UNPRODUCTIVE DATE-PALM PAID DIVIDEND

1. UNPRODUCTIVE DATE-PALM PAID DIVIDEND Naturally grown date palm on the farms of village Advana, district Porbandar do not bear fruits due to no pollination in coastal area of Porbandar. Such date palms are abundantly available in 4-5 villages around Porbandar. Sh. Laxambhai Odedra visited Kutchch once and observed that farmers are producing good quality of dates from such plants in Kutchch trhough manual pollination technique taught by KVK Kutchch. He discussed it with the KVK Porbandar and obtained training on pollination technique. KVK Porbandar launched awareness camps on pollination technique with the help of this farmer in village Advana. Technique was taught to farmers and they did cross pollination with an instrument designed by KVK, Kutchch on their plants. This instrument is having one PVC pipe attached with one bottle on the one end and at another end one rubber pipe is attached. Farmer fills the bottle with pollens mixed with talkcom powder. Then farmer pollinate the female flowers by blowing air through mouth. The length of instrument can be enhanced depending upon the height of plant. Farmers were highly surprised when their plants produced quality dates in bumper quantity. They harvested 100-200 kg dates from each plant which fetched an additional income of Rs.5000 to 10000 per plant by selling dates at the rate of Rs.50/kg. Inspired by success Laxmanbhai and other farmers purchased plants from KVK Kutchch and planted on the bunds of their farms and doing intercropping also. The farmers of other 5 villages have also learnt the pollination technique and produced quality dates which improved their income. Credit goes to Laxam Bhai Odedra who taught pollination technique under the awareness campaign launched in collaboration with KVK Porbandar. Salient features • Unproductive date palm were made productive through manual pollination. • Each plant provided an income of Rs.5000-10000. • Farmers of other 5 villages adopted the technology and raised their income. • Farmers did new plantation and doing intercropping. • Nutritious dates enriched the diet of local inhabitants. KVK Porbandar, Zone-VI

2. PURE Bt. COTTON SEED BROUGHT SMILE – A LESSION FROM FAILURE Bt. cotton crop raised through buying spurious seed from local market was highly affected due to Heliothis, Spodoptera and leaf curl virus in Gothak Lat village of Kheda district. This had resulted into low yield of cotton. Disgusted farmers shown their crop to KVK experts of Kheda. They noticed mixed type population with low flower formation and dropping of balls due to purchasing of poor quality seed from local market. This necessitated awareness campaign on Bt. cotton in this and other villages of Kheda district. KVK Kheda conducted demonstrations on Bt. cotton (VICH-15) on the fields of 50 farmers of 4 villages under the Technology Mission on Cotton Mini Mission-II during 2007-08. It covered 40 ha land under demonstration. They were also provided methyl parathion 2% dust to control mealy bug, micro nutrient (MgSO4 and FeSO4) and neem based bio-pesticides as critical inputs to the cotton growers. One field was grown under spurious Bt. cotton seed as control. Farmers were guided on micro nutrient and bio-pesticide application from time to time by the KVK experts. The Bt. cotton (VICH-15) produced 42.0 q/ha of cotton seed whereas spurious Bt. cotton could produce only 15.75 q/ha. Cultivation of Bt. cotton (VICH-15) under recommended package of practices provided a net profit of Rs.73500/- per hectare, while it was just Rs.25000/- in case of spurious Bt. cotton crop. Farmers were highly convinced with the technology intervention provided by KVK Kheda. Now all the farmers of district Kheda have started cultivation of quality Bt. cotton seed as per the instructions of KVK Kheda, which has changed the socio-economic conditions of cotton growers in Kheda district. Shri Parshotambhai V. Patel Mobile 09925848697 of Gothaj Lat district Kheda helped in awareness campaign launched by KVK Kheda on pure Bt. cotton in Kheda district. Salient features • Spurious cotton provided low yield due to mixed plant stand vulnerable to insect pest infestation. • Farmers obtained 162 % more yield over spurious variety. • Farmers obtained 94 % higher income. • Whole Kheda district is under Bt. cotton now. • Technology improved the socio-economic status of cotton growers in Kheda district. KVK Kheda, Zone VI

