Farmers in distress and farming in stress.

Farmers of INDIA are still the second grade citizen of India and it seems that it will remain like this for a long time.

Recently a farmer friend of ours Sh. Ramesh Ganeriwal has had to go through serious tribulations against big non-Himachal corporates in just simply trying to save farmers standing wheat crop. All this happened due to a Micro Hydel project laid out by the "Raheja Group" of Gurgaon. This is a post of the details as analyzed by Sh. Ramesh. He has run from pillar to post with the executive wing of the state government giving up on him and leaving him no choice byt to fight a lengthy and costly battle in courts. This is what the plight of the farmers is in todays time. Thie following is what has transpired with the farmers of his region -

Direct Negative Impacts of Micro-Hydel Projects on Poor Farmers – A Farmers’ Perspective

Ramesh Ganeriwal, a Farmer

Unknown to most, Micro-Hydel projects in the hilly states like Himachal Pradesh are doing enormous harm to farmers in terms of either completely taking away the irrigation water or in some instances, changing the ever-flowing water schedules to that which suit the upstream power producers, thereby causing a great deal of disruption to the farming operations. This paper describes the plight of farmers, who are too poor and unorganized without the wherewithal to obtain redressal for the gross injustice that these relatively recent water diversions are inflicting on the farmers who have enjoyed the rights to irrigation waters for generations. The nodal agency designated by the H.P. Government, Himurja is less than forthcoming in providing requested information by the aggrieved parties to be able to monitor the compliance of stringent environmental and other norms imposed on the project builders and the operators.

Even the “run-of-the-river” projects, which every one imagines to be innocuous to ecology and human population, the water diversion causes dry or much lowered water level stretches of rivers/nallah’s that take away traditional water sources from the age-old water channels [called ‘kuhls’ in the local parlance], thus causing severe hardships on poor and marginal farmers. The 15% water “rule” that is supposed to be left in the river by the power producers is arbitrary and serious debate is the urgent need of the hour so that appropriate amount of water is provided in accordance with the irrigation water needs of the farmers – otherwise, the farmers are literally left “high and dry” without their day in the court! prospects of losing their standing wheat and other crops and have made an urgent appeal to the DC, Kangra for the immediate restoration of their water while the matter is taken up in appropriate forums. The following pictures show the river when the river was in full flow followed by a picture of dried “kuhl”

1. Introduction

2. Water Diversion Hardships imposed on the Farmers

3. Evasion of Statutory Information to be provided under the RTI Act

4. Efficacy of the 15% “Rule”

5. Conclusions

3.Evasion of Statutory Information to be provided under the RTI Act

This subsection illustrates an example of how a State Government agency, namely Himurja, stonewalls and evades request for legitimate information under RTI act. Exhibit I at the end of the paper shows the original request by a concerned social activist for the above project during its construction phase. Exhibit II shows the first response of Himurja to this request wherein the agency essentially denied this request under the guise of this information being “3^rd Party information” requiring the consent of the company. Exhibit II shows the stern follow up letter by the applicant saying that most of the information requested is public in nature because it deals with diversion of public goods. Finally, Exhibit III shows the final response where Himurja partially (and reluctantly) provided partial information while awaiting the consent of the project owner.

Such evasion clearly puts a question mark on Government’s sincerity in allowing independent as well as the aggrieved parties to be able to monitor the compliance of the norms that are imposed on the project builders to safeguard environmental and other sensitive issues.

4. Efficacy of the 15% “Rule

In the official circles concerned with issues of permitting water diversion for hydel projects, there appears to be a belief that there is a “15% rule” whereby the project builder is supposed to leave 15% of the water volume in the river for downstream users and can lift as much as 85% of the water.

