🌾 Bridging Regional Disparities in Agriculture: A Success Story from Igatpuri, Nashik 🌱 Regional disparities in agriculture are shaped by varying access to resources like water, fertile soil, and infrastructure. In Nashik district, this divide is stark: the northern region thrives with the support of the Godavari River, enabling high agricultural productivity, particularly in banana cultivation. Meanwhile, the southern region, including Igatpuri block, struggles with limited water availability and underdeveloped facilities, leading to lower yields and fewer livelihood opportunities for farmers. Recognising these disparities, WOTR, in collaboration with @GSK , initiated a Water Resource Development and Management Programme in July 2023. The project, targeting four villages in Igatpuri block, aims to enhance water availability, improve soil health, and build the capacities of farmers to adopt sustainable agricultural practices. 🌿 As part of the project, WOTR introduced the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method for paddy cultivation in June 2024 through Farmer Field Schools, involving 60 farmers. The results have been encouraging, showcasing improved crop yields and reduced input costs. Demonstrations were also conducted to train farmers in preparing organic formulations like Nimboli Ark and Amrutpani, promoting the use of bio-inputs for sustainable farming. 🚜 The impact of these interventions is best illustrated through the experience of Kashinath Govind Gondake, a beneficiary farmer. Previously reliant on traditional methods and chemical fertilizers, Kashinath faced challenges such as declining soil fertility and high costs due to the distance to agricultural supply shops. With training and support from WOTR, he adopted the SRI method, which included transplanting rice seedlings at wider spacings and using Urea DAP briquettes for timely nutrient delivery. Kashinath’s demo plot under SRI yielded 10.25 quintals of paddy compared to 8.25 quintals from his control plot. This led to a gross income of Rs. 19,175 from the SRI plot, compared to Rs. 13,625 from the control plot, demonstrating the economic and agricultural benefits of adopting innovative practices. Overall, the project has significantly impacted the farming community in Igatpuri. Across the 60 participating farmers, the combined crop yield increased by more than 120 quintals, while input costs were reduced by Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,500 per farmer.💡 Read more about our work in Maharashtra: wotr.org/maharashtra/ #SustainableAgriculture #WaterConservation #FarmingInnovation #IgatpuriSuccess #SoilHealth #ClimateActionNow #WOTR4Development #WOTRat30