Operational Research In rainfed Agroecosystem, CRIDA

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Citation: G Ravindra Chary, Sreenath Dixit, SP Surve, SK Sharma, Y Padmalatha, DH Ranade, MS Yadav, Sukhwinder Singh, LK Midha, H Mariraju, DBV Ramana, PK Mishra, BVenkateswarlu and KPRVittal (2009). Operational Research in RainfedAgroecosystem

- Redefiniga

new vision through Action Research. All India Coordinated Research Project for DrylandAgriculture,CRIDA,ICAR,Hyderabad- 500059, India. pages 98

2009

All Rights Reserved

Published by Director, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR), Santoshnagar, Hyderabad - 500059, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Phone Fax Web

040 - 2453 0177 (0), 24532262 040 - 2453 1802 / 2453 0828 http://crida.ernet.in

Printed at: VamsiArt Printers Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, Ph : 040-23311858website:print@vamsi.com

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Operational Research in Rainfed Agroecosystem - Redefiniga new visionthrough ActionRese.arch

G Ravindra Chary, Sreenath Dixit, SP Surve, SKSharma, Y Padmalatha, DH Ranade, MSYadav, Sukhwinder Singh,LKMidha, H Mariraju, DBVRamana, PKMishra, B Venkateswarlu and KPRVittal

짜 ""3r-rI ICAR

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All IndiaCoordinatedResearchProjectfor DrylandAgriculture CentralResearchInstitutefor DrylandAgriculture Hyderabad- 500059,India

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I ContributoLU

All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture Project Coordination Unit G Ravindra Chary, KPR Vittal,

G Subba Reddy, PK Mishra, GR Maruthi

Sankar

Centres and ORPs Anantapur

ORP

Arjia

Y Padmalatha,

K Bhargavi,

G Narayana Swamy

Main Centre

T Yellamanda Reddy, K Veerabhadra Rao, S Vasundhara, Krishna Murthy, B Sahadeva Reddy, M Vijayashankar Babu, John Wesley

ORP

SK Sharma, AK Kothari,

Main Centre

MP Jain, SNSodani, KC Ladha, ML Jat

ORP

Bangalore

RK Sharma

H Mariraju, B Lingappa, P Balkrishna Reddy

Main Centre

MA Sankar, BK Ramachandrappa, IndraKumar, HSShivaramu, Niranjana Murthy

Ballowal-Saunkhri

ORP

Sukhwinder Singh, Parvinder Sheoran, Amit Salaria, GS Dheri

Main Centre

PSSidhu, SCSharma, SSBawa, Satwinder Singh

Hisar

ORP

LK Midha, DS Rana, AC Malik

Main Centre

Milak Raj, RPMor, BSJhorar, IS Yadav,MSSidhpuria,

Indore

ORP

DH Ranade, GS Rawat, MP Chourasia, SK Choudhary,

Ranchi

Solapur

SK Mujalde

Main Centre

MP Jain, SK Sharma, HSThakur, Indu Swaroop, AK Argal, RASharma

ORP

MS Yadav, Nargis Kumari, Mintu Job

Main Centre

DN Singh, DK Rusai, Md Parvaiz Alam, Yogendra Prasad, Shashi Bhushan Kumar

ORP

SP Surve, SB Thorve,

Main Centre

AN Deshpande, JR Kadam, DK Kathmale, BR Najane

SK Upadhya,

DB Bhanavase

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture Sreenath DixitYS Ramakrishana, K Kareemulla,

B Venkateswarlu,

DBV Ramana, AK Mishra,GGSN Rao, GR Korwar, G Pratibha,

K Srinivas Reddy, CA Rama Rao, CH Srinivasa Rao

Technical Assistance Devika, U Kiran, Anuradha, A Girija, RVVSGKRaju, L Sreeramulu

Administrative Assistance Prema Kumari, SR Meena

G Vara Laxmi, B Vijaya Laxmi, MSR Anjaneyulu

II

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Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

'!P ICAR

Hyderabad- 500059

Drl B.Venkateswarlu Director

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Preface

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Concerned bythe wideningproductivity gapbetweenirrigatedandrainfedregionsfollowingthe greenrevolution, the IV FiveYearPlan(1969-74)emphasized theurgentneedtofocusonthehithertoneglectedfarmersoftherainfedregionsto participate meaningfully inthedevelopment process.Thedroughtsof midsixtiescatalyzedtheGovt.to investondryland research significantly.

TheIndianCouncilofAgricultural Research(ICAR)launchedthedrylandresearchprojectastheAll IndiaCoordinated ResearchProjectfor DrylandAgriculture(AICRPDA) in 1970 in collaboration withtheGovernment of CanadathroughCanadianInternational Development Agency(CIDA).AICRPDAstartedwithfewnetworkcentreswith coordinating cellat Hyderabad, AndhraPradesh.In 1985, ProjectDirectorate wasupgradedto thestatusof an institute i.e.Centralinstitutei.e. CentralResearchInstitutefor DrylandAgriculture(CRIDA)at Hyderabad to carryoutbasicand strategicresearchwhilenetworkresearchunderAICRPDAumbrellacontinuedin appliedandadaptiveresearchmode.

Anothersignificantmilestonewasthe startof theOperationalResearchProject(ORP)in 1974-75 byAICRPDAat few centreswithfurtherexpansions in 1976,1980and1984to totalof eightcenters.Theconceptof OperationalResearch Project(ORP)wasatrustedfeedbacktotheresearchsystemonadoptability ofdrylandtechnologies byfarmersasawing to selectedcentreswitha CIDAfinancialsupport.ORPwasrecommended as an integralpartof the existingdryland researchcenterwiththespecificobjectivesof ORPsto test,adoptanddemonstrate the newagricultural technologies on farmers'fieldsinawholevillageor ina clusteroffewcontiguous villages!watershed areas,to identifytheconstraints both technological andsocio-economic whichare barriersto rapidchange;andto demonstrate groupactionas a methodof popularizing modemtechnologies atafasterrate.ORPwithitsfeedbackstrategycanhaveastronginfluence onmaintaining a relevantresearchprogram.

Infuture,nearly45-50%of thetotalcultivableareawill remainraindependent, percapitalandavailability is likelyto go downto lessthan0.5haby2025 resultingin operational holdingsin majorityoftherainfedregionsturninguneconomical.

Further, climatevariabilityandnaturalresourcedegradation issues,needfor increasing water.productivity andsustaining thelivelihoods of the rainfedfarmers,necessitate a paradigmshiftin theapproachof ORPs.Considering theyieldgaps betweenresearchstations,on farmtrialsandfarmerfields,thereis an amplescopefor enhancing theyieldlevelswith appropriate policyandinstitutional support.It requireswell-orchestrated effortsin the researchfrontbackedby sound policiesandenabledinstitutions.

TheORPprogramsshouldbe in closecollaboration withthe respective maincenters, stateline departments,KVKs,ATMANGOsetc.for programmeplanning,implementation, capacitybuildingandin convergence withthe ongoingCentralandStateGovt.schemeslikeNREGS,NHM,ISOPOM,NFSMetc.for upscaling andscalingoutthetestedtechnologies.

Hence,the approachshouldbeParticipatory ActionResearch.

Thispublication on Operational Researchin RainfedAgroecosystem - Redefiniga newvisionthroughActionResearch, whichisanoutcomeof theICARadhocproject,hassucessfully broughtouttheimportance of capacitybuildingof ORPs withapproaches onproblemidentification, development andimplementation ofactionplaninvolvingthe maincentersand primaryandsecondary stakeholders.

I compliment Dr.G. RavindraCharyandallotherassociates fortheirbesteffortsin bringingoutthisusefulpublication.

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(B. Venkateswarlu) III

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~knowledgements

1

'This Pu6rication entideli "'Operationa{ ff(.esearcli in !1(pinfCt! Agroecos!/stem -!l(pfefbrirwa new Wion tlirOtlflIiJUtion!/(/searcli" is an outcome of the M-cess (Project code:3030834026) funded by ICJZ/'1('We tfianl(JC!JI2\.jorfinancia£ support. In this pu6{ication, the roCeof O'1(PsreCevantto the emer;gingneeds and trends in rainfed agricu[ture, by building their capacities through action research with appropriate approaches on pro6{em identification, deve[{;pmentand impamentation of action pran invo[ving the main centers,primary and secondary sta/(f!ioUus, is higfi[ightea.

'We are higfi[y gratefu[ to:

.

'Dr. 9v£angafa'Rgi, Secretary, 'Department of 5'lgricu[tura{ '1(esearch and 'Education and 'Director yenera[ Indian Councu of 5'lgricu[tura[ '1(esearch, ~w 'De{fii.

('D5'l'1('E)

.

'Dr. 5'l.'l( Singh, 'Deputy 'Director yenera[ (:J{'1(9v£), IC.9l!1\,~w

.

'Dr. 5'l.'l( yogoi, 5'lssistant 'Director yenera[ (5'lgronomy), IC.9l!1\,~w

.

'Dr. 'E. 'J/en/(gteswar[u, 'Director, C'1(I'D5'l,'Dr. ~S. '1(ama/(rishna and 'Dr. Jf.P.Singh, former

'De{fii.

'De{fii.

'Directors of C'1(I'D5'l, Jiyderabad.

.

.

'Dr. P.'l( 9v£ishra, Project Coordinator (5'lIC2(P'D5'l)and 'Dr. 'l(P.'l?v 'J/itta[ and 'Dr. y. Subba 2\fddy, former Project Coordinators (5'lIC'1(P'D5'l),Jiyderabad.

.

'Dr. g{'l( Sanghi, former Zona[ Coordinator ('J/), Jiyderabad.

.

5'l[{the Chief scientists, scientists of the main/sub centers and inefiar;gers and scientists of O2(Ps and the scientists from other 5'lIC'R!J>s/S5'l'lls

. . .

'Dr. y.y.s.g{ '1(ao, Project Coordinator (5'lIC'1(P5'l9v£),'Dr. y.'l?v :J(prwar, Jiead ('D'1(9v£),C2(I'D5'l and other scientists from C'RJ'D5'l 'Tfie officiaIs from state ane departments, 'Tfie farmers

fromthe

adopted

'l(J/'1(5, 5'l'I!M52i,:J{yOs, :J{ationa[ 'Ean~ etc.

vi[[ages of the O'R!J>s

J1lutfwrs Jiyderabad

IV

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CContents.=J

1

Introduction

1-3

2

Study Area

4-8

3

The Process

9 - 44

3.1

Sensitization Phase

9 - 10

3.2

Consultation and Modification Phase

11-12

3.3

Capacity Building Phase

12 - 17

3.4

Action Research Phase

17 - 35

3.5

Evaluation Phase

36 - 44

4.0

Summary

45 - 46

References

47 - 48

Annexures

49 - 98

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1.0. Introduction India

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Rainfed Agriculture

Scenario

Rainfed agriculture in India is where crop production is totally dependent upon rainfall with annual rainfall ranging from below 300 mm to above 2000 mm. Rainfed regions account for 60 per cent (85 M ha) of net cultivated area covering most of the agroclimatic zones in the country.

Rainfed agriculture plays a crucial role in country's economy by producing 91, 90, 80 and 65 per cent of coarse cereals, pulses, oilseeds and cotton, respectively; contributing to 44 per cent of the food grain production, supports two thirds of lives took population and influencing the livelihoods of 80 per cent of small and marginal farmers (CRIDAVision 2025, 2007). The productivity gains achieved during green revolution in irrigated areas have bypassed rainfed regions. Even if full irrigation potential of the country is achieved due to poor irrigation water utilization efficiency (76 per cent) about 75 m ha will still remain as rainfed and would continue to be a major food grain production domain. At the current rate of demographic expansion the per capita land availability is likely to go down to less than 0.5 ha by 2025. This may result in operational holdings in majority of the arid, semi-arid and sub-humid regions turning uneconomical. Thus, forcing a large number of small and marginal farmers out of farming, their only means of livelihood. It is hard to predict at this juncture the consequence of such a large-scale migration of people out of farming and without any alternate skills for earning livelihood. This will have serious implications on social and economic fronts both in rural and urban environments. In order to meet the growing food grain demand it is desired to attain from drylands an average of 2 tlha food grains from the prevailing level of less than 0.1 tlha by the year 2010. But the goal is not easy to achieve keeping in view substantial decrease in growth of production of coarse cereals, oilseed, and pulses noticed in rainfed areas since the mid-1990. Unless substantial gains are realized in productivity and profitability of rainfed crops, the present scenario will not change much (Kerr et aI, 1999). However, considering the yield gaps between research stations, on farm trials and farmer fields there is ample scope for enhancing the yield levels with appropriate policy and institutional support. A paradigm shift is observed in cropping patterns mainly due to profitability rather than productivity. Ingenuity in conservation and use of rainwater, the basic resource, is a driving force for enhanced productivity of crops and livestock in rainfed regions. Besides land degradation rainfed agriculture is faced another impending problem - climate change (Kulkhetra, 1991; IPCC, 2007; Lal et aI., 2001; Prabhakar, 2008; Ravindra Chary et aI, 2008 ). Further, to minimize the risk in rainfed agriculture, well -orchestrated efforts are needed in the research front backed by tested technology transfer models and approaches (Jiggins, 1989; Robert Chambers, 1991; Rhoades, 1990; Fletcher, 1991; sound policies (Gupta, 1991; Jodha, 1989), able institutions (Mathur and Sinha, 1991; Kalra,1991)) and effecive linkages (Singh et aI., 1991)

Operational Research Project (ORP) in All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture: Background Concerned by the widening productivity gap between irrigated and rainfed regions following the green revolution, the IV Five Year Plan (1969-74) specifically emphasized the urgent need focus on the hitherto neglected farmers of the rainfed regions to participate meaningfully in the agricultural development process. The droughts of mid sixties catalyzed the Govt. to invest on dryland research significantly. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the dryland

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research project as the All India Coordinated ReINDIA search Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) in 1970 in collaboration with the Government of Canada through Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).AICRPDAstarted with few network centres with coordinating cell at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. In 1984, the Project Directorate was upgraded to the status of a Central institute viz. Central Research Institute for Dry."""",'" land Agriculture (CRIDA)at Hyderabad to carry out R ~ ::::.::::::.~,,~.."""'" basic and strategic research while network rer * w~"m' ~~", ,,~, .c . . search continued under AICRPDA umbrella in ap.'. c""~,,.oooooo"".. plied and adaptive research mode (Vittal et al, ~ ::::::.:".':~o:o"" -"'"'",,"',,, 2003). At present, AICRPDA has 25 centers located in 15 states with one of the mandates of the centers is to evaluate and study transferability of improved dryland technology to farmers' fields.

LOCATION OF AICRPDA CENTRES

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MAP NOTTO

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Another significant milestone was the start of the Operational Research Project (ORP)in 1974- 75

by All India Coordinated Research Project for DrylandAgriculture (AICRPDA) at few centres with further expansions in 1976, 1980 and 1984 to total of eight centers. The concept of Operational Research Project (ORP)was a trusted feedback to the research system on adoptability of dryland technologiesby farmers as a wingto selected centres with a CIDAfinancial support. ORPwas recommended as an integral part of the existing dryland research center. The centre for ensuring continued research support and feedback to the Dryland centre administers it. Hence, the staff provided to ORPwas minimal. There has been no attempt to provide staff with specialization in any particular discipline, as farmers expected to carry'}' out our recommendations without relying on "expert". A feedback from Traveling Seminar Participants (AICRPDA,1984) revealed that emphasis should be on the need for treating the technology transfer objective of the Dryland Project as an integral part of the research program. In fact, the entire dryland project is based on the assumption that research will be transferable to dryland farmers. ORP with its feedback strategy can have a strong influence on maintaining a relevant research program. The research and transfer program then must be integrally linked. The transfer programs must be rigorous in their observations, analysis and reporting because, if they lack required rigor, the scientific validity of the total program will suffer. Thus, "Research in Operational Research". The specific objectives of ORPsare to test, adopt and demonstrate the new agricultural technologies on farmers' fields in a whole village or in a cluster of few contiguous villages/ watershed areas: to determine the profitability of the new technologies and their pace or spread among the farmers; to identify the constraints both technological and socio-economic which are barriers to rapid change; and to demonstrate group action as a method of popularizing modem technologies at a faster rate (Prasad and Byra Reddy, 1991).Successive Quinquennial ReviewTeams (QRTReports 1990, 1996 and 2001) appreciated the role of ORPsin rapid transfer of technologies by improving the research output through appropriate feedback. The approach of ORPsto local problems is by and large in a demonstrationmodewith emphasison improvingcrop productivity,thus focus is commodityoriented while their need of the hour is Farming Systems oriented. Similarly the processes adopted by ORPs have yet to tap the fullest potential of participative methods of research and extension. To this extent the approaches have been more or less top-down. The QRTshave recommended the ORPs to work on diversification of rainfed agriculture besides conducting participatory on-farm research on a watershed basis. The review teams have also emphasized on trials of soil and water conservation and groundwater recharge in ORPvillages. The literature pertaining to ORPsin dryland areas is by and large confined to impact studies (AICRPDAAnnual Reports, 2003). The missing link is the information on the role of ORPsin the changing scenario particularly in projects like 2

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TechnologyAssessment and Refinement through Institute - Village Linkage Programme (NATPICAR,1999-2005)that has a mandate to assess and refine the technologies.

The emerging issues/needs vis-a vis role of ORPs

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Rainfed regions are characterized by diverse agro-topoclimates (arid, semiarid, subhumid and perhumid) and production systems, drought prone, fragile soil-landscape continuum with poor soil and land quality, scarcity of water (surface, subsurface and groundwater) and resource poor socioeconomic settings. The growth rate in rainfed regions was high before 1990s while it witnessed negative or zero rate during 1995 to 2005. There is a general consensus that since opportunities for further agricultural growth in irrigated regions is less, the only option left is to produce more from rainfed regions in order to realize 3 to 4 per cent growth rate per annum from agriculture sector as envisaged in XIPlan (Vision2025 - CRIDA,2007). This demands more focus on enhanced utilization of natural, material, human and financial resources in rainfed agriculture.

Toachievethis, the approachshouldbe a paradigmshift from "Input and Policy centric" during green revolution to the present Resource Management and Policy Centric".

The research under AICRPDA networkcenters has been focusingto address the locationspecific problems considering agroecological characteristics, predominant rainfed production systems and socioeconomic settings with specific emphasis was on soil conservation and rainwater management, evaluation of crops/varieties, cropping/farming systems and contingency planning, integrated nutrient management, tillage and farm machinery and alternate land use systems. In the last few years, more focus was given on cropping/farming systems, tillage and integrated nutrient management, alternate land use systems for diversification and efficient implements on a template of resource management particularly rainwater management.

Addressingnatural resource management issues vis-a vis the twin problems of climate change and land degradation in rain fed agriculture is need of the hour. Emerging modern tools like remote sensing, GISand Information Communication Technologies (ICTs)and appropriate changes in policiesgoverningpricingand export of agriculturalcommoditiesneed to be pursuedrigorously.Such initiatives call for taking a close look at the situation and making required structural adjustments so as to evolve processes to enhance the effectiveness of ORPas an institution. This requires an understanding of the prevailing perceptions of ORPby different stakeholders. Creation of awareness among them about the need for a change and development of their capacity for change management.In other words, it is necessaryto make sure the relevanceof ORPsin these areas and to prepare them to take on the challenges in the changed local and global scenario. This necessitated studying on the content and approach of the ORPsso that the livelihood issues are addressed in a holistic manner while dealing with natural resource management options in rainfed agro ecosystem. Adopting a more participative research and extension agenda will help address and integrate livelihood issues with natural resource management in this fragile agro ecosystem.

Action Research Action research is a group of research methodologies that pursue action (or change) and research (or understanding) at the same time. In most of its forms it does this by using a cyclic or spiral process and alternates between action and critical reflection and in the later cycles it continuously refines the methods of data collection and interpretation in the light of the understanding the developed one in the earlier cycles. It is thus an emergent process, as it increases the understanding and an iterative process, as it converges towards better understanding of what happens.

In most of its forms it is participative and qualitative. In view of this, the present study was initiated with the objectives i) to redefine the concept of ORPin the changing scenario of rain fed Agriculture; ii) to build the capacity of ORPfor meeting the changing needs of integrating NRM research and livelihood issues and iii) to institutionalize a process to enhance the effectiveness of ORP. 3

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2.0. Study Area All India Coordinated Research Project for DrylandAgriculture (AICRPDA) Unit, CRIDA,Hyderabad and 8 ORPs under All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture Network viz., Anantapur (ANGRAU),Andhra Pradesh; Arjia (MPUA&T),Rajasthan; BallowalSaunkhri (PAU),Punjab; Bangalore (UAS), Karnataka; Hisar (CCSHAU), Haryana;

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Indore (RVSKW), Madhya Pradesh; Ranchi

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(BAU), Jharkhand; and Solapur (MPKV, Maharashtra. The location map of the ORP .~ Centers is given in fig.1 The Agroecological '~ *_e setting of the ORPswith the details of the major rainfed production system in which they are located, their location in the SoIopw Agroclimatic regions(ACRs)identified by r' the Planning Commission, in the .'

Agroclimatic Zones(ACZs)in NARPset up and AgroecologicalSubregions (AESRs)delineated by National Bureauof SoilSurvey& Land Use Planning (ICAR)are given below.

Fig. 1. The location map of the ORP Centers

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Agroecological Setting of the ORP Centres in AICRPDANetwork

2.1. ORPCentre, Anantapur Major Production System: Rainfed Groundnut based Production System Agro Climatic Region: Southern Plateau and Hills Region (ACRNo-X) Agroclimatic Zone: Scarce Rainfall Zone of Rayalaseema, Andhra Pradesh Agroecological Subregion: Karnataka Plateau including (Rayalaseema), hot arid eco-subregion with deeploamyandclayeymixed red and black soils,lowto medium AvailableWater Capacity and Length of Growing period 90-120 days (AESR-3).

State of soil degradation: Water erosion with moderate loss

of top soil, affecting51 - 100%area; highseverity.

Climate and soil parameters: Arid (hot) Potential evapotranspiration:641mm;Rainfall: 390mm; Soilreaction:Normal;Electrical Conductivity:Suitable; Organic Carbon: Low; Phosphate : Medium;Potash: Very low; Deficientnutrients: Zinc Recommendation Domain: Kurnool,Anantapur, (except south-

MAPNOTTOSCALE

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eastern part), western part of Prakasam, ~ourthem ~rt of Mat\a~%Qf Q~G~~ parts of Kadapa covering Scarce rainfall zone (Rayalaseema) of Andhra Pradesh.

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2.2. ORPCentre, Arjia MajorProductionSystem: RainfedMaizebased ProductionSystem AgroClimaticRegion:Central Plateau and HillsRegion(ACRNo-VIII) Agroclimatic Zone: Southern Plain Zone in Rajasthan Agroecological Subregion:Agro -eco-sub-region: Northern Plain (and Central Highlands)including Aravalis,hot semi arid eco-region: North Gujarat Plain (inclusionof Aravallirange and east Rajasthan Uplands), hot dry semi arid eco-sub region with deep loamy gray brown and alluvium-derived soils, medium available water capacity and length of growing period90-120days (AESRNo.4.2)

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State of soil degradation: Water erosion with moderate loss of top soil, affecting 51 - 100 %area; high severity.

Climate and soil parameters: Semi Arid (hot dry) Potential evapotranspiration: 1681mm;Rainfall: 307 mm; Soil reaction: Suitable; Electrical Conductivity: Normal; Organic Carbon: Low; Phosphate: Lowto medium; Potash: High.

Recommendation Domain: Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Banswara, Dungarpur, Rajsamand and parts of Ajmer.

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MAP NOTTO SCALE

2.3. ORPCentre, Ballowal - Saunkhri MajorProduction System: RainfedMaizebased ProductionSystem AgroClimaticRegion:TransGangeticPlainsRegion(ACRNoNI) Agro Climatic Zone: Undulating Plain Zone in Punjab Agroecological Subregion: Western Plain, Kachchh, and part of Kathiawar peninsula, hot arid eco-region: Punjab and Rohikhand plains, hot dry/moist sub-humid transitional eco-subregion with deep, loamy to clayey alluvium-derived (including saline and sodic phases) soils, medium available water capacity and length of growing period 120-150 days (Agro-eco-sub-region9.1) State of soil degradation: Water erosion with slight loss of top soil, affecting 11-25 %area; low severity, slight chemical deterioration due to salinization affecting 6-10%area: low severity; and slight physical deterioraA tion due to water-logging, affecting 6-10%area; low severity.

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HOSHIARPU

Climate and soil parameters: Sub humid (hot dry) Potential evapotranspiration: 739 mm;Rainfall : 750 mm;Soil reaction: Suitable; Electrical Conductivity: Normal;OrganicCarbon: Low; Phosphate: Medium; Potash: Medium.

Recommendation Domain: Hoshiarpur, Nawanshar, Gurdaspur, Roopnagar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar in Kandi region of Punjab.

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2. 4. ORP Centre, Bangalore MajorProduction System: RainfedFingermilletbased ProductionSystem AgroClimaticRegion:SouthernPlateau and HillsRegion(ACRNo-X) Agroclimatic Zone: Eastern Dry Zone in Karnataka Agroecological Subregion: Eastern Ghats and Tamil Nadu Uplands and Deccan (Karnataka) plateau, hot semi arid eco-region): Central Karnataka Plateau, hot moist semi arid eco-sub region with medium to deep red loamy soils, low available water capacity and length of growing period 120-150days (AESR8.2) State of soil degradation: Water erosion with slight loss of top soil, severity, slight chemical deterioration due to salinization affecting 6-10%area: low severity; and slight physical deterioration due to water-logging, affecting 6-10%area; low severity.

Climate and soil parameters: Semi Arid (hot moist) Potential evapotranspiration:503 mm;Rainfall: 628 mm; Soil reaction: Acidic;Electrical Conductivity: Normal; Organic Carbon Medium; Phosphate: Low ;Potash : Low; Deficient nutrients: Sulphur, Calcium, Zinc, Boron, Molybdenum.

affecting 11-25 %area; low

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Recommendation Domain: Tumkur, Bangalore (Rural & Urban Districts), Kolar, Chitradurga, Mysore and Mandya districts of Cenral, eastern and southern dry zone of Karnataka.

MAPNOTTO SCALE

2. 5. ORPCentre, Hisar MajorProduction System: RainfedPearlmillet based ProductionSystem Agro Climatic Region: Trans Gangetic Plains Region (ACRNo-VI) Agroclimatic Zone: Southwestern dry zone in Haryana Agroecological Subregion: Western Plain, Kachchhand part of Kathiawar peninsula, hot arid ecoregion: Rajasthan Bagar, north Gujarat Plain and south-western Punjab plain, hot typic-arid ecosubregion with deep; loamy desert soils (Inclusion of saline phase), low available water capacity and length of growing period 60-90 days(AESR2.3).

State of soil degradation: Wind erosion moderate loss of top soil, affecting 26-50 %area; high severity; and moderate chemical deterioration affecting 26-50%area: high severity.

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Climate and soil parameters: Arid(hyper) Potential evapotranspiration: 769 mm;Rainfall: 185 mm; Soil reaction: Normal; Electrical Conductivity: Suitable; Organic Carbon: Low; Phosphate: Medium;Potash:Medium.

Recommendation Domain: Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Mahendragath, Rewari and Gurgaon districts in Southwestern dry zone of Haryana.

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Map Not to Scale

2. 6. ORPCentre, Indore MajorProduction System: RainfedSoybeanbased ProductionSystem AgroClimatic Region: Western Plateau and Hills Region (ACRNo-IX) Agroclimatic Zone: Malwa Plateau Zone in Madhya Pradesh Agroecological Subregion: Central Highlands (Malwa) Gujarat plain Kathiawar peninsula semi arid eco-region: Central Kathiawar peninsula, hot dry semi arid eco-sub region with shallow and mediumloamyto clayey black soils (deep black soils), mediumAvailableWater capacity and length of growing period 90-120 days (AESR5.2).

State of soil degradation: Water erosion with moderate loss of top soil, affecting 51-100 %area; high severity to stable terrain showingwater erosion with slight low of top soil, affecting 2650%area; low severity.

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Climate and soil parameters: Semi Arid (hot moist) Potential

evapotranspiration:616mm;Rainfa1l642 mm;Soilreaction:Suit- IIMANDSAUR able; Electrical Conductivity: Normal; Organic Carbon Phosphate: High; Potash: High.

Low;

Recommendation Domain: Indore, Dhar,Ujjain, Dewas, Ratlam, Rajgarh, Mandsaur, Jhabua, Sehore and Shajapur districts in Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh

"'" ""

10 SCALE

2.7. ORP Centre, Ranchi Major Production System: Rainfed Rice based Production System AgroClimatic Region: Eastern Plateau and Hills Region(ACRNo-VII) Agroclimatic Zone: Western Plateau Zone in Jharkhand Agroecological Subregion: Eastern Plateau (Chotabagpur) and Eastern Ghats, hot sub-humid ecoregion Chhotanagpur Plateau and Gujarat Hills, hot dry-sub-humid eco-sub region with moderately deep to loamy to clayey red and lateritic soils, medium available water capacity and length of growing period of 150JHARKHAND 180days (AESR:4.1).

