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NPM up scaling
was evolved as a silent revolution by
knowledge dissemination through the grass root work of CSA (earlier
sustainable Agriculture Desk, Centre for
World Solidarity) for 14 years along with the farmers and partner
organisations. CSA has established many alternative models in
agriculture especially in pest management, keeping in view of the crisis
in agriculture. Pesticides occupies major portion of the cost of
cultivation and indiscriminate use of them leads to heavy indebtedness
and ultimately to suicides of the farmers. This situation accented in
Andhra Pradesh and finally Jayathi Ghosh report on Agriculture Crisis,
SERP initial work with MMS-Kosgi on NPM, Agriculture Minister’s visit to
Punukula made the Govt.of. Andhra Pradesh to look into alternatives in
Agriculture as a solution to the prevailing crisis.
During 2005-06 the program was
implemented in 25,000 acres across 9 districts with 30 NGOs
participating in the program. The program has received good response and
the results were encouraging.
During 2006-07 the scope is expanded
to cover the other components as well. The program is planned for
1,80,000 acres covering 17 districts in different agro climatic zones of
Andhra Pradesh viz., Telangana, Rayalaseema, North coastal districts.
Efforts have been made to provide credit and market linkages. The
program aims at establishing strong institutional base at the village
level 'Rythu Vigyana Kendra's (Farmers Knowledge Centres) that can take
forward the program. Village enterprises to promote Agriculture linked
livelihoods, working on issues of labour in the villages.
CSA acts as the State Secretariat for
the project
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