“My wife and daughters are happy……….”
Kondappa, Rain fed farmer, Avulenna village, Kalyandurg area (2010).
“My friends and relatives have praised me for taking a good decision by choosing to sow cow pea. My wife andf daughters are happy to add one more food grain to our food stock. Above all it gave me good profits that helped me to recover.”
“ ………We feel happy and proud…………”
Parvathamma & Family, Mallapuram village, Kalyandurg area (2010).“We believe that vermin compost is the best alternative to chemical fertilizers. We will continue producing and using vermin compost in future. As the expenditure for producing vermin compost is less we were able to save some amount. This helped us to send our three children to Kalyandurg for higher studies. We are happy to become farmers from laborers. Whenever AF staff brings some visitors to our field we feel happy and proud.”
Nagappa, Thumukunta village, Kundurpi Mandal (2010).
“Now we have realized the value of Jeevamritam and our locally available material.”
“ …5 years of assigned land was left uncultivated for many years…….”
Lakshmakka, a woman farmer from tribal family, Pampanur village, Kuderu area (2009).
“Our 5 acres of assigned land was left uncultivated for many years because of rock out crops all over the field. I and my family members worked hard and cleared the rock out crops under APREGS. Last year we raised groundnut crop and got good yield.”
“………I was able to thresh my groundnut fee of cost…….”
Nagamma, Member of SH Group, Chapiri village, Settur area (2009).
“I have earned Rs.2,500/- from thresher during last season. More over I was able to thresh my groundnut free of cost, which otherwise would have cost Rs. 3000-. Hence my net income is Rs.5,500/- during this year. I am very happy that I will be getting a continuous income in every season.”
“…….We had decided to sell the unit at a throw-away price…………”
Ms. Nagaveni, A marginal woman farmer from Dharmavaram area (2009).
“Our weaving unit had become defunct for want of capital investment for raw material and we had decided to sell the unit at a throw-away price. At this juncture, AF came to our rescue and helped our family re-establish again. I am very happy that I have started earning again and can show work to two more persons of my village.”
“We are able to continue the education of our 4 children ….”
Narayanamma & Salakka, SC women labor from Pampanur village, Kuderu area (2009).
“We 4 members worked regularly in APREGS and earned about Rs.20,000/- since last year. We are able to continue the education of our 4 children who are studying at Atmakur, high school and Anantapur colleges. APREGS made our life easy, as we could also meet our family expenditures to a great extent from our labor earnings.”
“….AF helped us and…….most of our debts are cleared”
Ram Mohan Reddy, Farmer, Yerraborepalli, Settur area (2009).“AF helped us and we worked very hard all these years. Now some annual income is ensured and most of our debts are cleared.”
“………The poor farmers like us were able to overcome the seed shortage…….”
Small and Marginal Poor farmers, Manirevu village, Kalyanddurg area (2009).“Thanks to AF for motivating the Sanghas to establish a seed bank. This helped us to get good quality of seed for low cost. The poor farmers, like us were able to overcome the seed shortage. Also we are expecting to get a good quality of supplementary yield comparative to the previous year.”
“ …….Jeevamritham gave new life to the crop……….”
Mrs. Kamalamma, woman farmer, Malakapuram village, Dharmavaram.
“10 days after the application of Jeevamritham, I could not believe my eyes when I saw my groundnut crop and mango trees. Really Jeevamritham gave new life to the crop in the critical time.”
“……I feel secured during my journey in car……..”
Ramakrishna, Professor, S.K. University, Anantapurl (2009).
“I am very happy to get a driver with good skill and manners. Now I feel secured during my journey in car. Congratulations to AF for producing such drivers with good proficiency and decent behavior.”
“……We could able to take up ram lambs, apart from making crop investment……”
Dhanamma, a tribal woman, Pampanur village, Kuderu area (2009).
“Because of APREGS we have stopped migrating to other towns and c ities and now getting enough work within our village throughout the year. From our earnings, we could able to take up ram lambs rearing apart from making crop investment for our 5 acres of rain fed land.”
“…..We don’t want to depend totally on groundnut because it fails often….”
Mr. Lakshminarayana, Farmer, Hanimireddipalli village, Kalyanadurg area (2008).
