Accelerating Farm Incomes (AFI): Building Sustainable Soil Health, Markets and Productivity in Telangana State, India
Date
2024
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Abstract
International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) initiated the "Accelerating Farm Incomes (AFI)" project in Telangana State, India, to enhance agricultural productivity, market access, and soil health. Spanning from October 2019 to February 2024 due to COVID-19 delays, the project focused on technology dissemination, capacity building, and micro-enterprise development. Challenges during the initial phase, including registration issues, staff recruitment difficulties, and pandemic restrictions, led to substantial implementation delays. A revised approach in the third year introduced village-level agri-entrepreneurs, known as AFI Champions, and collaborations with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for sustainable agricultural practices and market linkages. Despite initial setbacks, the project achieved significant outcomes, including the creation of 667 AFI Champions and increased farmer incomes through improved agricultural practices and market access.
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Sustainable agriculture, Soil health