICs and ID officers of Watrak irrigation project through DRC.
Date :12/01/2009 || Participants : 45 || Venue : Khadayta Hall, Modasa || Place visited : Rahiyol and Bhesawada
On the basis of training need assessment, the Sabarkantha District Resource centre has organized one day exposure cum training programme for Ics and ID officers of Watrak project. Around 36 farmers representatives and 9 ID officers participated in this programme. During the training programme the participants visited two experienced Ics- Rahiyol & Bhesawada and interacted with farmers and visited canal site. During the exposure visited they tried to understand the process of PIM adopted by experienced Ics of Mazum. After completion of exposure visit the participant met at Modasa and shared their observations and learning from exposure visit and prepared action plan. The Deputy Executive Engineer remained present during training programme
Exhibition of PIM stall during state level celebration of Republic day in Ghodhara district. The Irrigation Department invited DSC`s Sabarkantha District Resource Centre setting up an PIM stall in State level Republic Day Function of Govt. of Gujarat organized in Ghodhara district where the Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi made the High canal to public at Shehra town. About 5000 farmers visited DRC`s PIM stall and benefited with various important information on PIM and functioning of Water Uses Associations.
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Exposure cum training to Gujarat from MP |
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As a part of its strategy, DSC has decided to invite the farmers, Govt. Officers and the MPRLP team for visiting DSC`s PIM areas in Gujarat that would develop a better common understanding on PIM and developing a common vision for the Maan and Jobat projects based on the learning from Gujarat. In this context, the MPRLP team had visited Gujarat in December 2008.
In January, 2009, 78 farmers including WUA Chairmen, Territorial Committee Members, of Jobat and Maan projects visited Gujarat on the learning cum training programme in two separate batches. The first groups of 24 farmers from Jobat project paid visits from December 31th to 2nd January while the second group of 54 farmers from Maan project visited during 8th to 9th January 09. The three days programmes included one day briefing at Ahmedabad training centre followed by field visit to Dharoi and Guhai PIM projects, meeting with the Gujarat farmers followed by de briefing session at Ahmedabad. Both the groups prepared an action plan for implementing some best practices in their area of operation in Madhya Pradesh like joint survey of canal system for identification of repair works, collecting WUA membership fee from the farmers etc. The group felt that actions need to be taken both at field and policy level to strengthen the WUAs working and contribution for better irrigation management in Madhya Pradesh. The WUAs planned to improve their functioning in step by step manner in guidance of DSC. The WUAs and DSC will start village meeting and video show for awareness and motivation of the farmers in Maan and Jobat from January 2009. |
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Two Training –cum exposure visits for Group of Andhra Pradesh |
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Development Support centre has been providing capacity building and research support to Andhra Pradesh PIM since 1998. Before 2009, It has organized 6 training and exposure programmes for about 150 Government officers, farmers and the NGO representatives over the years from AP to Gujarat.
On the request of Commissioner, CADAM, Government of Andhra Pradesh, the PIM unit DSC organized two rounds of 3-day training cum exposure programmes for 70 participants including Govt. Officer, NGO leaders and Chairmen of Project Committee-DC and WUAs) at DSC training centre Ahmedabad followed by field visits. First programme was conducted for 33 participants between 7th and 9th January while second programme of 30 participants was conducted between 20th January to 23rd January 2009. The participants had come from different regions of AP like Godavari Ayacut, Nagarjun Sagar, Sriram Sagar, Tungbhadrasagar etc. The experienced farmers, DSC programme staff and government officers facilitated session on Gujarat`s Govt.`s support to WUAs, DSC`s approach of PIM promotion, Capacity building of WUAs their roles and responsibilities in Gujarat,. The group prepared action plans of interventions to be taken by them in AP for improving the irrigation management by WUAs and their higher level Associations.
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Sangam Mahila Savings and Credit Cooperative-Meghraj: |
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Around 350 women members in the sangam cooperative register as a cooperative number NDhN/SK/Se(M)-38400,date29.12.08.
Objectives:
:->Micro savings and credit
:->Income generation activities
:->Social development and NRM activities
The cooperative leaders were taken on visits to some successful models of cooperatives and for better orientation and exposures. Inspired by the visits, the cooperative is thinking to accelerate income generation activities, micro saving and credit and initiating information dissemination programmes on women rights on land and NRM, role in Panchayatiraj system and drinking water security through convergence with Swajaldhara scheme, agriculture productivity etc.
The executive body of the cooperative has decided to take management training and start saving and credit at cluster level organization that will also help to make the cluster meetings more useful and live for participation. The total savings over the period is Rs. 2.07 lakhs. The cooperative has decided their rules and regulation for the landing.