“We are very happy that we raised two crops this year. It is wiser to spread the risk between two crops rather than resorting to gambling with one crop. We don’t want to depend totally on groundnut because it fails often. Even our neighboring farmers want to grow two crops from next year. Eggs in two baskets prove wise.”
“I am very good in my job, because of the quality training given by AF-EC……..”
Gowri, a 17 years girl of Jellipalli village, Kuderu area (2008).
“I am very good in my job, because of the quality training given by AF-EC. I am only 17 years old and I would like to continue my education further. I would like to support my family and also help my sister to pursue her education and career. My heart felt thanks to the organization for providing such a good opportunity to girls & boys like me.”
“……….I am supporting my family now….”
Suresh, a student of ITES, Hulikallu village, Kalyandurg area (2008).
“Instead of living a meaningless life, I am supporting my family now, which is giving me a lot of happiness and satisfaction.”
“…..It saved our time and money……”
Girls of Mahanthapuram village, Settur area (2007).
“Establishment of a tailoring center in our village by AF saved our time and money. Our parents are also feeling relaxed as there is no need for us to go to far-off places to learn tailoring. We are thankful to JSS for the help they have extended to our village. Now we are earning money without going for hard manual labor work which we used to do earlier”
“I understood the strength of unity…..”
B. Hanumantha Rayudi, Madalapalli village, Settur area (2007).
“AF came forward to unite us and build awareness on the damage caused by parthenium to the crops and people. My land was cleaned within one and half hours without spending a single paisa. I understood the strength of unity. I and my family members will help all my villagers to get rid of parhtenium.”
“Thanks to AF for suggesting crop diversification in time………..”
Rameswar Reddy & family, SHG member, Papampalli, Kuderu area (2007).
“We are happy for the shift from mono-cropping to crop diversification to vegetable cultivation which gave high return on investment than Paddy/Maize. This in turn helped our family members to eat nutritious food with fresh vegetables Thanks to AF for suggesting crop diversification in time, for the supply of good quality of vegetable seeds and for providing awareness on LEISA, NPM practices”
“Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme works”
Govindappa, Labour Group member – Elakuntla village (2005)“…..Presently I am working as labourer in ‘Rural Employment Guarantee Schemem, and it works. Now I know the quantity of work I have done, and the amount, I get for that because I have learnt about them while working in AF’s watershed programme. Our labour group has also demanded that drinking water and shelters be provided at the work site…”
“…Biogas is very useful to our family…”
G. Indiramma – House Wife, Battuvanipalli Village. (2006)“….Biogas is very useful to our family. I don’t have to go for fire wood collection now. My kitchen is clean because it does not produce smoke. I am free from smoke hazards like burning eyes, cough etc. It is easy to clean cooking utensils also….”
“… Saved the high investment on chemical pesticides and my net income has increased…”
M. Rajanna – Farmer – Veligonda village . (2005)“….During last year, as per Accion Fraterna’s suggestion, I went for bio-pesticides like Chilli – Garlic decoction. This has worked on par with chemical pesticides in controlling pests. I could save the high investment on chemical pesticides and my net income has increased. I am also saved from the health hazards caused by spraying chemicals. I am very happy with the results and I will continue the use of bio-pesticides…..”
“…Grateful to Accion Fraterna for laying bunds in my land with which i got benefitted….”
M. Gopal – Farmer – Tagguparthi village (2006)“…. I have 12.5 acres of land with pure black soil. I went for soil bunding in my land last year. Before bunding I used to get a total yield of 33 quintals of Bengal gram. But this year I got an yield of 50 quintals of Bengal gram and got an additional income of Rs.34,000/-. I am very grateful to Accion Fraterna for laying bunds in my land…..”
“….Tamarind trees on lease has earned me around Rs.25,000/-…”
Saraswathi Mahila Women Group Members, Bandameedapalli village (2006)“….. We have mobilized a loan of Rs.98,000/- from Gramykya Sangham (VO). With this amount we took Tamarind trees on lease and earned Rs.25,000/-. We could provide employment for 60 labourers in the process. Further we mobilized loan from RDT to an extent of Rs.38,500/- and with that amount all the group members purchased two ram lambs each. We reared them for one year and got profits upto Rs.1,000/- on each lamb…..”
