6th PIMC Meeting Held at Muradgaon, Wardha
The 6th Project Implementation and Monitoring Committee (PIMC) meeting under the Climate Smart Agriculture Village (CSAV) initiative was held on 26th June 2025 at CSAV, Muradgaon, Wardha. The meeting brought together key stakeholders including Mr. Sushant Patil, DDM, NABARD; Mr. Gajanan Rajurkar, Lead – CSA Initiatives; Mr. Amol Deshmukh, Zonal Head; Ms. Yashaswini S. N., Project Assistant; and Mr. Rangkumar Avhad, Project Coordinator, alongside other PIMC members and beneficiary farmers.
The session focused on reviewing the impact of sustainable agricultural practices being implemented in the region. A field visit to demonstration plots highlighted the Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) method in soybean and cotton, prompting direct interactions between dignitaries and farmers on topics such as crop health and water-use efficiency.
The visit included a tree plantation initiative led by Mr. Sushant Patil and a knowledge exchange on how BBF improves drainage, reduces erosion, and enhances germination in rain-fed conditions. The team also visited KVK Selsura and held a collaborative discussion with Mr. Jivan Katore, Head of KVK, to explore synergies for strengthening support frameworks for local farmers.
Special appreciation was extended to Mr. Venkati Dhale and Mr. Rangkumar Avhad for their pivotal role in coordinating the meeting and ensuring seamless implementation of project components.
Case Study | Transforming Yields through Climate Smart Agriculture
Mrs. Sujata Subhasrao Bhatkar, Soybean Farmer – Wardha, Maharashtra
At 54, Mrs. Sujata Bhatkar is not just a farmer—but a trailblazer. After losing her husband, she took over the management of her 8-acre farm in Muradgaon village. Despite limited formal education, she persisted through years of conventional farming. However, the intense rainfall in 2022 left her soybean fields waterlogged, and her income devastated.
In 2023, she joined the CSAV initiative by Syngenta Foundation India and NABARD and adopted the Broad Bed Furrow (BBF) method for soybean farming. With BBF and complementary CSA practices such as seed treatment, micronutrient management, IPM, and sprinkler irrigation, she witnessed a transformative impact.
- Productivity Boost: Her yield increased to 13.53 quintals/acre, up from 8.5 quintals/acre two years ago—a 60% improvement.
- Income Growth: Her soybean income rose from ₹30,000 in 2022–23 to ₹56,826 in 2024–25, an increase of nearly 80%.
- Cost Reduction: A 3% drop in cultivation costs was observed due to reduced pesticide use and fertilizer use.
- Water Management: BBF improved drainage, reducing root rot and enabling better intercultural operations.
More than just financial gains, Mrs. Sujata’s success has sparked community-wide interest in sustainable practices. Her story is now inspiring other women to adopt climate-smart techniques, redefining traditional roles in agriculture and fostering a culture of resilience and collaboration.
