Training of Trainers (TOT) on Organic Agriculture in Sunderban Delta

Mukti by joining the hands with TOFM (Taminadu Organic Farmers Movement) and AID (Association of Indian Development) implemented an organic project in 2009. During the later part of the year it implemented three activities, largely relating to advocacy of organic agriculture among Sunderban Delta i.e in Raidighi in Kankandigh GP and enhancing their knowledge about organic agriculture principles.

After a year of implementation they have found that the farmers where they have utilized the organic fertilizer, on that land after AILA the cultivation has been increased by 15% than chemical fertilizer. Mukti & BTS organized a TOT ie Training or Trainer programmed in the month of April 2010 for 3 days ie 16th April to 18th April. We have made valuable efforts in preparing training manuals on organic agriculture in the semi arid tropical region, where the institutional capacities are still very weak for promoting organic agriculture. Further, Mukti & BTS has launched efforts under Organic project for human resources development using these training manuals. 25 Farmers has attended the programmed.

The trainings are supported by most recent findings of research & development and different demonstration units of composting and organic agriculture technologies available at the Center’s premises.

After Aila most of the cultivation land has become unfertile where the farmers and institutions are presently working hard to develop organic agriculture. For the past years, Mukti, DRCSC (Development Research Community Service Centre) and AID (Association of Indian Development), efforts are underway to promote organic agriculture among small and marginal farmers. One of the bottle neck faced by institutions and NGO charged with this responsibility is the lack of trained manpower. However, much gap remains between the need and availability of trained human resources in organic agriculture. It is under these circumstances the proposal is made for organizing a training of trainers programme for people from key stakeholders, specially those who otherwise are equipped with institutional infrastructural facilities and have adequate human resources to impart training programmes in organic agriculture. It implies that if the staff of these institutions were trained then these institutions will acquire capacity and will be willing to launch and continue the training in organic agriculture.

Objectives:-
• Contribute to human resources / expertise development in organic agriculture in Sunderban Areas
• Build a pool of trainers and trained people
• Facilitate launching of training programmers by several institutions/ agencies in the above area
• The ultimate objective of the association is to produce poison-free food for Indian consumers and to achieve this by maintaining the living fertility of Indian soils.