The efficacy of this “rule” needs serious debate and consideration in light of the fact that most of the times, the downstream users are farmers who have enjoyed the rights to irrigation waters for generations. In the interest of fairness and justice, it is absolutely important a serious debate, involving all stake-holders takes place where all aspects of this conflict of water use is brought to the forth. On the face of it, it is clear that 15% water is not adequate for the farmers to maintain their traditional cropping patterns. Further, it must be investigated what the exact definition of this water quantum is – for example, if it is taken to be the average of the water flow over a year, then, it will absolutely not serve the farmers because the irrigation requirements are concentrated over certain time periods in the crop cycles whereas there is lot of overflow of water during rainy season for example. It would seem fair that the consideration of this matter begins with the actual water requirement of the farmer and then guidelines are developed to provide the “surplus” water to the power project. In these deliberations, it may evolve that there are potential water conservation techniques that will provide more water for power generation but the burden of financing and implementing those measures must not fall n the farmer, but rather, this investment should be Government’s and Power Generator’s responsibility.

5.Conclusions

Even mini- and micro-hydel projects, which were considered to be relatively harmless to the humans and ecology, are causing great deal of hardship and injustice to the farmers. The rules and regulations framed for diverting water for power generation are flawed and are not implemented and monitored properly. It is the urgent need of the hour for urgent actions at all levels of the Government so that the poor and marginal farmers are driven into further hardship and displacement.

Exhibit I The Original Request for Information under RTI

To

The Public Information Officer

Himurja

SDA Complex,

Urja Bhawan,

Kasumpti, Shimla-171009

Subject: To seek all information regarding Gaj II (Project #84 on Himurja list on the internet site)Raheja Hydel Power Pvt. Ltd. on Gaj River, Village Diyada (near Village Bhitulu), Tehsil

(1) Information Required: Kindly supply a photocopy of the entire file of the above referenced micro-hydel project. This RTI requests photocopy of all documents and correspondence starting with the application for the project site allocation, the MOU, Detailed Project Report, all Environmental Impact Assessments, all NOC's, along with any correspondence throughout the process from application 'till date. Please include all material concerning any objections raised by either Himurja, any other public agency, or from public.

(2)The applicant is not below poverty line.

(3) IPO number: 83E 033121 for Rs. 10 enclosed with this application.

Yours Sincerely,

Date: June 18, 2009 Atul Bhardwaj

Adarsh Bhawan

Shamnagar

Dharamshala,H.P.

Exhibit II Evasive Response by Himurja

Awareness camp for Solar Drying of Organic Agri. Products

Awareness camp at the office hall of OFAI, at kalasan Nursery Farm, Himachal Pradesh.

Demonstration of Finished Solar Dryer to the farmers of the area

Three days training programme was organised by H.P. state office of the Organic Farming Association of India at Kalasan Nursery Farm in Karsog. The training was given to the local carpenters for making wooden eco friendly solar dryer. Seven carpenters were trained from 28th of March to 31st of March.The training was concluded with a awareness camp on 1st April,for solar drying of Organic farm products. Dr R.K Agarwal of Environment Science department from Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and forestry, Nauni was the main speaker for the topic. The camp was participated by 46 farmers of Gram panchayat kalashan,Dharmaur,Churag,Mahunag and Pressi of Karsog Block.The training and camp was sponsored by Him-utthan Pariyojana, Rattan Tata Trust, Dehradun.

Organic Agriculture and PGS in Bhutan

Bhutan Prime Minister’s priority is promoting Organic Agriculture and PGS for GNH

Three members of the Organic Farming Association of India [OFAI], Mr. Ashish Gupta, Mr. Vikram Rawat and Mr. Miguel Braganza visited Bhutan for the promotion of organic agriculture and PGS on the invitation by Samdrup Jonkhar initiative executive Tashi Ronald coleman and Dasho Tashi Dorji, The OFAI representative met with the Bhutan Prime Minister H.E. Jigme Y. Thinley on 25 February, 2011, during his visit to Samdrup Jongkhar town for the Mid-Term Review [MTR] of Bhutan’s 5-year plan to evaluate the progress of Samdrup Jongkhar Initiative [SJI] activities to promote Organic Agriculture and collective marketing groups. Dasho Tashi Dorji and ‘Tashi’ Ronald Coleman represented SJI for the meeting along with the OFAI Resource Persons from India in an interaction scheduled for 15 minutes but that lasted almost one hour due to the keen interest of the PM in organic agriculture that was to be also dovetailed into the tourism policies of this Himalayan country. The Prime Minister was flanked by the Finance Minister, Mr. Wangdi Norbu; Health Minister, Mr. Zonglay Drogba; Secretary for Agriculture, Mr. Sherup Dorji, and the Protocol Officer.

