The Cauvery Calling motion, which was initiated by Sadhguru, has led to the planting of 10.9 crore saplings until now and supported round 2,13,000 farmers in adopting tree-based agriculture. In the 12 months 2023-24, the motion aimed to plant 2 crore saplings in the Cauvery basin.
In the monetary 12 months 2023-24, Cauvery Calling volunteers mobilised 65,000 farmers and most people which led to an uptake of 2 crore saplings for a total space of fifty,000 acres throughout the Cauvery basin. The motion goals to revitalise the Cauvery River – the lifeline of 8.4 crore individuals – and considerably enhance the financial system of farmers by enabling the planting of 242 crore bushes on non-public farmlands.
Cauvery Calling follows a tree-based agricultural strategy that not solely multiplies farmers’ earnings via diversified tree-based agriculture practices but in addition enhances soil natural matter. This facilitates higher water absorption, which in flip replenishes underground reserves and sustains the river’s move all year long.
Speaking concerning the progress of the motion in Karnataka, the state’s Cauvery Calling coordinator Raisa mentioned, (*2*)
Cauvery Calling Movement’s Update
Speaking concerning the success of the motion, Thamizhmaran, Cauvery Calling’s Tamil Nadu coordinator, mentioned, “Cauvery Calling is a movement that has germinated from a seed planted by Sadhguru three decades ago. We have relentlessly moved forward with meticulous planning by investing in providing quality saplings, educating farmers about adopting tree-based agriculture, and conducting mega training workshops in model farms which help farmers learn directly from other farmers.”
Cauvery Calling Movement’s Update
The Cauvery Calling Nursery in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu is among the world’s largest single-site nurseries with an annual manufacturing capability of 85 lakh saplings. The Cauvery Calling Nursery in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu has an annual manufacturing capability of 15 lakh saplings. These two nurseries present saplings to 39 distribution centres throughout the state. The nurseries additionally present 29 species of high-value timber tree species, together with Teak, Red Sandalwood, Rosewood and Mahogany, to farmers at a backed price of Rs. 3 per sapling.
To create modern livelihood fashions for farmers, Cauvery Calling just lately carried out a manufacturing franchise, establishing a farmer-driven nursery manufacturing centre. Anand Ethirajalu, Project Director for Cauvery Calling, mentioned, “The pilot program received a stupendous response, and in 2023, we had 33 farming households that produced an impressive 55 lakh saplings through this program. Interestingly, 25% of the farmer producers are in the age group of 25-35. This is an indicator that profitability is inspiring young people to explore agriculture.”
Cauvery Calling Movement’s Update
“We are also creating a distribution franchise through which we sell ready saplings to farmers which they can distribute to other farmers. This model is enabling farmers to become financially self-reliant. In 2023, 18 farming households distributed 21 lakh saplings.”
To increase consciousness, the Cauvery Calling mission deployed over 160 subject executives to personally go to greater than 32,300 farmlands. These executives offered free consultations to farmers and unfold consciousness about the advantages of adopting tree-based agriculture. During these visits, the executives performed thorough soil and water testing on the farms. Based on the outcomes, they really helpful appropriate tree species for every farmland. These suggestions are fastidiously curated, taking into consideration the area’s endemic tree varieties, agro-climatic circumstances and the income-cycle expectations of the farmers.
In addition to subject visits, Cauvery Calling has engaged immediately with farmers via varied boards equivalent to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Agricultural Expos, and conferences with Gram Panchayats amongst others. The motion is continuous to assist and educate over 44,000 farmers via over 170 WhatsApp teams. These WhatsApp teams function platforms for resolving queries and offering steerage, leveraging the experience of mannequin farmers and agricultural specialists.
Cauvery Calling Movement’s Update
Cauvery Calling additionally performed three mega coaching packages and 12 zonal coaching packages for farmers, drawing the participation of over 6,000 farmers. Experts from reputed agriculture institutes and scientists from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bengaluru, and ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, amongst others, joined these coaching packages and shared sensible subject inputs on the importance of tree-based agriculture.
Cauvery Calling is an ecological motion, led by farmers, that focuses on restoring the setting. They organise plantation drives on varied vital dates equivalent to World Environment Day, Van Mahotsav Week, River Revitalisation Day, Gandhi Jayanti, and World Soil Day. Through these occasions, they purpose to encourage individuals to plant extra bushes and assist their tree-planting efforts. They have performed a total of 769 occasions, ensuing in the plantation of 14 lakh saplings. Cauvery Calling has been recognised as the highest innovator in ecological conservation and restoration by Trillion Trees: India Challenge. It is a big mission that has the potential to revolutionise the tropical world.
