On Sunday the 6^th of June, 2010, DCSE’s Champions participated in agricultural site visits!

All champions gathered at 9 am in DCSE. Shortly after meeting at DCSE, half of the group traveled to AME and the other half went to SCOPE. At 1:30pm, the groups reconvened at BAIF to conclude the site visits for the day.

At the AME Foundation, Champions had the opportunity to learn about a development-oriented, NGO, committed to improving the livelihoods of resource poor farm families in the dry land areas through promotion of ecological agriculture

AMEF started their work in Dharwad District in 2008 and now cover 25 villages in Hubli, Dharwad & Kalaghatagi’s taluks. With the support of Deshpande Foundation, AMEF has initiated their work on promoting Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA) technologies. They primarily use a SRI method of paddy cultivation, which is a participatory methodology, called Farmers’ Field School (FFS). This methodology, enables AMEF to realize the yield potentials of various dry land crops and stabilize the yields by addressing issues related to natural resource conservation and utilization in the region.

Another group of Champions had an interactive visit at SCOPE, an NGO committed to improving farmers’ economic conditions in villages. Champions engaged in a discussion with the SCOPE team and farmers about pond rehabilitation and learned that SCOPE is working for the people by the people through the people.

The day concluded with the Champions meeting at BAIF in Kamplikoppa (Dharwad) to learn about the organization’s commitment to improving the villagers’ economic condition. BAIF shared information on how they help convert dry and unproductive land into green productive land. Two farmers explained their experience with BAIF and how they were facing problems, but are now leading successful lives through the support of BAIF.