Seeds of Change: K.N.Palayam Women Farmers Turn Training to Harvest.

Crop cultivation in progress.

Group discussion as Training process

In K.N. Palayam Cluster, rural women who completed short-term agriculture training with SEVAI-DESWOS are now rewriting the story of farming—one harvest at a time. The training equipped them with practical, low-cost techniques they’ve already put into practice, including the System of Rice Intensification with younger seedlings, wider spacing, less water, and mechanical weeding for higher paddy yields at lower cost; organic nutrient management using _jeevamrutham_, _panchagavya_, and compost to replace chemical fertilizers; revival of drought-resistant millets like kambu, samai, and varagu alongside intercropped pulses suited to local soil; establishment of home kitchen gardens for year-round vegetables, greens, and medicinal plants to strengthen family nutrition; methods for preserving native seeds and assessing soil fertility; and integrated pest management using neem-based sprays, sticky traps, and intercropping to manage pests without heavy pesticide use. Armed with this knowledge, the women are growing more of their own food, cutting expenses, and feeding their families with greater confidence. Their experience shows that sustainable agriculture isn’t just work—it’s empowerment, health, and hope rooted in their own land.🌿 Govin