We are winding up a five and half year involvement in the lives of a group of small farmers and their families in the Thenkarai area which is situated south of the Vaigai River in India. The Program is called Thenkarai, for the headquarter village of the smallest local government unit comprising 7 hamlets with a total population of about 10,000.  Of these about 300 could be described as “small farmers” who hold under 5 acres of land and manage to raise one crop of rice with irrigation from the rain fed Vaigai River, via a tank storage system.  If there is drought even this irrigation possibility for one crop gets affected.  The program began when the area had been drought stricken continuously for three years.

Through the five years we have sunk 8 wells, supplementing the river irrigation, helping one dry crop of millet, maize, ground nuts, pulses, onions and vegetables and some times also flowers for commercial gain…One well has also helped to raise a mango orchard which has started yielding fruit. 

All the wells have 48 beneficiaries, and all these wells are collectively owned.  One of the wells in addition to helping 6 farmers of Melamattian village also supply the water for the Vermi Compost Unit.  This unit produces 3 tons of rich and safe manure and is now supporting a husband wife full time.