Keeling Curve

Project Summary / Description:

The project proposes to scale up SRI in Koraput and Raygada Districts of South Odisha covering 5000 hectares. Based on experience, changing from flooded cultivation to SRI methods, production will increase by 60-70 % while GHG emissions will decrease each year. SRI is an innovative method for higher yield, water saving, and coping with the adverse effects of climate change, having at the same time considerable impact on greenhouse gas emissions, with a net reduction of 20-40% per hectare and more per kg of rice produced, because of different practices for plant, soil, water and organic nutrient management. In addition, SRI is estimated to reduce freshwater use in rice cultivation by 25-50%, cutting production costs and enhancing household food security and income for farm households.


Rice is the major staple food cultivated by the farmers in the proposed areas with around 38% of its land being currently under rice cultivation. The traditional inundation method of rice cultivation with increased use of chemical fertilizers contributes to the emission of GHGs although farmers are not aware of this. The climate change effects resulting in erratic monsoon cycles and recurrent disasters like flash floods and drought negatively affect rice production, which is one of the major reasons for food insecurity and chronic poverty.
Although SRI is beneficial for farmers and the environment, scaling up requires purposeful efforts. The project will use popular extension methods with critical input supports like stress-tolerant seeds, organic manure, and simple weeders to enable the farmers to adopt the technology.

Mission Statement:

Vision:
To build a self-reliant society, free from hunger and exploitation, where everyone irrespective of caste, creed, sex or language have right to dignified means of livelihood and through collective action ensure socio-economic justice and ecological balance.
Mission:
To facilitate and strengthen vibrant people‚ organizations at different levels of society that will protect, utilize, control and manage local resources and through collective action, ensure dynamic socio-economic change for sustainable development by advocating for pro-poor governance and bring women, children, tribals and downtrodden, to the mainstream of the society. 
VALUES
ÔÄ™ Transparency in all aspects. 
ÔÄ™ Commitment to render selfless service to the poor.
ÔÄ™ Accountability to the Society.
ÔÄ™ Work with team spirit.
ÔÄ™ Punctuality. 
ÔÄ™ Participatory approach in all aspects. 
ÔÄ™ Sensitive towards women.
ÔÄ™ Adherence to Secular Spirit.