Impact Feature #2

SUCCESSFUL FARMER Name: Sambhaji Maruti Landge (Ahmednagar)

Age: 45 years

Religion: Hindu (Maratha)

Occupation: Farmer

“My village falls in drought prone zone. I could take only one crop in a year and for rest of the year I would work as labourer. Now my life has changed after the intervention of BGVK in my village. I now take four to five crops in a year.”Sambhaji

Sambhaji hails from village Pimpalgaon Landga in Ahmednagar. His family consists of his wife, two daughters and a son. He hails from a lower middle class farmer’s family.

His village falls in drought prone zone and since childhood hew saw villagers practicing rain fed agriculture. Families would migrate to cities in search of jobs during the lean season. His family practiced the same. It was a difficult time for him and the other families in his village. He supplemented his income by working in an agro based company but couldn’t meet his family’s needs.

In 1997, he met the field officer of BGVK (Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra, Ahmednagar) in his village and BGVK adopted this village under its rural development activities. BGVK conducted a rapid assessment of the problems faced by people and consulted them on the possible solutions to their problem. A micro level plan was prepared with the participation of village. BGVK implemented integrated watershed project in the village which created awareness on water conservation and water management. Watershed structures were constructed, pasture development was promoted and controlled grazing was practiced in the village. These efforts led to an increase in the water table and also increase in the availability of surface water in village. Now, Sambhaji is able to take five crops in a year.

Sambhaji underwent training in Poultry management at BGVK and started Poultry to earn some extra income. He planted Pomegranate trees on 1 acre and cultivated Soyabean, Tuar, Cabbage, Bhendi (Ocra), Bajra and Bhuimug (Ground nuts) on rest of the land. This has increased in income many fold.

Sambhaji is a great source of inspiration to youth. He has been attending BGVK’s training programmes on livelihood diversification, leadership, village governance etc. Since 2010, he has been regularly attending Farmer’s Exposure visits organized by BGVK and has motivated other villagers to adopt modern farm practices.

In 2015 he built a RCC concrete house, owns a four wheeler and a two wheeler, he has his own tractor too. He is now giving best possible education to his children. He is now well respected in his village and has become a role model for the farmers in his village – Thanks to BGVK, Ahmednagar.