Preface:- 

The agriculture in India was, so far, largely dependent on farmers who were using the conventional methods of agriculture. But nowadays, modern agriculture in India has shown significant progress in terms of infusion of technology and improved agricultural practices. Farmers have adapted to rapid diversification, mechanization and value addition practices, leading to better returns, more value added products and growing opportunities for various agri-input suppliers. However, at the same time, farmers are facing severe constraints in terms of receiving quality extension services, proving to be a major bottleneck for future growth. At the same time, increasing modernization of agriculture is also opening up better business opportunities for specialized agriculture extension services and enterprise development.

Background of study:- 

The Dangs is the tribal district of South Zone in Gujarat District. Agriculture is one of the main livelihood occupations in this region while various constrains like rainfall dependence, lack of extension services and quality inputs making this profession insecure to support the growing population. Alternatives livelihood options are limited due to natural constraints like lack of water and the quality of land. The main limitations for increasing productivity of agriculture are the quality and quantity of land and water. The cropping pattern is adjusted as per this topographical condition. Farming in Dangs can be considered as the most challenging tank due high slope of land (more than 60%), extreme rainfall during rainy season, lack of irrigation facility, lack of transport facilities etc. Paddy is the main crop in this region and farmers practise traditional methods for dehusking and winnowing of the grains. Dehusking is done by beating the grains on wooden pallet placed on open ground. After dehusking, winnowing is done by dropping the grains in wind direction. Then the rice is kept in ground without any cover. As dehusking is done in ground the entire grain is not collected for further processes and there is a loss of nearly 8-10% of grains. After dehusking, the winnowing process is entirely dependent on nature. Even during storage the open storage of grains are also exposed to adverse climatic risks. Hence there is a considerable amount of loss of produces in the entire post harvesting process. Although desirable, but in tribal zone the per capita income of the farmers is very low and it is difficult to purchase an electric fan for winnowing or a polythene sheet (Tadpatri) for covering the harvested grain. All these factors are resisting the farmer to come out of the vicious cycle of poverty.

Intervention under IWMP:- 

Keshbandh village from IWMP-1 Kakshala with a total population of about 1200 has been selected for this intervention. Farming community comprises around 62%. The total agriculture land is around 42ha land out of which paddy is grown in 32ha land approximately. Yearly production of paddy is around 9600kg which generates income of Rs. 11,5200 considering Rs. 13-15 price per kg.

Under the head of livelihood & micro-enterprise polythene sheets (tadpatri) were provided to 42 farmers & 4 electric fans and 5 hand fans were provided to a user group (UG). The cost of tadpatri is Rs 2395 and cost of electric fan is Rs 7300. The electric fans are being used on a sharing basis of the community. Because of tadpatri the loss of grain has reduce to nearly 10 % due to ease of collecting the grains. Due to electric fan farmers are no longer depending on wind. It is also observed that the percentage of husk in final marketable grains is lesser than earlier process. Vasubhai Manashyabhai Gavit is a member of the UG and according to him under ideal condition the net profit per ha ranges between Rs 2300-3900. Apart from direct benefits, now post harvesting operation takes lesser time and hence farmers get involved in separate activities to earn additional income.

Estimated income is mentioned below

	Before condition:	After condition:-
Final yield per ha:	900-1200 kg	1000-1300 kg
Price Per kg :	Rs. 14-15	Rs. 14-15
Income:	Rs. 12600 -18000	Rs. 14000-18200 to 15000-19500

Fig. 1: Before Condition:- Dehusking & winnowing operation are being done on open ground which causes post harvesting losses

Fig. 2: After Condition:- Dehusking & winnowing operation are being done on tadpatri which has helped in reducing post harvesting losses

Observing the profit figure the UG is now saving for any future maintenance of the assets. Although this intervention is very small comparing to the project cost and other soil and water conservation interventions, but the impact of this intervention is clearly visible with in a very small time period. In other way it shows that the selection of the activities is done after proper analysis of the ground situation and need of the community. There is also a huge scope to replicate the activity in rice producing areas in Gujarat and other places. As it is found very helpful for the farmers of Dangs, a positive outcome is expected from other places under IWMP.

 

User Group (UD) Detail:- 

Sr. No.	Name of Project	Name of beneficiary
1	IWMP-1 Kakshala	Urmyabhai Tanayabhai
2		Lagnyabhai Manasyabhai
3		Vasubhai Manasyabhai
4		Babjibhai Mohlyabhai
5		Bhukyabhai Sukriyabhai

Contributors: - Miss Priya A. Kadam (Technical Expert, Dang), Mr. Vipul Pardesi ( WDT-Agri, IWMP-1 Kakshala Project)