11th Shodh Yatra

The Idea of Shodh Yatra- A journey of exploration

Conception of the thought of Shodh Yatra

On 7^th and 8^th March 1998, Jethabhai Gajera of Divrana, organised a meeting of Sodhsankal at Vallabhbhai Sojitra’s orchard at Titodi of Junaghad district. The farmer friends present felt that it was important and necessary to encourage organic farming. Moreover there are many honourable people from nearby villages who have found the solutions of their own problems through their inborn ability and presence of mind. There is no information in the society about such people and their activities. There is a need to contact such honourable people and spread their knowledge to other people through Shodh Yatra (a journey of exploration).

A workshop was held on 29^th March1998 at Ahmedabad on the subject, "How to make interaction between experimenting farmers and Scientists?", under the project, ‘Management of Natural Resources’. This workshop was also attended by the farmers of SRISTI, and Sodhsankal Network. A farmer Gafarbhai Kureshi from Junaghad district, Talala Taluka’s Village Ramdechi (Gir) gave invitation to start the Shodh Yatra from his place. For this purpose many farmers gave different suggestions about how to conduct Shodh Yatra and finally it was decided to start the Shodh Yatra on foot.

Aims of Shodh Yatra

1. To learn about the experiences of the farmers engaged in organic farming and inform other farmers about the same.

2. Encourage the curiosity of the children about variety in organic farming.

3. To meet the people who solve their problems through their presence of mind and inborn ability, store their knowledge and felicitate them.

4. To compile the knowledge, which is fast disappearing and establish a dialogue between the old generation and future generation

SRISTI organises Shodh Yatra twice a year. The Shodh Yatra primarily aims to create awareness among local people about environment and other issues concerning their living environment.

The members meet each one of the farmers/people individually. A report is later prepared collectively based on each person’s experiences. The report is made in Gujarati and English. The Shodh Yatra is conducted through interior villages that are otherwise inaccessible by road. People/villagers are told about activities undertaken by SRISTI. They are asked if they are interested or know of such activities happening in their village thus the Shodh Yatra is an exchange of knowledge, sharing creativity and innovation among the masses, truly a very informal and effective way of communication.

During the Shodh Yatra while travelling from one village to another, we met villagers, farmers and learnt new methods of crop protection, cattle rearing and improved implements which were developed by them. We referred them to the readers of Loksarvani.