Irrigated agriculture has complex nexus with land, water, and energy requiring intensive inputs. Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh is ecologically fragile and water-starved region where sustainablecrop yield is not guaranteed to many small and marginal farmers. The chronic drought from 2003-2010 and then again in 2014 prompted farmers in Bundelkhandto shift from growing a mix of dry crops—like millets and pulses—during the monsoondependent Kharif season (June-September), to input-heavy and irrigated winter Rabi crop ofwheat alongside cash crops such as chickpea and mustard (November to April).  Social – economic backwardness, poverty, illiteracy, feudalism, violence against women, highMaternal Mortality Rate (MMR) &amp; Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), social evils like consumption ofliquor, gambling, nexus of local money lenders, poor infrastructure and poor access andavailability of state services are some of the critical problems of the region.  In the entire discourse of agrarian crisis and farmer´s suicides, which have been highlighted by the media and others in the past one decade, the trauma and implications of survivors of those families specifically women and children have not been adequately either highlighted or addressed, deeply concerned over this fact, VDS has started field investigation and possible interventions.   ￼  Identified underlying causes:  •	Loss of crop due to long continuous drought or sudden floods in ken river  •	Change in cropping pattern- from multi-food crops to cash monocrop with following loss of land fertility  •	No transparent agreement of loan process  •	Nexus between tractor companies and banks  •	Mismatch between input cost and selling prices of produces  •	Very low compensation for crop failure and failure of crop insurance  After suicide of a family member, the survivors- widows and children are facing dreadful trauma and turmoil- emotional and psychological burdens. They are also forced to take the burden of unsettled debt, meeting out the challenge of subsistence/ livelihood needs and have to focus on their day to day agricultural operations despite distraught drought or other non-farm labour work for the sustenance of the family     Proposed Intervention  Empowering the farmers in the verge of Suicide through Counselling, Capacity building and Skill Development. The following activities have been planned in the project:  1.	Counselling of Marginal and small farmer in dept and on the verge of suicide  2.	Orientation; Training of Farmers for empowerment  3.	Use of Compost instead of chemical fertilizers 4.	Mixed cropping instead of mono cropping 5.	Cultivating mix of food, fodder, fuel, fruit crops 6.	Processing and Market support to farmers 7.	Effective and Sustainable use of Resourcesn  The solution proposed not only uses the natural resources efficiently but also creates conducive atmosphere for the microorganism. It increases organic carbon and humus in the soil resulting in improved water holding capacity. These practices reduce irrigation water demand up to 80% leading to more crop per drop. It results in improved net income for the farmers.  The low irrigation requirements, better soil utilization, low cost of production and increased net farm income with small &amp; marginal farmers will make proposed idea easy to adopt among thefarmers. The evidence-based outcomes collected at pilot phase will help us in mobilizing more farmers.

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“There was a farmer called Bihor. He had a debt of ₹6 lakh. His mother fell ill and had to spend a lot of money on her care. His land was not giving any yield and his crop was destroyed. Pressure from the banks and the money lenders because of debt left him with no other option but to commit suicide,” shares Raja Bhaiyya, the founder of Vidya Dham Samiti, an NGO that helps families in which farmers have committed suicide and prevents further farmer suicides from happening. “His family was in tatters, but we helped them. We gave them foodgrains and we gave them training in sustainable farming. After all these efforts, the family is in decent condition.” You can help Raja Bhaiyya support farmer families and prevent more farmer suicides from taking place by equipping them with the tools to have better futures. Donate now.Donate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India).Vidya Dham Samiti identifies farmer’s households where farmer suicides have taken place and farmer households that are prone to suicide. For these families, the NGO offers counselling, skill development training and capacity building to train the farmers and their families in alternate agricultural practices so they can continue their livelihoods, access available Government schemes and cope with conditions such as drought and climate change through new and other agricultural technologies and practices - and not take the drastic step of suicide. Founded in 2001 by Raja Bhaiyya, Vidya Dham Samiti focuses its work in and around Bundelkhand, Banda District in Uttar Pradesh which is an area that is prone to drought and crop failure. Your support can prevent farmer suicides and empower farmer families with counselling and skills training. Donate now. “The farmers who are cut off from the mainstream and are in trouble,” explains Vidya Dham Samiti founder Raja Bhaiyya. “We bring them together and counsel them, we give them exposure and provide them with every opportunity to do well through fertilizer, grains and agricultural implements. We train them to adopt the right methods to do agriculture and we give them top-quality grains. These are our efforts.”“But these efforts are taking place at a small level. We want to take our programme to a larger level. We can save the lives of farmers if we can bring more and more people into our programmes and reach more and more areas.” Donate now to help Raja Bhaiyya support farmer families that have been devastated by suicide and prevent other farmer suicides from happening. “We can stop farmer suicides through training, counselling and newer forms of agriculture. For those farmers who are on the verge of suicide, and whose families are in trouble, please give them one more chance. Donate so that we can rescue them from suicide.”Donate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest online donation platform, to help Raja Bhaiya rescue debt-trapped farmers who are on the verge of suicide.

