Working in rural communities in northern India has many rewards, often it is the appreciation and welcoming spirit that is so difficult to describe unless one experiences it. 

Recently, along with Professor David Coventry from the University of Adelaide, I travelled to northern India, as part of a scheduled project visit, as part of an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project targeting wheat quality improvement at the farm village level. 

Our Indian project partners the Directorate of Wheat Research, Karnal, and the Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar have this season sown an extensive array of wheat quality field trials, and part of our visit was dedicated towards inspecting these trials, and meeting with local village communities. 

In a little over a week, we had travelled over 1700 kilometres, and met with in excess of 800 farmers.

It is the connection with, and discussions with farmers that is perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of the project and the work in India. 

Besides the common connections with cricket, Indian farmers are always keen to learn more about wheat production in Australia, as well as share their experiences and local knowledge.

Caption
Dr Jay Cummins and Professor David Coventry from the University of Adelaide with members of Tigra Village in India.

The following welcome speech by the Tigra Village Progress spokesperson (and English student) Raj Ral, bears testimony to the connective spirit associated with the work we do with Indian farmers and village communities:

“In Indian society guests are treated like Gods, and the host plays the role of worshippers.  So to perpetuate this tradition I roll out the red carpet on behalf of all the proxies of the village.  Sirs we are elated to have you here, we are fortunate to procure a chance of gaining the upper hand through your wisdom and knowledge.  No doubt that farmers over the World are hardworking; they are the breadwinners of each and every society.  It is right that they live in appalling conditions despite their hard work.  But now the wheel of change is moving in their favour, much of it due to the benevolent services and contributions of scientists just like you.  I am quite sure that this forum today will certainly help the hardworking farmers of my village in acquiring good production.  Until now, unless we have the right knowledge and direction in any field we can’t succeed.  We are thankful for you visiting our village and again thankyou.”

Following our discussions and presentations on wheat production, we were each presented with a traditional village turban, which usually is only worn by the respected senior village heads.  A humble and rewarding experience!

Contact: Jay Cummins