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Box 2.11 Balanced Crop Nutrition Boosts Productivity and Incomes in
India
Since 2008, the Mosaic Villages Project, a collaboration between The Mosaic
Company, The Mosaic Company Foundation, and implementing partner, the
S M Sehgal Foundation, has helped Indian farmers move out of poverty and
achieve greater food security. Mosaic’s investment includes funding and the
expertise of Mosaic agronomists who work alongside local partners to train
farmers in balanced crop nutrition and agronomic best practices.
Photo credit: The Mosaic Company Foundation
In the remote districts of Mewat and Alwar in Rajasthan, the Krishi Jyoti
Project, or “enlightened agriculture,” helps farmers improve productivity of
three crops: pearl millet, wheat, and mustard. The project focuses on five key
aspects of agricultural production: soil health, seed and fertilizer, water management, agronomic training, and market linkages. Village leaders selected
farmers representing all castes and landholding sizes to participate in the
program.
With balanced crop nutrition practices – using the right mix of macro- and
micro-nutrients to meet the needs of the crops and soils – together with agronomic expertise and financial support, farmers increased yields by as much as
25% over traditional farming practices. In total, Krishi Jyoti has directly benefited more than 26,000 farmers across 60 villages and boosted cultivation
across nearly 16,000 acres of land. Average income per acre has also grown
between 4480 Rs ($70 US) for wheat to 5760 Rs ($90 US) for mustard.
Communities participating in the Krishi Jyoti Project are using the additional income to help create a better life for future generations. The S M
Sehgal Foundation and Mosaic funded renovations for 20 schools in Alwar,
Mewat, and Sonipat – including adding sanitation facilities, safe drinking
water systems, and school kitchens.
A. Steensland and M. Zeigler
Box 2.11 Balanced Crop Nutrition Boosts Productivity and Incomes in
India
Since 2008, the Mosaic Villages Project, a collaboration between The Mosaic
Company, The Mosaic Company Foundation, and implementing partner, the
S M Sehgal Foundation, has helped Indian farmers move out of poverty and
achieve greater food security. Mosaic’s investment includes funding and the
expertise of Mosaic agronomists who work alongside local partners to train
farmers in balanced crop nutrition and agronomic best practices.
Photo credit: The Mosaic Company Foundation
In the remote districts of Mewat and Alwar in Rajasthan, the Krishi Jyoti
Project, or “enlightened agriculture,” helps farmers improve productivity of
three crops: pearl millet, wheat, and mustard. The project focuses on five key
aspects of agricultural production: soil health, seed and fertilizer, water management, agronomic training, and market linkages. Village leaders selected
farmers representing all castes and landholding sizes to participate in the
program.
With balanced crop nutrition practices – using the right mix of macro- and
micro-nutrients to meet the needs of the crops and soils – together with agronomic expertise and financial support, farmers increased yields by as much as
25% over traditional farming practices. In total, Krishi Jyoti has directly benefited more than 26,000 farmers across 60 villages and boosted cultivation
across nearly 16,000 acres of land. Average income per acre has also grown
between 4480 Rs ($70 US) for wheat to 5760 Rs ($90 US) for mustard.
Communities participating in the Krishi Jyoti Project are using the additional income to help create a better life for future generations. The S M
Sehgal Foundation and Mosaic funded renovations for 20 schools in Alwar,
Mewat, and Sonipat – including adding sanitation facilities, safe drinking
water systems, and school kitchens.
A. Steensland and M. Zeigler