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Help Raja Bhaiyya care for farmer suicide families and prevent others from ending their lives

Vidya Dham Samiti (VDS) is a nongovernment development organization registered in 2001 under Art 21 of the Societies Registration Act 1860. The registration number is 566/2000-01. The organization is also registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 1976. It has been allotted the FC(R)A No. 136280028. It has been also registered under 12-A of the Income Tax Act 1961. The PAN allotted to Vidya Dham Samiti is AABTV0379AVDS was established in 2001 by a very active and dedicated young social worker, Raja Bhaiya, with a group of like-minded youths with a commitment to work for the betterment of the downtrodden in the poverty-stricken areas of Bundelkhand. In the 21 years since its formation, VDS has grown much and has demonstrated capability in working for the realization of rights and entitlements of the poor, especially from marginalized social groups. The NGO has created a good reputation for itself among community members, the NGO fraternity working in the region, the local and regional media, and the district-level administrative system as well. Several initiatives taken by the NGO have been reported in national dailies and magazines.Vision of OrganizationImprove the socio-economic status of marginalized social groups and establish a sustainable relationship between human beings and natural resources.Mission of OrganizationEmpowering people through awareness, mobilization and advocacy guidance for better realization of rights and better governance, and working for sustainable livelihood creation  Target Group &amp; Working Area of Organization Socially, Economically, and politically neglected people including women and children of the Bundelkhand region.    Main issues of target area: ·       Land and Livelihood·       Migration·       indebtedness·       No control of women on natural resources·       Education·       Health and nutrition·       Ignorance of government to the marginal group low accessibility of government-supported schemes and improper implementation of the special packages.

Donations through Give Foundation, registered under section 80G of India's Income Tax Act, 1961 are tax-deductible.

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Raja Bhaiya

Vidya Dham Samiti

This nonprofit is registered as a charitable trust under section 12A of India's Income Tax Act, 1961.

This nonprofit is registered under section 80G of India's Income Tax Act, 1961. This means you can deduct 50% of the donation you made through your tax return.

This nonprofit is registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010. This means it can accept donations from foreign nationals.

Raghav Menon

Thank you for your generous support! Your contributions are making a significant impact on the lives of struggling farmers and their families. With the funds received, Vidya Dham Samiti, led by Raja Bhaiyya, is implementing several crucial activities to support farmers on the verge of suicide: <ol><li>Counselling Services: Offering vital counselling to marginal and small farmers in debt to provide hope and practical solutions.</li><li>Sustainable Farming Practices: Promoting the use of compost instead of chemical fertilizers for healthier crops and a safer environment.</li><li>Diversified Cropping: Encouraging mixed cropping to enhance soil health and food security.</li><li>Market Support and Processing: Assisting farmers in processing their produce and accessing fair market prices.</li></ol> Thanks to your selfless donations, Vidya Dham Samiti can reach more farmers, providing them with the necessary tools and training to escape the cycle of debt and despair. While we've made significant progress, the journey continues. Your ongoing support is essential to expand our reach and deepen our impact. Donate Now | Empower Farmers

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