1. Creating Land on Water…
Hydroponic Aqua-Farming for Building Capacities towards Climate Resilient Agriculture in Indigenous Smallholders of Indian Eco-Region’
SOUTH ASIAN FORUM FOR ENVIRONMENT
Dr. Dipayan Dey;

2. MAJULI: The Wonder Island
MAJULI DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE (Census 2011)
Particulars
Numbers
% age
Area (Sq Km)
368.57
Total Population
98457
No of Households
19274
SC Population
19793
21%
ST Population
37083
38%

3. The Challenge: Flood, Food, Fragility
38% land is completely submerged & 23% partially submerged by flood waters for 7-8 months in Majuli
77% of agrarian land is inundated by flood waters that compels 2/3rd of the community to temporarily migrate

4. Beneficiaries: Our Challenge Partners

5. Targets: Our Objectives
To enable local capacities in hydroponic farming and aqua-culture as integrated climate adaptive agricultural practice (ICAAP) for flood resilience.
To ensure sustainable livelihood and food security for marginal farmers towards community level disaster preparedness.
To enhance inclusive growth through financial inclusion and market linkage of young farmer’s groups (Joint Liability Groups).

6. The Idea: Our ‘Bong’ Connection
‘Boira’ is an age-old practice of flood resilient farming for food security in Bangladesh. It is also recognized by UNESCO which is presently practiced in deltaic districts of Bangladesh like Barisaal & Khulna

7. Our Innovation: Size, Weight, Capacity

8. First look: How are they like?

9. Hydroponics: Activity Flow-sheet

10. Aquafarming: PEN & CAGE Culture

11. Aqua-farming: Cage Culture of Fish

12. Outputs: 190 Days of a Journey
Number of indigenous villages sensitized: 27
Number of beneficiaries trained: 450
Number of 6-membered JLGs bank linked: 72
Cultivable area in float-farming: (150 X 80 Sq. Ft X 4 cycles) = 1.1 Acre
Waterbody renovated for aquaculture: 0.03 acre cage & 22.5 acre pen
Horticultural products:
INR 86, ($ )
Rice seedlings:
INR 32, ($ )
Fish Pen & Cage:
INR 1,56, ($ )

13. Sustainability Economics
Cost Benefit Statement: Integrated farming in Majuli
Particular
Amount (INR)
Note
Income
Sale of Agro farming Product
115,100.00
Table : P 1
Sale of Hydroponics Product
36,700.00
Table : P 2
Sale of Aqua Farming product
88,000.00
Table : P 3
Sale of Aqua-Farming-Fingerlings
112,000.00
Table : P 4
351,800.00
Expenditure
Cost of Agro farming Production
45,000.00
Table C 1
Cost of Aquafarming Production
20,000.00
Table C 2
Cost of Hydroponics Production
33,333.33
98,333.33
Table C 3
Profit
253,466.67
Income - Expenditure
Less : Reserve (40% of Profit)
101,386.67
Profit X 40%
Profit available for Distribution
152,080.00
Profit -Reserve
Beneficiary Payout/per person per Year
30,416.00
PAFD/5 Persons
Beneficiary Payout/per person per Month
2,534.67
($ 40.00)
Per Year / 12 Months
Income Expenditure Ratio
3.58
Income : Expenditure
Profit on Sale
72%
Income / Expenditure
Sustainability Economics

14. Outcome: Impacts so far…
Mr P G Jha: Deputy Commissioner, Majuli
This is a new technology that has been successfully translated here. I am very hopeful as it has opened a career window for young farmers assuring them employability and livelihood.
Mr A K Pathak: Dist. Agriculture Officer, Majuli
This training and technology can very well provide paddy seedlings for Sali & Boro rice and guaranty post flood food security in Majuli
Mr Jugal Hazarika: Dist. Fisheries Office, Majuli
With cage culture, the fishermen could save the fish fingerlings from flood waters for the first time in Majuli. This technique must be provided to all fishers for community preparedness.
Mr. Bolen Pyen” Mising Farmer, Jomudchuk, Majuli
I have sold only Tangi Nolte and Brahmani for INR per kg and felt so happy that this flood my kids are safe with food and medicine. We did it all by our efforts, with all local stuff….I surprise that why didn’t we do it before?

15. Quo Vadis: A Road-map
Scale-Up
10X Scaling-Up in Majuli with 1600 trays - 10 Acres float-farming area with 5000 farmers, Strengthening local institutions as POs
Scale-Out
Implement the intervention in Eastern India, which is extremely vulnerable too flood, Attracting Climate Funds (AF, GEF, GCF)
Scale-Deep
Adding value chains in production (Organic, Herbal, Nursery) and supply (cold chain, packaging, marking), estimation of carbon advantages, in-situ conservation of biodiversity,

16. We humbly acknowledge GDN to extend support
in bringing this intervention to the global platform.
We heartily acknowledge NABARD to support
the pilot phase of this innovation