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)

Preface:- 

Green Revolution started in late 1960s refers to a series of research, development, and technology transfer initiatives that increased agriculture production worldwide, particularly in the developing world. Agriculture in India has a significant history. Today, India ranks second worldwide in farm output. Agriculture with its allied sectors like fishery and animal husbandry, is the largest livelihood provider in India. It also contributes a significant figure (nearly 17%) to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Sustainable agriculture and environmentally sustainable technologies such as soil conservation, sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity protection, are essential for holistic rural development. It is after the green revolution and white revolution that India has turned into a self sustainable nation from an import dependent country.

 

Background of study:- 

In the Dangs there is high pressure on the agriculture lands, since majority of the land is forestland (59%) and only a limited amount of land is available for agriculture to support a growing population. Another limiting factor is the fact that 68% of the agriculture land is situated on a slope. There is very little space for infrastructural development or expansion of agricultural lands. Sole dependency on rain fed agriculture, insufficient agricultural land, low agricultural productivity and a lack of alternative employment sources are the main problems in this region. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood; 85% of the population is either a cultivator or employed as an agricultural labourer. The whole Dang district has very limited opportunities for irrigation, since there is a scarcity of flat land. The cropping pattern of the Dangs is conditioned to rainfed nature of agriculture and lack of irrigation. Most of the cultivation is being done during monsoon and Paddy is the main crop. Pesticides and chemical fertilizer are not commonly used; even farmers with bigger land holdings do not use fertilizers in the production of rice. In this context it is interesting to note that the Dangs has the lowest ranking amongst all districts in Gujarat on the percentage of gross irrigated area and fertilizer consumption, only 0.53% is irrigated and only 1.20 kg fertilizer is being used per ha. Even though in agriculture productivity and agricultural production per household, Dangs ranking is 8th and 12th (7247 Rs/ha. and 1301 Rs/capita). This provides lots of opportunity for taking up organic farming in the district.

Main reason for the deteriorating quality of land is erosion of the top soil layer due to heavy rainfall. The practice of burning timber for improving soil condition, locally name as “adar”, further enforces deforestation. Hence land is prone to erosion and it also reduces soil fertility due to loosening the top fertile layer of soil.

 

Traditional method of paddy farming:- 

 Here paddy farming is done by adar method. In this method timber is allow to burn on soil in order to kill the bacteria. Also seedlings are not prepare properly and transplanting is not done properly, Use of seed per ha is also high.

 

Disadvantage of adar:- 

1. Less productivity
2. Pressure on forest
3. Increase in soil erosion
4. High cost of production
5. More requirement of water.

Intervention through IWMP- 

After analysing the situation and coordinating with Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) it was decided to implement System of Rice Intensification (SRI) tech. for paddy farming. AKRSP is already working in this region to promote SRI technology for augmenting agriculture production.

Method of SRI:- 

1. Seed treatment:- 

SRI technique was developed in 1983 by the French Jesuit Father Henri de Laulanié in Madagascar. However the reach of this technology was very limited until last decade. The main principles of this technology are application of minimum quantity of water and individual transplantation of very young seedlings in a square pattern. Here, seed is treated in brine solution before using for seedling preparation. The brine solution is concentrated to such extend that a potato or egg can float in the solution. Once the solution is prepared seed is poured in it. The seeds which float on water are not used for seedling preparation and thus rejected. The good quality seed is taken out from water & then washed with clean water. Then this seed is tightly packed in cloth bag & put it for 1 day until sprouts come out from the bag.

2. Seedling Preparation:- 

For seedling preparation the above sprouted seeds are used. Raised bed which is being treated with vermi-compost is prepared. These seed are spread on this bed.

 

3. Land Preparation:- 

Land preparation is done by normal method. The only difference in this method is that depth of water impounding is less as compared to traditional method.

 

4. Transplanting:- 

Seedlings of 12-15 days are transplanted as root growth is fast & more pillars are developed. During transplanting row to row & plant to plant distance is maintained as 25 × 25 cm.

 

5. Weeding:- 

As proper spacing is being maintained, weeding operation is done very easily. Here, Cono-weeder is used for weeding operation. It helps in easy weeding operation & land in being pulverised during operation so aeration is done. It also helps in proper growth of paddy.

 

Advantages of SRI:- 

1. Less cost of production
2. Less use of water i.e. water conservation
3. High productivity -around 2-3 times increase in production

Detail of Work:- 

In District Dang there are total 109 beneficiaries of SRI intervention. The expenditure for this activity was Rs. 1496 per beneficiary per acre. Somabhai Pandubhai Pawar of Nirgundmal village in IWMP- 6 (Shamgahan Project) is among one of the farmers selected for SRI demonstration in the village. According to him the production of paddy has increased by 2-3 times. Earlier the production was 300 kg and now after practising SRI techniques the total production is nearly 750 kg. Considering the market price of paddy as Rs. 18 per kg, the increase in gross revenue is nearly Rs 8100 per acre.

Fig. 1: Seed treatment with salt solution	Fig. 2: Uprooting of 12-14 days seedlings
Fig. 3: Transplanting seedlings by maintaining 25 * 25 cm spacing	Fig. 4: Land after final transplantation

 

Effect of study:- 

Likewise Green Revolution, this tech has found to be very useful in increasing livelihood of farmers. This technology has proved to be a boon for major rice producing places in India. Not only in Dangs but also in various other eastern parts of India, this SRI technology is being practices for last few years and expanding its reach considerably. With this remarkable achievement in rice cultivation other farmers are also accepting this technology. For promotion and as a part of extension service various training are also being organised by DWDU in coordination with KVKs and NGOs. For better result seed treatment and seed spacing should be maintained properly. To monitor the practices all extension departments along with DWDU is constantly engaged in training and capacity building activities of the farmers.

Contributor:- Miss. Priya A. Kadam (Technical Expert, Dangs), Mr. Salieshkumar M. Patel (WDT-Agri, IWMP-6 Shamgahan Project, Dangs), Mr. Jayesh Ikubhi Chaudhari (WDT-Surveyor, IWMP-6 Shamgahan Project, Dangs)

Fig. 1: Well under construction

Fig. 2: Well fully constructed

Fig. 3: Pipeline connection from tank to well