THE INITIATIVE

• Commercial cultivation of exotic vegetables

THE BENEFICIARIES

• Farmers of Man village, Pune district, Maharashtra

THE CHALLENGE

• Poor yield from traditional crops
• Lack of awareness about alternative crops
• De-spirited farmers

THE SOLUTION

• NABARD supported the formation of a Farmers Club in the village
• Capacity-building support was provided for adoption of technology
• Credit was facilitated through the banking system
• Awareness was created about market dynamics and marketing strategy

THE IMPACT

• Increase in cultivation of exotic vegetables in polyhouses
• Income of up to ` 2,000 per day through direct sales
• Chief coordinator of the Club felicitated for his efforts at the national level