3. SOYBEAN A DIVERSIFIED CROP : CHANGED AGRICULTURE SCENARIO The low production of drilled paddy (a staple food) due to high investment on seed, labour and non-availability of life saving irrigation resulted in un-economical farming for farmers in Tapi, Surat and Dangs districts of eastern tribal hilly region of Gujarat. KVK Vyara (Surat) organised farmers scientists interface meet wherein KVK scientists and tribal farmers discussed on the scope of diversified farming in these districts. The aim was to enhance the income of farmers by replacing drilled paddy with cash crop soybean. Farmers were not aware about the improved agro techniques with respect to soybean a new introduction in the tribal area. KVK Vyara (Surat) trained farmers on soybean cultivation and introduced cv GS-2 of soybean in place of drilled paddy in the villages of three districts Tapi, Narmada and Dangs under ToT on oilseed crops. One hundred demonstrations were conducted on the fields of 100 farmers covering 40 ha area in three districts during 2007-08. Crop was given balanced dose of fertilizer and protected from insect pests using integrated pest management practices. The increase in income due to soybean cultivation over drilled paddy ranged in between Rs.17000 to 20000/ha, which was 58% higher than drilled paddy crop. Soybean was found replacing the dietary system of villagers due to training on protein enrichment by soybean. Farmers perceived that, the cultivation of soybean is highly remunerative owing to less labour requirement for weeding, less investment on fertilizers and pesticides and less requirement for water in comparison to drilled paddy. Inspired by the performance of the crop many of the farmers of the adopted villages have purchased seed from the FLD farmers and replaced the drilled paddy with this variety during 2008-09. It has been observed that 50% area under drilled paddy has been replaced by soybean cv GS-2 by 2009-10 in these districts. The venture (crop diversification) has not only improved the production but also changed the socio-economic status of tribal farmers in the hilly region. Salient features • Less investment for labour for weeding • Less water requirement due to deep rooting. • Saving in seed, fertilizers and pesticides. • Being leguminous crop is highly suitable crop rotation with cereals and vegetables. • Gave profit of Rs.17000-20000/ha over drilled paddy. • Farmers gained 58% higher income. • Replaced 50% area of drilled paddy in 3 districts. KVK Tapi, Zone VI

4. VELDA AN IDEAL IPM VILLAGE : A SUCCESS STORY The production of cotton is highly affected due to insect pests infestation in tribal village Velda of Tapi district situated 105 km away from district headquarter and KVK. It is one of the most neglected block as no extension agency visited here due to difficult terrain. Farmers were not aware of low cost insect pests management technique besides unable to afford costly pesticides due to low income. KVK Tapi adopted this village for IPM under “Sattelite Village Programme” launched by NAU, Navsari to popularise low cost IPM during 2007-08. KVK Tapi conducted 100 demonstrations covering 75 ha area on IPM. The farmers were trained on IPM module involving neem based pesticides including chemicals which was implemented by the farmers rigorously. IPM has reduced the cultivation cost by 50% due to reduction of spray from 10 to 5. IPM had increased the income of farmers by 66%. Continuous follow up on IPM encouraged other farmers to adopt this technology during 2008-09. Lot of behavioural changes such as confidence in farming was achieved. The whole village become an IPM village and farmers are providing technical know-how to neighbouring villages by the end of year 2009-10. This year 10-15 tribal villages in the surrounding have adopted IPM package developed by KVK, Vyara (Tapi). District authorities of Vyara has declared this village as an IPM village in 2010. Higher income from cotton helped farmers to send their children to schools by paying their fees comfortably which would improve the literacy in the tribal area. Pre and post assessment by means of survey revealed that IPM module is high effective in controlling sucking and other insects and reduced the cost of cultivation in addition to higher yields. This has contributed to the successful adoption of the IPM in cotton and other crops. Salient features • Reduced the cultivation cost by 40% owing to reducing number of sprays from 10 to 5. • Enhanced the income of farmers by 66%. • Minimized hazards of chemicals on the human health. • Minimized the environmental pollution. • Popularized IPM module developed by KVK to farmers of other villages as counselor. • Inspired tribal people for improving literacy of children. KVK Tapi, Zone VI

5. APICULTURE A SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT TO RURAL YOUTH The unemployed youth of Baran district were highly frustrated and proved burden on the parents having meager earning from traditional farming. Some of the youth migrated to cities for getting job but high living cost and job availability forced them to return back to their villages. Parents contacted KVK, Anta, Baran for guiding their children in new income earning venture related to agriculture. KVK Baran conducted a pre-survey to judge the education and knowledge level of rural youth on which basis a training programme on apiculture technique was developed with an aim to provide employment opportunities for their livelihood security in rural area of Baran district. KVK Baran organised a 30 days training to unemployed youths on apiculture during Decmber, 2008 and upgraded their knowledge from time to time in scientists farmers interface. Nine youth started an enterprise on apiculture Initially they were supplied 100 boxes under the “National Horticulture Mission” scheme on 50% subsidy in 2009. Later 50 more boxes were added. Based on flowering cycle of crops like mustard, corriender, sufeda, litchi, bajra, cotton and sunflower, they have shifted/migrated the bee hives from Baran district to villages of Punjab and Harayan. The starting cost of the unit was Rs.1.6 lakh which went up to Rs.5.5 lakh as the number of bee hives increased from 150 to 400 hundred. The gross income from apiculture unit was Rs.13.1 lakh and they got a net profit of Rs.7.5 lakh by the end of April 2010. Each unemployed youth earned around Rs.83000/- within a year. Unemployed youth of other villages of Baran district got motivated and obtained training on apiculture from this group of entrepreneurs under the supervision of KVK Baran. They have submitted applications to NHM for establishing their own apiary units. This venture has not only enhanced the income of rural youth but also established them as a role model educating rural youth in apiculture enterprise. Salient features • Each rural youth is earning Rs.83000/- per year. • Helped in educating other rural youth on apiculture enterprise. • Ensured livelihood security in rural areas. • Crop growers of Punjab, Harayana and Baran district were benefited by bee cross pollination. • Provided quality honey to various firms including Khadi and Village Industries. • Youth migration from villages to cities halted. KVK Tapi, Zone VI