State of soil degradation: Water erosion with moderate loss of topsoil, affecting 51-100 %area; high severity.

Climate and soil parameters: Semi Arid (hot dry) Potential evapotranspiration:455 mm; Rainfall 1485 mm; Soil reaction: Acidic; Electrical Conductivity: Normal; Organic Carbon: Low; Phosphate: Medium ;Potash: Medium.

Recommendation Domain: Entire Jharkhand State

MAP NOT TO SCALE

7

~

2.8. ORP Centre, Solapur MajorProduction System: Rainfedrob; Sorghumbased ProductionSystem AgroClimaticRegion:WesternPlateau and HillsRegion(ACRNo-IX) Agroclimatic Zone: Scarcity Zone in Maharashtra Agroecological Subregion: Deccan Plateau, semi arid eco-region: South Western Maharashtra and North Karnataka Plateau, hot dry semi arid eco-subregion with shallow and medium loamy black soils), medium to high available water capacity and length of growingperiod 90-120days (AESR6.1) State of soil degradation: Water erosion with moderate loss of topsoil, affecting 51-100 %area; high severity.

Climate and soil parameters: Semi Arid (hot dry) Potential evapotranspiration: 589 mm; Rainfall: 645 mm; Soil reaction: Alkaline; Electrical Conductivity: Normal; OrganicCarbon: Low: Phosphate: Low to medium; Potash: Medium to high.

Recommendation Domain: Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Mahendragath, Rewari and Gurgaon districts in Southwestern dry zone of Haryana.

8

MAP rorID

SCALE

3.0. The Process Thissection describes the method adopted in the process of capacity building. This was a carefully planned participatory study to realize the set objectives. The entire process was divided in to four phases viz. Sensitization phase, consultation and modification phase, action research phase and evaluation phase.

3.1. Sensitization Phase Aformat when designed to elicit response from ORPscientists on the need to add value in terms of content and capacity to the ORPs. Once the feedbackwas obtained through structured questionaire, and Sensitization Workshop sensitization workshop was organized for ORP scien20" October 2005, CRIDA tists. Participants represented al the 8 ORPcentres and respective main centres and CRIDA Abriefsummaryof the initial feedback( details aregiven Annexure 1) obtained during the Sensitization Workshop is given below.

Technical issues

.

..

.. . .. . . .

Re-mandating ORPs

111m

1M I!fI

ORP- Main centers should study a realistic flexible research progrmme with simultaneous training process PRAactivities for on-farm Research, resource mapping for efficient land use Getting a 500 ha & 50 farmers difficult to take up ORPactivities Agroforestry, horticulture, livestock, silvipasture, medicinal and aromatic plants, value addition, post harvest technologies, feed& fodder for livestock Creation of additional income from non-agricultural activities Effective use of ICTtools like TV,radio, computer and AVaids Emphasis on NRMactivities like rainwater harvesting and soil and water conservation Evaluate whether technologies in ORPareas sustain in village after 'exit'?

Reexamine the "Free inputs concept" Involve farmers/stakeholders in consultation and modification phase address issues of migration Land Use Planning based on soil-site suitability ORPsshould take up seed village programme

9 ..

I Financial issues .

Needadditional fundsfor all the above More funds for

.

.

'hardware' work on large scale

A one time grant for technology generation and verification Flexibility in financial matters

Infrastructure issues Modernlab facilities .

.

Provision of custom hiring ORPareas should have marketing and well connected for mobility

Policy issues

. . . . . . . . . .

So far scattered input use in ORPs,hence, pool up inputs suiting 10-20 demonstration Address role of women in agriculture Address sociological consequences of ORPs Contractual service/Consultancy in expert areas and or on Honorarium basis (Mitra Kisan) Develop farmers groups akin to DWRCRA-group/Self Help Groups Need to address IPRand ITKs issues vis-a-vis WTO. Emphasis on technologies rather than free inputs

Encourage cooperative farming limiting to 2-3 crops Emphasis on Farmers Field Schools

HRD Brain storming sessions for ORPScientists once in six months Capacity building of ORPscientists31 key and theme areas

Institutional

issues

ORPlocation ideal vis- a -vis urbanization and industrialization

. .

.

.

10

~

Key dissemination Linkage between ORPand AICRPDAfor sharing scientific/technical & other resources ORPactivities should be on "Whole village" approach Strengthening

Scientific/Technical

Staff

Faculties/disciplines of agriculture, horticulture, animal sciences, fisheries, home sciences, agroforestry, small entrepreneurships, etc.

Need adequate technical staff

3.2. Consultation and Modification Phase Following the Sensitization Phase, a Two Day Technical Workshop was organized to discuss with ORPtechnical programme with the scientists from main center, ORP Techri,,", .., lm-ow.ili'oP and CRIDA.An Expert facilitated this workshop focusing on amend- 1,,1 ments to the present ORPprogrammes to keeping in view challenges .1" ~"::::"-=faced by rainfed agriculture.

,...--

Participants ORPScientists, Chief Scientists of respective main centers, Project Coordinators of AICRPDA and All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology (AICRPAM), Heads of Divisions, CRIDAand select scientists of CRIDA Objectives of the Workshop

. . .

Toget the participantsto appreciate the vital linkbetween the AICRPDA center and the ORPattached to it, To inculcate a new line of thinking for enhancing the effectiveness of ORP,and To modify technical program with more emphasis on NRMissues to enhance livelihoods of and marginal farmers

Methodology The workshop adopted an 'open agenda' for guiding deliberations and allowed the methodology to evolve as it proceeded depending on the needs of the participants. Group discussions and brainstorming formed the core methods of facilitation and experts were invited to present their work when participants demanded more clarity. A presentation by expert facilitator on "Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture', set the stage for further discussions. The participants subjected the ideas thrown up in his presentation to critical assessment. New ideas such as integration of natural resource management (NRM)for better rural livelihoods and institutional innovation for supportingtechnologyadoption were reinforced by presentations of CRIDAScientists. Important amongthose were CRIDA's experiencesin DFIDfunded project on Livelihoodimprovementthrough better NRM,Crop-crop diversity as key component of IPMfor dryland crop pests, Impact assessment of IPMtechnology, Evaluation of Participatory Regenerative Agricultural Technologywith low external inputs, and Integration of livestock in watersheds for sustainable livelihoods of poor.

Central to these deliberations was a session on Re-mandating the ORP in Rainfed Agriculture whichenlightenedthe participantson the need to give more emphasison research towards support systemsthat aid adoptionand diffusionof rainfed agriculturaltechnologies.Roleof community-based organizations (CBOs),self help groups (SHGs),village organizations (VOs)and Panchayat raj institutions (PRls)and working in close association with these organizations in enhancing the capacities of ORPswas discussed at length.

Outcome The outcomes of the workshop are presented in relation to the objectives set out for the workshop.

Link between the AICRPDA center and the ORP

.

11

Expert facilitator took the participants through the initial phases of development of ORP as a concept and emphasized that the ORP's mandate to playa vital role in facilitating technology development, adoption and diffusion processes was as relevant today as it was envisaged during its inception.Hencethe linkagebetween ORPsand AICRPDA centers was veryvital and needed to be preserved and nurtured. Both ORP and main centers were requested to adopt more professional ways to work and develop an environment where both ORPand main centrecould play roles that can compliment to one another's objectives, but not competitive ones.

.

Enhancing the effectiveness of ORP

The effectivenessof ORPdependson its ability to facilitate technologyadoption amongits target farmers. It is also determined by considering whether such technologies diffuse beyond target farmers, i.e., other farmers in the ORPvillage or farmers in the surrounding non-ORPvillages. The Expert facilitator helped the participants to evolve a simple method to assess the adoption and diffusionand suggestedwaysto communicatefeedback about rejected technologiesto AICRPDA scientists by organizing farmer-scientist workshops. Atemplate was developed in which the ORP scientists entered the details of technology adoption and diffusion pertaining to their centre to gain clarity.

.

Integration of NRM and livelihood issues rainfed agro eco system

Participantsappreciated the shift from conventionalresearch mode to farmingsystems research mode linkingNRMissues with farming systems components particularly the vital role of livestockcattle, small ruminants, or poultry birds- in the rainfed agriculture as are necessary to bring in the necessary diversity and reduce risk. The ORPsagreed to include at least one intervention pertaining to livestock in their technical programme next year.

Feedback Both ORPscientists and Chief Scientists of main centers better appreciated the linkage as envisaged in the ORPconcept. "We are now in a better position to appreciate each other's role" said a ChiefScientist. "Ourjob is to convey to AICRPDA scientists what worksand what doesn't, this workshop has given us important tips how we can achieve this without actually causing displeasure to anyone" said an ORPScientist.

New issues for strengthening ORP content such as integration of natural resource management (NRM)for better rural livelihoods and institutional innovation for supporting technology adoption were welcomedbythe participants. Theyappreciatedthe needfor improvingthe capacityof ORP to increase its effectiveness. "It is a very good step to include in the technical programme one intervention on livestock," agreed the ORPscientists.

3.3. Capacity building Phase In this phase it was proposed to put the selected ORP scientists on a continuous learning and capacity building module. There were periodical interactions and workshops for required attitudinal and behavioural changes besides the skills required to arrive at participative research and extension plan.

During the second year, capacity building and action research phases were taken up simultaneously. A One Day Brainstorming session was organized (9 July 2006) at CRIDA. Expert facilitator, Project Coordinator (AICRPDA)and scientists from CRIDAparticipated. The discussion

12

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to

cont;nue

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bu;j.c:jjng

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b",,,,,,,d

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initial progress made during the first year. First to understand the technology adoption and diffusion process in ORPs,it was felt necessary to obtain information on various technologies that are adopted both by ORPfarmers and other farmers (Category -I); technologies that are adopted by ORPfarmers and not by other farmers (Category -II) and technologies that are not adopted byeither

ORP farmers or by other farmers (Category-III)

. Category

I Technologies for Participa-

tory Extension Plan and for Category II and IIItechnologies for Participatory Research Plan and Institutional analysis.

In continuation to the Sensitization Phase and Consultation and Modification Phase during the first year, it was felt that the effectiveness of ORPsdepends on several factors to facilitate technology adoption amongst the farmers. It was also determined by considering whether such technologies diffused beyond target farmers i.e., other farmers in the ORPvillages or farmers in the surrounding non-ORP villages. For explicit information on this, the details on technology adoption and diffusion under three categories from the 8 ORPswere given. In this phase, as suggested by the reviewers views, one ORPi.e., Hanjagi, Solapur was selected for action research.

The scientists from the ORPswere continuously under interaction with the project team for the following purposes.

I. Modification of the technical content of the ongoing programme II. Emphasizing both exogenous and endogenous knowledge bases III. Extension management or local extension management by locally existing Community BasedOrganizations (CBOs/SelfHelpGroups (SHGs)/VillageOrganizations (VOs)/Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRls).

IV. Evolvingand building the Support Systems through participatory research plan to fill the gap in technology adoption. For this, much of the external assistance will be through financial arrangements like revolving funds etc.

V. Enhancing the level of diversification at family level The characteristics of agricultural technologies and techniques to be diffused affect adoption (Napier,1990;Pearce et aI, 1990;Thomaset aI, 1990). Similarly,socioeconomiccharacteristics (ICAR,1988) (Grewal and Joshi, 1991), cultural definitions (Rogers, 1983), institutional constraints (Napier, 1991) and lack of appropriate training strategies (Chowdhary, 1991; Kidd, 1991) are the other factors that affect upscaling of technology.

In order to evolve new paradigm of policy research beyond technical research, analysis of technology adoption, diffusion scenario, upscaling of successful technologies etc., were needed (Ravindra Chary et aI, 2006). Tofulfill these envisaged activities, the following information was sought from the ORPscientists For Participatory Extension Plan Relevant in case of Category-I technologies (Technologies that are adopted by ORPfarmers and diffused to other farmers): This requires analysis o( the technologies including those from other sources for upscaling. Information was sought on: successful technologies in ORPthat are originated form AICRPDA Main Centre and from other source (non-AICRPDA source), successful technologies and the technologies that include one each from AICRPDA and non-AICRPDA sources with particular emphasis on natural resource management (NRM).

For Participatory Research Plan Relevant in case of Category-II (Technologiesthat are adopted by ORPfarmers but not diffused to

others farmers)and Category- III(Technologiesthat are not adopted either by ORPfarmers or by 13

1-

others);ScientistsfromAICRPDAMain Centre analysed the reasons for non-adoption by personal interview or group discussion for a particular technology with the farmers in the ORPvillage and obtained details. For this, information was sought for all the technologies tried in ORP. Besides this, analysis of existing village based institution analysis was also done to gain an understanding about the roles they could play in technology diffusion.

The details of the responses on the technologies for participatory research and extension plans from 8 ORPsis given in Annexure II. The summary of the feedback is presented below.

Participatory Extension Plan Category I - Technologies adopted by ORPfarmers and diffused to others ORP

IMC

RWM

Varie

+Practi

ties

ces

1

2

CS

FM

INM

WM

ALU

Total

1 -

-

1

-

11

2

3 -

2 -

-

-

-

2

1

3

",

Ananthapur

3

Arjia

3

1 -

15

7

5 -

Bangalore B.Saunkhri

3

-

4

-

14

Hisar

1

2

8

2 -

1

3

4

-

1

3

Indore

2

2

Ranchi

2

1

30

-

Solapur Total

1

1

6

-

1 -

19

7

85

11

8

IMC: In situ moisture Farm

conservation;

machinery;INM-Integrated

Participatory

RWM-Rainwater

nutrient

Research

management;

management; WM

21

2

1 -

1

1

2

19

1

1 -

15

5

1 -

40

3

1

-

12

18

9

4

166

practices-time

- Weed

20

1 5

28

of sowing; CS- Cropping systems;

management;

ALU- Alternate

Land

FM-

Use Systems

Plan

Category II - Technologies adopted by ORP farmers and not diffused to others ORP Ananthapur

Arjia

IMC

RWM

FM

WM

ALU

Total

3

-

-

-

1 -

1 -

1 -

4

-

-

-

1

1

-

4 2 -

1

+Practices

($

1 -

3

Bangalore B.Saunkhri Hisar

-

Indore

-

-

-

-

1 -

Ranchi

1

-

-

-

1

2

Solapur Total

1

1

-

1

-

1

4

6

2

1

2

1

4

20

3 1

4

IMC: In situ moisture conservation; machinery;INM-Integrated

-

nutrient

RWM-Rainwater management;

management;

practices-time

WM - Weed management;

of sowing; CS- Cropping systems;

ALU- Alternate

FM- Farm

Land Use Systems

14

dJ

'"""'-

JIIn"""AIo1If!!:""-

~

Category III - Technologies not adopted by ORPfarmers or by others IMC +Practlces ORP RWM VarietIes CS FM INM 1

Ananthapur 1

Arjia

3

Bangalore

2

B.Saunkhri

2

Hisar

1

3

2

1

1

1 1

Ranchi

1

1

2

1

Solapur

1

3

4

1

9

11

7

3

5

Total

1

2 11

1 1

5 5

1

1

1

FS

2

1

Indore

Total

ALU

3 1

1

3

1

1

7

2

11

2

7

2

47

IMC: In situ moisture conservation; RWM-Rainwater management; practices-time of sowing; CS- Cropping systems; FM- Farm machinery; INM-Integrated nutrient management; ALU- Alternate Land Use Systems; FS - farming Systems

Analysis of technologies

I I

Analysis of the various categories of technologies under different themes for support systems is presented below.

.

Category I technologies generally need little or no support for adoption by ORPand other farmers. They are essentially those that are ready for large scale up scaling. However,the process of up scaling them may offer important learnings relevant to institutions and policies that may be of value for dealing with category II and IIItechnologies. Examining the kind of support required for encouraging large scale up scaling of Category Itechnologies will help formulate research on support systems.

.

The reasons for non adoption of technologies in Category II & IIIwere analyzed with respect to the support system in terms of research, institutions and policies. A production system-wise classification of such technologies is presented in the followingmatrices.

Category II Technologies Theme Institutional IMC

RWM

Varietie s

Groundnut based Rice based Rabi sorghum based Maize based Pearl millet based Fingermillet based Soybean based Groundnut based Rice based Rabi sorghum based Soybean based Rice based Rabi sorghum based Groundnut based Fingermillet based

Policy

Support System Research Refinement

Others New Initiative

--

_n

n-

nn

n_n

Pearlmillet based

Maize based Pearlmillet based

nn-

Pearl millet based Rice based

Soybean based Rice based Rabi sorghum based Groundnut based Maize based Fingermillet based

Soybean based Rice based Rabi sorghum based Groundnut based Soybean based Rabi sorghum based Groundnut based Maize based Pearlmillet based

15

..-

;0=

=

""""""'"

Rice based Rabi sorghum based

Maize based

Rabi sorghum based

Maize based

_n

Groundnut based Rice based Rabi sorghum based Maize based Pearl millet based Fingermillet based Soybean based Soybean based

Maize based

Groundnut based Rice based Rabi sorghum based Pearlmillet based

n-

----

Soybean based Groundnut based Rice based

---

Rice based

_n

WM ALU

Rice based Rice based Rabi sorghum based Maize based Soybean based

n-

Rice based _n

_nRice based Maize based

_n

FS

n-

Rice based Rabi sorghum based Maize based Soybean based Groundnut based

---

n-

Finger millet based

CS

Rabi sorghum based Maize based

Fingermillet based Maize based

Rabi sorghum based Maize based Rice based

Rice based Rabi sorghum based Fingermillet based

Other practice s FM

INM

n

--

A careful look at matrix laid out for Category II technologies suggests that most technologies did not diffuse from ORPvillages to other villages because of lack of institutional and policy support.

Category IIITechnologies Theme

Support System Institutional

IMC

RWM

Others

Research

Policy Refinement

New Initiative

Groundnut based

Groundnut based

Rice based

Rice based

Maize based

Rabi sorghum based

Rabi sorghum based

Fingermillet based

Rabi sorghum based Maize based

Soybean based

Fingermillet based

Groundnut based

Groundnut based

Maize based

Rabi sorghum Pearlmillet

Rabi sorghum based Maize based

Soybean based

Groundnut based

m

_m

based

based

m

Maize based

--

---

m

FM

--

--

Maize based

m

m

WM

--

--

--

Maize based

--

Rabi sorghum based

Rice based

Other practices

ALU

Groundnut based

Groundnut based

Rice based

Groundnut based Rabi sorghum based

Maize based

Maize based

Pearlmillet based

Pearl millet based CS

16

Rabi sorghum based

Pearlmillet based

--

Rice based

Rabi sorghum

based Ricebased

m

. . . .

.

Category IIItechnologies are perfect cases requiring refinement in order to be adopted by farmers. Generally these need a re-look by the scientists keeping in view of the farmer preferences and constraints. Hence, ORPneeds to bring them to the notice of the scientists working in AICRPDA main center. This can be achieved by facilitating a face to face between Maincentre scientists and farmers. This will help providing direct feed back to research system.

Category IIItechnologies (see the matrix), also desire a greater policy and institutional commitment, particularly certain NRMtechnologies that involve investment in creation of physical assets for utilization of rainwater (water harvesting, recycling, farm ponds) etc in order for the them to diffuse on a large/community scale. Equally, efforts are needed in research initiatives and refinements to the existing technologies in view of addressing changing scenario of rainfed agriculture in the respective domains.

The process of refinement and diffusion can be hastened for Category IIand IIItechnologies by adopting participatory technology development process. The support required in terms of credit/input availability, knowledge/information would also help faster diffusion.

It can be summarily inferred that the reasons for non-adoption of NRMtechnologies are more to do with lack of proper institutional and policy support and hence the solution for such problems does not lie in mere research. It also indicates that technology transfer in rainfed agroecosystem is not merely communicating the research outputs to farmers, but a function of creating favorable policy and institutional environment in order to facilitate higher adoption and wider diffusion. For instance, rainfed agriculture suffers form shortage of labour. Since many of the NRMtechnologies like community based SWCmeasures are labour and energy intensive, institutions such as custom hiring centres and policies like linking rural employment guarantee programmes with watershed development activities would help faster uptake of technologies.

Most NRMtechnologies also need community approach for deriving tangible benefits.

Therefore, there is need for arriving at community level consensus for adoption of such technologies. Women self help groups (SHGs),Rytu Mitra Groups (RMGslike in Andhra Pradesh) could play vital role in adoption.

3.4. Action Research Phase Action Research at ORP, Solapur The project reviewers suggested for adoption of one ORPfor implementing action research as proposed in the project. Based on the outcome of the technology adoption and diffusion analysis for Sarole watershed (previous ORPvillage adopted by Solapur- presented in the following matrices) it was decided to conduct a participatory need assessment and develop and action plan for the kharif/rabi 2007 as part of the action research process, as it was entering into a new village (Hanjagi).

17 a.....-

Analysis of Category II Technologies for Sarole Watershed Theme Institutional

Support Svstem Research

Policy

New Initiative

-'efine"meQt

RWM

r r

r

Varieties

r

r

Other Dractices FM INM WM ALU CS

r

r

r r r r r

r

IMC

IMC: In situ moisture machinery;INM-lntegrated

r

r r

conservation; RWM-Rainwater management; nutrient

management;

r practices-time

WM - Weed management;

of sowing; CS- Cropping systems; FM- Farm

ALU- Alternate

Analysis of Category IIITechnologies for Sarole Watershed Theme ::.upporfSysfem Institutional Policy Research IMe

r

RWM ALU

r

es

IMC: In situ moisture Systems

conservation;

New Initiative

r

r

r

r r

RWM-Rainwater

management;

1.

PRA,benchmark survey, biophysical resources survey (transect analysis of soils vs. land uses), socioeconomic survey

2.

Technical programme implementation

3.

18

w

Pre- season (khari! and rabi) Trainings to farmers

Systems

r

ALU- Alternate

Based on the output of the participatory need assessment in the new ORP village i.e. Hanjagi, Akkalkot tehsil, Solapur district and the experiences in technology diffusion in the previous ORPvillage, an action plan was developed for implementation at Hanjagi. Beinga rabi centre, ORPSolapur could take advantage of the output of brainstorming sessions held in early 2006 and modify the technical programme for rabi 2006. It introduced animal component in the farming system and modified farm machinery interventions to suit local intercropping needs. Besides, as a follow up to the sensitization workshop the following activities were also initiated simultaneously.

CS- Cropping

Others

Refinement

r

Land Use Systems;

Land Use Systems;

CS- Cropping

tt

Brainstorming Sessions in progress

Takingadvantageof the developmentsas detailed above a two-daytechnicalworkshopon "Participatory Action Plan Development" was organized (8-9, February, 2007) at ORP,Solapur.

The objective of the Workshop was to prioritize issue for inclusion in the ensuing Technical Programme. Farmers from the ORPvillage, scientists of Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS), AICRPDA & ORP,Solapur, MPKV,AICRPon Safflower, CRIDAand line department officials participated. Brainstorming, focused group discussions, village transect walk, and field visits chiefly were employed to get the desired output from the participants.

Brainstorming Sessions A brief background of the project was shared with the participants and village elders were asked to present scenario of the village on the following lines.

. . . .

Agricultural scenario: Improving the productivity and crop diversification Prospects in dryland horticulture: Livestock: Challenges and opportunities Rural youth: Aspirations in agri entrepreneurship

Farmers were divided into four groups with two to three scientists facilitated discussion on the issues listed above.

The focused discussion went on an hour while the facilitators summarized the discussion. After this, groups were dissolved and the summary of the discussions was presented to all the farmers by the facilitators for validation by the entire group.

Focused Group Discussions in progress

Major issues from each groups however is summarized below.

.

. .

.

Soils are shallow and most fruit plantations like mango and pomegranate are turning out to be non profitable in later years as there is not enough water even for protective irrigation during dry season.

Due to depletion of groundwater/surface water resources, once flourishing sugarcane farming is now restricted to growingdryland crops such as sorghum, safflower and pearlmillet.

Due to some local issues the dairy cooperative society is not functioning any longer. In its absence, there isnomarketformilkand milkproducts. Many are not interested in keeping crossbred cows or high yielding buffaloes. They however, prefer local Pandherpuri breed of buffaloes, which are hardy and demand less fodder.

A View of the Village Transect Walk

Farmers are not sure if small ruminants could be an alternative to dairying. There are some social issues in doing so as rearing small 19 w

".";"'i"'.,.~~-

ruminants is considered to lower one's social status.

.

Rural youth is not averse to pursing a career in farming. However, they desire that they need to be facilitated with better training and institutional support.

On the second day issues identified by participatory situation analysis were included into the ORP technical programme.

In order to build the issues identified in participatory situation analysis a brainstorming session was facilitated for the scientists of ORP,AICRPDA and ZARS. The issueswere discussed in detail keeping in view the biophysical and socio economic limitations in the ORP village. Based on the out-

r

L I

l

come of the session, refining the issues andwas dovetailing the technical programme of ORPfor 2007-08 facilitated.of The details of the refined technical programme are as fol- I lows.

. .

.

In situ moisture conservation practices to be included in all rainfed crops, as this is one of the practices that are not only adopted by all the ORP farmers, but also by other farmers.

As many fruit orchards (ber, pomegranate and to some extent amla) have not succeeded due to shallow soils and shortage of water for protective irrigation, it was decided to include seasonal vegetables and flowers as horticultural crops.

Inclusion of livestock in the technical programme was one of the most discussed issues in the workshop. Keeping in view the present socio-economic and socio-political situations of Hanjagi, It was decided to address the issue as follows:

ft. ~ '

'.".. .

t"

...4,I(...r

I-

.

..,

~

~

.

..!'.

~!;i;1

Scientists-farmers Meeting with other stakeholders at Main Centre, Solapur

0

Situation 1: Increasing the productivity of the existing milk animals is to be addressed by introducing better feed and health management practices.

0

Situation 2: Twofarmers will be assisted to adopt small ruminants with improved management practices while three existing goat/sheep farmers will be assisted to adopt improved feeding and health management practices.

The discussions and brainstorming sessions held as part of this workshop have resulted in a broader understanding of the support system required for adoption of technologies on a wider scale. This has prompted thinking in terms of support system research through participatory action research and refinement of technologies for up scaling in a wider area.

Action Plan for ORP,Solapur is given in Annexure III. It was decided that the technical programme would be reviewed again after the inclusion of the interventions that have emerged out of the participatory process, with pre-kharif / rabi trainings, workshops, and meetings by the project team.

As a follow up to above proceedings, following some action research programmes were implemented at Hanjgi ORP,village.

20

..

Participatory Technology Development Plan 1.

Assessment of recommended improved sorghum cultivars on shallow, medium and deep soils

2.

Assessment of recommended of improved safflower cultivars on shallow, medium and deep soils

3.

Assessment of recommended of improved chickpea cultivars on shallow, medium and deep soils

4.

Effect of in situ moisture conservation practices

5.

Response of rob; sorghum to fertilizer application

6.

Assessment of recommended improved technology for dryland conditions for rob; sorghum and chickpea under

7.

8.

Performanceof evaluationof bullockdrawn CRIDAplanter.

9.

10.

11.

Participatory varietal selection of improved genotypes of pearlmillet , pigeonpea and sunflower Response of peralmillet

to fertilizer application

on shallow soils

Response of sunflower to sulphur application

Assessment of recommended intercropping systems viz. sunflower

+

pigeonpea (6:3),

pearlmillet + pigeonpea ( 2:1) and sequence cropping systems viz. blackgram- rob; sorghum, greengram- rob; sorghum and cowpea

-

robi sorghum.

Participatory Extension Plan

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Improved agrotechniques like seed treatment of rainfed crops In situ moisture conservation practices in pigeonpea Sowingwith CRIDAplanter and Solapur Shethi Yantra Thinning in rainfed crops Vermicomposting Weeding in rainfed crops with cycle hoe

Livelihood activities

7.

Introduction of backyard poultry ( 500 one day chicks of Giriraja birds) in collaboration with animal husbandry department

8.

Vaccination camps for animals in collaboration with animal husbandry department

Training programmes organized

1.

Demonstrations of sowing with twobowl ferti-seed drill, bullock drawn Solapur Sheth; Yantro (in collaboration with Agriculture department, Zilla Parishad and ZARS,Solapur) and tractor drawn CRIDAplanter ( in collaboration with CRIDA).

2.

Preseason trainings both in kharif and rabi ) in collaboration with ZARS,Solapur, NRCon Sorghum, AICRPon Safflower, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK),Solapur , animal husbandry and agriculture departments.

3.

Goat rearing (Sheli Plan) in collaboration with animal husbandry department. And Zilla 21 III

Parishad Other outreach programmes 1.

Organized Farmers- Scientists Shewar Pheri in ORPvillage where in scientists for ZARS, main center and MPKY,Rahuri and other ICARschemes in Solapur participated for onfarm assessment of performance of rainfed technologies, to get feed back from the farmers.

2.

3.

Oragnized Field Day on Performace of Chickpea and Safflower cultivars

4.

Weekly Agroadvisories were given in collaboration with AICRPon Agrometeorology center, Solapur, to the farmers by displaying the information on notice boards of Gram Panchayat

5.

