The way crops are grown over successive seasons can have an important influence on soil health, farm productivity and cultivation costs. Understanding these connections can help farmers make more informed decisions about what they grow and how they manage their land.

Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra organised a crop rotation training programme for farmers in Mulewadi under its Holistic Rural Development through Sustainable Agriculture, Women-Led Livelihoods and Credit Access through Joint Liability Groups project, supported by Manos Unidas.

The training introduced farmers to the practice of growing different crops in a planned sequence rather than repeatedly cultivating the same crop on the same land. Crop rotation can help farmers make better use of soil nutrients and manage their agricultural resources more effectively. The training also provided an opportunity for participants to discuss farming practices and understand how crop choices across different seasons can influence their fields.

For rural households, agricultural decisions are closely connected to livelihoods. Farmers have to consider factors such as soil conditions, water availability, input costs, crop requirements and the returns they can expect from cultivation. Training and knowledge-sharing can help them assess these factors and make decisions suited to their own farming conditions.

The crop rotation session at Mulewadi forms part of BGVK’s broader work on sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods. The Manos Unidas-supported project combines agricultural practices with women-led livelihood development and access to credit through Joint Liability Groups, recognising that stronger rural livelihoods require attention to both farming practices and economic opportunities.

By taking practical agricultural knowledge directly to farming communities, BGVK aims to support farmers in exploring methods that can contribute to more sustainable and resilient cultivation. The training at Mulewadi was one such opportunity for farmers to learn, discuss and consider how crop rotation could be incorporated into their own agricultural practices.