G-3670

Sustainable Natural Farming

Description

Financing

Documents

Photos

History Logs

Project Description

Region: Asia

Country: India

Location: Thane

Total Budget: $89,691

Area of Focus: Community economic development



Sustainable Natural Farming Initiative

PROJECT BACKGROUND & DESCRIPTION

Om Gagangiri Maharaj Ashirwadit Trust (OMGMT), based in Nimboli, Maharashtra, India, is a dedicated non-governmental organization committed to building sustainable livelihoods for over 350 tribal farmer families. Our vision is to transform the agricultural landscape across 34 villages in the Wada and Bhiwandi Blocks through low-cost, environmentally friendly farming practices.

We seek funding from the International Rotary Club to support an ambitious initiative of intensive community engagement and technical training. Our project aims to:

• Empower tribal farmers with sustainable techniques

• Restore soil health

• Reduce dependency on chemical inputs

• Enhance food safety and nutrition

• Improve local ecology

• Increase household incomes

CURRENT ACHIEVEMENTS:

OMGMT currently collaborates with over 300 tribal farmers, providing training in the use of locally available materials to create natural farming solutions. Using ingredients like cow dung, cow urine, fresh leaves, garlic, tobacco, cloves, ginger, chilies, and bean powders, farmers are taught to replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides with effective organic remedies. These efforts significantly lower farming costs and contribute to environmental healing.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES

1. Establishment of Natural Farming Demo Farm and Training Facilities:

• Create a model farm showcasing sustainable farming techniques.

• Conduct hands-on workshops and field training for farmers.

2. Promotion of Environment-Friendly Farming Practices:

• Promote the use of organic and natural inputs.

• Restore soil health and preserve biodiversity by reducing chemical usage.

• Provide demonstrations and continuous training in natural farming.

3. Entrepreneurial Training:

• Equip farmers with business skills for fair trade engagement.

• Distribute fruit-bearing plants to supplement income through local market sales.

• Establish a collection and storage center for agricultural produce.

• Provide training in pricing, branding, and local market sales.

• Establish a market in nearby metropolis of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai with distribution

vehicle

4. Community Engagement:

• Preserve and celebrate the region's rich tribal heritage through integration of traditional practices, such as the Tarpa Dance, into project activities.

• Foster community pride, resilience, and self-respect.

BENEFICIARIES

The initiative directly benefits over 350 tribal families across 34 villages, primarily from the Warli, Malhar Koli, and Thakur tribal communities.

Key challenges faced include:

• Unsecured livelihoods

• Limited access to markets, healthcare, and education

• Dependence on chemical farming practices

• Waterborne diseases and nutritional deficiencies

• Weak social structures affected by liquor addiction

This project will empower these communities with sustainable, health-promoting agricultural practices, stronger community bonds, and new income opportunities.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

In 2018, OMGMT conducted participatory rural appraisals (PRA) in three villages to build a shared understanding of community needs. Findings confirmed the urgent need for sustainable agriculture, alternative livelihood skills, access to healthcare, and restoration of traditional practices.

The community will be actively involved through:

• Cultural events

• Hands-on farm training

• Farmer leadership councils

• Women's engagement in farm and entrepreneurial training

PROJECT SCOPE

Month 1-2,

Identify & register 350 families with awareness sessions with 34 + tribal hamlets, database creation

Launch cultural activities such as 1 traditional tribal event (tarpa dance, folk program)

Finalize land layout for demo farm with site selection, layout designed.

Month 2-4

Set up demo farm. Soil conditioning, fencing, compost pits, nursery and irrigation systems

Distribute seeds, sprayers, water wheels to selected farmers.

Begin farmer training (continuous) including input training (Jeevamrut, pest repellant, seed treatment)

Continue cultural events with two events conducted.

Month 4-10

Continue farmer training (hands on and entrepreneurial) with 17 clusters of 20 farmers each. Train in natural input use, marketing, fair trade practices.

Conduct over 100 guided field visits and demo plot exposure by team volunteers.

Maintain monthly cultural activities that promote cultural pride and community bonding.

