Convergence model leveraged to establish 2,147 ha of quality orchards benefitting 9,000 farmers

GANGTOK, 23 July [IPR]: Taking up development programs in convergence is a major priority of the Central Government and this is how the restructuring of MGNREGA is envisaged as well so that it contributes to asset creation and is substantially linked to agriculture and allied activities. In such a convergence initiative in the State, two departments have joined hands to make quality horticulture orchards a reality. In this convergence model, planting of a total of 2,147 hectares of horticulture plantations is nearing completion covering 9,000 beneficiaries in which about 46 lakh plants were planted in the Gram Panchayats.
A total of 1,450 ha large cardamom, 661 ha of Mandarin Orange and 41 ha of grafted guava plantations have been completed on time thus far.
The total joint investment involved is to the tune of Rs 14 crore from the centrally sponsored schemes (MGNREGA and HMNEH) of both the Departments.
The groundwork for this convergence was carried out over the last six months to complete the planning and preparatory activities. The MGNREGA convergence framework between Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department (HCCDD) and the Rural Management and Development Department (RMDD) was approved by the Government in Jan 2014.
RMDD took up the task of identification of beneficiaries and location (in gram sabhas), pit digging, planting and maintenance, while HCCDD took up the function of providing the plants, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides and technical support. Special registers and books were printed to keep a detailed record of the plants and inputs received and distributed to the beneficiaries (plants indent book, plants received register, beneficiary plants issue register etc).
To prevent duplication or double payment, joint estimates were prepared with complimentary financial components i.e. wage component by RMDD and material component (plants, bio-fertilizer and bio-fungicides/ bio-pesticides) by HCCDD. Several State, district and block level meetings were held to ensure seamless integration. Works related to pit digging, planting etc were assigned in piece rate basis to ensure productive utilization of the workers.
A kickoff meeting with all the functionaries of both the Departments was held on 09 June, 2014 which was followed by a review meeting on 19 July, 2014. During this workshop, the field functionaries informed that they have not only distributed the seedlings to farmers but this time also provided technical inputs and also ensured the planting of all the seedlings in the farmer’s fields in a timely manner.
During this meeting, the modalities for providing bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides to farmers were also discussed. Also, to further motivate and train the farmers it was decided to take them on exposure visits both within and outside the state. It was also decided to document the learnings in book form to be released on 15 Aug, 2014.
This convergence is based on the mutual strengths of both the departments with HCCDD providing the technical expertise, planting material, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides while RMDD did the social mobilization, providing the labour force, detailed record keeping and ensuring transparency safeguards. The quality of these horticulture plantations taken up in convergence was better than when taken up in stand-alone mode by either of the Departments. Convergence with HCCDD ensured good quality seedlings, technical support, providing know-how to the farmers and provisioning of inputs like bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. While convergence with RMDD ensured meeting the labour shortfall, providing of the planting costs to the farmer, ensuring that each and every seedling got planted with proper pit digging and advance work, improved record keeping and social auditing of the works. These benefits coupled with the joint monitoring by the functionaries of both the departments on the same work resulting in enhanced transparency and quality output.
This convergence model resulted in several benefits. The labour shortage in agriculture operations got resolved by productively utilizing the MGNREGA labour force into this sector. The opportunity costs borne by the farmers in establishing long gestation horticulture crops has been now subsidized by MGNREGA. Buoyed by the success of this convergence initiative, both departments have also agreed to take up other projects related to construction of water storage tanks, coffee plantations, banana plantations and others in convergence in the near future.
This convergence model of Sikkim has been appreciated at the Government of India level as well and MGNREGA officials from Sikkim have been invited by the north-eastern and Himalayan states to share their expertise and experience. Also, MGNREGA-Sikkim bagged the National Convergence Award from the Ministry of Rural Development in Feb 2014.