Facilitated Diagnostic team visits by SMSduring crop season

Organized Exposure visit to farmers from the ORPvillage in Peek Parisanwad to MPKY, Rahuri at where in the live video conference was covered by Doordarshan, Mumbai.

Media Coverage

1.

Many radio talks were delivered by ORP scientists on topics covering the aspects of cultivation of summer groundnut, pigeonpea, perennial greenfodder-Lucerne, use of biofertilizers, INMin sorghum, etc.

2.

News coverage in local papers viz. Sanchar, Pudhari, in Sakal, Lokmat, Agrowan about various activities of ORPand weekly agroadvisories, contingency plans etc.

ORPcould establish and strengthen linkages with the following organizations/ institutions etc.

1.

AICRPDA Main Centre, for programme planning, implementation and monitoring in ORP village

2.

ZARS,Solapur for programme planning, implementation, activities.

3.

Agriculture department, Solapur, for programme planning, implementation ,trainings and all out reach activities.

4.

Revenue department, Akkalokottahasil, for obtaining various schemes and programmes implemented in the ORP village and also to obtain basic details of the ORP village.

Programmes.

5.

KrishiYigyanMandaI, Hanjgi for institutional set up for grounding ORPprogrammes.

6.

Ground Water Department, Solapur for information on groundwater status in the ORP village.

7.

NRCon Sorghumfor planning technical programme, for quality seed material, preseason trainings and other outreach activities.

8.

KYK,Solapur for planning technical programme, trainings and outreach programmes.

9.

Department of animal husbandry for organizing animal health camps, training on goat rearing, backyard poultry etc.

10.

Department of Sericulture for promoting sericulture and formed 5 member farmers'

22

I.td

trainings and all out reach

group for this.

11.

Department of Social Forestry for implementing agroforestry programmes, supply of planting material for silvipasture trial.

12.

Zilla Parishad, Solapur, for organizing seven day training on Goat rearing and other ORP activities.

13.

DRDA,Solapur for promoting buffalo dairy through SHGs,for facilitating implementation of on-farm trials and demonstrations, trainings etc. in the village.

14.

Central Egg Incubation Centre for providing chicks for backyard poultry.

NABRD,for financingpurchase of buffaloes and goats through Bankof Indiaand also advancing loans for other activities.

15.

16.

17.

Soalpur District Cooperative Bank, for transfer of dryland technologies and facilitating organization of Kesharmati Abhiyan in Akkalkot where in the farmers of ORPinteracted with other farmers for sharing experiences and cross learnings.

Siddeshwara Yatra Committee, Solapur, NGO,for organizing exhibition of dryland technologies

Capacity building: A Continuous Process As per the approved the technical program and also as part of the ongoing capacity building initiative in this project, a Three day Technical Workshop" Action Research, Impact analysis and Participatory TechnologyAssessment" was held (1-3 March 2007) at CRIDA, Hyderabad. Scientists from ORPs participated in the workshop. Besides these, invited excerpts and Director, CRIDA,expert facilitator, Coordinators of AICRPDA and AICRPAM and Heads of Divisions and select scientists of CRIDAparticipated.

The workshop was organized with the following objectives.

. .

To impart the knowledge of participatory processes and action research To share the experiences of participatory action plan development at Solapur To analyze technology adoption and diffusion processes in terms of+ support systems

Methodology

The experiences of WASSAN (an NGOfrom Hyderbad)workingwith several grassroot NGOs,on action research particularly on backyard poultry, was discussed. Followed by experiences of NGO working on participatory groundwater management was discussed on participatory assessment techniques.

The responses of ORPscientists to a questionnaire to understand ORPscientists' understanding of the current perspectives and future prospects of ORPswere discussed. Followed by this the ORP scientists presented the list of technologies that were ready for upscaling without any policy support and those that require refinement through participatory technology development (PTD).

There was also a discussion on the role of ORPsin Weather based AgroAdvisoryServices (AAVs)to 23

~

the local farming community and in giving feedback to the main center/agromet center on traditional wisdom of the local farming community in drought coping strategies.

Outcome Major decisions taken for future course of action.

.

Category III technologies that are neither adopted by ORP farmers nor disseminated to other farmers need to be brought to the notice of the scientists working in AICRPDAmain center. This can be achieved by facilitating a face to face between ORPscientists and farmers. This will help providing direct feed back to the scientists.

It is necessary to examine the kind of support required for encouraging adoption of Category I and II technologies. This will help formulate research on support system for which policy needs to be developed.

.

.

.

.

Participatory technology development plan needs to be developed for Category II and III technologies in order to hasten their adoption. The support required for this may be in the form of credit/input availability, knowledge/information and social conditions.

Research on Category I technologies may be continued by incorporating the learning's acquired in the process of adoption. The technologies that require group support, for instance, certain NRMtechnologies; and those that require financial support may be tried in different milieu. For example such technologies may be tried in villages with individuals and with SHGsupport.

Research on indigenous soil fertility management may be attended to document how the farming community has been managing the soils over the past years. Asa part of this enlist about 15 non-chemical/organic practices. Further enquire if they are still in practice. If yes, find reasons/conditions. Similarly, such practices are no longer continued find reasons for it. Further try listing all such soil health improvement practices that have been discontinued due to labour shortage.

Under policy research on support system try finding answer to the following questions 0

0 0

.

.

which kind of community organizations are ideal for up scaling Category I technologies, whether SHGs, Co-operative societies or RMGs. Which type of financial incentive is required for adoption and retention of Category I and II technologies, whether revolving funds, bank loans or contributory approach.

Whether the technologies that are not being adopted for want of labour would be adopted if and only labour was made available?

There is a need to think about such technologies that emerge out of informal research and document the outcome of such research.

Prepare a list of technologies that can be diffused without any policy research and those that require policy support.

The following activities were finalized.

Asa follow up six ORPsviz., Anathapur, Arjia,BallowalSaunkhri, Hisar, Indore and Ranchi selected new sites based on the guidelines developed (Annexure IV) and provided to ORPs.

.

Scientists identified two Technologies for up scaling and two technologies for Participatory Technology Development.

TwoTraining Modulesdesigned for the capacity building of the scientists of ORPsand MainCentres viz. Module-/ (Ten days): Benchmark Survey, PRAtools, Impact Analysis and Farming Systems Analysisand Module-II (7 Days): ICTmediated content generation and management The activity milestone for the third year is evaluation phase wherein the project is continuously monitored over the entire period of the project, as this is an important element of action research. Independent evaluation teams are finalized and final workshops will be conducted to prepare a work plan for upscaling project findings.

3.4a. Action Research Phase - A Continuous Process Once the capacity buiding programme began, the action research phase also started simultaneously. Duringthis phase, participatory research and extension plans were grounded in the fields in ORPs. 3.4a.1. Action Research at ORP,Anantapur In order to initiate action research at ORP,Anantapur, a Two day Workshop on "Development of Participatory Action Plan and Strategies for Technology Upscaling", ORP Anantapur was organized (20-21, June 2007) just before beginning of kharif season. As decided in earlier a new site viz. A.K.Agraharam National watershed, Eguvapalli village, was adopted for ORPactivities, Garledinne Mandal, Anatapur district. Proceedings of the first day of the workshop were held at ORP village Eguvapalli, Garladinne Mandal, Anantapur district with the objective of identifying issues and prioritize the same for action research. Participants included farmers from the ORPvillage, scientists of ARS,Anantapur (AICRPDA, AICRP on Millets, Soil and Water Conservation scheme, AICRPon Arid Horticulture, NARP,State Plan), ORP, scientists/ officers representing KVK,DAATTC, State Department of Agriculture, Project Director(ATMA), Community Coordinator, V.O(Federation of SHGs)and representatives of NGO(RIDS).

The methodology involved was brainstorming and focused group discussions to obtain desired output from the participants. Abrief background of the project was shared with the participants and village elders were requested to present the agriculture scenario of the village in the past and present. Initial brainstorming session brought out the general issues of low productivity of crops/ sometimes failures, lack of timely supply of inputs, particularly seeds, no crop insurance, need for rain water management for crops, animals and drinking water, credit support for livestock farming etc. In order to facilitate focused interaction, farmers were divided in to five focused groups viz. rainfed agriculture (black soils and red soils), water management (bore well irrigated/canal irrigated), livestock/dairy and landless labourers. Other off farm economic activities. A scientist besides several other scientists participating in them facilitated each group. The focused group interactions were continued for an hour during which the facilitator noted the points that emerged during the discussion. After the interactions, all the groups were reassembled and the facilitator of each group presented the outcome to the entire group.

25 LJ

Outcome The outcome from each group is presented below.

Group I: Rainfed Agriculture Suggestionsfrom farmers for increasing productivity and cost reduction 1.

Cost reduction in cultivation, particularly, in weed control

2.

Need drought tolerant varieties

3.

Seed availability is a common problem

Group II: Water management (Borewell +canal irrigation)/Dryland

Horticulture

1.

There was a common agreement for social regulation in ground water management in respect of borewell water sharing with set norms between the donor and the beneficiary.

2.

Rainwater harvesting for recharging dried open wells.

3.

Farmers wanted an exposure visit to a village where social regulation process for groundwater management is in place.

Group III: Livestock

1.

Primary requirement is for the establishment/starting of a milk collection center. This will create/force the farmers for profitable dairying, availing subsidized concentrate supplement from APDDCFetc.

2.

There is a need for a regular animal health care through regular visits of a veterinarian or either through a local trained Gopalmitra (a trained rural youth for live stock care for vaccination, first aid and artificial insemination).

3.

Regular fodder supply mechanism is needed either through cultivation, preservation and effective utilization (chopping) in the village itself under borewells or through PPR/CPR development (through SHGs)/ development of horti.pastoral system.

4.

5.

Upgradation of the local with Murrah breed for higher milk yield.

6.

7.

ntroduction of developed breeds like Vanaraja, Giriraja, Gramapriya for higher meat and egg production from backyard poultry.

Need based supplementation for both large and small ruminants for better productivity (milk and off-springs) Institutional and policy support for livestock procurement (loans), subsidy for concentrated mixture from APDDCF.

Group IV: Landless labourers

1.

26

This group mainly represented by the women. Most of them are also the members of SHGsand engage in NREGPactivities but remain idle for 4 months in a year. Get loans from SHGsand buy sheep etc., Interested in income generating activities like vermi. composting, neem plantation for neem seed collection (which in future can be supplied to a neem seed extraction factory in near by town), value addition to the agricultural produce like dal chakki etc.,

Group V: Non agricultural enterprises

1.

16 SHGsare actively operating in the village.The memberwomenengagein multiple off-farm employment activities like tailoring, weaving etc.

2.

The women expressed some needs for improving tailoring activity like machine tailoring for fast working, cutting design technology, embroidery and repairs training, regular and high payments in every season, good marketing. They also suggested for a Training center to educate girls in the village, formation of a Cooperative society and shop maintenance at Pamidi, a near by town.

The discussions were followed by visit to Miduthuru village, Pedda Vaduguru MandaI Anatapur district, where an SHGwas thriving due to microfinancing. The group also visited Madirepalli village, Shanganamala MandaI, Anantapur district, to study social regulation of groundwater usage.

On the second day of workshop, a brainstorming was organized wherein issues identified by participatory situation analysis were included into the ORPtechnical programme through a consortium process. with involvements of all the stakeholders and further to develop an action plan for ORP,Anantapur.

Scientists

from CRIDA, AICRPDA, ORP, AICRP on Millets, AICRP

on Arid Horticulture, SWCscheme, NARP,State plan and officials from Project Director (ATMA),KVK,Anantapur, DAATTC, Anantapur, State Agriculture Department and NGO's viz., RDT, RIDSparticipated. The proceedings of this workshop is given in Annexure V.

Outcome Discussionson Partcipatory Action The deliberations were mainly on the various technologies Plan for ORPat ARS,Anantapur that were ready for transfer matching microfarming situations (K-6, 91114,farmpond, amla, custard apple, CO1 grassfor fodder, mechanicalseed drill, mechanical intercultivation, sub surface drip irrigation to mango etc.,) and technologies for upscaling by ORPviz. small seed in groundnut, soil test based fertilizer application in groundnut, rainwater harvesting and reuse through farm pond technology, dryland mechanization through mechanical seed drill, improved package of practices for groundnut and intercropping of groundnut with pigeonpea. There was mixed response from the group about the adoption or possibility of adoption of above discussed technologies in the recommendation domain. However,it was felt by the group that in a convergence and consortium mode, there is a large scope for not only upscaling or scaling out rainfed technologies, but there is a huge scope for strengthening capacities of ORPs. Other suggestions were: 1.

After the field visits to two villages adopted by NGOs,it was felt to document useful technologies/ experiences generated by other sources / institutions for policy research

2.

Social regulation in ground water exploitation

3.

Social regulation in Biomass exploitation (overgrazing in common lands)

4.

Experience of Village Organizations (V.Os)

Further for the capacity building of ORPs, 50%ORP activities should focus on assessment and refinement of existing technologies matching various microfarming situations for farming system 27

research, rainwater management and seed village concept etc.,

. .

Documentation of technology adoption and diffusion of the groundnut varieties intro-

duced two years back in two villagesnear to ORPvillages.

In the ORPvillage, support system and policy research on chemical farming vs simple organic farming where in organic manure is to be produced at village level. Labour for this purpose may be used from National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

Incentives for labour oriented operations may be deliberated with district collector.

The Action plan for ORP,Anantapur with the envisaged programmes under participatory technology development, technology upscaling and other activity was development (Annexure IV).

Participatory Technology Development

1.

2.

Suitability of small seed technology for different land capabilities in the ORPvillage.

Amelioration of drought through application of supplemental irrigation to groundnut harvested in a farm pond

3.

Performanceof mechanical seed drill for different land capabilityclasses in watershed area, maintenance of optimumplant populationby usingmechanicalseed drill.

4.

Mechanization in groundnut

Participatory

Extension Plan

1.

Improveddryland practices in groundnut

2.

Mechanization in groundnut

3.

Soil test based nutrient management in groundnut

Trainings 1.

Preseason trainings were organized for sensitizing the farmers about improved dryland practices

Linkages

1.

Strengthened linkages with AICRPDAmain center and Agriculture Research Station, Rekulakunta, ANGRAUfor programme planning, implementation

and monitoring.

2.

Watershed development programmes through State line departments like District Water Management Agency (DWMA), District Rural Development Agency (DRDA)etc.,

3.

Watershed development programmes through State line departments like District Water Management Agency (DWMA), District Rural Development Agency (DRDA)etc.,

4.

For popularizing seed village concept through ATMAand Self Help Groups (SHGs).

5.

Farmers Field Schools and diagnostic field visits through District Agriculture and Transfer of Technology Centre.

6.

Capacity building through KVK

7.

Milkcollection center through State Dairy Federation.

8.

State Agriculture Department for inputs procurement particularly groundnut seed, participation in Raitu Chaitanya Yatra and other agriculture development campaign programme sin the district.

28

9.

10.

11.

Established linkage with NREGSprogramme for NRMactivities in the village.

Linkage with Animal Husbandry department for promoting goat rearing.

Developed strong linkage with Village Organizer, SHGsfor capacity building of rural women.

3.4a.2. Action Research at ORP,Arjia In order to initiate action research at ORP,Arjia, a Two Day Technical Workshop on "Development of Participatory Action Plan and Strategies for Technology Upscaling" was organized (24-25 October, 2007).

Proceedings of the first day of the workshop were held at new ORPvillage i.e. Kochariya, Tehsil Suwana, and District Bhilwara district with the objective of identifying issues and prioritize the same for action research. Farmers from the ORPvillage, scientists of DFRS,Arjia ORP,scientists/officers representing KVK,State Department of Agriculture, ATMA,AD(DRDA),AD (Horticulture) NGOlike BAIFparticipated. Methodologycomprised of brainstorming and focused group discussions were chiefly employed to get the desired output from the participants.

A brief background of the project was shared with the participants and village elders were requested to present the agriculture scenario of the village in the past and present.

Initial brainstorming session brought out the general issues of low productivity of crops/sometimes failures, lack of timely supplyof inputs, particularlyseeds, no cropinsurance, need for rain water management for cops, animals and drinking I

water, credit support for horticulture plants, improved animal and irrigation methods.

I

~

In order to facilitate focused interaction, farmers were di- II vided in to five focused groups. viz. rainfed agriculture (black Discussions on Development of soils and red soils), water management (bore well irrigated/ Participatory Action Plan canal irrigated), livestock/dairy and landless labourers. Other at Kochariya village, Arjia off farm economic activities. Each group was facilitated by a scientist besides several other scientists participating in them. The focused group interactions were continued for an hour during which the facilitator noted the points that emerged during the discussion. After the interactions, all the groups were reassembled and the facilitator of each group presented the outcome to the entire group.

Outcome Group I : Rainfed Agriculture

1.

Labourcost reductionin weed control with improvedimplements.

2.

3.

Demonstration of in-situ/ ex-situ rainwater conservation techniques.

Need drought tolerant varieties.

4.

Improvement in nadi system for rainwater harvesting and reuse.

29 L4"",J

I"""""""

5.

Need training and exposure visits in enriched compost making.

6.

Need Custom hiring services for improved implements.

7.

Knowledge on developing silvipastoral systems.

Group II: Water management 1.

Improving and maintaining the existing Nadi systems for rainwater harvesting and reuse.

2.

Water scarcity in bore wells: Adopting sprinkler drip irrigation under borewells in groundnut and vegetable crops. Five sprinkler set exist in the village.

3.

Recharging of well by improving instruments of rainwater demonstration.

Group III: Livestock

1.

Primary requirement is for the establishment/starting of a milk collection center.

These will create/force the farmers for profitable dairying.

2.

There should be a regular animal health care through regular visits of a veterinarian or either through a local trained Gopalmitra (a trained rural youth for live stock care for vaccination, first aid and artificial insemination).

3.

Upgradation of the local non-descript breeds for higher milk yield. Introduction of developed breeds like introduction of Jersey, Hoelstein in cattle, Gir EtMurrah in buffalo and Jamnapuri EtSirohi in goat.

.

Need based supplementation for both large and small ruminants for better productivity (milk and off-springs)

.

Institutional and policy support for trated mixture through ATMA.

Group

livestock procurement (loans), SHG'sfor concen-

IV: Horticulture Big farmers can adopt fruit planting and inter-cultivation cial support on fencing and tube well establishment.

of vegetable with some finan-

.

3-4 year gestation period in fruit plantation also puts the economic burden on farmers (BAIF).

.

Exposure visit and trainings about nursery and fruit cultivation through drip can help to adopt the fruit-based farming systems(KVK).

Group V: Off-farm activities and women in agriculture .

Since above mentioned activities generate ample income through off- farm employment, ORPscientists along with KVKand ATMAmay facilitate for formation of the women SHG's and may explore other supportive mechanisms the already exist and operated through various schemes in the district.

.

The women expressed some needs for improving tailoring activity like machine tailoring for fast working, Cutting design technology, embroidery and repairs training in every season. They also suggested for a Training center to educate girls in the village.

A brain storming session was organized on day two, to include issues identified by participatory situation analysis into the ORPtechnical programme and initiation of a consortium model with involvement of all the stakeholders and further developing action plan for ORP,Arjia. Scientists from CRIDA,main center, ORP and Dryfarming Research Station, KVK, Bhilwara, officials from Project Director (ATMA)and DRDA,State Agriculture Department, Dept. of Animal Husbandry and

30

Outcome

The deliberations were mainly on the various technologies developed at Main center and disseminated through ORP,ATMA, NGO'slike BAIF,FESand other agenciesviz. ridging after sowingin maize, groundnut+sesame intercropping, gram + mustard intercropping, maize + blackgram intercropping maize substitution during delayed onset of monsoon, arjia wheel hoe, rainwater management, livestock/dairy and bio-diverse farming systemsetc.

There was mixed response from the group about the adoption or possibility of adoption of above discussed technologies in the recommendation domain. However, it was felt by the group that in a convergence and consortium mode, there is a large scope for not only upscaling or scaling out rainfed technologies, but there is a huge scope for strengthening capacities of ORPs. Useful Technologies/experiences generated sources / institutions for policy research.

by other

1.

Social regulation in ground water exploitation

2.

Social regulation in Biomassexploitation (overgrazing in common lands)

3.

Documentation of technology adoption and diffusion of the maize, groundnut and pigeonpea varieties introduced two year back in two villages near to ORPvillages.

4.

In the ORP village, support system and policy re- Strategies for Technology Upscaling at Main Centre, Arjia search on chemical farming v/s simple organic farming where in organic manure is to be produced at village level. Incentives for labour oriented operations may be deliberated with district collector.

Participatory

Action Plan and

The financial requirement for some of the operations need in the new ORPvillage may be envisaged through ongoing programmes under ATMA. Priorities of work for ORP,Arjia and AICRPDAMain Centre, Arjia is given below.

I. On-farm participatory

. .

ResearchlTechnology Assessment and refinement

Assessmentand refinement of improved technologies developed at DFRS,Arjia matching varying micro-farming situations.

Testing of new technologies developed by other eminent institutions.

II. Coordinated Programmes with DFRS, KVK, SDA, NGOs,VOetc., on Upscaling of Technologies .

Seed village concept

.

Non-Pesticidal Management.

.

Fodder trees establishment

in CPRS / PPRs

31

.

Introduction of developed breeds like Gir, Jersey, and Holstein in cattle, Murrah & Surati in buffalo Sonadi sheep, Jamanapari & Sirohi in goat.

Training in orchard management and grafting techniques through KVK& SDA. ORP scientists along with Agriculture Supervisor & officials of ATMAand Zilla Parishad may facilitate for formation of the societies and may explore other supportive mechanisms the already exist and operated through various schemes in the district.

The action plan for ORP,Arjia, with the envisaged programmes under participatory technology development, technology upscaling and other activities was developed and given in Annexure VIII. As part of action research the following were the some of the activities undertaken during the year.

Participatory Technology Development 1.

Participatory evaluation of maize, sorghum and horsegram varieties.

2.

Utilization of harvested rainwater for maize + blackgram, groundnut + pigeonpea, maize + pigeonpea, groundnut + sesame intercropping systems.

3.

INM in maize, P management in groundnut.

4.

Cropping and farming systems trials in 9 farmers' fields having variability in land and income resources.

5.

Mechanization of intercultural with Arjia wheel hoe and sowing operations with Arjia two row seed drill.

6.

MoRD, GOI sponsored Farmers' Participatory Action Research on tank silt application in groundnut+sesame and maize.

7.

Effect of thioureasprayon grain andstraw of wheat, a collaborativeproject with ATMA.

Participatory

Extension

Plan

1.

Improved dryland practices in sesame cv. RT-46and blackgram cv. T-9, Arjia wheel hoe

2.

Sowing with Arjia two row seed drill.

3.

Ploughing and sowing with rota-til-drill.

4.

Improved methods of animal stall feeding in collaboration with ATMA.

5.

Spray of thiourea (0.05%) in wheat at tillering.

6.

Interculture through. Arjia wheel hoe.

7.

Front line demonstrations on horsegram improved cultivars.

Trainings organized

1.

Preseason trainings on improved dryland technologies

2.

Two day on-campus training at Dry farming Research Station, Arjia, for ORPfarmers to sensitize about improved dryland technologies.

Field IFarmers'

Days organized

1.

Field Days on Varietal trials, INMin maize+ balckgram intercropping

2.

Field Day on application of thiourea in wheat

Linkages established for strengthening ORPactivities through coordinated programmes with DFRS, KVK, Department of agriculture, animal husbandry NGOs, Zilla Parishad etc., for up scaling of

32

technologies 1.

Seed village concept

2.

Development and efficient utilization of ground level resource

3.

Non pesticidal management

4.

Fodder production under limited borewell supported micro irrigation

5.

CPRS/ PPRs- Silvipastoraldevelopment

6.

Introduction of developed breeds of cattle, goat

7.

8.

Animal health management Promotion of value addition activities viz., Raub in maize, dal/mangodi in blackgram

3.4a.3. Action Research at ORP,Ranchi In order to initiate action research at ORP,Ranchi, a one day brainstorming session was organized (28August2007) at ORP,Ranchi. Brainstorming session was organized at ORPcluster, Rarha, Ranchi district with the objective of identifying issues and prioritize the same for action research. Farmers from the ORP village, Director of Research, BAU, Dean, Agriculture, BAUProject Director, SAMETI,scientists from AICRPDAmain center and ORP, Ranchi, BAU,Ranchiand CRIDA,officers representing KVK, state department of agriculture and horticulture, NGO like Ramakrishna Mission, participated.

.."... :

...It

Brainstorming Session in progress at Rarha village, Ranchi

A brief background of the project was narrated followed by discussion and interaction with the help of village resource map of cluster villages. Director of Research also emphasized to categorize the problems of rainfed farming. Details of the proceedings are given in Annexure IX. Outcome

1.

Rainwater harvesting is the top most priority in upland, medium land and low land situations.

2.

Double cropping options in medium lands through better utilization of residual moisture.

3.

Integrated farming systems linking crop

4.

-

animal

-

vegetable components

Soilconservationmeasures in slopy cultivable land (5-8%slope). They interacted for control measures to be demonstrated.

5.

Measures to combat stray cattle menace.

6.

Alternate land use system to utilize wasteland and to reduce loss of forest trees for firewood consumption and due to sale of firewood for money fetching in local market.

7.

Documentation of traditional farming systems.

During field visits to cluster villages viz. Ratna Tanr, Pipra Jarha and Jammu tola. It was felt to focus on address liming in pulses in uplands and exposure visit to Forest Research Station at Rarha 33 w

for discussionwith NGOand SAMETI. The actionplan for ORP,Ranchi,with the envisagedprogrammesunder participatorytechnology development, technology upscaling and other activities was developed and given in Annexure X. Participatory Technology Development 1.

Upland rice evaluation of upland varieties on farmers input level

2.

3.

Vegetable- FallowEarly-Pea/Cole crops/Tomato; Tomato/ Colocasia- Brinjal / Pea / Tomato

4.

Alleycroppingwith Subabulfor (on bunds)- Rice/ Fingermillet (Transplanted) / Maize/

5.

balckgram/ pigeonpea Rice based cropping system

6.

Rice based farming systems - vegetables - goat rearing/ backyard poultry/ piggery

7.

In low lands, water harvesting structure/ Rice-rice Participatory Extension Plan 1.

Rain water management

- Field

+

duck/fish

bund stabilization

2.

Pigeonpea based cropping system Training 1.

2.

Pre-season trainings Parthenium Awareness Week

3.

Agriculture and horticulture crops

4.

Spices cultivation Farmers Day Agro-Tech KisanMela 3.4aA. Action Research at ORP, Indore Asper the guidelines, a new ORPsite i.e. Panod village, Indore district, was selected for action research. PRAand benchmark survey was conducted. (Details of participatory rural appraisal is given in Annexure XI). The ORPscientists along with Main center scientists, scientists from other AICRPschemes and officials from state line departments, particularly watershed department, agriculture, organized brainstorming sessions for Development of Participatory Action Plan and Strategies for Technology Upscaling.

Action plan for ORP, Indore, is given in Annexure XII

The major problems identified were 1.

Lowwater table 2.

3.

Poor irrigation facilities Lack of soil and water conservation measures

4.

5.

Lowsoil fertility Imbalanced use of fertilizer

6.

Monocroppingof soybean

7.

Longduration varieties of rainfed crops Potentials identified were 34

..

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

High run off potential whichcan be stored and recycled High productive deep black soils Topographic features are conducive for creation of structures like percolation tanks/ farm ponds, for storage of rainwater Dryland horticulture DevelopingFarming systems modules integrating cropping (soybean, pigeonpea, chickpea etc.) with dryland horticulture (ber, drumstick, pomegranate, mango, tamarind), dairy, goat rearing, sheep rearing, poultry, pisciculture, floriculture (marigold, Chrysnathemum), vegetables (potato, chillies,brinjal)

Participatory Technology Development

3.

4.

Soil and water conservation measures Development of water harvesting structures viz. tank/sunken tanks for rainwater harvesting and reuse for higher productivity of rainfed crops

5.

Rainwater management through economically feasible water harvesting tanks in black soils

6.

Participatory varietal selection in chickpea and soybean

7.

8.

Sulphur application in soybean INMin soybean

Participatory Extension Plan 1.

Chickpea cv. Vishal

2.

Recyclingof harvested rainwater through farm ponds Trainings organized 1.

2.

Preseason trainings for farmers of ORP

For officers of state agriculture department, DANIDAfield staff, field workers,Mandi Board,

3.

Participants of KrishakPrashikshan Kendra on soil conservation measures

Linkages developed 1.

AICRPDA Main Centre for programme planning, implementation and monitoring in ORP

2.

State line departments for soil and water conservation measures, water harvesting structures (percolation tanks/farm ponds)

3.

AICRPon Chickpea, Kanpur for FLDson chickpea through CRIDA

35

3. 5. Evaluation Phase In continuation to action research initiated at ORPVillage Hanjagi and as a part of the evaluation phase a follow up programme to evaluate the action research at Hanjagi was organized at ORPSolapur (August7-8, 2007). Scientists from main center and ORP,ZARS,Solapur, CRIDA,NRCon pomegranate, NRCon sorghum and officials from state Line departments, NGOs,NABARD, KVKand farmers of ORPvillage participated. The details are presented below.

