Village adoption for Farm Technology Management

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Banda adopted village Para Banno Begum under Block Baberu of District Banda in Bundelkhand. At adoption, this remote village was totally untouched by any farm technological interventions. The scientists of KVK first interacted with the villagers and assessed various agricultural practices, animal husbandry and horticulture in vogue. Encouraged with the enthusiasm and response of the villagers especially the youth, the first scientific farming campaign was initiated on whole village basis in jayad season of 2009.

Appropriate trainings and relevant field demonstrations were conducted after the initial awareness programme. Efforts made by the scientists and the cooperation extended by the villagers to the farming campaign led to 100% crop coverage in the village in Kharif 2010 that used to be only 20-25% earlier to its adoption. The area under double cropping was also increased from 20% to 100%.

Situation before and after adoption of village (Total cultivable land 450 acres)

Agricultural changes after adoption of village

Increased Til cultivation:  Encouraged by the success of KVK demonstrations with Til variety Gujarat Til-2 giving a yield of 11 quintals / hectare and a profit of Rs 58300 / hectare, til cultivation which used to be taken only on 20 acre in 2008 increased to 200 acre in 2010.

Increase in area under Paddy:   Water management techniques demonstrated by the KVK were a great hit among the farmers and there was a marked increase in irrigation through private tube-wells. Inspired by the technological management, farmers shifted to large-scale cultivation of paddy variety CSR-30 giving a yield of 26.75 quintals / hectare.

Vegetable cultivation:   By spending a sum of Rs. 10000 for cultivation of chilly and brinjal, a profit of Rs.40000 was earned by the farmers. Cultivation of brinjal alone gave a return of Rs.45000 per bigha for an investment of only Rs.5000.

Social Change in the village

Faced with unprofitable farming and unemployment the villagers, mainly the youth, were migrating to cities in throngs before the village adoption programme was started two years ago. The technological support provided by the KVK scientists gave a confidence and new ardor to them and they are seriously occupied in agriculture. Also, now there is an environment of diversification in agriculture.

Action plan for diversified farming in Rabi 2010-11

1. To put at least 50-acres under paddy gram rotation, at least 5 acre under vegetable pea and increase in area of cultivation of potato, garlic, and onion.
2. To start 25 model Nutritional Kitchen Garden for addressing nutritional security and improve village economics.
3. To take up seed production, especially of gram, pea and masoor with Seed Farm Technique for attaining seed self-sufficiency.
4. To cover the entire village with the NADEP Compost for soil health balance.

 (Source: Dr. G. C. Tewari, Vice Chancellor, CS Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur)