Australian farmers learn about demand-driven rural interventions

The visitors are all ears as they learn about low-cost soil and rainwater conservation and groundwater recharge systems. Photo: DS Prasad Rao, ICRISAT
A group of 17 farmers from Australia visited ICRISAT and a few other sites on 9 July 2018 to better understand the science-led interventions that are changing the face of agriculture in the region. They also visited the Adarsha Watershed project in Kothapally and spent time interacting with the farmers and women’s self-help group members.
The farmers there informed them how increased water availability had helped them achieve higher crop yields and diversify into high value crops like vegetables and flowers.

Benefits of watershed projects displayed via posters in Kothapally. Photo: DS Prasad Rao, ICRISAT

Benefits of watershed projects displayed via posters in Kothapally. Photo: DS Prasad Rao, ICRISAT

Visiting farmers listen to Ms Joanna Kane-Potaka, Asst. Director General, talk about ICRISAT’s mission for smallholder farmers in the semi-arid tropics. Photo: PS Rao, ICRISAT