http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7370
EXTRACTS: Villagers claim that till three years ago virtually every household in the village had their land mortgaged to pesticide and input dealers. But in the last couple of years, the situation has turned on its head.
These women are in the driver's seat, leading the largest ecological farming programme in the world. The women are leading the way and it is now perhaps up to the rest of the country to follow in their path.
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Women lead the way in Andhra village
Uma Sudhir
NDTV, March 8 2008 (Kammam, AP)
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080043396
Lakshmi practices what she preaches. She was among the first women in Khammam district to go several 100 kilometers away to another district in order to learn how to grow crops without any pesticide.
She came home and convinced her husband Rajulu and a few more farmers to give this a try.
''We did not believe this was possible. We were very skeptical so we tried on just about an acre. But when I realised that it is working, everyone came forward. Even took land on lease to do this,'' said Rajulu, Lakshmi's husband.
There's palpable enthusiasm and visible pride as women in Ramachandrapuram village gather around to tell NDTV how they led this transformation.
Women organised in self-help groups got the initial training and became resource persons so they themselves, and the men, could unlearn all they had been led to believe about commercial agriculture.
''There is a lot of change. Women are finally believing they can work and can be self-reliant,'' she added.
Villagers claim that till three years ago virtually every household in the village had their land mortgaged to pesticide and input dealers. But in the last couple of years, the situation has turned on its head.
On being questioned as to whether they were indulging in a buying spree now, the farmers replied in the negative.
''What is the use of gold on the neck? With the money, I will instead take two to three acres on lease and increase my earnings. Everyone in the village now values our word and follows our advice,'' said Sugunamma, woman farmer.
The new dawn, new hope and happiness have changed life in many ways. Locals say it is only in the last couple of years that they have been celebrating festivals.
''There is a lot of change in the women in the last three years. Now they are able to sell their produce themselves and be financially independent,'' said Rama, cluster activist.
Women gaining confidence has had other repercussions as well. They stopped liquor sale in the village last year and have taken on the responsibility of a clean, chemical-free environment in order to ensure the best of health for themselves and their children.
These women are in the driver's seat, leading the largest ecological farming programme in the world. The women are leading the way and it is now perhaps up to the rest of the country to follow in their path.