Monthly advisory of onion and garlic crop for the month of June 2025
'One Variety One Village': Empowering Marginalized Farmers
20% Yield Increase
4000 kg Seed Production
220+ Farmers Empowered
The Challenge
Ahmednagar district, one of Maharashtra's largest onion producers, faced low productivity due to traditional farming methods among Scheduled Caste farmers in Pimpri Gurav, Rajapur, and Halgaon villages of Karjat Tahasil.
ICAR-DOGR Intervention
In collaboration with KVK and Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati, ICAR-DOGR initiated an SCSP project with key interventions:
- Demonstrated high-yielding varieties Bhima Super and Bhima Shakti
- Conducted comprehensive training programs on seed production
- Established Gurav Pimpri Farmers Producer Company (2022)
- Implemented 'One Variety One Village' seed village concept
Transformational Impact
The project achieved remarkable outcomes:
- 20% yield increase (from 25-30 to 40-42 tonnes/ha)
- Production of 2200 kg (2022-23) and 4000 kg (2023-24) of Bhima Shakti seeds
- Bhima Shakti's 6-month storage life reduced post-harvest losses
- Established seed self-sufficiency through FPC distribution
Farmer Empowerment
The project created significant socio-economic impact:
Better market access and prices
Increased women participation
Stronger farmer collective
SC community empowerment
A Replicable Model
This success story demonstrates how collaborative efforts between researchers and marginalized farming communities can transform agricultural productivity and livelihoods through:
- Tailored variety selection
- Comprehensive capacity building
- Collective action through FPCs
- Sustainable seed village concept
"The seed village concept has given us independence from commercial seed suppliers and ensured quality planting material at affordable prices." - Member of Gurav Pimpri FPC
