Agriculture has long been the backbone of rural economies in Assam, but challenges such as climate change, unpredictable rainfall, and market instability have forced farmers to seek alternative income sources. In response to this growing need, Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organization, recently organized an exposure visit for 24 farmers from Udalguri district to Daffodil Nursery in Jagiroad.
The objective of this initiative, conducted on February 3, 2025, under the UNDP-GEF SGP MoEFCC Govt of India program, was to introduce farmers to scientific nursery management techniques that could serve as a viable alternative livelihood while promoting biodiversity conservation.
This initiative aimed to provide hands-on knowledge in nursery management, plant propagation techniques, grafting methods, and sustainable gardening practices, helping farmers gain financial stability and self-reliance.
Daffodil Nursery: A Model for Sustainable Plant Propagation
Daffodil Nursery, a well-established plant nursery in Jagiroad, is managed by Dr. Dhrubajyoti Sharma, a renowned entrepreneur and expert in scientific nursery management. The nursery is known for its expertise in scientific plant propagation, sustainable nursery management, integrated pest management techniques, grafting and hybrid plant development, and organic farming and soil health improvement.
During the interactive learning session, Dr. Sharma educated farmers on various aspects of nursery raising and sustainable plant management, covering selection of plants and soil preparation, grafting techniques and hybrid plant production, integrated pest management (IPM), and homestead gardening and commercial nursery management.
Dr. Sharma stressed that nursery management is not just about plant propagation but also about sustainability, profitability, and ecological balance. By adopting scientific nursery techniques, farmers can significantly increase their income while also contributing to environmental conservation.
Active Participation by Farmers: A Step Towards Change
The farmers from Udalguri showed keen interest in the nursery management techniques demonstrated during the session. Many of them actively engaged in discussions, asking questions about soil fertility, pest control, and market demand for plants.
This practical exposure gave them a new perspective on how they could diversify their farming methods. Some of the farmers expressed their willingness to start small-scale nurseries in their villages to supplement their agricultural income.
The educational visit was facilitated by Jayanta Kumar Pathak, Senior Manager, Aaranyak’s Environment Education and Capacity Building Division (EECBD), and Dipankar Haloi, Project Officer, EECBD. Their expertise and coordination ensured a smooth and insightful learning experience for the farmers.
According to Jayanta Kumar Pathak, “The goal of this initiative is to empower farmers with practical skills that will help them develop self-sustaining nurseries and improve their agricultural productivity. By integrating sustainable nursery practices, they can achieve economic stability and reduce dependency on traditional farming.”
Why Nursery Management is a Game-Changer for Rural Farmers?
The exposure visit emphasized the numerous benefits of nursery management as a sustainable livelihood. Farmers can reduce dependency on seasonal crops by selling plants, saplings, and grafted trees. Nurseries help in reforestation efforts, soil conservation, and biodiversity enhancement. With urban gardening, landscaping, and afforestation projects on the rise, the demand for quality plants and saplings is growing. Setting up a small nursery requires minimal investment compared to large-scale farming. Nursery management provides employment opportunities for women in rural areas, allowing them to earn a sustainable income.
Dr. Sharma highlighted that small nurseries can generate consistent income, especially by supplying plants to government afforestation programs, private gardens, and local markets.
Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity Conservation
The nursery visit aligns with Aaranyak’s vision of promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation. By integrating scientific plant propagation methods, farmers are encouraged to use eco-friendly techniques instead of chemical-intensive farming, establish homestead gardens to improve food security and nutrition, and contribute to afforestation programs by growing native tree species.
With climate change affecting agriculture, shifting towards nursery management and plant-based enterprises offers farmers financial resilience and ecological sustainability.
The Udalguri farmers’ visit to Daffodil Nursery is a crucial step toward empowering them with practical knowledge about nursery management. By learning scientific plant propagation techniques, they now have the potential to develop their nurseries, enhance their agricultural income, and contribute to environmental conservation.
This initiative by Aaranyak, under the UNDP-GEF SGP MoEFCC Govt of India program, is a major breakthrough in equipping farmers with sustainable livelihood options beyond traditional farming. With the right training, support, and market access, nursery management could transform the rural economy of Assam, offering economic stability and environmental sustainability for years to come.
