Volume I: Section: 5 Chapter: 3
5.3.1
Section 5: Chapter 3: Guide lines for Socio – economic measures including agriculture, horticulture & animal husbandry 3.1 Introduction: 3.1.1. The secondary and primary data collected during the field investigations revealed that the catchments have a general slope ranging from 20 to 85 %. The farmers invariably practiced mixed farming comprising of Horticulture, Agriculture, Vegetable cultivation and Animal Husbandry. Less than 10% area has assured irrigation. Some of the catchments had even less than 5% irrigated area. Farming, therefore, is rainfed. Manures, both organic as well as chemical are applied in insufficient quantities, mainly due to following three reasons: i)
lack of purchasing power of the farmers,
ii) non-availability of sufficient quantities of organic manures iii) Insufficient soil moisture during the crop growth period. It is therefore, desired that more area be brought under irrigation. 3.1.2. Since the landscape is slopy and most of the rains occur during the monsoon season from June to September, efforts should be made to conserve as much water as possible. This can be achieved by making liberal use of organic manures and practicing organic farming. Therefore, it is desired that at least some area under fruit plants, field crops and vegetable crops be put under organic farming. This on one hand gives chemical free products to the consumers, fetching higher returns to the farmers and on the other hand improves the physical properties of soil, thereby improving the water holding capacity of soil. It will further
result in more retention of rain water which ultimately leads to reduction in runoff losses and thereby silt load in the river water system. 3.1.3. During the field surveys it was observed that a sizable number of orchards have become senile. This has resulted not only in poor yields from the orchards but the reduced vegetative soil cover has left the soil open to be eroded by heavy rainfall showers. Such orchards need to be rejuvenated in phased manner. 3.1.4. It was also noticed during the field visits that the farmers are growing field crops on sloped lands. At places cultivation is done across the contours even on lands having more than 35 to 40% slopes. The field crops need repeated tillage, making the soil more prone to erosion. In order to conserve the rain water in situ, such lands need to be terraced and wherever the terraces are damaged, they need to be repaired and the bunds strengthened by earth work and suitable grass species. In slopes beyond 30%, it is desired that such lands be put under fruit plants which do not need intensive tillage. At places where even fruit plant cultivation is not possible it is recommended that better quality grasses with fodder trees in between be grown. 3.1.5. In the whole terrain it is desired that the farmers should resort to conservation type of farming instead of soil depleting farming processes. In addition to some of such practices outlined above, farm ponds, (community as well as individual) should be constructed in the watersheds so that maximum runoff water is stored. This helps in reducing
Comprehensive CAT Plan of Satluj River Basin
Volume I: Section: 5 Chapter: 3 the soil and water erosion while making water available for raising crops, thereby improving the economic conditions of farmers. 3.1.6. The livestock population in the catchments is invariably very high. This has added to the cattle wealth of the farmers but has put unbearable pressure on the land holdings, pasture lands and forest lands. The fodder availability both green as well as dry is less than 50% which leads to pressure on grazing and forest lands. The farmers while meeting the fodder needs from adjoining forests resort to indiscriminate lopping and cutting of forest trees, resulting in forest cover reduction. Overgrazing leads to soil erosion especially during rains. It is, therefore, desired that stall feeding is encouraged. This requires improvement in carrying capacity of existing grass lands and bringing more area under grasses and fodder trees. Some green fodders may be grown in cultivated fields also. 3.1.7. The Department of Animal Husbandry has established Artificial Insemination (AI) centres so as to improve the breeds of cattle. This has benefited a large number of farmers in improving their live stock but AI has its limitations also.
5.3.2
The success rate of AI is not more than 60% and at the same time distantly located AI centres cannot be approached easily. It was noticed during the field surveys that farmers subject their cattle to natural breeding, very often through indiscreet bulls. This has slowed down the process of cattle improvement resulting in unsatisfactory average milk yield of cows. It is therefore, desired that some Natural Breeding Centres (NBC) should be opened. There could be at least one NBC in each micro-watershed. These centres are easily approachable to the farmers so as to avail the services of proven quality breeding bulls. 3.1.8. The over population of live stock that exists in the catchments, has lead to under feeding, and insufficient health care of animals. This has lead to infertility particularly in cattle. Such animals have been abandoned by the farmers causing the stray cattle menace. In order to minimize this menace, it is recommended that 'Gosadans' be opened. There could be at least one Gosadan for 15 to 20 micro-watersheds to accommodate 100 cattle heads.
Comprehensive CAT Plan of Satluj River Basin