6. HARVESTING SOLAR ENERGY USING LOCAL SKILLS SAVED THE AONLA ORCHARDS In view of low income from traditional farming, a number of farmers had established aonla orchards with the financial support of NHM along with technical guidance of KVK Pali. Around 7 years back they were earning good remuneration to support their family. In last three years heavy production of aonla glutted the market which reduced the prices to Re.1/kg causing heavy loss to aonla growers. They sought permission from collectorate, Pali for cutting trees. Collector, Pali discussed the problem with the Scietnist of KVK, Pali and state officials to find a solution in the benefit of farmers. KVK Pali submitted a training programme on value addition, post harvest management and solar drying which was financed by ATMA on the instructions of collector. KVK Pali organised 7 days training to aonla growers who started processing of aonla fruits like juice, squash, candy, churan powder, churan tablets, pickles, murrabah, etc. Drying of aonla fruits for making different products was time and labour consuming both. As a result farmers were not able to enhance their income. One of the farmers, Sh. Madan Lal Deora of village Nimaj district Pali established a self designed solar tunnel drier using local skill in view of abundant solar radiation in the region. He erected dome like structure using iron rods and covered it with UV stabilized polythene sheet. The solar tunnel drier costed Rs.25000/- only while manufacturers were selling such units for Rs.2.00 lakhs. The drying of aonla pulp in open sun taking 10 days was completed within 2 days under this solar tunnel drier. The moisture content was reduced from 81% to 9% within 2 days under controlled environment. He dried green aonla to be used in number of ayurvedic medicines and traditional drugs by the pharmaceutical firms. He also dried aonla fruits after blanching to prepare various products. In view of heavy demand by private parties he started purchasing raw aonla directly from aonla growers @ Rs.10/kg which enhanced the income of aonla growers within 2 years. Earlier his earning was Rs.1.00 lakh which raised upto Rs.3.00 lakh per annum. Today he is providing ensured employment to 50-60 labourers during cropping season and employment to 4 labourers throughout the year. Each labour was paid Rs.200/- per day. The price of aonla raised from Re.1/- to Rs.10/- put back aonla cultivation on the right track. Inspired by the endeavour of Sh. Madan Lal progressive farmers of other districts are going to establish such unit on their farm to enhance their income. Shri Madan Lal was awarded by social worker by the District Collector, Pali during 2009-10. Salient features • Value addition put aonla cultivation on right track. • Solar tunnel drier reduced the drying time from 10 to 2 days and brought down moisture content from 81 to 9 percent. • Enhanced the income of aonla growers. • Ensured employment to 60 women of weaker section of society. • Three more farmers are going to establish such units very shortly. • Pharmaceutical firms placed demand. KVK Pali, Zone VI

7. NURSERY RAISING – A KEY TO SUCCESS The annual income of small to medium land holders (up to 15 bigha) in between Rs.12000-15000/- per hectare was too little to provide bread and butter to their families. KVK Jhunjhunu had organised a training on nursery raising for enhancing the additional income of desert farmers. One of the farmers Sh. Kripal Singh Dayal of Dayalon ka bas district Jhunjhunu had started his nursery with 15000 to 20000 plants per year. But his profit was less compared to expenditure incurred. He discussed the problem with KVK Jhunjhunu which prepared a systematic plan for his nursery management. The systematic plan is detailed below : He planted Ganganagari rose on half bigha land and earned Rs.8000/- per month. Merigold cultivated on one bigha land earned him Rs.25000 during cropping season. In seven bighas land he raised mother plants of ber, chiku, mango, mausumi, orange, lemon, jamun, pomegranate and rose. In his high tech nursery under net-shade he has grown number of different improved plants, vegetable seedlings and variety of ornamnetal plants using mini sprinkler and drip system. Department of Horticulture, ornamental growers and farmers had purchased plants from him which generated a net income of Rs.5.00 lakh per annum to him. Other farmers with small land holdings got inspired by him started cultivation of rose and merigold on their fields which raised the income of farmers up to 1.5 lakh per annum. This enabled the farmers to provide good education to their children from public schools situated in Jhunjhunu town in addition to livelihood security under limited land holdings. Cultivation of okra after merigold minimized the attack of nematode. The cultivation of seasonal vegetables by buying seedlings from this nursery and other nurseries has increased up to 2 lakh hectare in Jhunjhunu district which enhanced the income of vegetable growers. Salient features • Cultivation of rose and merigold improved the income of small land holding farmers. • Farmers could provide good education to their children from public schools. • Nursery raising adopted by 15 farmers proved an income generating enterprise • Cultivation of okra after merigold minimized the attack of nematode. • The area under vegetable cultivation increased from 0.60 to 2.00 ha. KVK Jhunjhunu, Zone VI