Our country has progressed well under agriculture. The “Green revolution” and the “White Revolution” that took place after independence have been quite successful. In the agriculture sector, research work, improved practices, scientific methods, improved seeds, use of manures and fertilizers, crop protection measures and irrigation tools, all these have contributed a lot. Also, each year, there has been increase in loans provided by banks, Grameen Banks, government organizations etc, which has also provided boost to agriculture development.

The main occupation of our country is agriculture, 70 to 80% of the population is linked with agriculture. The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture and animal husbandry. Hence, our villagers demanded that with less money, less time, how can they increase production through use of scientific techniques. Demonstration plot is an effective tool to provide this information.

Keeping this into consideration, under Jeevika programme, a special training was organised in Ajitgadh on January 12, 2004. Under Jeevika programme, an effort has been made to include poorest of the poor households. Nabuben is an example of this. Description of demonstration plot in her words “My name is Nabuben Butabhai Koli. I have 9 acre land, account no. 42 and survey no. 377. On November 5, 2003, 2 SEWA organisors came to our Ajitgadh village and held Gram Sabha. First of all they explained fully about Jeevika programme. They also told us that this programme is for poorest of the poor households and for long term livelihood security. Thereafter in the Gram Sabha, all the farmers and the Jeevika SEWA mandal members selected my farm for demonstration plot. Because in our Ajitgadh village, I am the one who owns least land. Villagers were explained that if we make demonstration plot in the farm which is very small and yet productive, then through the result, other farmers will also get motivation. Hence, all the villagers selected me and I got opportunity to have demonstration plot in my farm. I am very happy for the same.

When asked her what benefits she has got from the demonstration plot, she said “ while sowing in 1 Bigha, normally we use 12 to 16 kgs. of seeds, while in demonstration plot, we used 4 kgs. of seed, we use 15 to 20 kgs of DEA fertilizer, while in demonstration plot, we used 8.5 kg DEA only. We used to use whatever seeds we had in our house, while in demonstration plot, we used hybrid seeds. This way we did sowing on November 8, 2003. As days passed by, good quality of cumin started growing. As we had used only 4 kgs. of seeds in the entire Bigha, I was very worried whether production will take place in the entire area or not. In the other farm, where demonstration was done 15 days prior to my farm, the progress was very good. I was very happy looking at that. I shared this experience and happiness of mine with Jeevika SEWA Mandal and our district association organiser. When demonstration plot was being developed on my farm, Dr. K. G. Mehta, (Consultant - SEWA) from Ahmedabad, Shree Jadhavsaheb retired agriculture Niyamak of the district and farmers from Kuda, Thada, Chikasar, Ajitgadh and Meethagodha from our Surendranagar district and also from Najupura,Zanzansar of Patan district.