“… Now I don’t have to depend on my husband for small needs…”
Anjinamma – SHG member, Palavenkatapuram village. (2006)“…After joining SHG, I have taken loan and set up a small petty shop at my house. Now I don’t have to depend on my husband for small needs. Now my husband is also taking my opinions in agricultural works, crops etc. I am taking some of the family decisions and my husband is also supporting me. I am feeling very happy now and I thank AF for that…”
“…Village meetings and trainings helping me …”
Laxmi Devi – User Group Member, Yerraborepalli village. (2006)“…. I am attending out of village meetings and trainings at Kalyandurg and even staying there for one or two days, sometimes. My husband is also supporting me and he and his mother are even taking care of my small children at home…..”
“…Even men are also encouraging us to participate actively and our opinions are also valued…”
Govindamma – SHG member – Kambalapalli village (2006)In combined meetings with men, we are sitting in the front rows and freely expressing our opinions. Even men are also encouraging us to participate. So we are very happy that we are participating actively and our opinions are also valued.
“…Living with dignity…”
Watershed Development Committee Members, Rudrampalli village. (2006)“…. There are four destitute(s) in our village. We collected contributions from people to help them. We paid them Rs.1,250/- each during grama sabha. We are also collecting food grains. We are trying to make them live with dignity….”
“…. I am saved from health hazards like burning eyes….”
Santhamma, House Wife, Diguva Thanda village. (2006)“…..AF has supplied smokeless chulha to our family. It is mobile and I can took any where indoor or outdoor. The consumption of fuel wood is less. I am saved from health hazards like burning eyes….”
“… My husband supported my decision….”
Akkamma, Women farmer, M. Venkatampalli village. (2006)“….Last year we planted fruit plants in our land. I decided on the number of plants to be raised i.e. in 1 acre. My husband supported my decision. In formally, the plantation is also in my name. I am very happy about this….”
“….I got a profit of Rs 4000 …”
Rangamma, SHG member, Kariganipalli village. (2004)“…..I and my husband are working as labourers in Kariganipalli watershed. During these 3 years we have saved Rs.2,800/- from our earnings in bunding work. Recently we purchased 4 ramlambs from this amount and we are expecting a profit of Rs.4,000/- after 6 months. We are thankful to AF for providing us work….”
“… Because of watershed works, we are getting work in our own village and leading a peaceful life…””
Marenna, Agricultural Labourer, Rudrampalli village. (2004)
“….Our family used to migrate in search of works during off-season. We were facing a lot of problems regarding food, shelter etc., during migration. But now because of watershed works, we are getting work in our own village and leading a peaceful life…”
“…Good feeling and confidence when you have water in your field…”
Vannurappa, Farmer – Rudrampalli village“….AF constructed a farm pond in my field (situated in the ridge area). I could save my fruit plants because of the water in the pond. More over it gives a good feeling and confidence when you have water in your field….”
“.. Saved me a lot of expenditure…”
Chinna Bhootappa, Farmer, Yerraborepalli village (2004)“….Thanks to AF for arranging cattle health camps at the right time. I could save my cows, bullock and sheep from diseases because of this cattle health camp. It saved me a lot of expenditure….”
“…I am also selling worms and getting some income…”
Veerabhadra Reddy, Farmer, Yerraborepalli village (2004)“…Good quality bio-fertilizer can be produced through waste material using vermi composting. I am applying vermi compost to my fruit plants. I am also selling worms and getting some income….”
“… We also have a chance to express our opinions…”
Jyothi – Women Labour, Veligonda village. (2005)“…..We are attending meetings on watershed and village developmental works. We also have a chance to express our opinions. The committee members are listening to my opinions and discussing about them. I am feeling very happy about this…”
“….Pebble bunding is very useful to me…”
H. Rayudu, Farmer, Gangavaram village (2006)“….After AF has done pebble bunding in my land, there is a lot of ease in agricultural operations. It is easy for the bullocks to plough now. The germination rate and yields have also increased. Pebble bunding is very useful for me….”