Month 7-10

Conduct fruit tree plantation education and drive for 300 selected farmers. 9000+ fruit and

native saplings distributed and planted.

Market linkage and entrepreneurial guidance. Training on pricing, branding, selling at local markets.

Setup produce collection center on OMGMT land in Vadpada. Identify storage.

Month 11

Monitoring and evaluation using surveys, soil and yield comparisons, tree survival lrates.

Collect farmer testimonials and stories. Utilize for Rotary reporting and publicity.

Month 12

Final graduation event and community celebration. Honor top performing farmers.

include cultural event.

Submit final Rotary Global Grant report which includes impact data, stories, financial summary and visuals.

PROJECT PARTNERS

Rotary Host Partner: Rotary Club of Abernath Industrial Area (India)

• Manages and controls grant funds.

• Provides technical advisors for farming practices and marketing.

• Facilitates market linkages to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

Rotary International Partner: Rotary Club of Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico (District 4140)

• Leads international fundraising efforts.

• Networks with Rotary clubs worldwide via the Online International Project Fair.

• Promotes visibility for the project within and beyond District 4140.

• Jeanette Monosoff, PhD serves as the primary international contact.

• PDG Peter Jeschofnig (D-5470) serves as secondary project advisor.

Implementing Partner: Om Gagangiri Maharaj Ashirwadit Trust (OMGMT)

• Deeply rooted in the Wada and Bhiwandi tribal communities since 2016.

• Proven expertise in natural farming, women's empowerment, education, water

conservation, and cultural preservation.

SUSTAINABILITY

The project addresses multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• Zero Hunger

• Good Health and Well-Being

• Responsible Consumption and Production

• Climate Action

• Life on Land

Natural farming is a self-replicating model: once farmers learn these techniques, the knowledge continues to expand through peer-to-peer sharing.

Entrepreneurial training and market access will ensure that farmers benefit economically, making natural farming a sustainable livelihood choice for generations to come.

FUNDING PLAN

International Partner (Rotary Club of Ajijic) will raise international funds.

Host Partner (Rotary Club of Abernath Industrial Area) will raise local Indian contributions and coordinate with local Rotary clubs.

Together, both partners will ensure full financial backing to successfully apply for and complete the Global Grant.

Together, the International Rotary community can transform lives, restore the earth, and empower tribal farmers to become leaders of a sustainable future. Your support will make an enduring difference.

Primary Host Partner

District: 3142

Rotary Club of: Ambarnath Industrial Area

Primary Contact: Sandesh Namde

Email: sandesh.namde@gmail.com

Primary International Partner

District: 4140

Rotary Club of: Ajijic

Primary Contact: Jeanette Monosoff

Email: jeanetterotarioajijic@gmail.com

Project Status

Need $84,691
This project needs to receive some pledges to go to the next level. Please check the "Financing" tab to see the list of current pledges. Once the amount pledged is equal to the project budget, the status of the project will be automatically changed to "Fully Pledged".
Click here to pledge support for this project.

Project listed for the 2025-26 Rotary Year.

The TRF Grant application number is #2578127.

Proposed Financing

Existing Contributions Towards This Project

Date

Cash

DDF

Total

Ajijic (4140)

4-May-25

$5,000

$0

$5,000

Remaining Amount to Raise

Additional Club Contribution (Needed) - Add a contribution

$84,691

-

$84,691

Amount Requested from The Rotary Foundation

-

$0

$0

Total

$89,691

Note: as of July 1, 2015 there is a 5% additional support fee for cash contributions. This fee does not appear in the financials above because it does not apply if the funds are sent directly to the project account (without going through TRF, and therefore without Paul Harris credit). Clubs sending their cash contribution to TRF must be aware they will have to send an additional 5%.

Project Supporting Documents


[7-May-25]
assessment 2018


[7-May-25]
GG budget

 

Project Photos

History Log Entries

4-May-25

by Jeanette Monosoff

System Entry: Pledge of $5,000 by Jeanette Monosoff of the Rotary Club of Ajijic, District 4140.

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