Speaking on behalf of the OFAI team, Miguel Braganza, Additional Director at the OFAI Central Secretariat in Goa, drew attention to the fact that Organic Agriculture was compatible with the Bhutanese national objective of Gross National Happiness [GNH] and the Buddhist culture of protecting all living creatures. Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soil, ecosystems and people, combining tradition, innovation and science, and it promotes fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.PGS helps build Local Groups of organic farmers to achieve it. Poison-free food also reduced the pressure on the healthcare system by reducing incidence of ulcers, tumours, migraine headaches and cancers due to toxic chemicals used as insecticides, herbicides, etc. Thus OA has complete convergence with the objectives of GNH in Bhutan.

Ashish Gupta emphasized that organic agriculture was ahimsa in practice and this connect was understood by all the farmers immediately in Bhutan. The connect between spirituality and farming was emphasized as the journey from the “Soil to the Soul”. In addition to soil health, chemical-free OA also enhanced the health of the consumers. Since OA and PGS promoted local consumption of the organic produce, health of the organic farmers was also ensured as they are the first consumers. OA will promote a healthier nation. He also emphasized the urgent need for Bhutan to attain self sufficiency in the produce that it currently imports.

Vikram Rawat informed the PM and others that he was a farmer speaking from personal experience. In Himachal Pradesh, his apple-based production system also had other fruits and vegetables on the farm that catered to the market in Delhi. The Karsog Valley Farmers’ Group had about 500 farmers networked through a number of farmer-managed micro-collection centres and five bigger collection centres for locally produced exotic vegetables that were marketed collectively. He volunteered to help create similar capacities in farmers of a village that may be identified by SJI in Bhutan for collective marketing of organic produce.

oswal pumps ltd-most unreliable submersible pumps

I did a blunder when I bought oswal pumps for my lift irrigation scheme from M/s Devraj & sons ,Karsog.The first pump didn't work due to manufacturing defect. It was replaced by another defective pump.I lost 430 new imported apple plants as I was unable to irrigate these plants . Now I am going to sui the Karnal based company in consumer court not only for pump replacement but for my all damages and mental harassment .Before that I wish people come to know the reliability of company.


Here is the video at UTUBE for defective pump

Kalasan Nursery Farm, a view.

On spot training

Water conservation

Rajani with Lettuce iceberg

Four years old apple tree, scarlet spur on MM106 (photo taken on 15th june 2010)

" The NEST " Farm house and office of Karsog Valley Farmers Group

Awareness camp,at Karsog with Marc Caine, Mickey Foley on exotic vegetables and mushroom production

When Mr Ajay Srivastava and his family visited us on Holi, the day was also celebrated by planting Cedar (deodar)

Third Biennial Convention (TBC) organized by Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI).

Karsog Valley Farmers Group (KVFG) participated in the Third Biennial Convention (TBC) organized by Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI). If you recall we had held 3 day conference on Water Conservation and Organic Farming. Various growers from Sartyola, Churag, Bakhrot and Kalashan village participated in the TBC convention. In addition we were joined by Dr. Bhupesh Gupta scientist associated with KVK, Kinnaur and Dr. Kuldeep Thakur scientist of COH-Nouni. The farmers also presented farmers of other parts of India with Organic Kinnauri apples, walnuts, dry apricots and pulses. Our group was well received and this event was a memorable experience for a lifetime.
TBC saw participation of over 700 farmers, scientists and activists associated with the Organic Farming movement. The theme of the convention is “Cool Farming for a Hot Planet,” reflecting the widely held conviction that organic farming not only eliminates or minimizes contributions from agriculture to green house gases (when contrasted with chemical agriculture), but also actively helps in keeping more carbon in the soil.

