Suggestions to improve farmer’s lives in TELANGANA villages Presented by Jagan Bearelly May 2015

Quinoa Solves farmer suicides and water problems --> CASH CROP of the day, high returns Arid, very low water consuming crop and tolerates higher temperatures TG to provide access to processing equipment to farmers since this equip. is expensive TG to set market prices for Quinoa for farmers like other crops and provide logistical support Purchase from farmers... raw or processed as needed initially, marketing support Sell Quinoa for India’s consumption and then develop export markets Bird and Monkey free … seed coated with bitter saponins

Crop Selection Crop Rotation (w/legumes)/inter-cropping to reduce fertilizer consumption and maximize throughput/acre with cash crops Example: Soybean (Kharif)/Gingelly (Rabi) and introduce to new crops Discourage growing Rice and replace with multiple acres of low water consuming cash crops (along with DRIP/Mulch as best practices where suitable)

Soil Test Provide labs (inexpensive) at each Mandal or AO’s office Mobile Soil Testing Labs where AO and other agri personnel can go to each village at preset date, collect soil samples, provide counseling and advise to farmers with results

Other issues in villages State controlled and supplied agri-inputs: seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Agriculture Officers: Stop the red tape and non-performing AOs. State controlled agri-inputs require this mechanism to be functioning efficiently. AOs availability to farmers just phone call away and help them at critical times during crop growth Anti-corruption drive: Post in Govt. offices including schools with phone number to call. Use Technology/IT to curb corruption and legitimate functioning of entities Farmer Education: Open training centers to educate in farming, calculating profit/loss statements. Many just farm without thinking whether they make money or not Role of Agri. Univ and R&D: Redefine R&D to meet the needs of future TG and reinstate research for what TG grows and what new crops/orchards can be grown for our soils and climate to redefine agriculture and make it profitable Crop recommendations and incentives(seed subsidies) from Govt. based on soil type, rainfall, canal irrigation and bore-well irrigation Rain water harvesting: Deep pits in rural and other solutions in Metro/ or follow Gujarat/Rajasthan solutions Reforestation: Bamboo plantation along with other solutions

Other issues in villages: contd Electricity: Solar street lights, subsidized solar pumps, subsidized solar electricity in homes Healthcare: Start functioning healthcare at Mandal level, expand to villages Grain storage/Perishable food storage and processing: Expand initiatives to cover all Mandals/Villages Sanitation: Toilets in schools and incentives for toilets at homes Women’s rights/alcohol: Women’s committees, involve non-profits to lead, village level penalties/disincentives. Follow successful villages for solutions, alcohol sale every other day?, women in control of finances, etc. Education: Stop red tape, quality teachers and require to stay in-town, encourage English medium for better empl. Distributed Manufacturing and training for skilled workers in mfg. to garments, plumbing, electrician, etc. Distributed quality professional colleges/universities

Jagan Bearelly San Jose, CA (408)