Field visits were made by the scientists from CRIDA,ZARS scientists and farmers to observe the participatory technology development process on-with on- farm trials initiated as part of action research at ORP village, Hanjagi, Taluka.

Akkalkot, Solapur district. The trials were on intercropping, sequence cropping, participatory varietal evaluation, and balanced nutrition in pearlmillet, in-situ moisture conservation and performance of crops sownwith SolapurSheti Yantra.

The farmers were apprised of the importance of weather based crop management, relevance and the access to weekly agro-advisories.

A meeting was organized at AICRPDA Main center, Solapur to review the progress on action research at ORP Evaluation of Action research at Hanjagi village, Solapur and furthering the programmes by developing linkages with the institutions engaged in research and or development in rainfed agriculture. The deliberations were encouraging where in the various stakeholders viz. scientists of CRIDA,ZARS Solapur, NRCSorghum, NRCPomegranate, KVK,officials from department of agriculture, social forestry, animal husbandry, NABARD, State Bankof India, NGOsand farmers from Hanjagi village and farmers from Hanjagi village agreed up on to work in a convergence mode in sharing not only the experiences pnmary ~valuationof Actionresearch by and secondary stakeholders but in implementing NRMprogrammes in ORPvillage, input supply (seed, fertilizer, plant material for nursery raising for establishing agroforestry systems, financial help, supply of farm implements, capacity building etc.

Officials suggested the farming community to take advantage of various schemes implemented by the government, to avail loan facility for land development/far machinery, livestock/ dairy etc., social forestry programmes, developing silvi-pastures, animal health care facility like vaccination camps, goats and poultry rearing etc., In view of the above suggestions, the technical program of ORP was further strengthened. The following programmes were implemented during the year would continue for more focus at Hanjg\ ORP,village.

36

Participatory Technology Development Plan 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Assessment of recommended improved sorghum, safflower and chickpea cultivars of improved chickpea cultivars on shallow, medium and deep soils Effect of in situ moisture conservation practices Assessment of recommended improved technology for dryland conditions for robi sorghum and chickpea.

Performanceof evaluation of bullockdrawn CRIDA Sunflower+pigeonpea intercropping planter.

Participatory varietal selection of improved genotypes of pearlmillet, pigeonpea and sunflower Response of peralmillet to potassium in shallow soils Response of sunflower to sulphur application Assessment of recommended intercropping systems viz. sunflower + pigeon pea (6:3), pearlmillet + Response of K application in pearlmillet pigeonpea (2:1) and sequence cropping systems viz. blackgram - robi sorghum, greengram- robi sorghum and cowpea - rabi sorghum.

Silvipasturesystem (Glyricidiafor green manuring+ subabul for fodder and timber annual crops)

+

grasses for fodder

+

Duringthe process of participatory technology development as part of action research, the followings refinements were given to the main center.

Assessment of CPRs for silvipasture systems

1.

Byconsidering the uncertainty in rainfall, it was felt necessary to identify suitable sowing windows for recommended intercropping systems viz. sunflower+ pigeonpea, pearlmillet+pigeonpea

2.

To evaluate the new varieties of sunflower, pigeonpea, pearlmillet fitting in to above two intercropping systems.

3.

4.

There was a need to modify cycle hoe for weeding suitable differently row spaced crops.

5.

Since the farmers were adopting only two hoeings i.e. at 4thand 8thweek after sowing, in robi sorghum, the need was felt to explore the possibility and verify whether any feasibility and impact of introducing first hoeing at 3rdweek after sowing.

Needmodificationto CRIDAplanter suitable for sowingof robicrops.

Participatory Extension Plan

1.

Improved agrotechniques in rainfed crops both in kharif and rabi.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Insiu moisture conservation practices in pigeonpea.

Sowing with CRIDA planter and Solapur Shethi Yantra

Vermicomposting Weeding in rainfed crops with cycle hoe

Sowing with Solapur Sheti Yantra 37

I8i

Seed treatment

in rainfed crops

In-situ moisture conservation in pigeonpea

Sowing with Tractor drawn CRIDAplanter

Livelihood activities

1.

Focus on backyard poultry was continued with sensitization on quality nutrition of birds.

2.

Deworming, vaccination and infertility camps for animals in collaboration.

Introduction of backyard poultry Training programmes organized 1.

Demonstrations of sowing with two-bowl ferti-seed drill, bullock drawn Solapur Shethi Yantra and tractor drawn CRIDAplanter..

2.

Preseason trainings both in kharif and rabi.

3.

Goat rearing

Preseason trainings

Training on Goat rearing

Other out reach programmes

. . .

1.

2.

38

Organized Farmers- Scientists Shewar Pheri in ORPvillage Oragnized Field Dayon Performance of Chickpea and Safflower cultivars WeeklyAgroadvisorieswere given in collaboration with AICRPon Agrometeorologycenter, Solapur,to the farmers by displaying the information on notice boards of Gram Panchayat Facilitated Diagnostic team visits by SMSduring crop season Infertility camps for buffaloes

Infertility camp for buffaloes

Media Coverage 1.

Many radio talks were delivered by ORPscientists on topics covering dryland technologies, improved practices in rainfed crops etc.

2.

News coverage in local papers viz. Sanchar, Pudhari, in Sakal, Lokmat, Agrowan about various activities of ORPand weekly agroadvisories, contingency plans etc.

ORP further strengthened linkages with the following organizations! institutions etc.

1.

AICRPDA MainCentre, for programme planning, implementation and monitoring in ORP village

2.

ZARS,Solapur for programme planning, implementation, trainings and all out reach activities.

3.

Agriculture department, Solapur, for programme planning, implementation, trainings and all out reach activities.

4.

5.

6.

KrishiVegan Mandai, Hanjgi for all the programmes initiated in the ORPvillage.

GSDA,Solapur for information on groundwater status in the ORPvillage.

NRCon Sorghumfor planning technical programme, for quality seed material, preseason trainings and other outreach activities.

7.

8.

KVK,Solapur for planning technical programme, trainings and outreach programmes.

Department of animal husbandry for organizing animal health camps, training on goat rearing, backyard poultry etc.

Department of Sericulture for promoting sericulture.

Department of Social Forestry for implementing agroforestry programmes, supply of planting material for silvipasture trial.

Zilla Parishad, Solapur, for organizing seven day training on Goat rearing and other ORP activities.

9.

10.

11.

12.

DRDA,Solapur for promoting buffalo dairy through SHGs,for facilitating implementation of on-farm trials and demonstrations, trainings etc. in the village.

13. NABRD,for financialassistance to promote livestockbased farming.

The project was continuously monitored during its period. However, to know the impact of the interventions made during the project a specially designed questionnaire was circulated to all the ORPcenters and ffedback was obtained.

The project was continuouslymonitoredits period. However,to know the impackof the interventions made during the project a specially designed questionnaire was circulated to all the ORP centers and feedback was obtained. All the centers agreed that the interventions helped to improve the linkage between the AICRPDA main center and ORPs.Several measures were undertaken

by ORPand main centers to bring about convergence with line departments, community based organizations.Thishelpedto improvethe visibilityof the workgoingon in ORPsand AICRPDA main centers. Followingthis a host of organization working for framers were involved in various stages of programme implementation (TableA). This was a major shift in the approach followed by both the ORPsand AICRPDA main centers. The ORPsbegan to increasingly adopt participative measures in planning process. This also helped in better implementation of the plan. Moreand more capacity building programmes and stakeholder engagement initiatives were taken up across the ORP centers. ORP centers addressed the necessity of diversity better by integrating livestock and horticulture with cropping.

39 L,.J

Table-A CBO/lnstltute Programme planmng

EvaluafiOn

ImphmentatlOn "

Self help HIS,SQL,ATP,BLR groups

HIS,SQL,ATP,BLR

Village

SQL,BLR,ARG

SQL,ARG

HIS,BS,ARG

HIS,BS,ARG

HIS

Lapadty Any other building of activity,sp farmers ecifv HIS,RAN Village cleaning (RAN),seed multiplicat ion (ATP) ARG

organization federation of self help at groups village level(vos) Panchayatraj institutes (PRls) of Depart Agriculture of Depart horticulture of Depart Animal Husbandry

Forestry

HIS,SQL,ARG HIS,SOL,RAN,IND,ATP HIS,SOL,RAN,IND,ATP ,BLR,ARG, ,ARG, HIS,SQL,IND,ATP,BLR, HIS,SQL,RAN,IND HIS,SQL ARG

HIS,SQL,RAN,BLR

District Rural HIS,SQL,ARG developmen-t agency I district water managemen-t Agency NGOs HIS,SQL,ATP,ARG NABARD SQL,IND,ARG Any other (specify)

HIS,ARG

HIS,SQL,RA N,IND,ARG HIS,SQL,RA N,IND

SQL

SQL,BLR,ARG

HIS,RAN

ATMA SQL,IND,ARG IND,ATP Watershed HIS,RAN,ATP,ARG HIS,RAN programmes KVK HIS,SQL,IND,ATP,ARG HIS,SOL,IND,ARG

40

HIS,ARG

HIS,RAN HIS

HIS,SQL,RAN

HIS

HIS,RAN IND

HIS

HIS,SQL,RA In establisN,BLR,ARG hing milk centers (ATP) AfforestHIS,RAN ation (RAN) ARG HIS,RAN,AT P, HIS,RAN,AT P,ARG HIS In providing micro irrigation systems(AT P) HIS,RAN

Another major contribution of the project was that the ORPsbegan to adopt a host of participative tools such as focused group discussions, exposure visits, field days and farmers' fairs(Table B).

Table-B 5I.NO. methods Anantapur Arjia Hisar Indore ranchi Bangalore B.5aunkhri solapur adopted Grama 1. sabha [ [ [ 2.

Focused [ [ [ [ [ [ [ group discussion 3.

Farm visits [ [ [ [ [ [ [ 4.

5.

6.

7.

Exposure visits Fielddays

[

[

[ [ Farmers' days Any other Improvin-g Night (specify) the mututal meetincontacts gs among the farmers through seed multiplicatioin programmes at village level.

[ [

[

[

[

[

[

[

[

[

[ [

[

[ Kisha-n Metho-d ghosty demonstrations on seed treatmenIPM ts, and preparation of vermicompost

Kisanmela Capacity building of farmers on natural resource management

ORPsand AICRPDAmain centers became increasingly aware fo the process of technology adoption and diffusion and methods of analysing it (Table C).

Table-C SI.NO. Low -Medium Highadoption adoption adoption (>50% ÂŤ25%) (25%-50%) Anantapur Soil test base fertilizer application in 1)

r

ground nut

2)

Use of small seed

3) 4) 5)

Mechanical seed drill

1)

2) 3)

r r r

Intercroppingof groundnutwith redgram Rainwaterharwesting Arjia Maize +blackgram(2:2)intercropping and groundnut+sesame(6:2)intercropping Deep tillage+FYM+RAS+sowing across the slope

with

maize!maize+blackgram-

blackgram!groundnut system Adoption of navjot variety of maize,RT-46 of sesame, enhancing SRRby 50%

r r r

r 41 IiiIiIIiII

I L

4)

[

Line sowing followed by use of wheel hoe Ballowal saunkhri Introduction of groundnut in light texture soil Harvesting of maize at physiological maturity and ploughing and planking immediately after harvesting of kharif crops In order to conserve moisture for rabi crops

1) 2)

[

[ 3) 4)

[

Applications of herbicides in maize crop Sowing of rabi crops at deep and wider row spacing to ensure proper emergence Bangalore Improved varities of fingermillet, cowpea and

1)

[

[(95%)

pigeon pea

2)

Fingermillet +pigeonpea(10:2) cropping system with staggered moisture conservation furrow Pigeonpea+cowpea(1:1) cropping system with insitu moisture conservation furrow to Value addition produceagriculture pigeonpea dhal making Hisar

3) 4)

[(60%)** (30%)* [(95%)

In-situ moisture conservation, tillage and water harvesting Improved varieties of various crops and seed treatment

1) 2) 3)

Integrated use of inorganic, and bio-fertilizer

4)

Weed management Indore

1)

Recycling of harvested water from farm ponds

2)

Summer tillage/deep ploughing Introducing improved varieties of soybean and chickpea Weed control through weedicides Ranchi

[(75%) [(80%) [(30) [(60)

[ 3) 4)

[

[

1)

Pigeonpea based intercropping in kharif

2) 3)

Line showing of kharif as well as rabi crops Zero tillage seeding for wheat crop for optimal moisture utilization.

[

4)

soil and moisture conservation techniques (land based)Solapur intercropping- sunflower+pigeonpea(2: 1)

[

[

1)

[

improved cultivars -chickpea (vijayand digvijay,

2)

[

pigeonpea (vipula),sorghum(m-35-1 and phule yashoda)

seedtreatment-use of biofertilizers and trichoderma

3)

IPM- for chickpea and pigeonpea

4) *

farmers expressed some fear over pest! disease problems

** inadequate

bullock

Requires more labour

42

[ [

power and bullock

drawn seed drills besides faster depletion

of soil moisture.

Impact

of Action Research

The action research processes could really able to converge programmes/ schemes for implementing NRMprogrammes (at Arjia through DRDA,NAREGSetc.), rainwater harvesting and reuse throughfarm pond technology (at Indore linkingwith state govt. programmes);participatory technology development linking with KYKand ATMA(at Arjia through Farmers' Field Schools), linkingwith CRIDA through MoRD,GOI,sponsored Farmers Participatory ActionResearch Programme (at Arjia, Ananatapur, Solapur and Bangalore). The tangible benefits were also observed at ORP, Ballowal-Saunkhri,ORP,Ranchi, ORP,Bangalore, where developing linkages with line departments/ strengthened the ORPactivities other institutions. This was much needed in the sense that, the technical personnel and financial resources are meager with ORPsto address the larger and emerging issues in rainfed agriculture even at a particular ORP's recommendation domain, to implement participatory technology extension and development plans. For example natural resource management technologieslike rainwater harvesting and reuse, are capital intensive, only can be upscaled by linkingwith ongoingprogrammeslike watersheddevelopment, NREGS etc., and further need soft loans to the farmers to adopt efficient water use methods through micro irrigation etc. which need diesel pump, sprinkler/drip systems. For large upscaling of improved varieties, improved agrotechniques, dryland horticulture etc., converging with national programmes like National Food Security Mission(NFSM),Rashtriya KrishiYikas Yojana (RKVY),and National Horticulture Mission(NHM)etc would be complementary and very effective in achieving the mandate of ORPs. Further, promoting seed village programmes, capacity building of farmers linking with ongoing programmes of KYKs,ATMA,SAMETHI,and NGOsetc. would largely benefit both the farmingcommunitiesand ORPsto enhanceparticipatoryextensionplans.

Intangible Outcomes .

The process of engagement with ORPs through this project has resulted in several positive, intangible outcomes since the beginning of the project in January 2005.

First to be no-

ticed was the latent enthusiasm among ORPscientists to look critically in to the present status of ORPs with a view to improving the effectiveness of this institution. Many ORP scientists have expressed during informal discussion that this project has provided them with a forum to think and express freely about the functioning of ORPswith respect to its mandates and scope to improve it further. Manyof such views expressed by ORPscientists go beyond the responses collected from them through structured and open-ended questionnaires administered to them from time to time.

.

The project has been instrumental in providing a forum to both ORPsand main centres where each can appreciate the role of the other and develop mutual respect for each other's contribution to enhance the production and productivity of rainfed crops. Besides, it has also encouraged the CRIDAscientists to evince greater interest in technology development and dissemination at AICRPDAand ORPcenters in the study area.

.

This project also gave the opportunity to the ORPscientists to introspect and critically analyze their own activities, vis-a-vis the mandate of ORPs. Further, it made them to think out - of - the - box in order to improve the efficiency. For instance, the ORP scientists challenged the demonstration mode of technology up-scaling and started thinking in terms of participatory need assessment, participatory research and extension plans development as being pursued in ORp,Solapur.

During this period, with the help of several rounds of discussions, workshops and brain storming sessions, the participants (ORP and main scientists) have been motivated to think in a cyclical process as an underlining philosophy of action research.

The process of capacity building under

43 L-.J

The action research /learning cycle the project has also largely adopted the action learning process (shown in figure). Thus, this process is now ingrained in the minds of the participants .This will go a long way in sustaining the spirit of action research beyond the conclusion of this project.

question

fie'dL \

\.

~

(

'\reflect \ ~ ...

analyslยง

.4

\. new

..

"-

actions .. ...~

The action research/learning

./ .-/

"

cycle

Spillover outcomes

.

Though this project deals with 8 ORPsand their respective main centers, the new ideas and initiatives being undertaken have attracted the attention of the rest of the AICRPDA centers and also spilled over to the institutions of CRIDAand AICRPAM.Manymeetings and workshops held recently have taken note of the changes being initiated

as part of this

project. This process of change is being keenly observed at a larger level involvingAICRPDA and AICRPAMunder the umbrella organization CRIDA.There is a keen interest at the Project Coordination level to engage their network centers in a similar capacity building process in order to rejuvenate and reorient them to the present day challenges.

44

4.0 Summary AP Cess Funded project on "Capacity building of Operational Research Project in Rainfed

Agroecosystem- AnActionResearch' (2005 - 2008)was implemented at eight OperationalResearch Projects viz. Anantapur, Arjia, Ballowal-Saunkhri, Bangalore, Hisar, Indore, Ranchi and Solapur which are under the Network centers of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA).

The major objective of the project was to build the Capacity of ORPfor meeting the changing needs of integrating NRMresearch and to institutionalize a process to enhance the effectiveness of ORP. DuringSensitization Phase (2005-06), the focus was on emphasizing the relevance of this project through a concept note, feedback from ORPsand respective main centres on the emerging issues in strengthening the capacities of ORPs to equip itself to a paradigm shift from demonstration mode to action research mode. A Sensitization Workshop was organized at CRIDA(20 October, 2005) to discuss issues related to technical, financial, infrastructural, policy, HRDand institutional aspects of ORPs. In continuation to this, during Consultation and modification phase, a Technical Workshop was organized at CRIDA.The need for strengthening the link between main center and ORPin a complimentary to one another's objective in role play of ORPfor facilitating technology development, adoption and diffusion process was brought out vividlyin the workshop.

Duringsecond year (2006-07), both Capacity Building and Action Research Phases started simultaneously. Firstly, progress achieved during sensitization and consultation and modification phases was reviewedduringa brain stormingsessionat CRIDA(9 July 2006).Further,to take the advantage of the initial progress made, it was felt necessary to obtain explicit feed back on technologies adoption and diffusion under three categories viz. Category 1-Technologies adopted by ORP farmers and diffused to others; Category 11-Technologies adopted by ORPfarmers and not diffused to others; and Category 111-Technologies not adopted by ORP farmers nor diffused to others.

Category 1and IIfor Participatory Extension Plan while Category-IIIfor Participatory Research Plan implemented by ORPsafter analysing their capacities in terms of resources.

Once capacity building programmes began, the action research phase started. Duringthis phase, participative research and extension plan were developed as action plans of ORPs.To start with, as suggested by external reviewers of this project, the action research started.

Three Day Technical Workshop on Action Research, Impact Analysis and Participatory Technology Assessment was organized at CRIDAto impart the knowledge of participatory processes and action research, to share the experiences of action research process initiated at ORP,Solapur and also to analyse technology adoption and diffusion processes in terms of the support systems During the third year, taking the advantage and experiences from the action research at ORP, Solapur, the same process was initiated at four more ORPsviz. Anantapur, Arjia, Ranchi and Indore through organizing Technical Workshops/ Brainstorming meeting on "Development of Participatory Action Plan and Strategies for Technology Upscaling".

45

..

This could enable to practice participatory situational analysis, developing action plans for Participatory Extension Plans and Participatory Technology Development, strengthening linkage between main centre and ORP,ORPand other institutions/agencies/ programme/schemes for building the capacities of these ORPs. Future Programme

. . . .

ORPsas integral part of the main center, should formulate programme planning for effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation For wider upscaling and scaling out of the rainfed technologies, ORPprogrammes should be linked with the ongoing local schemes/programmes of state/central govts.

A convergence approach with the research, education and extension programmes of the local institutions/agencies/organizations/communities engaged in rainfed agriculture development is essential Policy research on support systems is needed: 0 0

0 0

to find out which kind of community organizations are ideal for upscaling Categoy -I and II technologies which type of financial incentive is required for adoption and retention of Category I and IItechnologies, whether revolving funds, bank loans or contributory approach whether the technologies that are not being adopted for want of labour would be adopted if and only labour was made available need to think about such technologies, that emerge out of informal research and document the outcome of such research, for validation and upscaling.

0

46

..

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Ravindra Chary, G., Sreenath Dixit, Vittal, K.P.R. and Maruthi Sankar, G.R. (2006). Need for capacity building of Operational Research Projects in rained agro-ecosystem vis-a-vis emerging natural resource management and livelihood issues. Paper presented in National Seminar on "Emerging issues and development strategies for dryland agriculture and waste land management" held at CRIDA, Hyderabad(6-7, March).

B., Maruthi Sankar, G.R., Dixit,S., Rao, K.V., Pratibha, G., Osman, M. and Kareemulla, K. 2008. Rainfed Agro-Economic Zones (RAEZs):A Step towards Sustainable Land Resource Management and Improved Livelihoods. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Land Resource Management and Livelihood Security, the Indian Society of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, 10-12 September 2008, Nagpur, India, Pages. 70.

Ravindra Chary, G., Venkateswarlu,

Rhoades, Robert. 1990. The Coming Revolution in Rural Research. International

Potato Centre, Philip-

pines.

Robert Chambers, 1991. In Search of Extensionstrategy for minimizing risk in Rainfed agriculture. . In. (Eds. C. Prasad and P.Das.) Extension strategies for rainfed agriculture. Indian Society of Extension Education, New Delhi, India. Pages. 47 - 51.

Rogers, Everett M. 1983. Diffusion of Innovations.

New York: Free

Press.

Singh, S.P. Prasad,

c and Daulat Singh. 1991. Research -Development -Farmer Linkage for Sustained Higher Productivity of Rainfed Agriculture. . In. (Eds. C. Prasad and P. Das.) Extension strategies for rainfed agriculture. Indian Society of Extension Education, New Delhi, India. Pages. 218 -243.

ThomasJohn K., Howard Ladewigeand Wm. Alex Mcintosh. 1990. The adoption of integrated pest management practices among Texas cotton growers. Rural Sociology. 55 (3).

Vittal,K.PR., H.P.Singh, G.Ravindra Chary, G.R.Maruthi Sankar, Y.G.Prasad, M.Srinivasa Rao, J.S. Samra and Gurbachan Singh.2003. Improved Agronomic practices for Dryland crops in India-A publication of AICRPDA, CRIDA, Hyderabad. Pages.210.

48

'----

Annexure-I Initial Feedback from ORPsand respective main centres 1. How do you perceive ORP in terms of its objectives and focus?

Anantapur

.

The role of ORPin testing the technologiesdevelopedat the research station for their validityand adoptability is pivotal It is limited to agricultural alone. But the entire family cannot sustain on rainfed agriculture alone.

Hence mixed farming or the whole family subsistence through out year should be taken into consideration. Hence the objectives should also include the methodologies to develop location specific farming systems, arid fruits, agro-forestry systems etc.

Arjia

. . . .

. .

The focus of ORP is to test and improve the transferability of dryland research recommendations on farmer's field.

The emphasis is to develop technology through on-farm testing, verification and transfer of commodity research (Crop, variety, soil, water and nutrient management etc) recommendations and it is more or less a top- down approach.

The operational constraints are identified in adoption of each component technology and feedback is provided to research station for refinement of technology, if required.

Herein, the research recommendation are developed under a resource enrich environment (At station) whereas it is to be applied under resource poor conditions (At farmer's field). Probably, the concept of integrated research has been adopted for transfer of dryland research but resource conditions of dryland and imitated farmers are quite different. Therefore, the focus should be changed to farming system research, wherein the farmer's socio-economic condition resource should be treated as major factor.

The focus should be changed to solve the problems of individual farmer by adopting the durable technologies, because adoption of a particular technology by a farmer depends on his overall socio-economic environment.

Aparticular technology may be suitable for one farmer and may not be suitable for another farmer.

It should be supported by optimum utilization of natural resources, so that at each stage, support can be extended to help in his decision making.

The rainwater management studies should be more intensified in ORPto enhance the transferability of technology as it is more specific to farmer's production environment than other commodities like improved crop and cropping system, nutrient management and farm implements.

Bangalore

. . .

The main focus of the ORPshould be not only on transfer of technology on watershed basis but it must be multidisciplinary in approach.

Besides to keep up the tempo of agriculture production and sustainability, more emphasis should be given to value addition and income generating activities in addition to employment generation.

Indeed, the major focus of the ORPcentre should revolve around the livelihood activities in relation to Natural resource Management and to sustain the production in a long run in line with the changing scenario of rainfed agriculture in order to obtain vertical yield potential of 2 tlha by year 2025.

Ballowal Saunkhri

.

.

As per the objectives of Operational Research Project (ORP), the field demonstrations for dissemination of already provendrylandtechnologyon variousaspects are laid out at the farmers fields, its testing and refinement by getting appropriate feedback from the field is carried out and the same is conveyed to the research workers for its further investigation from time to time The main focus of this project is to sustain the productivity level through crop diversification,

49 l_,.J

agro-forestry/agri-horticulture, ent management.

soil and water conservation measures as well as integrated nutri-

Hisar

. . .

We perceive ORPin terms of its objectives and focus relevant but the objectives need to be modified in the changing scenario of rainfed

agriculture.

Indore

. .

So far the approach of ORPis to tackle local problems by and large in demonstrational mode with emphasis on improving crop productivity.

Howeverit has been experienced in these watersheds that conservationof natural resources has been the priorityof the villagers.Unlessthese resourcesare made availablein the watershed, the sustainability/adoption of dryland technologies generated at control conditions (on station research) is doubtful. Thus the priority/objectives of ORP's should be more on developmental activities supplemented by other trials On rainfed activities. Therefore, focus of ORPshould aim at addressing natural resource management issues particularly land degradation in rainfed Agriculture in addition to on going crop related activities..

Involvement of farmers/ stakeholders in consultation and modification phase

Ranchi ORPwas implemented in 1976 at this place, which was a phase-II Programme of Dryland Agricultural Project. The objectives of ORPwere mainly: Transfer of Dryland Technology in a watershed area.

To see the adoption of technology and to get feed back from farmers for modification and refinement of technologies.

In spite of best efforts made during the period, the adoption of technologies is low. In order to increase the effectiveness of functioning of ORPin the changing scenario, its refinement in terms of Integrated Farming System, Horti-Silvi Pasture management, linkages with Government & other institutions are required.

Solapur

.. .

.

The Operational Research Project on Dryland Agriculture has distinction in the sense that the ORP unit has done the testing drylandtechnologydeveloped byAICRPDA, Solapur;recordingfeed back of research and identified the constraints in transfer of technology. As per the objectives, the project has conducted demonstrations cum-verification trials on farmers' field viz., in-situ moisture conservation practices like ridges and furrows, compartmental bunds.

The adoption of these practices is above 40 per cent in the ORPvillages. Adoption of improved crop varieties is 100 per cent. The proper sowing time, different cropping systems, dryland horticulture, animal component, use of improved farm implements, INMand IPMthese improved technologies reflected in doubling the crop yields and improved economic condition of farmers.

ORP activities reflected in increase in numbers of cross breed milch animals, improvement in transport and communication facilities, adoption in dryland horticulture and successful shift from traditional farming to improved dryland cultivation.

In this way the overall development enlighten the living standard of the farmers of ORPvillages viz., Sasure, Konheri and Sarole villages towards satisfaction.

2. How do you perceive the present linkage between main Centre (AICRPDA)and ORP? Anantapur

.

The present linkage between main centre and ORPis well maintained to get the research achievements and to implement in farmers fields and feed back to the research station. In ANGRAU,the services of scientists from veterinary faculty and home science have also been utilizing for ORPin village.

Arjia

.

50

The present linkage between main centre an<l ORPis satisfactory and is as per mandate.

.

The ORPis treated as an integral part of the main centre and they are responsible for transferring the research recommendations to farmer's field. Whereas if the research is to be changed from commodity research to farming system research, then more emphasis should be given on ORPby upgrading the present positions in ORP and make it more diversified with the changing agricultural environment, more experienced persons are required to work at farmer's field (Uncontrolled environment) than on -station work (Controlled environment). It will also improve the effectiveness of linkage between ORPand main centre.

Bangalore

. .

The existing linkage between AICRPDAand ORPcentres though highly satisfactory, it needs to be reoriented in having linkages between various stake holders and NGO's working in the village community.

Besides it would be appropriate that the scientific manpowered of ORP should be strengthened with socio-economic scientists in order to emphasis more focused approached on livelihood activities for sustained production.

Ballowal Saunkhri The linkage of ORPwith the main centre is well maintained in various aspects on the latest dryland production technology at the farmers' fields.

Various extension activities Le. Farmers' group meetings, field days etc. are undertaken in collaboration with the scientists of the main centre.

.

