Diversified Agricultural Support Project (DASP) [Sept 1999-2003]

DASP, a pilot project carried out as a step towards sustainable rural economy and with a goal to enable the farming community in diversifying their agricultural enterprises, so as to result in increasing in productivity and farm incomes within the context of Self Help Groups.

Objectives:
* To strengthen the delivery of agricultural technology to exploit market led opportunities for growth in horticulture, livestock and sericulture production and agro-processing in a way that alleviate poverty and support environmentally sustainable development.
* Integrate project investments with policies and legislative/ regulatory framework that facilitates rationalization of public and private sector roles in the diversification process and creates enabling environment for great private investment in this sector.
* Support the expansion and rehabilitation of rural infrastructure and foster Panchayati Raj Institutions, NGOs and beneficiary participation for devolution of responsibility for sustainable management of rural assets.Through the project a total population of 1,61,587, was served exclusively in all the villages of block Sahaspur and Vikas Nagar (District DehraDun). Notable achievements were:* Compilation of Village Action Plans through PRA techniques and House Hold survey.
* Formation of Self-Help Groups in the villages finally leading to a federation
* Technology dissemination with regard to bio-composting methods, seed production, banned fertilizers, quality vegetable and fruit demonstrations, soil -testing.
* Creating awareness and motivating the farming community to go for organic production and to ad off -farm activities.
* Provide forward and backward linkages; linkages with banking institutions to minimize financial vulnerability.
* Organisation of capacity building workshops, trainings and exposure visits for farmers and self-help groups IEW

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