FOOD & FOODER SECURITY:

The programme is being implemented in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh, a rural hinterland whose economy is inextricably linked with the expanding urban economy of Hyderabad. At the time of the inception of the project, people in the villages, particularly the marginalized and women, not only did not know the possibility of successful dry land agriculture but were also forced to migrate to the urban labour market. In addition, the land that they owned in the village remained fallow for want of resources either in kind or money to convert them into productive assets. So, M.V. Foundation’s strategy was to motivate the women farmers towards the cultivation of fallow lands and there by grow food crops and vegetables hence leading to increased food security. Further, focus on conservation of degraded fallow lands has increased the productivity/income from the dry land agriculture by adopting IPM methods and organic manures thus arresting migration to the near by urban areas.

The Fodder interventions are linked to the Food Security programme and the end result in which MVF has impacted is improved livelihoods, empowerment of women through asset creation and technical knowledge of fodder species and livestock management. Women disseminate their knowledge through information sharing sessions. They have been trained on Fodder species and they have in turn trained other women in the villages.

Achievements:

• Conversion of 23,355 acres of fallow land into agricultural land through 10,929 women’s household in 105 villages.
• Preservation of seed grains and fodder seeds .· Organic Vegetable Cultivation through drip irrigation in 32 villages with 554 farmers.
• Inter cropping horticulture plantation developed with inter cropping of vegetables in 773 acres
• Fodder species knowledge & use – 763.09 acres – 60 villages – 4213 women farmers