Recent initiative
:-> In Megharaj to plan & preparation to collect fodder & arrange money due to coming drought situation.
:-> Do Faliya wise survey and plan Drinking water security within 10 villages in meghraj
:-> Plan to organise medical camp and Animal husbandry camp with the support of veterinary service center |
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Formation of fourth PIM federation |
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DSC has a plan to form six federations in the NDDB supported North Gujarat PIM project. These federations will be playing a key role in coordinating about 180 Irrigation Cooperatives for ensuring equitable sharing of available water across the canal systems in a long run. Till 2006-07, three federations were formed one in Dharoi, one in Guhai and one in Mazum. This year the largest of all, the branch canal -1 federation has been formed in Dharoi project that includes 80 ICs covering 14,000 hectare command area. Formation of this federation was going on for last one year and its formation was crucial because it shares almost 50% of DSC`s PIM area in Dharoi. DSC organized an exposure visit to Maharashtra for capacity building of IC leaders to interact with government officers and farmers of Waghad project that has already been handed over to the local federation.
Inspired from the Maharashtra exposure, the 80 ICs organized a meeting and decided to form their federation in branch -1 Dharoi. This year the sangh will coordinate with the the irrigation department for management of the branch level irrigation. The registration process has started parallel. |
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Indo German Watershed Development Programme (IGWP) |
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As reported earlier, last year NABARD sanctioned 7 watershed projects under IGWDP to 5 different NGOs in Gujarat. DSC was one of the NGOs that was awarded one project covering 1600 hectares in three villages. NABARD has released the first installment grant of Rs. 1.30 lakhs to the Watershed Committee for implementation of the Capacity Building Phase and Rs. 0.38 lakh to DSC for management costs.
This year, NABARD is likely to sanction about 7-8 new watershed projects. It can be to existing NGOs implementing IGWDP projects or a few new NGOs. NABARD asked DSC to propose one or two new watershed projects from Meghraj. DSC has proposed two new projects of about 2000 hectare area to NABARD. On 2nd August, NABARD Programme Management Unit, Dahod called a meeting for detailed discussion on the proposed projects wherein Programme Officer (WSD) and Team Leader from Meghraj participated. Shri Deshpande the officer in charge from NABARD is likely to visit Meghraj on 20th Sept. wherein he will be assessing the progress in the on-going project and also visit the villages proposed under the new project. |
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Extension of SSNNL project till June 2009. |
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After two meetings – one at Executive Engineer’s office in Dehgam and the other in the field, it was felt that the certain issues need to be put before the Suptd. Engineer. Accordingly ED, Consultant PIM, PO(PIM) and Team leader SSNNL met Shri Mistry, SE in his office to discuss issues such as :
Repairing of the minors
Handing over the minors to the Irrigation Cooperatives and
Extension of DSC’s contract
The SE was quite positive and assured that the minors would be repaired and instructed his officers to conduct joint surveys and to prepare plans and estimates by October 15 so that work could be undertaken thereafter. Regarding point No.2 above, it was felt that since timely repairing of the minors may not be possible, wherever 75% or more sub-minors have been constructed by ICs, they could be handed over the management of the minor, with an agreement that these would be repaired in due time. The Executive Engineer was keen that DSC be involved in building the capacities of ICs for at least one rabi season after they have been handed over the management of the minor. Accordingly DSC’s agreement with SSNNL which ended in April 2007 was further extended to June 2009. Since DSC has made judicious use of the funds, no additional cost would be involved for such an extension.
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Taluka level workshops for ensuring drinking water security in watershed villages |
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Objectives of the following workshops at Meghraj and Jasdan
Bring awareness among villages about watershed and Swajaldhara scheme
Joint planning and implementation by WASMO and DRDA for ensuring drinking water security
Discuss about problems and solutions in implementing watershed and Swajaldhara schemes
Convergence of different schemes at taluka level to ensure drinking water securit
Meghraj – 16th Oct 08
DSC organized the workshop on Drinking water security in Sabarkantha district (Meghraj taluka)). 150 participants including Gramsevaks, Sarpanchs, and Talatis participated from all the 85 villages in Meghraj. Deputy Director, and Agri.Officer from DRDA Sabarkantha and Member secretary and WASMO coordinator participated in the workshop. Besides giving basic information on Swajaldhara, they provided guidance for collection of contribution. It was decided that Taluka Panchayat would give hand holding support to all the village level leaders and take feedback from each village and give proper direction. Overall feedback was that the workshop was very helpful to collaboration between WASMO and DRDA.