The farmers of the adopted village are encouraged to participate in the Regional Kisan Melas as well as State Level KisanMelas to acquaint them regarding the new innovations, allied enterprises and also to get the improved seed of the field crops, fruit plant saplings and also to have on -spot interaction with the scientists during their field visit.

Hisar

.

ORP team is satisfied with particularly research linkages with the main centre and transfer of technologies to the dryland farmers generated by the main centre.

Indore

.

The Present linkage between main centre and ORPis quite conducive.

Tested research results are being transferred to farmer's fields in the form of trials/ demonstrations. These are being tested with the existing practices of the farmers.

.

.

The problems or the bottlenecks if any faced by the farmers are given as feed back to the main centre for further refinement and modification.

Ranchi The linkage between main centre & ORPis sound.

.

The technologies developed at main centre are being tested & evaluated at farmer's field in ORP villages.

Various activities (Farmer's Group, Field day etc) carried out in ORPvillages are under taken in collaboration with scientists of main centres. It is perceived that this linkage should continue.

Solapur

. .

The various technologies generated at main centre have tested on farmers field by conducting the verification field trials by the ORPstaff. The constraints and feedback in the adoption of technologies are given to AICRPDA Scientists.

By considering the feedback given by ORP,the trials are planned and conducted at main centre.

Some of the trials based on feedback are: size of compartmental bunds, sowing time of rabi sorghum and row spacing for rabi sorghum. The problems of the farmers are solved by organizing pre-seasonal! Mid - seasonal trainings, farmers days and farmers rallies at ORPvillages with guidance of AICRPDAScientists, subject matter specialists.

and DECfrequently visit the ORPactivities and farmers problemsare The ScientistsfromAICRPDA solved by spot guidance. Farmers are advised to use fertilizers as per the soil test by analysing the soilsamplesat maincentre. There are effective and goodlinkagesbetween AICRPDA activitiesand ORP activities.

51 1.J

3. Could we. establish an on-farm participatory organic linkage (a sustained two way linkage) with the stakeholders?

Anantapur

. Yes,it is possible Arjia

.

Yes, we have established an on-farm participatory organic linkage with the stakeholders that is visible & on increasing interacting and demand for intuitional work advice at individual farmer's / village level for adopted & new technologies.

Bangalore

..

At the present juncture, the ORPproject is being operated on non-participatory mode.

It is desired that it would be highly appropriate, if the same project is operated on participatory mode, taking cognizance of the local technology and improved technology together, in order to reach a sustained production besides conservation of natural resources.

Ballowal Saunkhri

.

Yes, we can well establish an on-farm participatory linkage with the stakeholders.

Hisar .

Yes,already we have established on farm participatory approach.

Indore

. .

In on going programme, on farm participatory organic linkage is yet to be established.

Ranchi Yes, on farm participatory organic linkage can be established with the stakeholders for changing local scenario.

Solapur

.

Operational Research Project can establish on farm participatory organic linkage with farmers.

However the farmers are not willing to use organics in dryland because of reduction in yields during first two to three years. As there is shortage of organic matter, farmers prefer to use organics in irrigated farming. There is need to educate the farmers. regarding the organic farming.

The linkages can be developed after giving guarantee for higher prices of organically grown agriculturaL produce and assured market availability

4. How do you think it can be bettered?

Anantapur

. .

Through repeated group discussions, trainings and on- farm farming systems research

Arjia The organic linkage between scientist and stakeholders can be improved, if the technology can help them in decision making of their on-farm activities to improve their socio-economic conditions. It will require an application of science rather than suggesting the technology only, because a technology mayor may not be suitable for each framer's socio-economic conditions The exposure of the scientist should be wide enough to solve the problems and minimize the risk of the farmers through site specific programmers.

Bangalore

. .

It is better to create awareness among the farmers on dwindling natural resources and productivity besides migration.

Hence the better way to deal with the present scenario is through by formation of various self help groups, area groups, wherein the loca! group wiHhave a say in maintaining the natura! resources, rather than we imposing new technology innovations.

Ballowal Saunkhri

.

.

52

...

On-farm participatory organic linkage can be established in the ORPvillage by formulating differ-

ent village development committees (VDCs)involving the scientists and the progressive farmers of the village.

.

For instance, establishment of a Bio-gas plant on community basis with the technical advice of the experts to meet both the fuel needs of the villagers as well as to get weed free nutritive bio-slurry for raising organic based horticulture/vegetable produce. Similarly, the preparation of vermi-compost on commercial basis by formulating a self help group of the farmers is another organic based aspect.

.

Demonstrations on use of well-decomposed organic slurry for cultivation of maize crop under rainfed conditions can be conducted to sustain the soil health and crop productivity.

Hisar By involving more and more farmers we can do more and in better way for the overall community development and to improve the present status of farmers by transferring only feasibly viable dryland technologies through live demonstrations specific to the particular area.

RWHthrough tanka Indore

.

It can be bettered by including more components of organic farming like vermi- compost, use of Neem leaves or oil (Insect repeller), green leaves for mulching and green manuring of Glyricidia loppings.

Ranchi

. . .

For the betterment of ORP, involvement of scientist and progressive farmers of the village in different groups is required for all round development of the village.

By providing training to stake holders on various aspects of crop husbandly & animal husbandry, home science, human & animal health, aquaculture, Encouraging small scale livelihood activities etc. this can be realized. The above group may help in formation of micro finance activities like self help group, user group etc. within the village.

Solapur The on farm participatory organic linkage with farmers will help to know the impact of various technologies in terms of crops productivity, soil fertility status and soil health. This linkage will also help to get the feed back points for further refinement.

1. Whether ORPs have been able to stabilize the yield of rainfed crops in your area?

Anantapur .

Yes, ORP is able to stabilize the yield of rainfed crops in ORP area by appropriate production technologies

Arjia

.

Yes, It had been demonstrated in the working area, but its horizontal expansion is required.

Bangalore

. . . .

Though ORPs have shown the way in enhancing the productivity of dryland crops on mission Mode basis for a span of 3 years in a locality, the yields were stabilized as long as the existence of ORP No sooner the ORPwas withdrawn from the locality; the impact was not visible, as it was seen during the course of implementation.

This may be due to lack of non-participatory method by the farming community, which was driven only through input supply. Hence, in order to stabilize the productivity in a long run) t is desired that the implementation of the programmes should be on watershed basis through participatory mode with a minimum area of 500 ha. In basin.

In order to achieve this, it is desired that the centre should be strengthened with adequate technical manpower and financial support.

Ballowal Saunkhri Yes, ORPs have been able to stabilize the yield of rainfed crops by laying field demonstrations on 53

latest dryland production technolo -9Ywhich includes crop diversification, soil and water conservation measures, in-situ rain water harvesting and its recycling, integrated nutrient, weed and pest management, and alternative land use system etc.

Hisar

.

Yes,ORPhas been able to stabilize the yield of rainfed crops in area up to appreciable extent but not able to stabilize the yield of dryland crops particuLarly in desertic region due to. frequent occurrence of drought owing to lesser and erratic rainfall along with natura1 calamities like hailstorm, sand storms. (Shifting of sand dunes) etc

Indore

. .. . .

The yield Of rainfed crops in ORPareas fluctuate mainly due to erratic rains and long dry spells during the crop period and aberrant weather situations. Though different components of dryland technology have been used to combat the situation including selection of suitable varieties (early maturing), proper sowing time, correct seed rate, maintenance of proper plant population, use of cultures, timely interculture operations, IPM,INM,mulching and inter or mixed cropping.

However, despite best efforts made by scientists of ORPand dryland, the yield of rainfed crops in the area although enhanced but could not be stabilize mainly because of vagaries of monsoon.

The yields of crop mostly depend on availability of moisture, which is certainly a limiting factor.

Therefore the deveLopment of natural resources / water bodies should be linked with demonstrations

Ranchi The activities of ORPhave helped stabilize the yield of rainfed crops by introducing dryland technologies such as Weed and Pest Management, Integrated Nutrient management, SoiLftWater conservation measures, Rain water harvesting and its recycling and by adopting alternative land use systems in ORP villages which are spreading gradually to other parts of the state Solapur The yield levels are increased in ORP villages. However to stabilize the yield of rainfed crops there is need to undertake the integrated use of dry land technologies on large scale in QRP villages.

Similar developments

of farming system modules are essential

2. What is your impression about Farming System Research?

Anantapur

. .

Farming systems research is the best approach to increase the income of the farm families. .

Sustainability can be achieved with the farming systems, especially in rainfed areas where the Cropping season is limited and confined to four months only

Arjia .

It will be a good tool to solve the problems of farmers considering their socio-economic conditions in a particular production environment. It will also help to improve and stabilize the farm income and minimize the risk factors.

.

It will also improve the adoption of technologies, because the recommended technology and farmer's resource interaction will help in achieving the required outcome.

Bangalore

.

.

54

As a matter of fact, all most all the farmers in rural area are practicing farming system only, which provides them regular income throughout the year, besides employment generation, food and nutritional security on a minimum basis.

Indeed, in order to strengthen the farming system approach, it is very much essential to identify the lacuna in a farming system and strengthen the weaknesses in a farming system, so that the farmers income will be raised substantially, in order to meet the changes in the recent agricultural scenario.

.

Besides the farming system research would not only add to the income stability, but also prevent rural migration, as compared to cropping system or any other system. Nevertheless, the farming system will add to the maintenance of natural resources in a long run.

Ballowal Saunkhri

. .

Farming System Research in rainfed conditions may be helpful to the farmers for generating additional income along with farming as main occupation. Dairy, bee- keeping, mushroom growing, and back yard poultry are the enterprises which can be included in the existing farming system Similarly, inclusion of new aspects Likeagro-forestry, agri-horti as well as vegetables under rainfed conditions in the farming system can be fruitful for enhancing the farm income.

Hisar

.

Yes, the farming system is good in dryland agriculture for sustained livelihood and generating employment by involving other allied agriculture enterprises throughout the year to improve the financial status of dryland community for the specific area.

Indore

.

. . . .

At present there is no specific system which is being adopted in the region except that during rainy season over 90% of arable lands are planted to soybean under rainfed conditions and soybean followed by wheat, chickpea and some vegetable crops under irrigated and partially irrigated conditions.

Farmers do not give any cognizance to the important components of the farming systems e.g. dairy, piggery, poultry, agro-hortil agro-forestry, fodder and other allied enterprises.

Although, the farmers of the region practice various farming systems such as Fisheries, Dairy, Piggery, Poultry apart from mixed crops with options for cereals, pulses, oilseed and fodder but they practice them independently.

These systems are prevalent in a very unsystematic and fragmented fashion.

Further, most of the technologies promoted recently do not seem to be very sensitive to issues of farming systems and interdependence of various farming enterprises.

Therefore, any attempt made towards the systematic studies on farming system models cutting across the production system and agro- eco-sub region is worth justified specially in the dryland and rainfed areas where these models are not in practice.

Ranchi

.

To improve the economic conditions of the farmers conventional agriculture should be supplemented with allied agricultural activities like Dairy, Livestock, Bee keeping etc, agro forestry, homestead agro horticulture. So an integrated farming system like Dairy, aquaculture, Goat rearing, Agro Forestry, and horticulture is required to generate profitable income of the farmers of this region.

Solapur

. .

Farming system research is necessary in order to stabilize the dryland crop production. Adoption of farming system will help to improve soil quality, productivity and improve the socio-economic status of farmers.

Farming system will make the farmers self sufficient, if proper modules are developed and adopted.

However very limited efforts are diverted to generate farming system research module.

3. Do you think ORPs have enough competence to take up Farming System Research?

Anantapur

. . .

Positively ORP can do the work. Farming systems research is the holistic approach to improve economic status farm families of watershed area.

As farming system research involves huge amounts of initial expenditure, sufficient funds are to be provided to begin the farming systems research in ORPareas.

Arjia Yes, has enough competence to take up the Farming System Research. However, exposure of scien-

55 ~

tist to modem tools and techniques is required.

Hisar

.

Yes, ORP have enough competence to take up farming systems research for the area specific.

However, animal scientist may be provided in the scheme.

Indore For conducting farming system research in ORPareas, a team of scientists of different disciplines along with the supporting field staff is required.

Ranchi

..

By integrating the indigenous know how and the scientific knowledge, ORPcan very well take up Farming System Research in Farmers Field.

If additional fund is provided need based periodic capacity building and exposure visit may be provided on various aspect of farming system research

Solapur

.

ORP's are enough competence to take up farming system research, if supported sufficient funds for soil water conservation structures, animal components and mechanization etc.

7. What is your opinion about relevance of research on Organic Farming in rainfed agriculture?

Anantapur

.. . . . . .

It may take a long time to achieve sustained benefits as moisture availability is the limiting factor Organic farm produce through revolving funds

Arjia Research on organic farming in dryland is very relevant. Because the soils are deficit in organic matter and farmers give more' attention to apply the limited available organic matter to their irrigated areas in spite of rainfed area.

It is a crucial factor responsible for soil health; moisture retention and crop yield on sustainable basis. Therefore, suitable technologies should be developed to improve the organic content in the soils of dryland ecosystem.

Ways and means of organic farming are be evaluated in farmer's perception by preparing holistic research and management plan at farmer's level Wider ORP Bangalore It is more desirable and appropriate to adopt integrated nutrient management which includes both organics and inorganic rather than going only for organic farming approach, to sustain better crop yield to feed the growing population.

It has been well established fact from over 27 years research data at AICRPDAMaincentre that sustainability yield index for organic farming is 0.64 and integrated nutrient management is 0.89, which is self explanatory.

Ballowal Saunkhri

.

The organic farming in rainfed conditions has little relevance because the soils of the Kandi area are low in organic matter with low moisture retention capacity and it is impossible to meet the nutritional requirement of field crops through organic sources to sustain the productivity level.

Moreover, it is not possible to meet the requirement of organic fertilizer due to its low availability.

However, it may be possible in case of fruit plants as well as kitchen gardening.

Hisar

.

At present with the research on organic farming in rainfed agriculture the farmers are satisfied as it requires low inputs and better quality of output ultimately the economic return of the farmers improves

Indore

.

56

Conservation of natural sources, production of environment, and suitability of productive and

profitable need base cropping systems and safety in long term prospective is the major goal of sustainable agriculture.

. . . . .

Besides that low input farming system seeks to minimize the use of external input like fertilizers and avoid pollution of surface and groundwater and lower the production cost.

The organic wastes from different sources could be recycled, reprocessed and put to productive use. Nearly 100 to 115 million tonnes of crop residue are either wasted or burnt. The organic waste available in India is estimated to supply about 7.1, 3.0 and 7.6 million tonnes of N, Pps and K.20, respectively. The crop residue alone can supply about 1.13, 1.41 and 3.54 MTof N, PPs and KzO, respectively.

Farming system using only manures or compost additions has increased during the recent years as ecological farming has become more common.

Hence, it is necessary to undertake the scientific study on the use of organic sources on increasing production potential in cropping sequences and maintenance of soil productivity.

This kind of farming needs a long term experimentation and financial support to the farmers as the results of this system will be effective only after 4 to 5 years.

Ranchi As far as the scope for research on organic farming in rain fed agriculture system is concerned, its relevance is limited to vegetable and other high valued crops. Though there is stability in productivity due to organic farming but due to partial decomposition of organic matter in moisture stress condition it cannot be under taken on a larger scale.

Solapur

. . .

. .

Organic farming in dry land is one of the important components to increase and stabilize the crop yields by maintaining soil fertility and productivity, However research on organic farming yet to be initiated.

The farmers of dryland areas are not adopting organic farming as there is reduction in crop yield at initial stage. It is therefore necessary to produce organic matter through composting technique which is pre requisite for organic farming.

Efforts should be diverted for crop residue management, use of biofertilizers, green manuring, etc. The concept of organic farming can be effectively implemented for few horticultural crops rather than all field crops under dryland. Dueto very minimumuse of fertilizers and insecticides under dryland condition by the farmer therefore the cereals, pulses and oilseeds grown under dryland is more or less organically grown agricultural produce.

Farmers are to be educated regarding the importance of organic farming as it improves the soil health, crop production as well as quality of produce.

There is need to have a separate market for organicallygrown products so that farmers will get higher rates for organically produced yields and they can compensate the net returns.

4. Do you think ORPs are well equipped to conduct research on Organic farming?

Anantapur .

. . .

Yes, ORPsare well equipped to conduct research on organic farming.

Besides this, the Services of scientists of main centre and the equipment of the main centre can also be better utilized for intensifying the research.

Yes, ORPscan conduct the research on organic farming. However, some equipment will be required to conduct the research.

Bangalore Research on organic farming needs to be re-examined and reconsidered BalIowaI Saunkhri The present ORPsare not well equipped to conduct research on organic farming and needs fully equipped laboratories for chemical residue analysis of soils, product and quality analysis.

Hisar

57

.

Yes,ORPare well equipped to conduct research on organic farming with the condition that minimal field staff (Technicians) may be made available during the peak period.

Indore

.

At present setup of ORP at this centre is not sufficient in terms of Human Resource: Experts/ scientists specialized in horticulture; soil science, veterinary sciences and social sciences are required.

.

Equipments: Weather station, auto-runoff recorders and sediment samplers are required. .

Transport: Replacement of old jeep. .

Finance: Enhancement in recurring and non-recurring grants. .

These are desperately required to carry out organic farming on farm research.

Ranchi .

Yes, ORP scientist may conduct research on Organic training system in farmers field, if laboratory facility for analysis of soil samples for major, minor and micronutrients produce under organic farming is made available at the main centre.

and quality analysis of

Solapur Operational .

Research Project can conduct research on organic farming in collaboration with AICRPDA Scientist and ORPScientist, in order to show the impact of organic farming on soil health and crop productivity.

5. Whether the present professional expertise with ORP scientist is sufficient issue/needs in rainfed agriculture?

to address the emerging

Anantapur

.

Yes .But Home science and post harvest technologists and veterinary assistants may be added to the ORP team for overall development of economic status and agri-based enterprises in villages.

.

Veterinary component is the only source available not only for intermittent converting agriculture byproducts into value added products.

Arjia .

earnings but. also for

No, The professional expertise is required to be updated in the global changing scenario of agriculture specialized training in organic production management and modeling techniques need urgent attention

Bangalore

.

The ORPscientists need to be re-oriented through capacity building process from various national and international institutes to address the emerging issues.

Ballowal Saunkhri

.

The present professional expertise in ORPis not fully sufficient to address the em_gill9- needs in the rainfed- areas. In addition to the raising of field crops, inclusion of horticulture, forestry/ silvipasture and animal husbandry can playa vital role in the socio-economic upliftment of the farmers of the area.

Hisar .

No, at present professional expertise with ORP staff in not sufficient to address the emerging needs/issues of the rainfed agriculture. For diversification of rainfed agriculture there may be a specialized team (plant protection, rainfed horticulture).

Indore

. .

4'

To carry out the research on new frontiers like organic farming and farming system research there is a need of experts in the field of Soil Science, Horticulture and Veterinary Science.

The present expertise with ORP scientists is not sufficient to address the emerging issues of the subject concerned in rainfed agriculture

Ranchi

58 1181

'" ~.

~".

J<=1t::m'r~aaresSLne-emerg1ng

Issues IS requIred

Solapur

.

Additional one Social Scientist, Animal and Dairy Scientists and Plant Protection Scientist are essential in order to have farming systems research and to give the guidance to the dairy enterprises and use of various plant protection measures for control of disease and pest.

6.

What is your specific training capacity building needs and in which theme areas of?

Anantapur

.. .. . . .. .. .. .. . . .

Needmore funds and specific training in the ar~s of GIS New statistical tools for analysis of case stuc}ies Visualizing success stories in international scenario Conduct and analysis of Farming system research Agrotechniques in establishment of new species in this semiarid tract Agrotechniques to develop grazing or change grazing pattern in villages.

Arjia Remote sensing, GIS Organic farming, Site specific Nutrient Management Techniques, Modeling techniques Bangalore

There is a need for training the ORPscientists on the followingtheme areas.

Advances in improved crops/cropping systems/INM / farming systems Management strategies.

Mechanization and custom hiring centres.

Value addition to agricultural produce Natural Resource Management e) Watershed approach for sustainable yield.

Ballowal Saunkhri

Specific trainings for the capacity building of the scientists are needed especially in the field of farming systems research, organic farming, cultivation of high value crops etc.

Short duration training course on modeling (simulation and prediction) in respective fields under rainfed condition needs to be arranged may be in India or abroad. For instance, Centre for farming systems at University of Western Sydney, Australia is mainly focusing their research on similar aspects that matches to our climatic conditions too which could be one of the prospective places for this type academic exchange programme.

Hisar

.

Our specific training/capacity building needs are to overall development of farming community through live demonstration and trainings needed like value addition, diversification, public and animal health in rainfed agriculture, village infrastructure and information technology etc. through specialized professionals only

Indore

.

Training of existing staff is needed in the field of Remote sensing, GISand agro- climatology.

Ranchi

.

Training needs on Farming systems, Rainfed agriculture, Organic farming, Soil moisture conservation, Geographic information System and Remote Sensing is essential.

Solapur

.

It is necessary to arrange the trainings regarding GIS, organic farming, dairy enterprises, sheep and goat rearing, community organization and social aspects, etc.

59

III

Annexure /I Details of TechnologyAdoption and Diffusion Process

Technology

Adopted

Category 1-Technologies that are adopted by ORPfarmers 30 Intercroppingwith g nut and PP (11: 1/15:1) 20 Late leaf spot management in groundnut Use of small and shriveled seeds for sowing 30 groundnut Seed rate and seed treatment

ImprovedvarietyVemanagroundnut Soiltest-based fertilizer application Tractor drawn mechanical seed drill

30 10 15

30 Supplemental irrigationwith harvestedrainwater 5

Diffused

Remarks/reasons

and diffused other farmers 25 10 15

Saves cost, being popularized by other organizations

15 5 10

Nonavailabilityof seeds Soil test service improved, soil test cards introduced

20

Custom hiringfacility beingprovided

1

CategoryII Technologiesthat are adoptedby ORPfarmersbut not diffusedto others farmers 10

Groundnut and sheepfarmingsystem

Category 111Technologiesthat are not adopted either by ORPfarmers or by others Compartmental bunding, contour cultivation, Lack of spectacularresults, operational conservation furrows difficulties, silting up of bunding

ORP,Arjia (130 farmers 1 villages) Technology

Adopted

Diffus ed

Category I-Technologies that are adopted by ORPfarmers and diffused other farmers 25 50 Summertillagein Maize 25 60 Ridgingafter 30 DASin maize 2 10 ImprovedNaadisystemof cultivation for Rabicrops Maize TAG 50 100 (navjot),groundnut (JL24, 24),Semame(RT 46),blackgram (RPU 38), greengram (K851), horsegram(AK42) Maize+blackgram (2:2) Grounnut+sesame (6:2) Maize-blackgramrotation for 2 years Gram+mustard(sowingmustard4m apart actrossgramrows

20 20

5 15 Sowingof sorghumfodder, greengramandsesameduringdelayed 10 onsetof monsoon 5 Arjia Two tyne seed drill

\.

60 L..w,.

10 80 60 25 13 50

Remarks/reasons

3000

15

ArjiaWheelhoe

Government supplying on subsidy

2 15 Arjia Cell type seeddrill 2 5 Tree holedigger CategoryIITechnologiesthat are adopted by ORPfarmers but not diffused to others farmers and non 10 High cost Rotavatorseedbedpreparation availability 5 Straycattle menace Sowingof cenchrusandcontourtrenches 4 Technologyproblem?

Maize+pigeonpea (1:1) 1 Socialand physicalfencing Developmentof degradedcommunitypastureland and facilitation lacking in other villages CategoryIII-Technologiesthat are not adopted either by ORPfarmers or by others Trenchof orchardplanting Aonlabaseddiversifiedfarming

Poor establishment, long gestation Sameasabove

Acaciatortilis+cenchusintercropping

Poorsurvival

Ballowal-Saunkhri (70 farming families, 1 Village) Diffused I Adopted Technology Category I-Technologies that are adopted by ORP farmers and diffused other farmers 7 80 Finger millet MR1, GPU 28 and 26,HR911 6 25 Pigeon pea TTB7,Hyd 3-C, BRG 1 and 2 40 5 Fodder crops: African tall, Giant Bajra, 8 70 Horse gram PHG 9 80 16 Fingermillet+pigeonpea 10:2 3 10 Maize+cowpea 3: 1 for fodder 10 25 Pigwonpea+cowpea 1: 1 55 25 Deep plowing Summer 80 40 Sowing across the slope 60 30 Staggered furrows for moisture conservation 10 40 Pitcher irrigation for mango establishment 15 25 INMin fingermillet 25 45 Agrihorti system:Fingermillet+Redgram (8:2or 10:2)+mango 5 30 Drumstick on field bunds 10 60 Casuarina and silver oak on filed bunds 5 2 Tractor drawn seed-cum-fert drill 40 25 Hand weeders 75 60 Back yard poultry with duel purpose birds (Giriraja) 4 10 Sheep upgradation by including improved ram breed in the herd 16 30 Value addition to pigeon pea by Introduction of Dhal mill Category II Technologies that are adopted Improved cowpea KBC1and 2,

by ORP farmers

but not diffused to others f-farmers 6

Groundnut+pigeonpea (8:2 or 10:2) Bullock drawn Seed cum Fert drill

10 10

Piggery Category III-Technologies Fingermillet+Soybean (4: 1)

3 that are not adopted

either by ORP farmers

I Remarks/reasons

High pest problem, willing to adopt as only intercrop Wild boar problem native Heavier, hallikar bullock breed declining Social inhibitions

or by others Lack of soybean soybean

market

for

and pest in

61

Bang%re (300 farmers ;n two vUlages) Technology

Adopted

Diffused

Remarks/reasons

CategoryI-Technologiesthat are adopted by ORPfarmersand diffused other farmers 7 80 Fingermillet MR1,GPU28and26,HR911 PigeonpeaTTB7,Hyd3-C,BRG1 and2

6

25

Foddercrops:Africantall, GiantBajra, HorsegramPHG9

5

40

8

70

Fingermillet+pigeonpea 10:2

16

80

Maize+cowpea 3:1 for fodder

3

10

Pigwonpea+cowpea 1:1 DeepplowingSummer

10

25

25

55

Sowingacrossthe slope

40

80

Staggeredfurrowsfor moistureconservation

30

60

Pitcherirrigation for mangoestablishment

10

40

INMin fingermillet

15

Agrihortisystem:Fingermillet+Redgram (8:2or10:2)+mango Drumstickon field bunds Casuarinaandsilveroakon filed bunds

25

25 45

5

30

10

60

Tractordrawnseed-cum-fertdrill

2

5

Handweeders

25

40

Backyardpoultry with duel purposebirds (Giriraja) Sheepupgradationby includingimprovedram breedin the herd

75

60

4

10

Valueadditionto pigeonpeaby Introductionof Dhalmill

16

30

CategoryII Technologiesthat are adopted by ORPfarmers but not diffusedto others Harmers 6 ImprovedcowpeaKBC1and2, High pest problem, willing to adopt as only intercrop 10 Groundnut+pigeonpea (8:2or 10:2) Wild boarproblem BullockdrawnSeedcumFert drill

10

Piggery

3

native Heavier, hallikar bullock breed declining Socialinhibitions

Category11/Technologiesthat are not adopted either by ORPfarmers or by others Fingermillet+Soybean (4:1)

Lack of market for soybeanand pest in soybean

62 L""",,,..

Hisar (523 farmers in 2 villages)

Diffused Adopted Technology Category I-Technologies that are adopted by ORPfarmers and diffused other farmers 280 Discharrowing in kharif fallow for rabi crops for chickpea and 18 mustard 20 310 Pearlmillet hybrid HHB 67 and 94 Mustard RH 30 10 300 4 130 Barley BH 393 15 180 Yellowmosaic resistant MungbeanAshaand Muskan, 150 Short duration Cluster bean HG365 and 563 Drought resistant 15 Pearlmillet: harvest 3'd row for fodder 3 20 200 Rhizobium for gram, clusterbean and mung bean and 40 azotobacter in raya and pearlmilliet Wheel hand hoe in pearl miller and mustard Aonlaand ber (8X8) with mungbeanand clusterbean(15 rows) as intercrops

20 2

Improved tanka

1

60 1

Remarks/reasons

Agri Univ has a spl scheme for supplyingculture Blue bull menace and lack of protective irrigation

7

Want subsidy for construction

Category IITechnologies that are adopted by ORPfarmers but not diffused to others farmers 12 Non availability of seeds, Moth bean RMO40 seed germination in the field before harvest.

