This document summarizes a sustainable natural resource management model called Bhoochetana that has been applied in India and is now being expanded to Africa. The key aspects of the model are being water neutral, rejuvenating the land, sustainably intensifying agriculture, and being inclusive of smallholder farmers. The model has led to major boosts in soil fertility and drought resistance through micronutrients and compost. It has also ensured enough water despite poor rains through agroforestry, dams, gullies and micro-irrigation. Introduction of improved varieties has increased yields by 20-66% and food production by 5% while providing farmers $500 net gain per hectare. The successful approach included participatory

1. BIG IDEAS
A proven model for Sustainable
Management of Natural Resources
for food security and improved livelihoods
 Be water neutral
 Rejuvenate the land
 Sustainable intensification of agriculture
 Inclusive of the smallholder farmer
This proven Bhoochetana* model, applied in India, is now being taken to Africa.
Science with a human face
www.icrisat.org
November 2013

2. The achievements
M
ajor boost in soil fertility and capacity
to resist drought – through micronutrient
fertilizers (Zinc, Boron and Sulphur (Gypsum) and
organic compost
Enough water, despite poor rains – with the use
of agroforestry, dams, gullies and micro-irrigation to
conserve rainwater – make sustainable groundwater
use and prevent soil runoff
Introduction of improved crop varieties suited to
the environment, coping with climate change and
the markets.
The results in Karnataka state, India in the first 3
years:
20-66% yield increase
5% rise in food production across the state
$1 invested = $3-14 return
3 million farmers over 3.7 million ha, made up to
$500 net gain per ha in one season
The approach
What made this successful, included:
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On-farm practices
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Participatory soil health assessments
Balanced fertilizer recommendations
Diversifying crop farms to include livestock
for additional income and manure
Capacity building
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Capacity building of all partners including
farmer field schools
Over 10,000 farmer facilitators trained to
give farmer-to-farmer demonstrations and
advice
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Partnering
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Strong support achieved from the
government and farmer groups, and
partnering with local community groups
Empowerment of women in the community
Communication campaigns to build
enthusiasm
Regular monitoring and evaluation
New work is being done now on processing
technology, marketing and the use of ICT
Involvement
Contact
Apply this proven model to specific sites or have it
upscaled across a state or region.
Suhas P Wani, Acting Research Program Director
– Resilient Dryland Systems & Principal Scientist
(Watersheds); Email: s.wani@cgiar.org
*Bhoochetana means “rejuvenating the soil”. It was used to name a project led by ICRISAT’s Research Program
on Resilient Dryland Systems
2
A concept note for
Ensuring nutritional security in rural India