Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)

Some of their 2012-13 activities were as follows:

• Water Security: GRAVIS works to install rainwater-harvesting structures using a combination of technical experts and traditional knowledge. Taankas (water tanks) are constructed by farmers in the winter and summer. These structures are 30 feet in radius and have the capacity to store 18,000 to 20,000 litres of water, which is sufficient for a family for 4 to 5 months. This year 5,952 taankas, 253 naadis (ponds) and 563 beris (percolation wells) were constructed. Also, 7,000 families were trained on conservation of water.
• Agriculture, Food Security and Animal Husbandry: GRAVIS helps communities set up khadins (rainwater storage tanks), horticulture units, seed banks, community pasture land and demonstration farms to improve crop growth and production. Till date 4,854 khadins have been constructed. 453 seed banks were set up in villages to store seeds for marginalized farmers and distributed seeds to poor families. Seed selection is done by GRAVIS so the quality of crops can be maintained. Seed banks also serve as a gene bank for rare and indigenous species of food crops to protect biodiversity. 3,534 horticulture units were developed to produce nutritious crops while consuming less water. GRAVIS implements animal husbandry initiatives through trainings and camps on animal health conducted by veterinary doctors on topics such as routine care, common diseases, hygiene, nutrition, and how to maximize milk production, even providing villagers with fodder during drought periods. Animals were vaccinated for protection from monsoon diseases during camps.
• GRAVIS Hospital: Provides advanced professional care to the residents of the Thar, covering a population of 200,000 from 50 villages. It employs 4 full time physicians, 4 specialists and a team of nurses, pharmacists, technicians and ambulance drivers. The hospital has 70 beds, 6 exam rooms, a pathology lab, a delivery room, two operating theatres, an eye-care department, sonography, radiology facilities and a training hall. In 2012-13 GRAVIS reached out to 100 villages around Tinwari village in Rajasthan.

Other Activities:

• Community Pasture Land: To prevent land degradation and soil erosion, farmers are provided training in the best practices for pasture land cultivation. 61 pasture lands were constructed in 2013.
• Demonstration Farms: These farms are used to educate farmers about the sustainable and efficient practices for agriculture. 208 farms have been setup till date.