Jasdan: 12 Dec 08
About 180 participants – Sarpanch, woman leaders, Talati and members of Pani Samiti and Watershed Associations attended the workshop. Jasdan taluka is having 101 villages of which 61 have the watershed programme and 24 have WASMO programme for drinking water. Here the objective was to implement both the schemes in all the villages (whole Jasdan taluka). WASMO had made presentation on successful villages which secured drinking water. The participants had discussed about their problems and implementation related to Swajaldhara scheme and got suggestions from the officers of WASMO and DRDA. The discussion was also focused on conducting regular meetings with sarpanch and all stakeholders to give priority for drinking water security in converge both these schemes. |
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Training on Agriculture Enhancement in watersheds |
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A 5-day training programme conducted for 18 participants – Watershed Development Team (WDT) Agriculture Specialists – from Jamnagar and Rajkot districts. The main objective was the clarity on role and responsibilities of WDT and also to enhance agriculture productivity and animal husbandry within the watershed area. During the training programme, the WDT prepared an agriculture enhancement action plan through the watershed project and will be working accordingly. A report is being prepared and will be shared with the CEO of the State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) and the District Watershed Development Units (DWDU). The main purpose of sharing the report is to see that there is clarity amongst all the CEOs of DWDUs on the roles and responsibilities of the agriculture specialist who at present seems to be given quite a few responsibilities which are unrelated to agriculture. |
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Training programme for Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology
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Ms Jayanti Ravi, Board member requested DSC to conduct a 2-day PRA training for 26 post-graduate students of Rural Communication from Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Gandhinagar. First day she took a session in the class room while on the second day they spent their day in the field and did some PRA practical exercise.
The feedback of this training :
- PRA training covers the subjective/qualitative information that was missed out under the questionnaire method. This missing information was the real problem faced in the questionnaire method.
- Possibility of getting correct information was quite high as compared to the questionnaire method as it was based on group discussion.
- For a single information, we can get various opinions from villagers.
- Information received could be beyond our knowledge.
We can approach villagers without any grudge / bias
PRA methods not only give information but create understanding about related problems
After this PRA training, four groups with total 26 participants will apply the PRA methods for gathering information about village for their study.
DSC could in future explore possibility of planning to be the resource persons for the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology. We are also planning to facilitate the students to carry out PRA. |
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Research |
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Completed Important Study
a) Risk and productivity in farming in north Gujarat and Amreli: a region and crop specific analysis and strategies for improvement and diversification.
Recently initiative Important studies
a) Exploratory study on status of tenant farmers in irrigated area
b) Status of people’s contribution fund in watershed development programme in India and post watershed management |
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Completion of the 100th episode of Radio Programme and Initiation of the Awaj Otalo Project |
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The radio program on sustainable agriculture named Sajjata no sang . . . Lave kheti ma rang will complete its 100 episodes on 25th Dec 2008. During the last quarter the program got many responses from interior areas like Panchmahal and Kutch districts. Looking to its popularity DSC has appointed an independent research agency to carry out an impact assessment study of the programme. A total of 100 respondents from 10 districts have been interviewed. A draft report is expected by the end of December 2008.
DSC with IBM Research Lab , New Delhi launched a pilot project on spoke web named Avaj Otalo. DSC and IBM both signed a formal agreement on 3rd of November 2008. The pilot project will be executed from the last week of December – 2008 to February - 2009 . This pilot will be for four districts of the state i.e. Banaskantha, Rajkot, Surendranagar and Bhavnagar.
Aavajotala is a unique feedback based system which can be operated by simple mobile phone. Initially this service will be provided to 200 farmers. This is the second ICT based agriculture information system in the country.
Based on the results of the pilot, DSC will then decide whether to scale it up or not. |
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Introduction of plastic vermi beds and vegetable kits to women |
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DSC was in search of some user friendly technologies that improve the quality of vermi compost and at the same time reduce the drudgery, cost and risks associated with this activity. It collaborated with the Sanjeevani Associates, Akola and introduced the plastic vermi beds which are low cost and improve the method of vermi compost preparation.
