FOCUS : BUILDING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

Project: Technology Intervention Programme for Poverty Alleviation in Nagasandra Village, Kolar District

Funded By: Science and Society Division, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India

Duration: November 1999 - December 2003

This project explored potential for poverty alleviation in a socially and economically backward village using appropriate technology as the intervention strategy. Nagasandra was a village comprising 65 households. Agriculture and animal husbandry were the main occupation in the village. The village had 55 acres of irrigated land and 130 acres of rain fed agricultural land.

The  technology options that were demonstrated were therefore linked to land and water management. The activities carried out in the project were:

• Desilting of Subramanya tank, the main source of water in the village and applying the silt to the agricultural land, 
• Nursery raising, 
• Demonstration of improved agricultural practices including soil and water management, compost making, mixed cropping patterns, pest control and good seed selection
• Rejuvenation of borewells and open wells and construction of farm ponds.  

Activities to initiate social change included:

• Fortnightly village meetings for interaction with local administration, health issues. etc.
• Health check ups
• Formation of youth groups and initiation into small savings

The project also carried out a large number of exposure trips for villagers. They were exposed to improved agricultural practices, seed selection, water harvesting techniques, etc. the villagers also participated in various Krishi melas.