Reduction of poverty through the promotion of aromatic crops in Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal in India

BACKGROUND

The context is the outskirts of Dehra Dun where traditional agriculture is primarily subsistence agriculture precarious and often cut off from the market. Most farm families live below the poverty line.

OBJECTIVE



The project objective is to sustainably improve the lives of a hundred (at first) of these poor farmers families by supporting them in diversifying their activities by the agricultural crops of aromatic plants.





PARTNERS (2005-2007)

Operational: AGRISUD, HARC (Himalayan Action Research Center), Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
Financial: The Pelicans (€ 25,000), CJD (€ 22,000), Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (€ 15,000).

RESULTS (2005-2007)

- 140 producers (750 m² / family) from lemon grass operating in 12 villages
- A rational agriculture: organic matter (cattle and buffalo dung) and "zero pesticide
- Creation of income for families
- A potential annual production of about 2,500 to 3,000 kg of essential oil (total value of production from 13,000 to 16,000 € / year)
- Chain lemon grass studied and characterized: type and quality of products expected terms of trade between producers and middlemen traders,
- 1 distillation unit in place (village Bhagwampur), made to support management unit
- 3 groups of producers (Farmers' Self Help Groups) created and supported at the village level: internal organization, collection and production support services,
- 2 workshops held between the trade organization of producers, buyers and technical support services (CAPE HRDI)
- 1 "Farmers Company Bhagwampur created in 2007, support for the ability to provide services to its members and strengthening the management of the distillation unit,
- 3 exchange visits with other organizations (Devran Valley Fruit and Vegetables Growers 'Association, Dhari Kafnaul and Rawain Valley Fruit and Vegetables Growers' Association ...).

RESEARCH FUNDING

With new support of around € 30,000 in 2010, AGRISUD and its partners will ensure:
- Further strengthening of professional organizations on agroecological practices, improved distillation processes, marketing of the essential oil from lemon grass and management of the distillation unit,
- Optimization of the distillation unit: loading platform of the tank, expanding the warehouse, sealing of the storage of water for the distillation process,
- Supporting the technical and economic management of the distillation unit,
- Setting up a production line of herbal tea bags crafts (lemon grass, mint ...).
- Diversification of crops and bio-product certification (Indian National Board for Certified Organic).