6 Proper seed drill is not Inter cropping of cluster bean/Mung in pearl millet (8:4) available 3 Ridgerseeder for tiny seeded crops (pearl millet) Category III-Technologies that are not adopted either by ORPfarmers or by others A.nilotica, neem, maha neem: in agro forestry

Lack of custom hiring system Local prosopis preferred, its population declining due to mechanization Concern about lower plant population

Wider row spacing drought tolerance ORP, Indore (310 farmers in two villages)

Technology

Adopted (no)

Diffused

Reasons/Remarks

(no)

Category1-Technologiesthat are adopted by ORPfarmers and diffused other farmers 50 Requires proper technical Recyclingof harvestedwater throughfarm ponds(dugout as 10 guidance well as surface ponds) 20 100 Agri Engg Dept provides Summertillage/deepploughing customhiringservice 150 20 Soybean(JS 335, JS 9355)Pigeonpea(JIA3) High yielding and medium NRCSseed drill and CRIDAplanter

49

50

Gabionstructurefor outlet for water harvesttank

3

1

duration,bold seeds Being made available on customhiring basis Easy in construct and low cost compared to cement outlet that normallycracks in blacksoils

63

II

Floriculture-marigold, chrysanthemum

10

30

Goodmarketandprofit

CategoryII Technologiesthat are adoptedby ORPfarmersbut not diffusedto others farmers 10 Sitespecific,nonavailability Gullystraightening of heavymachines 20 Non-availabilityof gypsum Useof sulphurin soybean 15 Non-availability of organics Conjunctiveuse of organicsand inorganicsfor N and Pin soybean(50:50) Category111Technologiesthat are not adopted either by ORPfarmers or by others None Zerotillage/Minimumtillage Agro-hortisystem(drumstick+pigeonpea, Aonla+pigeonpea) RaisedbedandsunkenbedandBBF

Weedproblem?Hardcrust?

Intercropping(Soybean+ Pigeon pea- 4:2) ORP,Ranchi(170farmingfamilies in 3 villages) Diffused Technology Adopted CategoryI-Technologiesthat are adopted by ORPfarmers and diffused other farmers 10 8 Intercroppingpigeonpeawith groundnut(1:2) 20 Improvedup landrice VandanaandBirsaGora,transplantvariety IR64 30 25 Mustard-Sivani, pigeonpea-BR65, Linseed-Subra andT-397,Peas-Arkel 20 10 20 Litchi, mangoandtamarindin homesteadgardens 10 10 Grubberasa weedingtool 05 10 Useof NPK-40-20-20 in uplandrice

Remarks/reasons

CategoryII Technologiesthat are adopted by ORPfarmers but not diffusedto othersfarmers Ipomeaasmulchfor linseedcrop

10

Linseed not

main

crop, hence;not sown in rows Birsaridgerplowto replacecountryplow

10

Highcost,

UplandRiceVarietiesBirsaVikasDhan109,110,

20

MaizeBVN,GoundnutBirsaBold,MustardPusabold

20

Animaldrawnporafor seedingof wheat

10

Localsprefer coarser ones Yield levels don't differ much Wheat cultivated in limited area and cost of porais high

Category111Technologiesthat are not adopted either by ORPfarmers or by others Contourbundingcultivationoncontourson uplands

I Noimmediatebenefits

Solapur(135farm familiesin 1 village) Diffused Adopted Technology I Remarks/reasons CategoryI-Technologiesthat are adopted by ORPfarmers and diffused other farmers 60 In-situmoistureconservation 40 -50 % spread over entire district a) RidgesIi Furrows 4000(Dist.)

Improvedgenotypes(Pigeonpea (BDN-2,BSMR-736, BSMR- 30 !...,

853), Pearlmillet hybrids (Shardha, Saburi), Sunflower (5556, MSFH-17) Protective irrigation to rabi sorghum and chickpea

74

Energy management a) Use of Cycle hoe b) Use of two bowl ferti seed drill

90

Fertiliser application to rabi sorghum (50 kg N ft 25 Kg P,Os per ha)

100

60

80 % depending upon availability of water 5000 (Dist.) over as

entire it is subsidized by Govt.

2000 (Dist.)

Spread district

Hand Maize sheller Hand wheel hoe

50 percent recommended is adopted.

of dose

50 120 45 15 Category IITechnologies that are adopted by ORP farmers but not diffused to others farmers 75 Integrated Nutrient Management -No visual differences were observed a) Use of Biofertilisers (Azotobactor + Azospirilium for farmers under dryland conditions rabi sorghum sunflower, ft pearmillet, safflower, -Non availability in the local market Rhizobium for pigeon pea, blackgram, greengram, chickpea) Sequence sorghum)

Cropping (Kharif greengram

/ blackgram -Rabi

18

Alternate land use (Agri-Horti system)

Intercropping systems

Pearlmillet+Pigeonpea

(2:1)

Sunflower+ Pigeon pea (2: 1 Clusterbean+Pigeonpea (2:1 Introduction of fodder crops Lucerne, Oat ft Berseem Introduction of new fodder crop varieties Maize- Africantall, Bajara - Gaint bajra Pitcher method of irrigation to ber and custard apple Use of bullock drawn CRIDAplanter for rabi sorghum Use of trichoderma for seed treatment Vermicomposting

45

8

20 7 40

20 5 4 12 35 7

by

-Restricted period of sowing for greengram and blackgram (upto end of june) -Major chances of kharif failure -Successful only under protective irrigation however success is doubtful under dryland condition -Adoption is there however it was not as per recommendation (2: 1), farmers are following 6:3,2:2, 3:3 proportions -Labour requirement for picking Non availability of market at local level - Non availability of seed at local level

-Non availability of seed at local level

Laborious High cost, Required good tilth Non availability at local market Needs awareness

Category 1/1-Technologies that are not adopted either by ORPfarmers or by others In-situ moisture conservation -Breaking of bunds during high intensity rains a) Compartmental bunding - Need frequent repairing -High weed intensity Fodder based sequence cropping systems -Due to uncertainty in rainfall either kharif K. Sunflower - R. Berseem crop may affect seriously K. Maize - R. Berseem -There are more chances of failure of main crop i.e., rabi sorghum Harvesting of rain water in farm ponds for recycling Adopted by Maharashtra Govt. in different villages on large scale, however due to non availability of proper site in ORP village it was not adopted in ORP. In ORP village all sites were engaged by percolation tanks.

Live bunds of Leuceana as an interbund management -Hurdle for cultivation -weed problem in live bund row -under drought condition crop can not survive near live bund Jyoti planter for sowing of rabi sorghum of machine, -High cost, non availability absence of custom hiring, unavailability of repairs at local village.

65

~

Annexure

11/

Acton Plan for ORP, Solapur S.No

I

I

Title

I. Participatory Technology Development Eco-friendly Water Productive Croppin!! Systems 1 Verification trials on performance of the improved genotypes of pearlmillet, pigeonpea and sunflower

I

Crop

Treatments

Pearl millet Sunflower Pigeon pea

a) Improved cultivars Pearl millet - Saburi Sunflower-SS-2038 (Bhanu), KSFH-437 Pigeon pea- Vipula b) Control - Localcultivar

2

Assessment of recommended intercropping systems under rainfed conditions

Pearl millet Sunflower Pigeonpea

3

Green gram

Sequence cropping

Black gram Cowpea

4 5

Performance of hybrid napier Phule Jayavant (RBN13) Performance of rabi sorghum cultivars on shallow, medium & deep soils

Hybrid napier Phule Javavant Sorghum

A) Intercropping systems 1) Sunflower + pigeonpea (6:3) 2) Pearl millet +Pigeonpea (2:1) B) Control-Farmers practice PiQeonpea + Black Qram (2: 1) i) Sequence cropping-Kharif green gram /black gram/ cowpea followed by Rab; sorghum ii) Control-Farmers practice (monoculture of Rabi sorQhum i) Hybrid napier Phule Jayavant (RBN-13) A):Full package of practices Improved varieties Shallow soils-Selection-3 Medium soils -M 35-1 Deep soils-RSV-234, Phule Yashoda B):Control: Farmers practice - Local cultivar

6

Organic farming

Site Specific Nutrient ManaQement 7 Response of Sunflower sulphur application

Rabi Sorghum Sunflower

8

Responseof rabi sorghumto fertilizer application

Sorghum

9

Effectof crop waste on performance of

Sorghum

rabi sorghum

Rain Water Management 10 Effect of in-situ moisture conservation measureon the yield of pigeonpea under dryland condition

.'

.'

66 I, ,I

Pigeonpea

A)

As per norms

Full packageof practices, use of recommended fertilizer dose (50 kg N + 25 kg PZ05 +25 kg KzO)with 20 kg sulphur per ha B)Fullpackageof practices, use of recom-mended fertilizer dose

150kQN+ 25 kQPZ05) A) Full package of practices, use of RDFas per soil test + deficient micro nutrients B) Control - Farmers practice A) Application of crop waste + green leaf loppings (25+25kg N/ha respectively) B) Farmers' practice i) Openingof ridges and furrows before starting of monsoonat 60 cm apart and then sowing of pigeonpea in furrow ii) Control-farmers' practice

EnergyManaement 11 Demonstration of tractordrawnCRIDA planter 12

Performance evaluationof bullock drawnSolapurShetiYantra

Sorghum

Pigeonpea Sorghum

A) Sowingwith tractor drawnCRIDA planter B) Control-Sowing with tractordrawnKopergaon seeddrill A) Sowingwith SolapurSheti Yantra B) Sowingwith two bowl ferti-seeddrill Control-Farmers' method (Localseeddrill Fodder: Trees-Glyricidia , Anjan, Subabul,Acacia, Piparni Fodder Grasses-Stylo Madrasanjan Live stock-Goat, backvard Poult

14

Maximization of productionof rabi sorghum,chickpea,sunflowerand safflowerwith improvedtechnology

Sorghum Chickpea Sunflower Safflower

A) Fullpackageof practiceswith improvedvarieties PhuleYashoda Sorghum - RSV - 423/ Digvijay,Virat Chickpea- Vihal/ Sunflower- Bhima,DSH-129

B)Control- Farmers' practice(localvarieties of respective crops) SiteSpecificNutrientManagement 15 Response of pearlmilletto fertilizer applicationonshallowsoils

ainWaterManal!ement 16 Effectof in-situmoistureconservation practicesonthe performance of rabi sorghum :nergyManagement 7 Drudgeryreduction :ropDiversification 8 Cropdiversificationthroughdryland fruit crops 9 Cropdiversificationthroul!hfloriculture I. OtherActivities 0 Sericulture 1 Goatfarming 2 BackyardPoultry 3 Buildingupjoint Livelihoodgroup 4

Agroadvisoryservices

ivelihoodactivities 5 Activates

'.HumanResourceDevelopment )

HRD

Pearlmillet

new recommended A) Full packageof practiceswith fertilizer dose (50kgN+ 25kgPZ05+25kg KzOha-') B)Fullpackageof practiceswith out potash (50kgN+25kgPZ05-') C)Control- farmerspractices (nofertilizer)

Sorghum

In-situmoistureconservation practices a) Ridgesandfurrows b) control- farmers'practice (harrowing)

Kharif& rabi crops

1) Useof Wheelhoe/2) Bullockdrawnhoe

Drylandfruit crops Flowers

Pomegranate / Aonla/ Custardappleetc.

Marieold/ Gaillardia

Mulberry Mulberryplantation,Silkwormrearing,Cocoonproduction Goats VaccinationNutrition Poultrybirds Giriraja/VanrajKadaknath Farmwomen Livelihoodactivities Andothers PHT(Dalmill etc.) / ii) Vermicompost preparation Farmers Weeklyweatherbasedagroadvisory ORP Farmers

Wellrefilling/lPMfor chickpea

ORP Farmers

Trainings,Method Demonstrations/ Exposure visits

67

~

Annexure IV Guidelines for selection of new ORP site and activities Criteria for site selection

.

.

Should be representative to similar sub-agro-ecological region/mandate area of the centre Should have opportunity to test wider options of the technologies, various categories of farming community, multiple enterprises and different socio-economic/culture of the farming community Should be dominant in at least 60-70 per cent of the rainfed systems

Initiation phase of the new site

. . .

. .

. .

. .

.

. . .

. .

68

Collect secondary data in respect of land utilization, predominant crops, livestock both in number / area and productivity Critical analysis in respect of interest of the farming community for starting the project Entry point activities for starting the programme of ORP Promote farmers' groups/self help groups not only for upgrading skills but also taking decisions in implementation of the programme.

Resource characterization (type of soils, topography, fertility status, land degradation, area under different crops/cropping systems, fallow lands and other details) Organize the PRAexercises to characterize the resources, limitations of crop/ animal productivity through organization of focus groups/problem cause relationships Critical analysis of gaps of each enterprise and ways and means to mitigate that limitations with interaction of scientists with the main centre/scientists in the University Bench-mark survey of different families and also village to document the impact indicators by developing appropriate proforma (model Annexure) Arrange interaction of the farmers to design on-farm trials where there is no solution faced by the farmers through research of main centres. The number of comparisons in each intervention should not exceed more than 4 or preferably 3 (for example 1. farmers practice (2) recommended practice by the main centre/ University (3) intermediate treatment as desired by the farming community and scientists and each farmer should be taken as one replication Implement the programme preferably on watershed basis Conduct verification/demonstration trials not exceeding 20%of the programme from the technologies generated with previous ORPsites to solve the problems of the farming community Wherever ORP sites changed within one or two years, conduct impact studies in terms of increment in yield, income area of adoption of improved varieties, cropping systems, area under alternate land use systems, production of fodder at village level from the inception to last year of the implementation of the programme.

Give feed back to the scientists of the main centre, where the technologies were not adopted in ORPvillages and not defused in other villages Seed production and facilitation to get required inputs timely is the responsibility of the ORP scientists Develop linkages with existing extension agencies for up scaling the technologies other than ORP area.

Annexure V Proceedings of a Two day Workshop on "Development of Participatory Action Plan and for Technology Upscaling", ORPAnantapur was organized during 20-21, June 2007.

Strategies

Dayone Proceedingsof the Day1 were held at ORPvillage Eguvapalli,GarladinneMandal,Anantapurdistrict and is presented below Objective: Toprioritize the issues for action research and inclusion in the ensuing Technical programme 2007-08.

Participants: Farmers from the ORP village, scientists of ARS,Anantapur(AICRPDA,AICRPon Millets, Soil and Water Conservation scheme, AICRPon Arid Horticulture, NARP,State Plan), ORP,scientists/officers representing KVK,DAATTC,State Department of Agriculture, Project Director(ATMA),CommunityCoordinator,V.O (Federation of SHGs)and representatives of NGOlike RIDSparticipated.

Facilitators: Drs. N.K.Sanghi,Expert, G. Subba Reddy, PC(AICRPDA) G.Subbi Reddy,head, ARS,K.Veerabhadra Rao,ChiefScientist, AICRPDA, Anantapur, Y.Padmaltha,1/c Scientist, ORP,K.Bhargavi,Scientist, ORP,Sreenath . Dixith, D,V.B.Ramana and G.Ravindra Chary, Scientists ,CRIDA I I ~

Methodology: Brainstormingand FocusedGroupDiscussionswere chiefly employedto get the desired output from the

I participants.

I Abrief background of the project was shared with the participants and village elders were requested to present the agriculture scenario of the village in the past and present. Initial brainstorming session brought out the general issues of low productivity of crops/sometimes failures, lack of timely supply of inputs, l particularly seeds, no crop insurance, need for rain water management for cops, animals and drinking I. water, credit support for livestock farming etc., Inorder to facilitate focused interaction, Farmers were divided in to five focused groups. Each group was facilitated by a scientist besides several other scientists participating in them. The focused group interI actions were continued for an hour during which the facilitator noted the points that emerged during the discussion. After the interactions, all the groups were reassembled and the facilitator of each group pr~edcM~.lrb.~'~~ RiiII~

~

(NM:It soils.-d

n'd $iN/s.)

mtter management( bore weft imgatecffcanaf fmgatecf) Livestock/Dairy Landless labourers Other off farm economic activities come: up I: Rainfed Agriculture [itators: Drs. N.K. Sanghi, G. Subba Reddy, K.Veerabhadra Rao, cipants: Drs".Vasundhara, Sahadeva Reddy, Murali Krishna, Prakash Babu and Mr.Venkateshwar Reddy farmers

69

..

. . . . .

Major crops in red soils are groundnut, sorghum, horsegram and in black soils are groundnut, sunflower and chickpea.

Varieties: Adopt JL-24 and TMV- 2 as common varieties of groundnut in sandy, red and black soils.

Not aware of new varieties in village. Aware about the new varieties grown by the other farmers in other villages. Not aware of ICRISAT varieties Seed availability is the common problem. Government supply is inadequate. Farmers who can afford buy from oil mills and those who cannot, grow pigeonpea and sorghum Interested in seed bank concept. Has scope for seed production under borewell irrigation s in farmers fields and can be distributed in the village itself. Farmers interested in exposure visit to the villages where seed bank concept is implemented.

In groundnut, seed treatment with Quinolphos and spraying with insecticide is done two times for red hairy caterpillar and leaf folder. Only 30% of the farmers do spraying. Plant protection increased the yield by 120 kg/acre. No spray for leaf spots and the crops harvested within ten days.

Bavistin+ DithaneM-45sprayat 30 days, 50 days - two spray. Rootgrub is a big problemin sandy soils - only 50 acres. Redhairy caterpillar (RHC)is problemin 50%area, sometimesin 100%area

. . .

Dr.Sanghiinformed about the success story of NonPesticidal Management (NPM)in cotton in Punukala village in Khammam district .Earlier farmers used to give 15 sprays. By introduction of IPM,over a period of five years, now it is totally pesticide -free management in cotton.

ORPfarmers showed keen interest to have exposure visit to NPMvillages.

Fertilizer management: Farmers apply one bag DAPper acre in ground nut in 1000 acres, totaling to 50 tonnes.

In rice, they apply 4 bags of DAP/acre. There is general feeling that productivity is declining while fertilizer consumption is increasing.

Farmers expressed that almost each farmer has organic manures sufficient for one acre. Earthworm population is reducing. A common feeling of the group was that there should be Policy favourable for organic manures utilization in terms of incentives for vermicomposting, Panchakavya for dryland soils, labour incentives for taking up organic manuring activities.

Suggestions from farmers for increasing productivity and cost reduction

.. ..

Cost of cultivation - 5000-6000 kg/acre

Weedcontrol - cost reduction Labour cost reduction in weed control Research on drought resistant varieties

Group II: Water management (Borewell +canal irrigation)/Dryland Horticulture Facilitators: G.Subbi Reddy, DR.ShivaReddy, P.Laxmi Reddy, K.Subrahmanyam, Kishtappa, Dr.Srinivas and farmers Presently, 40 bore wells exist in rainfed area. Depth is up to 500 feet and an average yield 1-1/2 inch to 2-inch water. Nearly 100 bore wells and open wells have completely dried. Drinking water is only from a tank constructed under Satya Sai water scheme. Farmers suggested for a check dam (approximate cost 30 lakhs), between two hills, to store the water

. .

.

70

There was a common agreement for social regulation in ground water management in respect of borewell water sharing with set norms between the donor and the beneficiary. Rainwater harvesting for recharging dried open wells.

Farmers wanted an exposure visit to a village where social regulation process for groundwater management is in place. Awareness on appropriate rainwater management methods.

Water scarcity in bore wells: Adopting drip irrigation under bore wells in sweet orange orchards which are about very few are adopting channel irrigation. One mango garden and few acres of vegetable crops under irrigation.

~

Group III: Livestock Drs. D. B.V. Ramana and M.Johnson A large number of women participated during the discussion in this group.

Livestock situation: a. Large ruminants: At present the farmers possess non -descript buffaloes which are yielding only Ho 2 liters of milk /day.

Large animals suffering with frequent epidemics of foot and mouth disease (FMD),haemorrhagic septicemia (HS), black quarter (BQ),there is no regular deworming practice in the village. There is no veterinary hospital in the village nor does a veterinarian visit the village. Farmers depend up on a private practitioner. Only few farmers are giving supplementation after calving. Farmers are reporting long calving intervals.

MilkMarketing: There is no milk collection center in the village, hence more dependence on middlemen resulting in lower milk price (Rs.7 to 8/l). If the middlemen do not turn up for milk collection, farmers are forced to go to near by village, Kallur, 10 kms away to sell the milk at a throwaway price. This has also resulted in farmers sending their children for milk selling resulting in more school dropouts.

Fodder situation: There is shortage of fodder during summer and farmers are purchasing from near by villages. Very few farmers are cultivating fodder. The reason for no supplementation seems to be ascribed to higher cost of ingredients and non-remunerative price of the milk. b. Small ruminants Among the small ruminants, sheep are the dominating species. Nellore brown and its cross is the only breed in the village. Frequent epidemics of Enterotoxaemia (IT), Blue tongue (BT), FMD,Sheep pox were also reported. There is no regular deworming practice in the village. No supplementary feeding, even during summer. No migration of the shepherds reported, however they take animals to feed on forest trees on hillocks Poultry Under backyard poultry, only desi birds (assel) are being reared. Farmers are aware of developed high yielding breeds like vanaraja, giriraja etc. but not aware of their procurement places, management etc.

Suggestions! needs for profitable livestock farming

.

Primary requirement is for the establishment/starting

of a milk collection center. This will create/

force the farmersfor profitabledairying,availingsubsidizedconcentrate supplementfromAPDDCF etc.

. .

. . .

There should be a regular animal health care through regular visits of a veterinarian or either through a local trained Gopalmitra (a trained rural youth for live stock care for vaccination, first aid and artificial insemination).

There should be regular fodder supply mechanism either through cuLtivation, preservation and effective utilization(chopping)in the village itself under borewellsor through PPR/CPRdevelopment (through SHGs)/ development horti-pastoral system.

Upgradation of the local with Murrah breeds for higher milk yield. Introduction of developed breeds like vanaraja, giriraja, gramapriya for higher meat and egg production from backyard poultry.

Need based supplementation for both large and small ruminants for better productivity (milk and off-springs) Institutional and policy support for livestock procurement (loans), subsidy for concentrated mixture from APDDCF.,

Dr.Sanghi suggested the farmers to visit BAIF,Shadnagar, for understanding improved buffalo based dairy.

71

-

Group IV: Landless labourers Drs. G. Ravindra Chary and Sreenath Dixit

Thisgroupmainlyrepresented by the women. Mostof them are also the membersof SHGsand engage in NREGPactivities but remain idle for 4 monthsin an year. Get loansfrom SHGsand buy sheep etc.

Interested in incomegeneratingactivities likevermin-composting,neem plantation for neem seed collection (which in future can be supplied to a neem seed extraction factory in near by town), value addition to the agricultural produce like dal chakki etc., Group V: Non agricultural enterprises Facilitators: Dr. Bhargavi, Community Coordinator (VO)

.

16 SHGs are actively operating in the village. The member women engage in multiple off-farm employment activities like tailoring, weaving etc.

The women expressed some needs for improving tailoring activity like machine tailoring for fast working, Cutting design technology, embroidery and repairs training, regular and high payments in every season, good marketing. They also suggested for a Training center to educate girls in the village, formation of a Cooperative society and shop maintenance at Pamidi, near by town.

Visit to village Miduthuru, Pedda Vaduguru Mandai adopted under SAPAPprogramme of UNDP

Ina groupdiscussion,interacted with the office bearers of the V.O,who have been trained by the UNDP's The visitingteam of Scientistsand officialsinteracted with group and understood the processof (SAPAP).

SHG'sformation and their transformation into a village level, financial empowerment of women for their families/community development. Area manager Mr. Ramanappa gave the overview of the programme in the village. This village was adopted under SAPAPin 1997, later on by Velugu programme upto 2005 and nowunder IKPsince 2005. In SAPAP programmethere was no linkagewith line departments. Howeverthe linkage with state line departments was established under Velugu and now IKP.TheV.Owas established on April 20, 1998. Presently there are 20 SHG's(Agrade-8, Bgrade - 8, C grade - 4), with each SHGhaving 1015 members. The SHG members are mainly landless people. There are 480 families in the village, of which, 292 families are presently the members of the SHG's. Remaining families are interested to join the existing group or who would like to form other more SHG's. It may take 2-3 years time to cover all the families. TheseSHG'swere activelyassociatedwith APRLPsponsoredwatershed developmentprogramme for 5 years, CPR/wasteland development for fodder production with 29 cows.SHG's used to delineate the area and decide the amount for fodder use from the CPR's. Oncethe prioritywas givento the SHG'sfor this fodder use, then they sell to other villages. The fund operated by these SHG's is about 30 lakhs (commoninvestmentfund - 3.38lakhs, watershed developmentfund - 18lakhs, bank deposit - 5.04lakhs, APRLPfund- 3.5lakhs).SHG'smainlygiveloansfor agriculture,other domesticneedsand diggingborewells.

The V.Ohas sub committees like recovery committee, bank transaction committee, social mobilization committee, marketing committee, food security committee etc. During 2000 and 2003 focused activities on agriculture, marketing, food security, procurement etc started. Food security committee plans for the basic needs of the group and purchase from the market whereas the marketing committee procures material from SHG's and sells it on high price in the markets. Of late one RMGfrom the village joined these SHG's. The visit enlightened the process of micro finance empowerment and management by rural women, self-sustaining activities through multiple committees, addressing the NRMbased activities in the village particularly CPR's linking to livestock management, dairy etc, ultimately building a village level institution within and for the community development in the village.

Visit to Madirepalli village, Shinganamala Mandai adopted by CWS& RIDS This village is adopted by the Center for World Solidarity (CWS)and Rural Integrated Development Society (RIDS).These NGOsare workingon social regulationsin water management towards water as a common property. The NGOhave facilitated putting in place a social regulation mechanism for groundwater usage.

According to this, the villagers have agreed to stop digging bore well and begin sharing water from the existing bore wells. This visit helped understanding process of development of social regulation in groundwater management as a common property for overall development of the village while conserving the natural resources and ecosystem. Earlier the norms / rules at village level were for surface water (tank, canal etc.) utilization. Groundwater exploitation through borewell digging was very common in this vil72

rlage. In 2004, there were 139 borewelLs, out yielding. There was a competition for groundwater exploitation amongst the adjacent landowners. Even within a radius of 10 feet five borewell were present. Over a period of time the borewells dried up giving low yields resulting in crop failures. CWSand RIDSintervened and sensitized the farmers about the ill effects of groundwater exploitation and gradually developed the process of water donor and water beneficiary. Now the result is an accepted social regulation with set norms which resulted in increase in hectarage, productivity through micro irrigation, ground water rechargethrough rainwater harvestingand diversionto open wells/borewells,groundwaterconservation and utilization even in low rainfall years. This process can also be sensitized in other village with similar situations.

Dr.N. K. Sanghi, interacted with CRIDA,ORPand AICRPDAscientists and suggested the following.

Category IV - UsefulTechnologies/experiencesgenerated by other sources / institutions for policy research.

. .

Social regulation in ground water exploitation Social regulation in Biomass exploitation (overgrazing in common lands) Experience of V.O's 50%activities for existing technology assessment and refinement in various microfarming situations

Farming system research Rainwater management Seed village concept Documentation of technology adoption and diffusion of the groundnut varieties introduced two years back in two villages near to ORPvillages.

In the ORP village, support system and policy research on chemical farming vs simple organic farming where in organic manure is to be produced at village level. Labour for this purpose may be used from NREGP.Incentives for labour oriented operations may be deliberated with district collector.

In the new ORP village revolving fund scheme exists under watershed programme. Whether financial requirement for someof the operationsas envisagedby NRMongoingprogrammescan be met throughthis fund (ADA,ORPscientists)

. .

Day two Objective: To include issues identified by participatory situation analysis into the ORP technical programme and initiation of a consortiummodelwith involvementsof all the stakeholders.

Participants: Scientists from CRIDA,AICRPDA,ORP, AICRPon Millets, AICRPon Arid Horticulture, SWCscheme, NARP, State plan and officials from Project Director (ATMA),KVK,Anantapur, DAATTC,Anantapur, State Agriculture Department and NGO'sviz., RDT,RIDSparticipated.

Methodology: Brainstorming session

Chairman:Dr.G. Subba Reddy Co-Chair: Dr.G.Subbi Reddy Rapporteurs: Drs. B.Sahadeva Reddy and K.Bhargavi Facilitators: Drs. Sreenath Dixith and G.Ravindra Chary Outcome:

Dr.G. SubbiReddy,Head,ARS,Rekulakunta,gave brief account on the technologiesfrom ARSthat were transferred

in the district like Small seed, Soil test based fertilizer application, Mechanical seed drill,

Mechanicalintercultivator,Farmpond technologyetc., through state line departments, NGOslike Basics, 73 I

J

RDT etc. ATMA,KVK, DAnCe. Followed by the presentation by Dr. K. Veerabhadra Rao, Chief Scientists, AICRPDAMAIN center, on the various technologies that are ready for transfer matching micrfarming situations (K-6, 91114,Farm pond,

Amla, Custardapple, Co 1 grass - fodder, Mechanicalseed drill, Mechanicalintercultivation,Sub surface drip irrigation to Mango etc.,) followed by presentation on technologies for upscaling (Small seed in groundnut , Soil test based fertilizer application, Farm pond, Mechanical seed drill, Improved package of Practices, recommended seed rate + seed treatment, STBF,intercropping with redgram) by Dr.Y.Padmalatha IIC scientist, ORP. Chairman requested ATMA,RDT, KVK, DATTCCetc. to respond on the presentations.

ATMAis working for upscalingof technology in Anantapur district for rainfed farming, RDT- helping - critical support to farming community, KVK farming community for livelihood developmentand NABARD for capacity building, demonstrations for agriculture and allied activities, DATTCCis for technology transfer, demonstration etc.

1. Small seed

.. .

.. . . . ..