The convention was held at Bhaikaka Krishi Kendra, outside Anand at Village Ravipura, which is one of the best organic farms in the country. Managed by Sarvdaman and Meena Patel, the farm was a veritable garden in paradise. The central area was the”Bamboo Cathedral” created by selective removal of bamboo clumps from an acre of bamboo grove. Th over-arching bamboos provided shade and warmth to the stage and the main auditorium of the convention. The path leading to it was embellished with flowerbeds of marigolds, chrysanthemums, balsams and other flowering plants lending extraordinary colour for the delegates to enjoy.
More details of the convention can be found at OFAI this blog.

Successful Seminar concluded with field demonstration

Karsog Valley Farmers Group (KVFG) a cooperative of farmers and Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) held a joint 3 day conference at the village Thandapani from 22nd to 24th of May. The conference focused on the topics of Organic Farming and Water conservation techniques. The conference was unique in its participation with Vice Chancellor of Dr Y.S.Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Dr. K.R. Dhiman, Vice Chancellor of CSK HP Agriculture University Dr. Tej Pratap presenting lectures on these topics to the audience. The special guest speakers on the topics were Dr. Bharatendu Prakash (Director North India – OFAI), Shri Rajender Singh (Ramon Magasaysay Award Winner and leading activist in the area of Water Conservation), Sh. Miguel Braganza (Secretary of PGS Organic India Council).
In addition the conference saw the participation of two judges of the HP High Court in personal capacity, Jt. Deepak Gupta and Jt. Sanjay Karol. Farmers from Gujarat, West Bengal, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Organic food marketers from Delhi participating in discussions and demonstrations.

Sh. Vikram Singh Rawat, spokesperson for KVFG, introduced the conference with describing the problems faced by farmers of the region. He mentioned that nearly 100% of the farmers were using synthetic inputs in the region and although this did result in increase in yields in the initial stages, there was a remarkable decline in resistivity of plants in case of periods of drought. Also, the overall soil Organic Carbon levels had gone down. The taste and quality of the produce of the region such as apple is not the same as it used to be in the yester years. The growers of the region had moved to growing exotic vegetables on a large scale and in the past have sent a record 3-4 tonnes of these vegetables per day to Azadpur in Delhi during season. However, vegetable production demands a lot of water which has in the years plummeted to levels where even consumption by households in scarce.He requested to the scientist to reduce the gap between farmer and scientists . He thanked to the local farmers, kheel dharmaur kisan club, chamanpur kisan club for organizing this program and making it successful, He specially thanked to Himachal Gramin Bank for donating rupees ten thousands for the seminar.
The core topic of Organic Farming was presented by Dr. Bharatendu Prakash who is spearheading the grass roots organic farming movement with the farmers in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Dr. Prakash spoke to the audience about India’s traditional agriculture which was default organic and how the last 70 years saw rapid use of fertilizers and pesticides in the name of the Green Revolution. He also said that this period has resulted in a near irreversible loss of livelihood to millions of farming households and large scale misuse of chemical inputs due to which many human lives were lost. He also mentioned that the fields of Water conservation is not separate from Organic Farming since the it is the latter which improves the water holding capacity of the soil which further results in rejuvenation of underground and mountain water sources in addition to reducing the overall consumption of water used for farming.
“Chemical farming inputs in addition to requiring high costs of synthetic inputs are also a sink for water consumption, since the onset of the Green revolution water consumption has grown at a rate manifold of the increase in yields of produce. If this continues the grow unabated then we are not far from a scenario that both our elixirs of life, water and food, will be scarce and inconsumable due to our own deeds. The only way to the future in ensuring a sustainable agricultural model is to follow the path of Organic Farming”
Dr. K.R. Dhiman spoke to the audience about how over the years incessant use of the chemical fertilizers has actually reduced the overall yield of crops across the country with large swaths of land actually going barren in the years. He stressed on the importance of using Geographical Indicators (GI’s) for identifying produce from the region so that consumers can identify with the producers as well as the products. His experiences of his time while working with farmers in the North East especially in the area of Jhum or Swidden agricultures was aptly heard.
Dr. Tej Pratap spoke about how water has become a problem across the world and how the effects of weather would bring forth catastrophic changes in the foreseeable future. He reiterated that organic farming was closely linked the Water Conservation and that if we choose to ignore it today we will be doing so only at our own peril, when in the future we will have no other choice but to farm organic. He spoke about his experiences travelling to mountainous regions across the world where villages had to be abandoned due to the extremities of climates.
Miguel Brganza described how India’s fear for food scarcity in the 60s was capitalized by western industries to market the explosive and poisonous chemical remnants for the two world wars were consciously marketed as fertilizer and pesticides to our nation. The biodiversity of our country which has hardy millets and pseudo-cereals like Amaranth, Ragi and Buckwheat were reduced to mono-cultures of wheat and rice. It was not time to revive our heritage and globally unique biodiversity which characteristics of India. He also spoke of alternatives for farmers on certification techniques called Participatory Guarantee Scheme (PGS) which is directed as a simple and low cost alternative to complex and expensive third party certification which is in any case export oriented and not suitable for the domestic organic market.
On 24th the program started at Government Senior Secondary School Pangna with recitation of poem on water conservation written and recited by Vikram singh Rawat. Here kufar means Johads

