April Photo of the Month: Empowering Farmers Through Regenerative Agriculture
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Empowering Farmers Through Regenerative Agriculture: Vote for April’s Photo of the Month
- Lessons in Regenerative Agriculture
- Natural Fertilizer Regenerates Soil
- A New Composting Method Provides Nutrients
- Trial Plots Lead to Solutions
- Witnessing Transformation: Vote for Your Favorite Image
Our monthly photo series highlights the beauty and emotion in the lives of our clients around the world. This month, we are featuring three photos of maize farmers in Karnataka, India, who are adopting regenerative agriculture practices to increase their yields despite harsh weather conditions.
By: Bethany Peevy Downie
Empowering Farmers Through Regenerative Agriculture: Vote for April’s Photo of the Month
India ranks sixth in the global production of maize, with the state of Karnataka contributing 17% of the national output. But unstable weather conditions put farmers at the mercy of inconsistent rainfall. In Karnataka alone, 61% of the region is prone to drought. Rising temperatures shift the growing season, intensifying dry conditions, and creating favorable environments for pests and diseases. Further warming is projected across all districts by the 2030s, so farmers face a concerning future, as even a 1°C temperature increase can reduce maize yields by as much as 10%.
With pressure to meet global demands, farmers turn to pumping water from the ground and expanding their farming areas. Unfortunately, over time, these short-term solutions lead to groundwater depletion, unhealthy soil, a loss of diverse crops, and deforestation. There is an urgent need for these farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices. These practices will regenerate natural resources to improve soil health, conserve natural resources, and lower costs by reducing reliance on chemical or synthetic fertilizers.
Lessons in Regenerative Agriculture
Through TechnoServe’s program “Srishti” (Sanskrit for “creation”), a partnership with Cargill, 10,000 maize farming families in Karnataka are adopting regenerative agriculture practices to revitalize their land, build resilience against changing conditions, and increase their revenue. TechnoServe sets up trial and demonstration plots called “farmer field schools,” where smallholder farmers can learn different regenerative farming practices.
Through its experimentation approach, Srishti is identifying regenerative agriculture practices that enhance environmental sustainability while being economically feasible for smallholder farmers to adopt on their own farms.
The photos below show farmers learning and applying regenerative agriculture practices at a farmer field school and a trial plot.
Natural Fertilizer Regenerates Soil
Farmers learn how to make natural fertilizer using cow dung (below). By replacing synthetic fertilizers with natural ones, farmers replenish their soil’s nutrients while reducing costs.
A New Composting Method Provides Nutrients
Farmers also learn the best practices of vermicomposting (below). This is a form of composting that uses worms to break down organic matter like food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost. Farmers then use this compost as a natural fertilizer to add nutrients to the soil.
Trial Plots Lead to Solutions
Farmers put their new skills into practice on experimental plots, which they prepare using dibblers, a mechanical tool that creates small holes for seeds (below). To enable data-driven decision-making, TechnoServe also conducts experiments with farmers on these trial plots to identify regenerative practices that have minimal burden and maximal impact.
Witnessing Transformation: Vote for Your Favorite Image
Through the Srishti program, maize farmers in Karnataka are making informed decisions to revitalize their land and build a secure future. By gaining knowledge and tools for regenerative practices, these farmers are replenishing their soil, enhancing their yields, and creating a sustainable farming environment. These photographs showcase the tangible results of their efforts to adopt regenerative practices. Vote for your favorite photo to celebrate their journey and the positive impact they are making on their communities and their land.
