Krishi Unnati Regenerative Estate & Land Lab: Cultivating Regenerative Futures

'Land Stewards posing at the Agro-Forestry Estate'

Background:

Nestled within the verdant landscapes of the Nilgiris (Blue Mountains), is home to Krishi Unnati’s Regenerative Estate & Land Lab. The land steward Mr. Girish is a visionary farmer whose dedication to regenerative methods is transforming the fabric of the land and the community. Girish is also a trainer at Krishi Unnati, an NGO focussed on farming R&D and expounding its learnings through its unique ‘Farmer Field Schools’. This estate acts as a land lab of Krishi Unnati and offers all kinds of land based regenerative training.

Project Overview:

Krishi Unnati Regenerate Estate & Land Lab aims to further work in agroforestry by implementing regenerative initiatives focused on soil regeneration, biodiversity enhancement, water cycle restoration, and community empowerment. By integrating holistic practices, this project endeavors to create a model of regenerative land management that fosters ecological resilience and social justice.

'Composting with Buffalo Manure'

The Regenerative Estate & Land Lab boasts of a range of successful innovative practices:

• Agroforestry: Diverse tree species including oil palm, sandalwood, coconut, mahogany, lemon, neem, and violet plants enhance ecological resilience and economic diversification.
• Precision Irrigation: State-of-the-art drip systems minimize water wastage and optimize resource utilization.
• Cover Cropping: Strategic use of cover crops such as fava beans, oats, wheat, barley, and winter peas mitigates erosion and improves soil health.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Reservoirs equipped with rainwater harvesting systems capture and store precipitation, supplementing irrigation needs.
• Two-Layer Farming: Innovative techniques maximize land and water use efficiency. Upcoming Project Components:

'Installation of Lining for Water Reservoir Pond'

Building upon these foundations, Krishi Unnati Regenerative Estate & Land Lab plans to implement the following initiatives:

• Soil Regeneration and Carbon Sequestration: Establish vermicompost units using agricultural waste and integrate regenerative agroforestry practices to enhance soil structure and promote carbon sequestration.
• Biodiversity Regeneration and Habitat Restoration: Install bee boxes to support pollinator populations, cultivate indigenous plant species such as areca nut, and create biodiversity corridors to restore habitat diversity and support threatened wildlife species.
• Water Cycle Regeneration and Resilience Building: Upgrade rainwater harvesting systems and implement regenerative irrigation practices such as mulching and contour trenching to optimize water use efficiency and mitigate water scarcity.
• Community Regeneration and Knowledge Sharing: Establish a farmers training center and conduct practical workshops to empower farmers with regenerative insights and skills.

Expected Outcomes and Impact:

Through these regenerative projects, the Krishi Unnati Regenerative Estate & Land Lab aims to catalyze a cascade of positive impacts, including:

• Ecosystem Regeneration: Improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, and restored ecosystem services, fostering resilience and regeneration of degraded landscapes.
• Community Empowerment: Enhanced livelihoods, strengthened social cohesion, and increased capacity for sustainable land stewardship among local communities.
• Knowledge Sharing and Innovation: Accelerated adoption of regenerative farming practices, widespread dissemination of nature-friendly technologies, and cultivation of a culture of learning and innovation in agricultural communities.

Impact Metrics:

1. Soil Health Index
2. Biodiversity Species Count
3. Water Use Efficiency
4. Farmer Adoption Rate of Regenerative Practices
5. Community Engagement

Conclusion:

Krishi Unnati's Regenerative Estate & Land Lab is more than a project; it's a commitment to honoring the past, nurturing the present, and cultivating a legacy of abundance for generations to come. With your support, we can renovate agroforestry land, rejuvenate communities, revitalize cultures, and restore ecosystems. Together, we pave the way for a future where humans and nature thrive in mutual reciprocity.