Gobras Programme
a focus on a
rural community
Farmer
Innovation
We have been working in Gobras
for a couple of years now and we have seen a gradual increase in
the number of farmers interested in our work.
In reality, it is not so much our
work that has attracted them - as we have built relationships
and trust with local farmers, they have seen the results
literally 'in the field'. Thus, it is the success of the
experimentation of their friends and neighbours that has encouraged more and more farmers to try the
System of Rice Intensification,
(SRI) which was introduced to the village by our agriculture unit, TEPAT.
In a recent walk
through some of the local paddy fields in the area, farmers were able to
witness first-hand a
comparison between two fields planted at the same time, one
utilising SRI techniques, the other using traditional methods.
In addition, we experimented with a combination of the two methodologies
as well.
A second innovation we have
recently introduced is
composting. Pictured here is a local farmer explaining to friend how to
produce MOL (local micro-organisms), while TEPAT field staff look on.
MOL is a disgusting mix, made
of crushed
snails, banana tree trunks or macerated bamboo root - this
concoction is
used to hasten the composting process.
Health
Our health unit, was introduced to some of the
ladies in the village, by way of their husbands who were working
with our TEPAT field staff. Here is a photo of the first health class
we were able to deliver, during which the ladies were
'quizzed' to find out what their current level of understanding
was about simple health issues. Many of these women are young
mothers who have not been educated beyond a primary level.
