Farmer: Mr. C.M. Chengappa
Survey number: 13/26
Land holdings: 2 Acres
Family members: 5
Survey number: 13/26
Land holdings: 2 Acres
Family members: 5
C.M. Chengappa, a small farmer from Abburkatte watershed area of Somwarpet Taluk in Kodagu District, owns 2 acres of land which is located in the upper part of the village. Due to this reason, soil erosion was very high during the rainy season from runoff rain water, which drastically reduced soil fertility and yield. He was harvesting a meager 150 KGs of coffee for a whole year and the income was too little to maintain the family of 5 members: husband, wife and 3 children.
At that point of time when his situation was grim, NABARD watershed staff selected this area for a Community Based Program (CBP). The staff conducted an awareness session to the villagers and gave inputs on methods of water and soil conservation. Realizing the great advantages, Chengappa decided to join the watershed project and adopt these methods to improve his agricultural yields, especially coffee production.
The NABARD watershed staff supported him with earth work and plantation. This helped reduce the soil erosion from runoff rain water. He did Staggered Contoured Trenching (SCT) work, a method that curbs the speed of runoff rain water, which in turn checked soil erosion and improved percentage of moisture, keeping it to a sufficient level in summer time also.
During the year, Chengaappa harvested 300 KGs of coffee from his land and doubled his income. Chenagappa and his family are happy that their fortunes have changed after adopting watershed methods of farm cultivation.
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