The shining jewel of Deccan Plateau, lakes in Telangana are brimming with full tank water levels. South-West monsoon started with a good rainfall; however cloud bursts brought unexpected floods and damaged crops in several parts of Telangana, India. Many people forced to evacuate their homes and fields on the both sides of Godavari river.
Exactly, a year ago, during the same monsoon time, we started developing agroforestry in Duginepally village. Several questions were in our mind when we thought of developing such model in this village. Your farm will become feed for open grazing animals! Your farm is surrounded by paddy fields, so water clottage hurts the plants! How can you safeguard your plants which are far away from village? All pests will find home at your farm! And thousand more! These are questions and doubts raised by fellow farmers regarding proposed agroforestry model in the village. However, our objective was, “well, struggles are real, but if we succeed in these circumstances, then anyone, anywhere can develop agroforestry to achieve food and climate goals”.
Despite such challenges, we proved the ecological feasibility and economic viability of the model after one year of tremendous hard work.
Dear friends, well-wishers and kind supporters, it is time for the first quarterly Newsletter of tharunam for the year 2022. Here, we are happy to share the activities of tharunam from past three months.
Soil Regeneration: The most widely recognized function of soil is its support for food production. As it is composed of minerals, water, air and organic so It provides essential nutrients, water, oxygen and support to the roots, all elements that favors the growth and development of plants for food production. It contains immense levels of biodiversity, most of which is very essential for the growth of plants. Our regenerative agricultural practices are enhancing the soil health and supporting plants with nutrition supplements.
Fungi network in the soil 
Root Humus
Act0 mentor: Lingala Naresh got an opportunity to become one of the mentors for kanthari 2022 participants in Act0 of kanthari leadership program. From this year onwards kanthari, added an act of preparation which we call Act 0, the green room. Naresh got an opportunity to part of Act0 and support mentoring assistance for three kantharis.
Intercrop harvesting & sale: Marketing of horse gram: During the summer time, we sown horsegram, blackgram and cowpea as intercrop in the farm. Firstly, it is helpful to control weed between the plants. And other major importance of choosing pulses as intercrop is to fix nitrogen in soil. Through intercrop, we produced 120 KGs of horsegram and 100 KGs of other pulses together However, we faced challenge to market while most of the people thought, protein rich horsegram grains are only for animal feed. It was so unfortunate. So, our team decided to visit different customers and create awareness about horsegram marketed with 20 people.
Turmeric plantation: We completed intercrop plantation of IISR Pragathi and Rajendra Sonia variety Turmeric at our farm. We are eagerly waiting to see the growth progress and economic viability of turmeric as an intercrop at our farm.
Training program 
Turmeric plantation
Guest lecture at Anurag University: we conducted awareness program on agroforestry models for agri professionals from Anurag University.
Ink wash program: #INK_WASH 3.0 is a platform instituted for collaboration and partnerships between Start-ups, Innovators, Academic Institutions, Funders and State Government Departments especially Urban Local Bodies that showcased over 100 innovations in water, solid waste management, sanitation and hygiene. We attended the event to explore various sustainable practices in water management, very particularly to understand its role in agriculture.
Pondicherry visit: Sristi Village is a purpose-built agricultural land in rural Tamil Nadu where adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities live and learn together. They are using agriculture is a therapeutic form of learning and acquiring skills that holds immense potential for employment. And Another kanthari from Pondicherry is Anumuthu who works for homeless people. It was a great opportunity to visit sristi village and meet karthik and Anumuthu to learn best practices from these organizations.
Challenges
Animals attack: Group of open grazing animals broke the fence and attacked atleast 20 banana plants. They were very badly damaged.
Pest attack: During the summer time, surrounding paddy farm lands were harvested, so our farm became a place to attract all types of pests. As a result, where eat lot of leaf and damaged the kashmir ber flowering.
Heavy rainfall 
Leaf eating pest
Flood: Firstly, we are receiving the good rainfall in Duginepally village. Every day, it is a heavy rain fall. So, almost a flood situation in around our farm. So, it was a difficult time to bring farmers into farm for training.
Dear Friends, well-wishers and supporters, the tharunam activities would not be possible without your support and contributions. Therefore, on behalf of all, we say thank you very much for your ongoing support. Thank you also by sharing this newsletter in your circle.
Stay safe! Stay healthy! Have a healthy food!
With best regards,
Team tharunam