About 100 women of SHG groups of three field units Visnagar, Meghraj and Guhai have distributed vegetable kits to village women keeping in view their need for fresh vegetables. The Farmers Organisations and DSC have noted that this activity has helped to increase women’s participation in the LEPNRM project. |
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International Seminar on Reforms in Irrigation Management for Effective IWRM
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At the instance of the Treasurer Shri V B Patel, the ED and Mr EM Shashidharan participated in the International Seminar on Reforms in Irrigation Management for Effective IWRM. The seminar was conducted by Central Board of Irrigation Power (CBIP). Over 100 participants (including the Superintending Engineer (SE) of SSNNL and former SE, Dharoi) from different states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka etc attended this seminar which was inaugurated by the Minister for Minor Irrigation, Karnataka, Mr L V Nagrajan, Principal Secretary and Dr KV Raju of ISEC who is now the Economic Advisor to the CM. Mr M Gopalkrishnan, Secretary General of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage facilitated the seminar. There were six technical sessions on topics such as water management in irrigated agriculture, strategy for multiple water use, reforms in irrigation management and PIM. The ED and Shashidharan made a presentation on “Consolidating PIM in India: A Three-Stage Pathway”. This was very much appreciated by Mr. Gopalkrishnan as well as Mr Nagrajan. They were keen that DSC also participate in a similar workshop to be conducted in Orissa on irrigation and drainage in February 2009. Some of the senior officers from Karnataka were keen to visit the Dharoi irrigation project. |
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Activities in Sajjata Sangh |
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Workshop on how to increase productivity of wheat
The above mentioned workshop was organized on 4-5 November, 2008 at Sardar Smruti Kendra, Anand Agriculture University, Anand. Questions were raised from the farmers associated with the Sajjata Sangh and which they felt need to be addressed in workshop. The workshop was co- sponsored by Anand Agriculture University under RKVY scheme. The workshop provided a platform to facilitate bi-lateral discussion with progressive farmers and resource persons such as Mr. R. G. Bhalara, District Development Officer, Anand, R. B. Patel, Joint Director, Agriculture, Dr. P. P. Patel, Director of Education and Extension. About 58 farmers, representatives from six partner organization from six districts participated in the workshop. The farmers were made aware about seed selection, seed treatment, land preparation, sowing, weed control, pest and disease management, bio fertilizer organic farming and micro nutrient management.
Upscaling Weather Insurance in Gujarat
Weather Insurance is an insurance cover against crop losses incurred due to unfavorable weather conditions such as deficit/excess/untimely rainfall, variations in temperature, etc. Weather insurance product is designed on the basis of location’s agricultural and climatic properties and productivity levels over the last several years. Weather insurance provides a good alternative to farmers for mitigating their production-related losses.
Sajjata Sangh has initiated rainfall insurance in Gujarat. The Comprehensive research study supported by the Agakhan Foundation through the SCALE Programme was instituted by Sajjata Sangh with SAVA in year 2006 on Rainfall Insurance. On the base of the study, partners of Sajjata Sangh have piloted the scheme in coordination with Agriculture Insurance Company since last three years.
Achivements so far...
| Particular |
Year 2006 |
Year 2007 |
Year 2008 |
Total Farmers insured with Rainfall Insurance Policy |
35 farmers covering 39 acres of land in the operational area of SAVA in Jamnagar. |
110 farmers covering 180 acres of land under groundnut in Jamnagar. |
350 farmers covering 427 acres of land in Jamnagar and in Dhari, Kahmabha and Rajula of Amreli District. |
Claim recieved |
Rs 1010 under volume cover. |
No claim recieved |
Total 203 farmer get benefit from which 158 farmers covered with Rs. 500 per acre for sowing and 45 farmers covered with Rs. 713 per acre for volume in deficit rainfall in Jamnagar. In Amreli District, no claim is generated for groundnut crop whereas Rs. 465/- per acre of claim is covered under cotton crop for excessive rainfall. Total 35 farmers will get claim in which 15, 11 and 9 farmers is from the block Rajula, Dhari and Khambha respectively. |
An experience sharing workshop on RAINFALL INSURANCE was organized at Development Support Centre, Ahmedabad, where the core issues such as problem in product design, timing in product development, pricing, dissemination, institutionalisation and policy were highlighted by Sajjata Sangh partners.
Agriculture Insurance Company has agreed that the product would be launched latest by 15th April 2009 for new crops like castor, maize including groundnuts and cotton for Kharif -2009 and nearest institutional meteorological centers would be authorized as weather stations for the source of rainfall data.
DSC, AKRSP(I), UTTHAN, Ambuja Cement Foundation, Prakruti Foundation, Sadguru Foundation, Samaj ane Sikshan Kalyan Kendra, SAVA have taken the challange to expand rainfall insurance in (285 villages) 19 blocks of 8 district of Gujarat for the Kharif year 2009-10. Minimum 5000 farmers would be cover for the policy from which 800 farmers would be women and 1500 farmers would be small and marginal farmers.
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