50%of the ground nut farmers in the district are adopting this technology farmers are adopting this technology (KVK) preference to bold seed by farmers. Small and shriveled seed -may be poor in germination and survival. If farmers in the villages are educated they are happy and mixed reaction observed. If dry spells are prolonged, shriveled seed showed normal germination but the survival was not good. But small seed germination and survival was normal even when there was prolonged dry spells. When the rainfall was good there was no problem of shriveled seeds.

(ATMA) farmers are adopting (RDT) Farmers acceptance was good but doubts were there (DAAnC).

2. Soil test based fertilizer application Farmers were not in a position to accept the technology. ( DAAnC).

Soil test values are also not encouraging

STBF- No need to apply fertilizers by farmers. Poor farmers - aim was to reduce the cost of cultivation(

RDT)

Farmers are adopting by seeing the soil test values.

(ATMA)

Soil testing labs are doing all the samples

STBF- is very important. Mindsetof farmers shouldbe changed. It shouldbe upscaling(RIDS) Demonstrations have been conducted in villages. Collection of samples and giving data to farmers by the Department of Agriculture has to be done (KVK).

3. Farm pond technology Soil water conservation measures ( Gully control structures, Farm pond, Earthen bunding, contour

bunding, Stonechecks, Borderbunding - waste weirs, Checkdams, Redgramon border bunding) have been conducted to increase water retention (RDT).Ridges and furrows formed and flood irrigation was not possible during crop growth period Pipe system in ground nut also not advantageous.

.. .

Dried up wells - preparation s were made to channelizerainwater (run off) to bases,wells. Percolation tanks. Construction of structures to improve water conservation (RIDS) Farm pond technology is being adopted (KVK)

Watershed- 62 nos. items were doing in NREGS.No moneyallotted to watershed.

Small pits of 2x1x1 m pits can be done at farmers fields for compost making(RDT)

4. SeedVillage Concept Successful seed growers can be identified 74

w

(RIDS)

by ARS-ORP-KVK- NGOas model village Chairman suggested

that foundation

seed should be supplied by ORP and the buffering mechanism

be developed. Certified good quality seed is there

-

should

then farmers go for CIS.With the coordinated efforts

of ARS, KVK, DAATTC and local NGO, ORP should take up this programme.

25%of seed requirement can be met by ARSfrom all projects.

..

Seed production village concept is there. Foundation seed in 25 acres in a village (ATMA) Process of Breeder's seed, foundation seed to certified seed. Seed can be produced. CAY 91114 could be produced. 5 acres to 700 acres. Gone up with three seasons. But now seed is not available(RDT)

Chairman suggested that revolving fund empowerment should be given to V.O. Then add 10% to seed produced and purchasing proceeded with V.O. NGO model, ORP model, ARSmodel. .

5.

House endorsed that there is technology for storing the seed.

Rainwater management

Effective rainwater management through farm pond or by recharging ground water, possibilities to be explored. The learning experience of CWS-RIDSon social regulations in ground water/water management towards water as a common property

. . ..

should be tried in ORP.

Accepted to do awareness among the farmers with cooperation of ARS,ORP. Effective collaboration is required from (RIDS) Possibilities in replicating graded border strip/contour bunding etc.

6. Livestock/ Dairy

.

Capacity building of persons living on livestock by arranging exposure visit.

Centrifuge machine is required to record the fat content for farming community. Private agency center collects the milk from 1200 buffaloes and are graded. Since the village supplies 200 l of milk/day, a society can be formed with some responsible persons as in-charge and run the society.

Self Help Groups can be formed. At small scale, milk collecting centers has to be started (RDT).

Exposure visit to Mulkunur and Karimnagar district can be taken up for capacity building of the SHG

7 .Non-Pesticidal Management (NPM)

NPMexperiences in groundnutof RIDScan be tried at ORPvillagewith the support of entomologistfrom ARS, Reddipalli. ORP should coordinate the programme with the help of RIDSand or RDTsince both the NGOshas volunteered to do so. RIDSalso suggested this programme can also be implemented in tieng up with Indira Kranti Pathakam programme.

8. Farming systems

.

Since 60%of the ORPvillage is under rainfed, the livelihoods of the small and marginal farmers should be improved by integration of crop + livestock + horticulture. Efforts, now, should be made to develop on-farm IFSmodel in consortium with various partners.

Farming system of horti + sheep is profitable(RDT).

9. HRD KVK:To facilitate Training,capacity building,exposurevisitsfor ORPfarmers.

.

DAATTC:Tofacilitate demonstration/trainingson few rainfed technologiesand particularlyon SRI technology and drip irrigation.

PD (ATMA)):To facilitate demonstrations and exposure visits The chairman emphasized on the A 'Consortium model' can be developed in Based on experiences of NGOmerits one or two but all solutions cant be found. Meeting together, sharing NGO'sis must. KVK,ORP, ARS,DAATTC,working together are busy with their main activities. Working together is now on

.

1. Seed production, 2. Farming system and 3. Ground water recharge

75 L,,,_~.I

Annexure VI Action Plan for ORP, Anantapur SI.No.

Item

1 1.1

On-farm participatory Research/TechnologyAssessmentand refinement 50 per cent of the ORPactivities shouldbe conducted in an on-farm modefor existingTechnology Assessmentand refinement matchingvaryingmicro-farmingsituations.

FarmingSystemsResearchex. Developmentof small ruminantbased farmingsystem: Ramlamb productionfrom existinghorti-pastoralsystem Documentationof traditional farmingsystems, site characterization, PRA,identifyingdiverse microfarmingsituations RainwaterManagement ParticipatoryVarietalSelection Coordinated Programmeswith ARS,KVK,DAATTC, NGOs,VO etc., on Up scaling of Technologies

1.2

1.2.1 1.3 1.4 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

2.5 2.6

2.7 2.8 2.9 3

3.1

3.2 3.3

.

.

. .. .. .. ..

.. . ..

Seedvillageconcept SocialRegulationof groundwaterresources NPM Fodderproductionunder limited borewellsupported microirrigation-Forex. APBN-1 ,CO-3etc.

Foddertrees establishmentin CPRS/ PPRs Introductionof developed breeds likevanaraja, giriraja, gramapriyathroughSHGs. Establishmentof Milkcollectioncenter AIprovisionthroughGopalmitrafor breed improvement.

VO can facilitate for institutional and policy support for loan advancements,

labour employment

HRD with KVK, DAATTC, PD (ATMA),VO,NGO (RIDS,RDT etc)

Trainingin vermicomposting,PHTlikedal processing,raisingnurseriesof neem, etc., Exposure visits and capacity building at KVK,PD (ATMA),NPMvillages etc.

3.4

.

3.5

.

3.6

.

4

care.

Documentationand PolicyResearch(Category IV- UsefulTechnologies/experiences generatedby other sources/ institutionsfor policyresearch.)

4.2

. .

4.3 4.4

..

4.1

76 L-.I

Preparationof concentrate mixturein the villageitself throughVOby appropriate training Exploringmore off-farmincomegeneratingactivities that are linkedto agriculture/animal husbandry/dairyetc., likebiomassgeneration (for manure and animalfeed), NonPesticidal Managementin groundnut, ORPscientistsalongwith CommunityCoordinator,VO,mayfacilitate for formation of the societies and mayexploreother supportivemechanismsthe already exist and operated throughvarious schemesin the district Traininglocalyouth as Gopalmithraand facilitatingregular health campsfor better animal health

Documentationof technologyadoptionand diffusionof the groundnutvarieties introducedtwo years backin two villagesnear to ORPvillages.

Inthe ORPvillage,support system and policyresearch on chemicalfarmingvs simpleorganic farmingwhere in organicmanureis to be producedat village level.Labourfor this purposemay be used from NREGP.Incentivesfor labour oriented operations may be deliberated with district

collector.

LearningExperiencesof VO,SAPAPVillage Learning Experiences of Social regulation in groundwater management

Annexure VII Proceedings of a Two day Workshop on " Development of Participatory Action Plan and Strategies for Technology Upscaling", at ORP,Arjia during (24 - 25 October, 2007 Day one (morning) Objective To include issues identified by participatory situation analysis into the ORP technical programme and initiation of a consortium model with involvement of all the stakeholders.

Participants Scientists from CRIDA,AICRPDA,ORP,KVK, Bhilwara, Non-plan scheme and officials from Project Director (ATMA) and DRDA, State Agriculture Department, Deptt. of Animal Husbandry and NGO's viz., FES, BAlE Methodology: Chairman:

Dr. P.M. Jain, Co-Chairman:

Rapporteurs: Facilitator:

Brain storming session Dr. G. Ravindra Chary

Dr. S.K. Sharma, Dr. M. Osman Dr. A.K. Kothari

Outcome Dr. P.M. Jain, Chief Scientist, DFRS,Arjia, Bhilawara gave brief account on the technologies from DFRSthat were transferred in the district like Ridging after sowing in maize, Variety TAG-24 of groundnut, Groundnut+sesame intercropping, Gram + mustard, Maize substitution during delayed onset of monsoon, Maize + blackgram intercropping, Arjia wheel hoe, Rainwater management, Livestock/dairy and Bio-diverse farming systems, NGO's like BAIF, FES,ATMA, KVK. Followed by the presentation by Dr. S.K. Sharma, Incharge (ORP) on the various technologies that are ready for transfer matching micro-farming situations.

Chairman requested ATMA, BAIF,FES,Joint Director (Ag.), AD (Horticulture) etc. to respond on the presentations. ATMA is working for upscaling of technology in Bhilwara district for rainfed farming, FES8: BAIF helping farming community for livelihood development and KVKfor capacity building, demonstrations for agriculture and allied activities, Deptt. of Agriculture 8: DRDAis for technology transfer, demonstration etc. Outcome of discussions on technologies for upscalling is presented as below: 1. Maize + blackgram intercropping

.

Farmers are adopting this technology but more demonstrations in different tehsils are required for horizontal expansion (KVK).

.

Rainfall fluctuations have a pressure on farmers for mixed cropping of maize+blackgram/cowpea/ greengram (FES).

.

Educated farmers are adopting with some source of irrigation

(ATMA).

2. Arjia wheel hoe

.

Adopted by the farmers on large scale but only on light soils (SDA).

3. Ridging after sowing in maize

. .

Widely adopted by the farmers on medium to deep soils (ATMA).

Farmers are adopting (FES).

4. Variety TAG-24of groundnut 77

Ii-.I

. .

Very good variety preferred by farmers.

Seed availability is a major problem (BAIF).

More demonstrations are required and seed village concept needs to be introduced (KVK).

5. Groundnut+sesame

. .

intercropping

This system is advantageous during normal and low rainfall (SDA).

HYV seed of sesame (non-branching) type should be advocated (FES 8: KVK).

6. Gram + mustard Mixed cropping is prevalent in the region (KVK).

.

Exposure visit to demonstrations of intercropping tion in the district (DRDA, SDA 8: BAIF).

7. Maize substitution

. .

to large number of farmers can enhance adop-

during delayed onset of monsoon

Only 25 per cent farmers grow sesame, horsegram and other crops during delayed onset in last week of July.

Shortage of fodder is a major reason to grow maize (SDA).

Concept is known by the farmers and can result in cost minimization to farmers but distribution of pamphlets during such abnormalities can change the rate of adoption (FES, KVK,and SDA).

8. Rainwater management

.

Contour bunding, vegetative strip and harvesting of rainwater through diversion farm pond can be prompted on the community basis and through collaborative works of DFRS, ORP,KVK and NGO's with financial support from the Govt.

9. Livestock/dairy

.

For higher benefits, small dairy should be established in the village and SHGcan be formed to keep it alive (BAIF).

Fodder bank should maintain in the village and capacity building of farmers should be taken up through KVK, ATMA8: BAIF.

10. Bio-diverse farming systems

. . .

Performance of bio-diverse farming systems models is appreciable and should be replicated other locations through ATMA (SDA, ATMA8: KVK).

at

Integration of livestock and fruit plants should be done for its good adoption at farmers level (BAIF).

Wasteland can be developed as community farming systems for effective development and maintenance (BAIF, FES, and Horticulture Deptt.).

11. Capacity building For capacity building of ORP farmers, following organization were identified

. .

KVK : Training and exposure visits.

.

AD (Horticulture)

.

BAIF : Exposure visit to pasture based farming systems.

.

FES: Exposure visit to developed watershed.

Deptt. of Agriculture: Demonstrations on fields of ORP farmers on few rainfed technologies particularly water management. : Training in nursery management and entrepreneurship

PD (ATMA) : To facilitate

78 L,.,J

-

innovative demonstrations and exposure visits.

development.

The chairman emphasized that experiences of NGO's, State Deptts., KVK,DFRSand allied departments should be involved in the activities of ORP.Resource centre, seed production, water harvesting system, nadi management and community pasture development work can be taken on consortium basis. Through SWOTanalysis, activity based cooperation should be extended by the different stakeholders of the district.

Dr. Ravindra Chary emphasized for attaching land to livelihood of the rainfed farmers. In this direction, participatory technology development, capacity building of farmers and on-farm employment generation should be taken as a focused approach through consortium route.

Day one (evening) Proceedings of the Day 1 were held at ORP village Kochariya, Tehsil Suwana, District Bhilwara and is presented below Objective To prioritize the issues for action research and inclusion in the ensuing Technical Programmes Participants Farmers from the ORP village, scientists of DFRS,Arjia ORP,scientists/officers representing KVK,State Department of Agriculture, ATMA,AD (DRDA),AD(Horticulture) NGOlike BAIFparticipated.

Facilitators Drs. Ravindra Chary, Senior Scientist, PC Cell (AICRPDA) M. Osman, Senior Scientist CRIDA,P.M.Jain, Chief Scientist, DFRS,Arjia, S.K. Sharma, Incharge ORP,A.K. Kothari & R.K. Sharma, Scientist, ORP and K.C. Laddha, B.S. Kumpawat, Scientists, Arjia, Bhilwara, Manish Jain (V.O.), T.S. Yadav (SDA),Ghanshyam Meena, R.S. Rathore and Prakash Panwar (KVK),Yogesh Gupta (NGO).

Methodology Brainstorming and Focused Group Discussions were chiefly employed to get the desired output from the participants.

A brief background of the project was shared with the participants and village elders were requested to present the agriculture scenario of the village in the past and present. Initial brainstorming session brought out the general issues of low productivity of crops/sometimes failures, lack of timely supply of inputs, particularly seeds, no crop insurance, need for rain water management for cops, animals and drinking water, credit support for horticulture plants, improved animal and irrigation methods.

In order to facilitate focused interaction, farmers were divided in to five focused groups. Each group was facilitated by a scientist besides several other scientists participating in them. The focused group interactions were continued for an hour during which the facilitator noted the points that emerged during the discussion. After the interactions, all the groups were reassembled and the facilitator of each group presented the outcome to the entire group.

.. ..

.

Rainfed agriculture (brown soils) Water management (well irrigated) Livestock/Dairy Horticulture

Women development

and off-farm employment

Outcome Group I : Rainfed Agriculture Facilitators 79 1

1

Drs. S.K. Sharma, B.S. Kumpawat, Q.G. Qureshi

.

. . . . . . .. .. . .

Major crops in sandy loam soils maize, groundnut, sesame, blackgram, sorghum fodder, mustard, chickpea, guar, wheat.

Varieties - In maize Mukta, Sathi and Negri are common varieties. In groundnut JL-24 as common varieties of ground nut in sandy loam and black soils. Not aware of new dryland varieties in village.

Aware about the new varieties grown by the other farmers in other villages. Not aware of MPUAT varieties Timely availability of seed is a common problem. Farmers having irrigation, follow maize-wheat rotation.

Interested in seed bank concept. There is a scope for seed production under well irrigation on farmers' fields and can be distributed in the village itself. Farmers interested in exposure visit to the villages where seed bank concept is implemented.

In groundnut, problem of termite is there. Farmers do not adopt practices of seed treatment and drenching to control termite and white grub.

Problem of weeds like Bognya, Baru, Motha, Malichho, Chhimkdi, Gai. Dr. P.M.Jain informed about the success story of maize+pigeonpea (1:1) system in Pathliyas village in Bhilwara district .Earlier farmers used to grow only maize+blackgram (mixed) cropping. By introducing pigeonpea, the benefit and employment of farmers can be increased.

There are only 12 bullock pairs and 8 tractors in the village, so sowing stress is felt in the village.

ORPfarmers showed keen interest to have exposure visit to ATMAvillages.

Fertilizer management: Seed and fertilizer mix sowing is prevalent. Top dressing is done in maize.

There is general feeling that productivity is increased with the application of tank silt.

Few farmers are applying tank silt and vermi-compost to selected field units and are interested in organic farming.

Farmers expressed that enriched FYMand compost can be prepared with improved technology provided Govt. support is there.

Suggestions from farmers for increasing productivity and cost reduction

. .. . . . .

Labour cost reduction in weed control with improved implements.

Demonstration of in-situ/ ex-situ rainwater conservation techniques.

Research on drought resistant varieties.

Improvement in nadi system.

Training and exposure visit in enriched compost making.

Custom hiring services for improved implements.

Development of silvipastoral system.

Group II: Water management Facilitators:

Dr.A.K. Kothari, Dr. R.K. Sharma, Dr. L.K. Chhata & T.S. Yadav.

Presently, 9 bore wells, exist in rainfed area. Depth is up to 300 feet and an average yield 1-2 inch water.

Nearly 30 open wells have completely dried. Drinking water is only from a water tank constructed under community water scheme. There are two anicuts. Farmers suggested for a check dam between two hills, to store the water

.

. .

80

There is no awareness about for social regulation in ground water management in respect of borewell water sharing with set norms between the donor and the beneficiary. Rainwater harvesting for recharging dried open wells.

Water quality is poor in the village.

Farmers wanted an exposure visit to a village where social regulation process for groundwater

. .

management is in place. Awareness on appropriate rainwater management methods is required.

Water scarcity in bore wells: Adopting sprinkler drip irrigation under borewells in groundnut and vegetable crops. Five sprinkler set exist in the village.

Recharging of well by improving instruments of rainwater demonstration.

Group III: Livestock Facilitators:

Drs. Ghanshyam Meena, Manish Jain, YogeshGupta

Livestock situation (a) General At present the farmers possess non-descript cattle, buffalo, sheep & goat with low milk yield. In the village 500 cattle, 250 buffalo, 100 sheep and 600 goats exist. There is no regular deworming practice in the village. There is no veterinary hospital in the village. Only few farmers are giving supplementation after calving. Farmers are reporting long calving intervals. There is only two cross bred cows.

Milk Marketing - Milk collection centre was existing in the village but due to price problem, it is not working, hence more dependence on middlemen resulting in lower milk price (Rs.6 to 8/l).

Fodder situation: There is no shortage of fodder during summer and farmers purchase fodder when there is continuous drought for more than two DFRS.Very few farmers are cultivating fodder.

Suggestions/ needs for profitable livestock farming

. .

.

Primary requirement is for the establishment/starting force the farmers for profitable dairying.

of a milk collection center. This will create/

There should be a regular animal health care through regular visits of a veterinarian or either through a local trained Gopalmitra (a trained rural youth for live stock care for vaccination, first aid and artificial insemination).

Upgradation of the local non-descript breeds for higher milk yield. Introduction of developed breeds like introduction of Jersey, Hoelstein in cattle, Gir & Murrah in buffalo and Jamnapuri & Sirohi in goat.

Need based supplementation for both large and small ruminants for better productivity (milk and off-springs) Institutional and policy support for livestock procurement (loans), SHG's for concentrated mixture through ATMA.

Dr. Chary suggested the farmers to visit BAIF,Centres, for understanding improved fodder and pasture management.

Group IV : Horticulture

. .

There is no orchard in the village. Scattered fruit plants like ber & aonla exist in the village.

Farmers are interested in fruit planting but high cost in barbed wire fencing and scarcity of water during summer are major constraints.

There is a lack of awareness about improved varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Suggestions

. .

.

Big farmers can adopt fruit planting and inter-cultivation of vegetable with some financial support on fencing and tubewell establishment.

3-4 DFRSgestation period in fruit plantation also puts the economicburden on farmers (BAIF).

Exposure visit and trainings about nursery and fruit cultivation through drip can help to adopt the fruit-based farmingsystems (KVK).

81

~

Group V : Off-farm activities and women in agriculture Facilitators: Dr. K.C. Laddha, Dr. (Mrs.) Prakash Panwar

Drudgeriesfelt in farm, home and animal husbandryactivities. (a) Traditional chulha are available in their home. None of them have bio-gas plant or smokeless chula. Problem of eyes because of smoke was identified by women and also the bleaching of utensils to require more labour in dish washing also. (b)

There is a problem in storage of grains as they possess mud bins and also unaware of scientific storage practices for cereals and pulses. Problem of kabea and termite.

(c)

Womenface drudgery in farm operations especially weeding, hoeing and harvesting. It needs replacement of local sickle by serrated sickle and also use of wheel hoe have to be increased.

Regardinganimal husbandry activities none of them were aware of manger and also chaff cutters. There is a need for preparing mangers for hygiene feeding and also to make up the losses. Chaff cutter can be kept in a group on custom hiring basis.

(d)

.

Agro-processing Food

(a)

& fruit presentation training is demanded by women. They knowpreparation of

mango pickle but that also gets spoiled as reported by few respondents. They do not know about other preserved items like ketchup, sauce, chutneys, squash, jam and jelly. (b)

.. .

. .

Aware about dehydrated vegetables. and kachari.

They do this practice for methi, guarfali, ladyfinger

In then off time, they go for grazing the annuals and also collection of wood in forest.

No agriculture based women self help group in the village.

No landless women in the village.

No entrepreneur activity is going on in the village.

Suggestions:

Since above mentioned activities generate ample income through off- farm employment, ORPscientists along with KYKand ATMAmay facilitate for formation of the women SHG's and may explore other supportive mechanisms the already exist and operated through various schemes in the district.

.

The womenexpressedsomeneedsfor improvingtailoring activity like machinetailoring for fast working, Cutting designtechnology,embroideryand repairs training in every season.Theyalsosuggestedfor a Trainingcenter to educategirls in the village.

Day 2 Technical session at DFRS, Arjia Objective:

To include issues identified by participatory situation analysis into the ORP technical programme and initiation

of a consortium

model with involvements

of all the stakeholders.

Participants Scientists from CRIDA, AICRPDA, ORP, KVK, Bhilwara scheme, Non-plan and officials from Project Director (ATMA) and DRDA,State Agriculture Department and NGO'sviz., FES, BAIF,Deptt. of Animal Husbandry.

82 L...J

Methodology:

Brainstorming session

Chairman: Dr. P.M.Jain, Co-Chairman; Dr. Ravindra Chary Rapporteurs: Dr. S.K. Sharma, Dr. M. Osman Outcome: 1. Useful Technologies/experiences research.

. . .

generated

by other

sources

/ institutions

for policy

Social regulation in ground water exploitation Social regula1ion in Biomass exploitation (overgrazing in common lands) Documentationof technologyadoptionand diffusionof the maize, groundnut and pigeonpeavarieties introduced two DFRSback in two villages near to ORPvillages.

In the ORPvillage, support system and policy research on chemical farmingv/s simpleorganic farming where in organic manure is to be produced at village level. Incentives for labour oriented operations may be deliberated with district collector.

The financial requirement for some of the operations need in the new ORP village may be envisaged through ongoing programmes under ATMA.

2. Priorities of work for next five DFRS for ORP,Arjia and AICRPDAMain Centre, Arjia I. On-farmparticipatory Research/TechnologyAssessmentand refinement Assessmentand refinement of improvedtechnologiesdeveloped at DFRS,Arjia matching varying

. . .. . ..

micro-farming situations.

Testing of new technologies developed by other eminent institutions.

II. CoordinatedProgrammeswith DFRS,KVK,SDA,NGOs,VO etc., on Upscalingof Technologies Seed village concept Non-Pesticidal Management.

Foddertrees establishment in CPRS/ PPRs Introduction of developed breeds like Gir, Jersey, Holstein in cattle, Murrah & Surati in buffalo Sonadi sheep, Jamanapari & Sirohi in goat.

Training in orchard management and grafting techniques through KVK& SDA.

ORPscientists alongwith AgricultureSupervisor&officialsof ATMA and ZillaParishadmayfacili-

tate for formation of the societies and may explore other supportive mechanisms the already exist and operated through variousschemes in the district.

III. HRDwith KVK,SDA,PD (ATMA),AS

.. . .

Training in vermi composting, PHT like dal processing, raising nurseries of fruit plants etc.,

Exposurevisits and capacity buildingat KVK,PD(ATMA) and other institutions of nationalimpor-

tance.

Preparation of concentrate mixture in the village itself through Agriculture Supervisor by appropriate training

Traininglocalyouth as Gopalmithraand facilitating regular health campsfor better animal health care.

Exploring more off-farm income generating activities that are linked to agriculture/animal husbandry/dairy etc., like biomass generation (for manure and animal feed), Non Pesticidal Management in groundnut, collection of need seed Kernel.

83

III

Annexure

VIII

Action Plan for ORP, Arjia SI.No. Item 1 On-farmparticipatory Research/Technolo{!v Assessment andrefinement 1.1 Technology assessment andrefinementmatchingvaryingmicro-farmingsituations 1.2 Documentation of traditionalfarmingsystems,sitecharacterization,PRA,identifyingdiverse

1.2.1 1.3

1.4 1.4.1 2

2.1 2.2 2.3

2.4

2.5 2.6 2.7

2.8 3 3.1 3.2 4

.. . .. . .. ... .

microfarmingsituations.

FarmingsystemsResearch ex. Development of improvedanimalbasedandhorti basedfarming system.

RainwaterManagement ParticipatoryVarietalSelection Farmmechanization

Coordinated Programmes withDFRS, KVK,SDA,NGOs, ZillaParishad etc.,onUpscalingof Technologies

. .

Seedvillageconcept Development andefficientutilizationof Qroundlevelresource

NPM Fodderproductionunderlimitedborewellsupportedmicroirrigation CPRS / PPRs - Silvipastoral develoDment Introductionof developedbreedsof cattles,Qoat Animalhealthmanagement

Promotion ofvalueadditionactivitiesviz.,Raub in maize,dal/mangodi in blackQram

HRDwith KVK,PD(ATMA) Trainingin enrichedcomposting,drudgeryreduction,food processingfor valueaddition,nutritional management of farmfamily.

Awareness aboveinsurance,loan,20Vt.programmes, silageandhaymakinQ Exposure visits andcapacitybuildinQat KVK,PD(ATMA),villagesetc.

Documentationand Policy Research(Category IV - UsefulTechnologies/experiences generatedby

.

other sources/ institutionsfor policyresearch.)

4.1 4.2

84

----

. Documentation of technologyadoptionanddiffusionof onintegratedhorti - basedfarmingsystem

.

in the areaandorganicproductionsvstem LearningExperiences of ATMAandKalyanpura watershed

Annexure IX Proceedings of Development of Participatory Action Plan and Strategies for Technologies upscaling at ORP, Ranchi

Aonedaybrainstorming sessionwasorganizedat village Rarha,of ORPRanchi during 28, August,2007to initiate action researchin this center.

Objective: Toinclude the issues identified by participatory mode and include them in the ensuing technical programme.

Participants:

Scientists from BAU and ORP,Ranchi, scientists from CRIDA, NGOs and farmers from ORP participated in the meeting.

Methodology: Brainstorming and focused group discussions were concentrated on holistic problems and solutions of participants. The farmers were interested to put maximum problems of agriculture and family.

A brief background of project was narrated by Dr. N. Kumari, Junior Scientist, ORP. It was followed by sharing of discussion and interaction with the help of village resource map of each village.

Director of Research also emphasized to categorize the problems of farming. Scientist from CRIDAinteracted with local participants.

Dean (Agriculture) and other scientists also participated and interacted with villagers.

Shri. Gokul Mehra, Director SAMETIintervened and extracted farmers view for capacity development of farmers. He opined to select two farmers from each village and others, if interested and he assured to provide linkage help to build capacity of the farmers in taking up agricultural operations.

Representative from R.K. Mission, Morabadi, and Mr. Manoj pointed out that their presence in village Piprajarha for last two years awarded technical know-how for animal husbandry, poultry. They trained farmers for animal health. Goatry, piggery and bee keeping were also taken up. He suggested to popularize duck breed Khaki Cambell and poultry Dibyam Red for better adoption. Dean Agriculture, suggested to raise the economic level of farmers through adoption of improved farming system and to integrate their farming with fruit, forestry, vegetable and goat and fish.

The villages are situated in between Rarha forest covering an area of 250 ha. The participants indicated that large no. of original medicinal and aromatic plants are available in forest. The low-income farmers and landless labourers utilize forest produce for their livelihood.

Majority of farmers were enthusiastically economic status within a short period.

interested to be assured and to know the ways to raise their

Outcome:

.

Farmers indicated that soils in upland condition are light and acidic with 5-8% slope, the major crops (upland rice, maize, arhar, ragi etc.) are low yielder but in medium and lowland situations, productivity of kharif paddy is satisfactory (18-20 q/ha). The major problem faced by farmers are disease, insect-pest damages, low input use and traditional varieties.

