THE INITIATIVE

• Promotion of research in organic fertilisers and pesticides

THE BENEFICIARIES

• Farmers and villagers in Alleppey district, Kerala

THE CHALLENGE

• Deterioration in soil fertility due to use of chemicals
• Deterioration in quality of farm produce

THE SOLUTION

• NABARD sanctioned a sum of ? 8.16 lakh to the Gandhi Smaraka Grama Sevana Kendra for establishment of a bio-laboratory for research in organic fertilisers and pesticides
• Fluorescent pseudomonas, a group of soil-born bacteria that is highly effective against crop diseases, was identified for production

THE IMPACT

• Chemical fertilisers and pesticides replaced by natural and bio-substitutes
• Improved quality of health among farmers and consumers of the region