Welcome!

SEDS, the Social Education and Development Society, was founded in 1980 by Rajen Joshua and Manil Jayasena as a grassroots development NGO, motivated by the desire to help the poorest of the poor in the drought-prone area of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. In the early days, the main focus of the work was on community development by way of non-formal education and small loans to skilled target communities like cobblers, basket weavers, blanket weavers and others.

As Anantapur is the second most drought prone area in India and much of its natural resources are depleted, it soon became clear that environmental problems would have to be tackled first, if peoples’ livelihoods were to be made sustainable. Starting in 10 villages near the small town of Penukonda a scheme of pioneering work was developed which aimed to empower local communities and improve their environment. Initially small nurseries were started for homestead plantations and planting of avenue trees along village roads. Re-a-forestation and more sustainable agricultural practices were introduced. From 1990, SEDS started using a more participatory approach, through the formation of Community Based Organizations. Involving the communities more in the effort made them actual stakeholders in the development process of the region. Throughout the years the scope and area of the work increased and the fruits of the sustained efforts became visible in the greener environment and the enthusiasm of the communities.

Today, SEDS is working through an integrated rural development approach with an emphasis on women’s empowerment, watersheds, re-a-forestation and natural resource management. This is within five Mandals in the southern part of Anantapur District, in south western Andhra Pradesh namely, Penukonda, Roddam, Gorantla, Somandepalli and Chilamathur. In these 5 mandals SEDS currently supports 125 villages, being some 12000 women and their families, 980 Self Help Groups (SHGs), 120 Village Organisations (VOs) & 5 Mandal Samakyas (MMSs) .

Through its sustained efforts SEDS has made a significant impact on the lives of the people in the area and the local environment. The SEDS slogan “Towards a greener tomorrow” has become a reality.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Tank desilting

In the working area of SEDS the desilting of tanks has been a regular feature in its activities since the early nineties. SEDS took up this pioneering role to help the farmers improve their lands. The buildup of silt in the tanks is a result of water erosion. Every year the monsoons wash away tons of earth silting up the precious water bodies. In our region most of the soil end up in the numerous tanks in the area.

The benefits of tank desilting are twofold. First it increases the water holding capacity of the tanks. Tanks that are heavily silted lose out on a lot of stored water. This water is needed to irrigate the fields of the farmers and a decrease in the holding capacity results in fewer lands being irrigated This means a smaller harvest and a direct reduce in income for the farmer. So by doing the desilting, SEDS is directly contributing to the livelihood of the farmers who live downstream of the tank.

A previously desilted area in Mavatur

Secondly - and the mean reason for desilting - the excavated silt is applied on the fields of the farmers . The silt is much more fertile and has better water retaining capacity than the common red soil on which the farmers cultivate. All this helps in increasing the yield of the farmer.

Silt in the field of a farmer

In Mavatur there was a strong interest of the people to remove silt the tank. SEDS already worked here in 2007/2008. A village meeting was conducted with SEDS and it was decided that digging would take place during the second and third week of May in three different places. 106 people in the area benefitted from the desilting. They divided 2109 tractor loads of silt between them. The local contribution of the community was Rs. 209820, while SEDS contribution was Rs. 195198.

Mavatur tank

Excavating the tank

In Cherukur the tank silt went to the people in Budipalli. 42 people divided 1258 loads of silt. The local contribution of the community was Rs. 130680, and SEDS contribution was Rs. 164136.

Cherukur tank

Demarcation of the site

A Puja before beginning

Work in progress

Silt in the fields
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