In medium lands traditional long duration varieties occupy major area. It delays rabi sowing otherwise moisture available in medium land needs introduction of optimal sowing of rabi crops.

Farmers indicated profitability of vegetable cultivation. linkage within 5 km to state highway (Patratu-Ranchi).

The ORP villages have communication The two markets, Pithoria (3 km) and

85

Ranchi (15 km) provide opportunity for seeking higher prices of the produce.

. .

. .

Farmers indicated for rainwater harvesting insitu as well as off situ utilizing Lakhari nala and its tributaries.

Soil erosion is major problem inslopy cultivable measures to be demonstrated.

land (5-8% slope).

They interacted

for control

Hybrid cultivation in paddy vegetable and other crops were highlighted.

During discussion, farmers narrated their experiences and pointed at problems of False Smut in hybrid. However, they were satisfied with higher yield from hybrids. Director of Research suggested demonstrating hybrids like PA-6444, KRH-2 etc.

In post kharif crops like Niger and rabi crops like potato, wheat, lentil, gram, oil seeds are to be demonstrated for better utilization of residual moisture. The problem of stray cattle grazing was discussed and it was suggested to form village committees to check and control this problem.

Alternate land use system to utilize waste land and to reduce loss of forest trees for firewood consumption and due to sale of firewood for money fetching in local market, the alternate land use system was described by Dr. M.S. Yadava (inchare, ORP). He pointed out that farmers are not willing to adopt and to take demonstration on this aspect, because they utilize leaves, fruits and twigs of forest trees for consumption of fuel and fodder. However, one farmer viz. Dukhi Oraon in village Jamun tola has taken up planting Subabul around the field for enhancing fodder for animals as well as fertility of soil. Dr. G.R. Chary ft Dr. M. Shankar to popularize and demonstrate a model under alternate land use system.

Dr. Maruthi Shankar ft Dr. R. Chari suggested to take up scaling of those technologies which are relevant to different micro-farming situations. It was suggested to have documentation of traditional farming system as well.

After thanks giving ceremony farmers and scientists of ORP invited all the participants for field visit. The team started at 13.00 hrs to village Kawa Tungri and visited several fields of experiments on medium, lowland hybrid rice. It was pointed out that farmers do not adopt line sowing in transplanted paddy. Secondly, they practiced closer spacing which was detrimental to tiller number at maximum tillering stage.

Discussion on Alternate

land system.

Then team visited upland demonstration on paddy, Arhar, (pureft intercropping) in upland situation at Ratna Tanr, Pipra Jarha and jammu tola. Also the fields of experiments on up scaling of technologies (lime application in pulses, Ragi, upland rice etc.) were shown.

.

The team appreciated the experimental plot of Sukra Oraon ftbrothers at village jammu tola.

Return to forest Research station Rarha for discussion with NGO and SAMET!.

Development of Technical programme

.

At 5 p.m., the team of scientists met in the conference room of department of Agriculture Physics ft meteorology to frame technical programme of ORP2007-08. Dr. A. Wadood, Chairman, Dept., of Agril. Physics ft Agriculture Meteorology highlighted reach work on meteorology ft rainfall pattern in the region. After a long discussion the technical programme for 2007-08 for ORPwas developed

Discussion of the team to develop technical programme Participants: Dr. B. N. singh, (D.R), Dr. Maruthi shankar, Dr. G. Ravindra Chary (CRIDA), All scientists of Dryland main center, ORP and Agril., Physics ft Meteorology, B.A.U A meeting was also held with the Director Research and Vice-Chancellor of B.A.U Ranchi. The meeting was very successful.

86

..

Annexure X Actio Plan ORP, Ranchi Title Treatments S.No Crop Participatory TechnologyDevelopment Participatory Varietial Selection Vandana 1 Rice Uplandrice evaluation of Birsa Bikas Dhan 109 upland varieties on farmers FarmersVariety input level Bunding Fallow2 Vegetable Early-Pea/Colecrops/Tomato Fallowvegetables crops Bunding 3 Tomato/ Colocasia-Brinjal/ Pea / Tomato Vegetable Kharif vegetablecrops Vegetable Rice 4 Subabulfor ( on bunds) - Rice/ Fingermillet Alley cropping

5

Cropping system

6

Cropping system

7

Cropping system

Energy Management 8 Energy management

Finger-millet Maize Blackgram Pigeon pea Rice (Lalat!IR-64) Mustard Rice (Lalat!IR-64) Wheat Rice (Lalat!IR-64) Maize

Improved method Rice (Lalat/lR-64) variety Farmers input level Rice Lalat!IR-64) variety Wheat! rubi pulses

Rice Wheat

Improved tillage Zero tillage (for wheat)

Farming System 9 Rice Rice Crop live stock Uplands/Medium lands 10 Rice Rice Crop live stock Uplands/Medium lands 11 Low lands Rice-rice Participatory Extension plan up scaling

(Transplanted) / Maize/ balckgram/ pigeonpea

Rice Lalat!IR-64) variety Sweet corn/baby corn

Rice - vegetables - goat rearing/ backyard poultry / piggery

WHS(water harvestingstructure)/ Rice-rice+ uck/fish

-

12 13 14 15

Rain water management Uplands Rain water management Uplands Cropping system Cropping system

16 Vegetables Capacity Building 17 Formation Women SHGS;MenSHGS 18 HRD 19 Agro Advisory Service 20 Animal Health Camps 21

Kisan Goshti/ Pre-season trainings

Field bund stabilization Study of CPRfor water resource

PP + FM Limeapplicationin upland acid soilsCrops- soybean /Rice FM/BG Cabbage/ cauliflower

87 L J

Annexure XI Details of PRAof Panod, ORPvillage, Indore As per the requirement, a PRAexercise at proposed ORPsite namely Panod was carried out during April 2007 .This programme was attended by personnel from different organizations including Scientist of ORP team, Scientists of different departments including Agronomy, plant breeding, plant pathology, soil science, Horticulture, DDAand ADAof Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, fisheries, KVKscientists and extension workers of NGO.After gathering the preliminary information regarding the village, each department explained the programmes, activities being carried out by it under different state and central government schemes. The idea was to dovetail the activities in the village Panod for its overall development. The officers of the department assured that the villagers would be given whole hearted support and they would try to include the village in their future programme so that the villagers are benefited by various schemes. Based on the exercise, the following observations were made: Observations The following observations have been made during the study.

The soil of area is black clayey soil, which is certainly prone to erosion. The average rainfall of the region is 967mm.

Soybeanbased croppingsystem is prevailing.They also prefer mixedcroppingof soybean-JowarMaize rather than intercropping.

Soybean is followed by gram/wheat in rabi season. Few farmers opt for different enterprises like animal husbandry.

Very few farmers adopt recommended package of practices for the cultivation of crops due to high input cost and non-availability of labourours.

Dairying is found to be non-profitable enterprise if only purchased feed is provided. Thus it should be a subsidiary business along with the general farming so that the contractual labours, home produced feed can be utilized with minimum expenditure on only health care of livestock.

Tubewellsare the mainsource of irrigation.Mostof the open wellsare defunct because of falling ground water level. Every year farmers invest lot of money to dig new bore wells.

Credit facility is available in these two villages mainly through commercial banks.

The large and marginal farmers own .Jersi and Deshi cow breed mainly for milk production and sale in the local market. Mostly, they feed mostly home produced fodder.

Large and medium farmers engage one or two contractual labourers for whole of the year. However, even small farmers engage labours for the harvesting of soybean, gram and wheat. Even now a days, combines are being engaged for the harvesting mainly soybean and wheat crops.

Village Panod is getting little help from these agencies.

Panod is connected this year to Indore Bypass by road constructed under P.M. Road Programme.

This has increased the cost of agricultural land by many folds.

Due to uneven, scanty rainfall during last 5 years, the production has gone down. This has compelled many farmers to sale a portion of their land so that to make repayment of loan amount.

Some farmers sale their land at premium prize and purchase new land at lower prize.

Farmers of the villages want government to provide sufficient fund to develop water-harvesting tanks to increase the irrigation potential in the area.

The team members confirm the potential and need for a watershed development project. It was observed that unsustainable use of natural resources has caused low income from natural resources, decreased productivity on common land especially, increased sheet and gLJllyerosion. Depletion of the natural vegetation, inappropriate agricultural practices, overgrazing, rapidly increasing population, government programmes that are ineffective in reaching the population and lack of funds for land development have

88 L .1

all contributed to degradation of the land. In most of these watershed areas ground and surface water are not available in sufficient quantity to allow for development of any major extension of the area with irrigated annual crops. The geological formations are complicated with only isolated pockets of ground water. This is in combination with quick runoff of surface water, a low recharge to the aquifers and heavy increase in number of tube wells has resulted in a rapidly falling ground water table and many wells going dry in the early part of the dry season. The effect of different government programmes to increase production and prevent further degradation of the land has been very limited in these villages.

In Panod, soybean is the measure crop as prevailing almost in all over M.P.Thus soybean based cropping system is followed in these villages. However it has been observed that the productivity of this cropping system is dependent on the availability of rainwater, its distribution and amount. Therefore efforts should be made to increase the availability of water in this region by adopting suitable soil and water conservation measures. The aims of these structures are as follows: (1) (2) (3) This

Conserve maximum water in the soil profile in order to induce vegetative growth on them, Convert surface flow in to sub surface flow to encourage recharging Surface storage of water in the tanks constructed in the farmers fields. activity will certainly make available enough water for, Human and livestock drinking Domestic use like taking bath, washing and cleaning Irrigation for agricultural crops and vegetable cultivation Initial watering for fruits and forest plantations.

Thus the challenge before the scientific community is to transform the rainfed farming in to sustainable production system specially targeting to benefit the poor people. Water is the starting point for regeneration of these rainfed regions. Over the last few decades, many efforts have been made to increase the productivity of agricultural land but the process of adoption of new technologies by the farmers is still slow.

The technological strategies that have been developed for the management and conservation of soil and water sometimes are not adapted for the beneficiaries, because they could not participate in the processes of the diagnosis, planning and execution of the actions. In addition, the promotion of conservation tillage systems and practices that were not adapted to specific regional requirements has created credibility problems with the farmers probably since they had been developed in other places and introduced without a correct diagnosis of the local situation.

The development of technologies that guarantee the maintenance of agricultural land productivity is a challenge that both technicians and farmers must face through collaborative research and fieldwork in the farmers' own environments and conditions. This includes identification of the problems of management and conservation of soils and water and a greater emphasis on the evaluation of the potential for systems of resource conservation adapted to the identical conditions of various regions.

Thus increase in vegetation for longer duration, enhancement in soil moisture due to increased subsurface seepage, increased runoff water management, decrease in soil loss due to silt trapped in gully plugs, increase in water levels in wells and increase in soil fertility due to spreading of desilted soils in the adjoining fields will certainly transform the existing rainfed-farming system into sustainable production system.

It has been observed that most of the population of these areas derives its livelihood and environmental securities directly from natural resources like soil, water, vegetation, livestock, and village enterprises.

Escalating demographic pressure has reducing per capita cultivated land day by day. Livelihood needs of rural communities are expected to be realised from increased productivity without degrading qualities of natural resources. It has been experienced that top down and supply driven approach of centralized macro planning have not produced desired results. Community participation and initiatives in the framework of bottom up process of demand driven development is being looked upon for sustainable resource management. Empowerment of village communities for local level planning has also to be pledged under any village developmental programme. Management of natural resources by communities is the current paradigm of research and development strategies.

89 IiIiIiI

Natural Vegetation: Vegetation: Common vegetation found in the study area is as below: Common trees: Botanical name S. N. Common name 1 Palas Butea monosperma 2.

Mahua Madhuka latitolia 3.

Ber lyzyphus jujuba Acacia nilotica 4.

Babul Azadirachta indica 5.

Neem Ficus religiosa 6.

Peepal Common grasses and weeds: Botanical name S. N. Common name 1.

Kans Saccharum spontanium 2.

Doodhi Euphorbia hirta 3.

Doob Cynodon dactylon Cyprus rotundus 4.

Nagar motha

Common Kharif crops grown in the area: S. No. 1.

2.

3.

Common name Soybean Maize Pigeon pea

4.

5.

Ladiesfinger Brinjal

Productivity

of different

Season Kharif

Rabi

Botanical name Glycine max lea mays Cajanus cajan Hibiscus Spp. Solanum nigrum

crops in Panod WS.

Crops Sovbean Sor2hum Maize Black2ram Wheat ChickDea Safflower

Productivitv (q/ha) 2000-2001 16 - 20 6 - 12 25 - 30 15 - 20 20 - 25 12 - 15

Present

16 - 20 30 - 35 25-30 5 -7 35 - 40 10 - 12 10-12

30 - 35 6-8

10 years back

25 - 30 6-8

Yield potential of research farm, farmers' fields and Indore district.

Source Research Potential Yield Potential farmer's Yield District Av. Yield Farm potential Yield

Soybean 30 25 11.37 30

Sorghum 50 45 11.62 50

Yield levels (q/ha) Maize Wheat 50 50.

40 50 29.10 50 50

Chickpea 20 18 8 20

Potato 300 250 250

Natural vegetation

Indigenous Technical Knowledge available To gain an insight in to ITKs followed in the village, a group of village elders were encouraged to discuss about their accumulated experience in dealing with situations and problems in various aspects of farming and health care. Six ITKshave been found in this village. Farmersusedto practice them in past but presently they are not usingbecauseof accessto modern techniques.

90

Indigenous

Technical

knowledge

available

in the WS.

Problem

ITK

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) of cattle and buffalo.

Bloating of cattle and buffalo

Feeding of fish to affected animals.

JHATAKE

Mixture of Ajwain with rock salt, ambu haldi and gur is boiled in mustard oil and cooled extract is fed to the animal.

Bones of camel are crushed to powder farm and then fed to the affected animal as drink.

Hot iron is placed on the neck of the affected animal.

Extract of Kachari (Fruit! is mixed with chapatti and fed to the affected animal.

Spraying of neem leaf extract.

Spraying of nimori (Neem seeds powder)

Gala-ghotu (Haemorrhegic sePtisemia) Sucking parasites Pest and disease (any) of crops (any)

Major technical" economic, social and infrastructure

related constraints.

Constraints

Type of constraints Technical Economic Social Infrastructure

Crop

----;

KI

Indicator

l-

High profit Sub-total High pest tolerance Sub-total Fodder use Sub-total Labour saving Sub-total Low requirements inputs Sub-total Additional income Sub.total High market price Sub-total Less water requirement Sub-total High tolerence climatic adversity Sub-total Total

to

of

Soybean (Samrat)

Wheat (Lok1)

Sorghum (CSH7)

1 2 3

I II I

1 2 3

IV V 11\

1 2 3

IV II V

1 2 3

I I II

1 2 3

II 11\ II

1 2

---

---

---

---

--.

---

3

IV

2

II

4

III

3

II

1 2 3

I I II

1 2 3

11\ 11\ IV

1

I

2 3

I II

5 4 5 14 2 1 3 6 2 4 1 7 5 5 4 14 4 3 4 11 4 6 5 5 4 14 3 3 2 8 5

5 4 14 94

V IV V I I II I I II II II I III II 11\ I

II III III I I I V V IV

1 2 1 4 5 5 4 14 5 5 4 14 4 4 5 13 3 4 3 10 5

9 4 3 3 10 5 5 5 15 1 1 2 4 93

IV V 11\ V III IV II 11\ III V V IV V V IV IV

V V IV V V V II III III

2 1 3 6 1 3 2 6 4 3 3 10 1 1 2 4 1 1 2 4 2 5 1 1 2 4 1 1 1 3 4

3 3 10 52

Potato (Jyoti)

II III IV II II I V V IV 11\ III III I I I h-

---

--11\ II I II II II III II I

4 3 2 9 4 4 5 13 1 1 2 4 3 3 3 9 5 5 5 15 -->

---

----.

3 4 5 12 4 4 4 12 3 4 5 12 86

Maize (Ganga Sated 2) 11\ I II III IV V III 11\ I IV IV V IV IV V 11\

--I

IV IV V IV IV III IV IV V

3 5 4 12 3 2 1 6 3 3 5 11 2 2 1 5 2 2 1 5 3

--5 8 2 2 1 5 2 2 3 7 2

2 1 5 64

91 L

J

. . - --..-

_.n. '---'-"

-' . . --.-... .._..m.." ,"

Symbol

Name of Problem

-- .w. -.

..--,...-"--'"

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

7 12

1

2

1

A

Low water table

7

B

No podding syndrome in Soybean

23 5

C

Ring cutter in Soybean

D

Rodent attack in Wheat

E

Late blight of Potato

F

Tuber cracking of Potato

G

Green ear disease of Sorghum

H

FMD

I

Wilting of Garlic

J

Potato leaf roll

------------- -------Symbol

---

.""-'"'

Rank 9

4

8

17

5

12

1

10

2

8

11 6 5 1 9

9

8

8

10

1

1

2

1

8 7

1

1

7

5 4

6

1 5

1 11 7

5 11

1

2

7

9

8

1

3

10

-. .. --'---'-

SI. No. Name of Problem

RBQ

A

1

Low water table

84.0

B

2

No podding syndrome in Soybean

97.0

C

3

Ring cutter in Soybean

70.0

D

4

Rodent attack in Wheat

26.3

E

5

Late blight of Potato

38.3

F

6

Tuber cracking of Potato

75.3

G

7

Green ear disease of Sorghum

47.7

H

8

FMD

48.3

I

9

Wilting of Garlic

31.7

J

10

Potato leaf roll

40.7

. -- ..n. . --u.

Area (ha)/ No. of

SINo. Problem

~

Animal

VBI

Rank

1

Lowwater table

84.0

30

400

1008000

2

2

No podding syndrome in Soybean

97.0

60

300

1746000

1

3

Ring cutter in Soybean

70.0

40

250

700000

3

4

Rodent attack in Wheat

26.3

60

50

79000

4

5

Late blight of Potato

38.3

20

20

15333

7

6

Tuber cracking of Potato

75.3

20

20

30133

5

30

5

7150

9

7

92

RBQ % Economic Loss

Green ear disease of Sorghum

47.7

8

FMD

48.3

10

20

9667

8

9

Wilting of Garlic

31.7

20

5

3167

10

10

Potato leaf roll

40.7

20

20

16267

6

Annexure XII Action Plan, ORP, Indore

S. No

Title

Code

Crop

Treatments

I

Participatory extension plan - up scaling Up scaling and out scaling of technology and participatory technology demonstration 1

Various soil and water conservation measures

Natural resource conservation programme for increasing productivity in the region

as per the site including provision of adequate

draining 2

Demonstration of package of practice of soybean

Soybean

1. Farmers practice 2. Improved seed, balanced use of fertilizer, seed treatment prophylactic measure of plant protection, weedicide, inter culture and harvesting at physiological maturity

3

Plantation of Jatropha and Glyricydia on the Jatropha Glyricydia bunds and watershed of farmer's field 4 Live demonstration on seed treatment, preparationof NADEPcompost, use of weedicide and pant protection chemical to be !!iven to farmer's of Watershed area.

ParticiDatory Technolo!!y DeveloDment Development of water harvestim! tank/sunken tanks and its effect on crop productivity 5 Studies on rain water harvesting and Development of water harvesting tank recycling for improving the productivity for rainfed crops Site Selection Nutrient Mana2ement 6 Soybean 1. Farmers practice Influence of sulphur application on productivity of soybean 2. Farmerspractice + S@30kg/ha through gypsum 7

Crop diversification studies

ParticiDatorv Varietal Selection 8 Introduction of new promising varieties of important kharif (Soybean) and rabi (chickpea) and fodder crops under rainfed conditions Other activities 9

Onion, Garlic, Potato, Hybrid tomato, Brinjal Coriander Soybean Chickpea

Human Resource Development

Livelihood Cultivation 10 Custom hiring center for providing improved tools in non ORParea as well Alternate land Use 11 Plantation of Anoia and Custard apple under agro-horti system.

Varieties of soybean and chickpea as per recommendation and availability

(i) Training on package of practices pre khrif and rabi season will be organized (ii) Field visits and spot euidance

Anola Custard aDDle

Anola Custard apple

93

Annexure XIII ORPs: Envisioning on New Challenges

- Summary of the

responses

1. What was the farming system module followed during the last season (or those contemplated for 2007-08) by your ORPin response to your suggestions on improving the content of technical programme (2006-07) At Ananthapur

.. . . .

In Pennar Manirevu Watershed, Sheep stall-feeding of groundnut haulms Narasapuram National Watershed: CPRdevelopment by Hori-pasture system up to 2006-07 Horti-pasture system based farming system + sheep during 2007-08 Introduction of animal component, studying the economics of the system Many enterprises have scope.

Ranchi Improving upland rice in different land situations.

Utilization of residual moisture in medium & lowland by introduction of wheat, chickpea, linseed mustard and encouraging vegetable cultivation in uplands.

Introduction of improved animal (goat/pig/poultry) as an alternate strategy, to be included in the farming system Introduction of dryland horticulture in homestead as well as on barren lands Proposed Agro-horti-cow-bee-fish-duck Model

. .. . . . .

Area: 1 ha Crops:0.50

ha

Horticulture: 0.25 ha Pond: 0.10 ha Cow: 0.05 ha

Other activity: 0.10 ha (Agroforestry, FYM,value addition etc.,)

2. How to improve technology adoption by ORP farmers and their diffusion to other farmers in the same village and other villages

. .. . .. .

94 IIIiIiIiiiiiiIi

Mandate should be clearly modified for more emphasis on framing of programmes for activities leading to diffusion Field Days for successful technologies Preseason Trainings Method demonstrations Interactive Meetings with successful farmers of Watershed vs other farmers of ORPvillage in other villages Successful technology dissemination thru pamphlets, distributing the same to neighboring villages Fortnightly on-farm programmes involving state government, village level workers, farmers and ORPscientists.

Development of pamphlets/leaflets etc. for new dryland technologies demonstrated in ORP for more than 2 years involving more than 40 farmers and distribution to state department, Zilla Parishad and extension workers.

.. . . . . .. . . . . .. . .

Direct contact of farmers with media/TV for transmission of successful technologies Meeting with adjoining KVKsfor inclusion of first three successful technologies in their technical programmeand their monitoringby ORPscientists and ZonalDirectorof Research.

Subsidiary links for nursery raising, food processing, organic markets, organic inputs, implements should be strengthened through scheduled contact of ORPscientists with concerned depilrtments.

Rotational meeting with successful farmers in a year by villagers.

Development of museum of dryland technologies demonstrated in ORP area with documented experiences of farmers.

Technology should be cost effective Through large scale field demos in the adopted village Thru Field days/kisan melas/group discussions/meetings/ scientists-farmer interactions Best farmer award Demonstration of perfect dryland technology on large scale matching socioeconomic conditions of the adopted and other villages Imparting spot guidance during cropping season Experiments/trials/demos/ should have not more than one or two successful/recommended technology/farm practice as a treatment in ORP Field days on regular basis along with encouraging attendance by adjoining villages Exposure visit of ORPfarmers & other villages to Kisan mela,KVKs, on station trials of SAUs/ICAR Institutes, NGOsetc are to continue Farmers group formed by ORP be trained with exposure and involved to participatory dissemination of the technologies to nearby villages.

Yield advantages due to ORP intervention are highlighted through participatory mode. Documentary film/presentation of success story should be documented and presented.

3. What are the methods being adopted at present for impact assessment

. . . . . . . . . . ..

PRAtechnique Socioeconomic survey with in watershed village after project period Personal interview with farmers and documenting with the help of pre-designed proforma Questionnaire evaluation method/survey Benchmark survey Problem caused diagram of different crops/cropping systems- identification of socioeconomic/ biophysical factors Annual survey of various improved agricultural practices in terms of adoption in the adopted village; yield gap analysis Comparison of different improved practices in terms of their adoption with the practices followed in the adjoining non-adopted villages in the same micro-watershed Comparison of on-farm yields with the potential yield of that particular crop, difference if any and reason there of.

By comparing treated area with the non-treated area Survey after every two years to assess impact Periodical Brain storming sessions between farmers and scientists Pre and post evaluation in terms of : 0 Knowledge change 0 Attitude change Behavioral component 0

Skillacquisition

a)

Direct impact: increase in income/production/productivity/area

covered under dif95

ferent components/ adopting improved practices b)

. . .

Indirect impact: increase in knowledge/awareness/improved nutritional status/adoption of other improved technologies related to animal husbandry /home science/ educational facilities etc.,

Impact variables like production, cropping intensity, productivity etc are assessed Et compared with abase line survey Increase in area under different crops is assessed.

Change in productivity level of different crops into consideration.

Increase in socioeconomic level in the area.

4. Is your ORP adopting any participatory technology evaluation method? If, yes, please elaborate in not more than 5 stages

. . . ..

. .. . . . ..

Benchmarksurvey - biophysicalEtsocioeconomicsurvey Formulation of technical programme based on problems of farmers in the watershed for improving yields in inter-bunded areas of fields in the watershed village Conducting verification trials in watershed area Refinement of Technology through Main Centre Impact study of successful technologies in/our watershed village and its coverage, economic studies/benefit to the farming community after 5 or 10 years of implementation of technology. By documenting case study, socio-economic survey on the livelihood improvement of farmers in the watershed.

PRA-The developed technology is tested on farmers' field and the operational constraints are modified during the crop period by discussion with group of farmers in the ORParea.

The execution of the project thru participatory approach The demonstration/on-farm trails/ adoptive trials are planned and executed with the help of farmers' thru PRAapproach Doing and seeing helped adoption Field applicability Relative advantage Compatibil ity Complexibility Practicability During cropping season, a farmers' meetings arranged for technical programme implementation Need based technical interventions are decided and crop in different trial elaborated.

Plan for distribution of inputs, land preparation and selection of farmers is done.

Framers are encouraged to participate and evaluate the previous year's intervention and the constraints are discussed.

Frame work for evaluation based on parameters like season, crop selection, irrigation etc., is analyzed.

5. What changes need to be done in the present system of ORP to be more relevant in the present context?

. .

.

.

96 1.J

Missionof ORPshould be clarified and guidelines should be finalized Exposure or frequent visits to local research station and at different farmers fields where adopting improved technology Visits to previous adopted watersheds Visits to similar farming situations in other states

. . .. . . .. . . . .. .. . . .

Group d,scuss,ons amongst ORP farmers & successful farmers in farming systems technology of other locations More flexibility for contact sessions with extension systems of the region.

Financial provision for diffusion activities of technology in nearby villages.

New vehicle Range of technologies from main center to ORPand feedback from ORPto Main center should be strengthened.

ORPscientists should give documented feedback based on facts which should strictly be a part of new technical programme.

To focus on diversification of rainfed agriculture More research on soil &water conservation and ground water recharge Thru large no. of demos/ on-farm trials in presently adopted village and in earlier adopted villages Participatory on-farm research on watershed basis More emphasis on organic farming ORP (dryland) should be changed 0 work as ORP (rainfed) in Farming system mode.

Research be need based, location specific and livelihood activities should be promoted.

Felid staff and supporting staff should be increased fro ORP. ORPscientists need frequent movement to HQs, KVK,ZRSsof the region ORP needs independence for working directly as department of On-farm research as parallel to and in competition with discipline departments in college of agriculture.

Since fertilizer use is low, Organic farming is better option Limited use of groundwater during prolonged drought Micro-watershed basis

6. What measures (structural, scientific and operational) you suggest for bringing about more visibility and accountability to ORP functioning?

1. Structural NAJ:P~J;g.M>~~~

.

.

. .

. . .

2.

.

All kinds of On-farm research should work under leadership of I/c of ORP/Dept. of On-farm Research to the rank of Chief Scientist cum University Professor in Agriculture Ffeld staff (other than scientists) should be provided.

Policies and options of networking should be envisaged clearly.

Involvement of allied agencies for quantification of the impact of policy and institutional reforms influencing technology adoption should be clearly defined.

Visits of ORPscientists to other ORP/AICRPDAcenters Mobility of scientists & field staff should be made easy.

Finance should be directly handled by ORP head/Director of Research for easy & quick results.

Scientific A minimum first hand exposure to best of dryland technologies to ORPscientists should be confirmed

.

Need of multi-disciplinary technical man power viz. animal sciences/ horticulture/social/home science, on contractual basis.

3. Operational

.. .

Field activists (at least 2 nos.) on contract basis to hasten the process of adoption More flexibility for on-spot decision making scientists ( beyond technical programme) Accountability with regards to workability should be clearly chalked out

97 ........

.. . .. .. . ..

Decision making for operational responses in ORPshould be strengthened Multimedia facilities Field level worker to supervise the field works Independent vehicles are needed Technical field staff

Formulation of Village Development Committees Transport facility Custom hiring facilities thru ORPs 4. HRD Short duration training courses for farmers/farm women/allied occupations Specialized training for scientists in horticulture including minor fruits/forestry/animal

husbandry

5. Finance Budgetenhancement in the form of Revolvingfund and repayment amongstthe group

. . .

.

.

98 L-J

More funds for works and instrumentation, for development of nucleus of dryland technology on farmers' field, for rain water harvesting More financial assets to the farmers for construction of kunds/tankas in the adopted villagefor arid horticulture and potable water Regular fund release Consultancy/Honorarium basis (Mitra Kisan) should be encouraged-50