हमारे कुफर प्यारे कुफर
कुफर हमें बचाना हे सीमेंट नहीं लगाना है
आवो मिलकर पेड लगाएं पानी के लिए चेकडेम बनाये
पानी को नहीं बहने देना , हो सके तो रोक कर है इसे रखना
भाइयो मिलकर चेकडेम बनाना है क्योंकि दौड़ते पानी को चलना सिखाना है
कचे कचे टेंक बनायें , बारिश में जो भर हैं पायें
पानी अगर जमीं में जायेगा तभी तो बावरी में पानी आएगा
पर्यावरण को न बचाया गया, तो वो दिन जल्दी ही आएगा
जब धरती पर हर इंसान, बस ‘पानी पानी’ चिल्लाएगा
बच्चे, बूढे और जवान, पानी बचाएँ बने महान
अब तो जाग जाओ इंसान, क्योंकि ,पानी में बसते हैं प्राण !

Magasaysay award winner Rajender Singh first addressed school children . His interaction with children was most interesting the fact that when he asked them what they wanted to be, some children replied that they wanted to be doctor’s, computer engineers and soldiers but he was saddened by the fact that today none of the children wanted to be farmers. He said that the people who provide food to the world is today one of the most distressed by natural as well as economic conditions. He later spoke at the conference about his experiences in rejuvenating 7 rivers in Rajasthan which had been barren for years. However, it was most disturbing to hear from him that earlier there were 36 villages which had to get water from distance greater than 8km however today there were 2.5 lac such villages, this was a dangerous trend. He also said that almost all cities today depended on water from external sources.
Dr Bhartendu Prakash also interacted with school children at Pangna.
Ashish Gupta, executive member of KVFG , held on field demonstrations on Organic Farming techniques such as biodynamic heap compost, Cow Pat Pit (CPP), Panchgavya and green manuring.

The conference also displayed various literatures in Hindi and English on topics of Organic farming. In addition local farm produce such as Nashashta, Badian and Organic Cow Ghee were displayed and sold at the venue. Traditional Dham lunch was most enjoyed by visitors from other states. In all it was a unique and successful conference held for the farmers of the region first time in the history.