The camp is being organised to bring together indigenous practitioners of sustainable livelihood from across the world to learn from the experience of the tribal farmers of the Paderu Agency area. The tribal farmers here have taken up an afforestation programme in 6,000 ha in the region under which 60 lakh saplings belonging to 14 fruit and timber species will be planted under the guidance of the Naandi Foundation and Global Livelihoods Network and Mahindra & Mahindra, explains CEO, Kallam Anji Reddy Chair of Naandi Foundation, Manoj Kumar. Earlier, the network had helped the tribal farmers take up cultivation of coffee in seven mandals.

Noting that this was a monoculture, the network took up the challenge thrown by Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh to encourage biodiversity and launched the Hariyali — 60 lakh fruit tree plantation programme — in the area three years ago.

Last year, the farmers planted 10 lakh trees. This year, the number has gone up to 20 lakh saplings. In the next two years, the network is confident of achieving the target of planting 60 lakh fruit and timber saplings.

The three-day camp would enable the livelihood practitioners to participate in discussions on livelihoods themes such as carbon rhythms, agricultural sustainability, ensuring fair price for the produce, and evolving sustainable community well-being and nutritional security, president of Global Livelihood Bernard Giraud said while addressing a meeting organised to mark the plantation of the 2 millionth fruit tree as part of the Hariyali programme at Konthili village in Hukumpeta mandal of the district on Sunday.

Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Tribal Welfare Minister P. Balaraju, Paderu ITDA Project Officer Srikant Prabhakar, members of the network, and tribal farmers from the region were present.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam (Paderu), Visakhapatnam District / by Special Corrrespondent / October 08th, 2012