The Suyash Trust was convinced that the problems faced by the Vanvasis could be resolved only through financial empowerment. It was essential to make them agriculturally aware by educating them about improved seeds, water management, fertilisers, and pesticides. They also needed access to financial assistance. The Trust decided that the most effective way to
educate the villagers was to first conduct farming demonstrations to prove the effectiveness of these practices.
The Suyash Trust felt convinced that the problems of the Vanvasis could be resolved only through their financial prosperity. It was necessary to make them agro-literate and teach them about seeds, water management, fertilizers, and pesticides. They must be provided with financial assistance. The Trust decided that the best way to educate the villagers would be to first carry out certain farming experiments to prove their efficacy.
Dhagewadi village in Ahmednagar district faced severe water scarcity. Under the guidance of Suyash, wells were dug in the village, and water from a network of 25 wells was supplied to all the fields. The 52 farming families living in Dhagewadi began cultivating tomatoes and earned a good income. As a result, migration from the village came to a halt.
The then Sarsanghachalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, K. S. Sudarshan Ji, visited Dhagewadi and was deeply impressed by the work carried out by Suyash. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also appreciated the tomato sauce production unit. During this decade, similar rural development initiatives were undertaken in several other villages as well.
In 2001, the Bhagirath Lift Irrigation Scheme was implemented in Umbarpada. This project enabled farmers to practice double cropping on 55 acres of land. A loan of ₹8,40,000 was obtained from the bank to execute the project. The farmers organised themselves into groups to complete the project and successfully repaid the first instalment of the loan. Their success became an inspiration for farmers in nearby villages, who also began cultivating vegetables during the Rabi season and achieved good harvests.
Dhagewadi village in Ahmednagar district faced a water scarcity problem. Under Suyash’s guidance, wells were dug in that village. The water from the 25 network of wells was delivered to all the fields. The 52 farmer families who lived in Dhagewadi, cultivated tomatoes and earned a good income. Migration from that village stopped.
The then Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghachalak K. S. Sudarshan Ji had visited Dhagewadi and was impressed by the work done by Suyash. Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had also appreciated the tomato sauce- producing unit. During this decade, similar rural development works were undertaken in other villages as well.
The Bhagirath Lift Irrigation Scheme was implemented in Umbarpada in 2001. This project enabled farmers to practice double cropping on 55 acres of land. A loan of Rs. 840,000 was taken from the bank for this project. The farmers organized themselves into groups to complete this project, and they also repaid the first installment of the loan. Their success came as an eye-opener to other tarmers from nearby villages, who also started cultivating vegetables during the Rabi season and obtained a good crop.
1. Create self-reliant and self-respecting villages of Vanvasis within three years without taking any financial aid from the government, the society, or Suyash itself.
2 .Adopt only organic farming practices for agricultural development and bring about a change within two or three years.
Self-help groups of women and farmers were constituted to attain these objectives. Starting January 2008, these SHGs collected Rs. 36 lakh trom 113 villages to purchase seeds. This achievement came as a pleasant surprise for : Suyash, and it became convinced that the Vanvasi communıty was capable of walking on the path of development without outside financial aid. The strategy would also help in expanding the organization’s work. Suyash developed a ten-point formula to attain the goal of agricultural development through organic farming.
1. To create self-reliant and self-respecting Vanvasi villages within three years without seeking any financial assistance from the government, society, or Suyash itself.
2 .To adopt only organic farming practices for agricultural development and bring about sustainable transformation within three to five years.
To achieve these objectives, Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmers’ Self-Help Groups were formed. Beginning in January 2008, these SHGs collectively raised ₹36 lakhs from 113 villages to purchase seeds. This achievement came as a pleasant surprise to Suyash and reinforced its belief that the Vanvasi community was capable of progressing on the path of development without external financial assistance. This strategy also enabled the organisation to expand its work to more villages. To achieve sustainable agricultural development through organic farming, Suyash developed a comprehensive 10-point formula.
Bank Name : Janata Sahakari Bank Ltd., Pune
Account Name : Suyash Charitable Trust
Branch : Paud Road Branch
Account No : 041220100002382
IFSC No : JSBP0000041
Bank Name : Janata Sahakari Bank Ltd., Pune
Account Name : Suyash Charitable Trust
Branch : Paud Road Branch
Account No : 041220100002382
IFSC No : JSBP0000041
