Final Report of Dr.H.S.Sen, Chairman, NICRA-II Monitoring Team for three drought prone areas in Jhargram and Bihar during Oct-Nov, 2013

Report of the Zonal Monitoring Committee of KVK-NICRA of Zone II

(30 Oct - 1 Nov, 2013)

The KVK-NICRA Monitoring team of Zone II (vide ZPD II letter no. No.F.ZPD/II/NICRA/ZMC/2013, Date: 31.08.2013) comprised of (1) Dr. H. S. Sen (Chairman), (2) Dr. A. K. Singh (Vice Chairman), (3) Dr. U. S. Jaiswal (DEE-BAU nominee) (4) Dr. Sammi Reddy (CRIDA, Director CRIDA nominee), and (5) Dr. F. H. Rahman (Member Secretary, ZPD-II). The team visited three drought prone areas (Aurangabad & Nawada) in Bihar, and Koderma in Jharkhand. The visits were well organized and well attended by large number of farmers including women participants, members of VCRMC, and representatives of the respective KVK. Inputs were invited freely from all followed by opinions offered by the Monitoring Committee members. Field visits were also arranged (Village Harigaon, Aurangabad; Village Manjhila, Nawada; and Village Chopnadi, Koderma) for site inspection of the interventions practised.  Dr. A. K. Singh (Vice Chairman) and Dr. U. S. Jaiswal (DEE-BAU nominee) were present with the team only upto Aurangabad KVK village Harigaon. Following were the discussions and salient recommendations emanating there from.

The general impressions of different stakeholders during the course of discussion in different areas were that:

(i)         Water and soil are the primary resources for improving crop productivity, and need to be attended in the first instance

(ii)       Each area had a vast majority from either marginal land holding or landless category  

(iii)      It was accepted by the farmers in each area that climate change has taken place over the last few decades very perceptively, resulting in delayed and uncertain monsoon

(iv)     Marketing is a great constraint felt by the farmers in each area

(v)       Critical inputs like lack of timely supply of inputs have been felt by many in general cultivation

(vi)     It was invariably felt by the farmers in each area that the NICRA scheme has made a striking impact on the farmers resulting in economic benefit  mainly through improvement of crop productivity and allied activities

(vii)    It was also encouraging to find at each site farmers from the adjoining villages (outside the periphery of NICRA village) joining the meeting and urging for adoption of improved interventions 

(viii)  The guidelines formulated for the formation of VCRMC and their functioning may kindly be placed before the monitoring team during its future meet. The enthusiasm and impact of the members of the team were praiseworthy.

Intervention-wise observations and discussions are as follows for necessary actions to be taken under each:

Water resource	The annual rainfall throughout the belt covered varied between 1000-1150 mm, although occasionally there were scarcities n certain years. It was the right approach to store the excess rainwater either on community basis or at individual farmers’ holdings in any of the following forms: (i) Ahar, (ii) renovated pond, (iii) excavated pond. Although commendable efforts were made by the NICRA team to ensure maximum storing of water, notably at Nawada and Koderma Centres, it was urged by the Monitoring Team that this particular intervention be followed up more scientifically using the softwares available for this purpose for rainfed farming. The exercise may start with probability analysis of rainfall and evaporation to make an estimate on the amount of excess rainfall likely be available. Further, it is advisable to planting, preferably, of perennial or semi-perennial crops of farmers’ choice on the raised bunds around the excavated ponds, and pisciculture (preferably composite culture) in the ponds after proper testing of its quality.  Appropriate steps should also be taken stop grazing of the plantation crops or select such crops which are not likely to be grazed, also stop poaching of the fishes. This will fetch the farmers round the year high additional return.       At Koderma it was very interesting to find a kind of recharge well developed at hardly 10-15 feet depth from the surface (locally known as ‘Nadi kund’). Recharge takes place sufficiently fast from the adjoining water stream. Water is lifted by a small diesel pump to hardly 10 feet height to irrigate crops continuously for 6-8 hours, as reported. Detailed study including analysis of the water for its usefulness for irrigation should be conducted on this technique round the year. Other bore wells being used for irrigation at each site should subjected to water analysis for its usefulness for irrigation, and recharge capacity to be tested. All open bore wells should be covered with wire mesh to avoid any accident.
Minimizing irrigation requirement	This is recognized as one of the important methods to mitigate gas emission and consequently climate change. Water is a scarce commodity at each site visited.  It is strongly recommended to ensure water availability during critical crop growth period through the above techniques and develop appropriate irrigation method for irrigation. SRI is one such efficient technique recognized for rice crop provided water is assured for this purpose. Appropriate planning is necessary for this purpose using such water saving techniques during non-rainy season.  Although sprinkler irrigation is reported to be in practice at few locations, attempts may be made to use at the appropriate locations such techniques as trickle or pitcher (earthen) irrigation. While trickle irrigation may be tried for seasonal or perennial crops like chilli, tomato, brinjal, other fruit crops, pitcher irrigation, which is highly cost effective, is useful for vegetables crops.     Ground water and other water sources should be checked in respect of water quality and heavy metal contamination at an interval of 3-5 years.
Climate change, crop planning, and availability of weather data	It has been reported to the monitoring team that necessary data on relevant meteorological data have been collated from the nearby IMD stations for sufficient period of time. Attempt may be made to predict the weather (aberrations) for the coming years, keeping in view the climate change predictions based on the climate data referred above, with as much dependability as possible, for which technology is available, and finally the crop diversification along with contingency planning, depending on water requirement of crops, farmers’ choice and market demand of crops. It was interesting to find a few drought tolerant rice varieties have been tried, one of which is Sahbhagi (110 days duration), developed by CRRI, at Koderma. More attention should be paid in identifying suitable low water requiring crop varieties of both rice and non-rice. The cropping intensity, which is at present low to very low, understandably due to less and uncertain rainfall, should be invariably improved in phases. In general there appeared to be lack of adequate fodder for the animals. It is necessary to include fodder having minimum water requirement in the crop planning. Scope for including NIFTD at each place may be explored. Seed bank of the cultivable cereals, to start with, may be established at each location.  Another approach to reduce water requirement is to introduce paira cropping under residual soil moisture following rice harvest for which suitable crop(s) should be identified. One of such crops tried and found successful in large areas is lathyrus (low toxin contens, viz. var. Nirmal). In at least one station (Nawada) it was observed that to ensure safety of the equipments the weather station was located on the roof top. As per accepted guidelines of the IMD, all meteorological equipments should be stationed at the ground level under normal field situation. This needs to be rectified at the earliest.
Soil resource	There are lack of appropriate soil data observed at almost each site. Even the texture of the soils could not be reported properly at any site, although soil major nutrient status are being analysed from the farmers’ fields as per reports received. This may be ensured,  and urgent necessary steps taken as per suggestions below: (i)         Each centre should have portable soil testing kit along with portable pH metre in the first hand. At Koderma however mobile soil testing van was reported to be available, functioning of which should be regularly monitored by the ZPD. (ii)       All fertilizer recommendations should be made on soil test basis. (iii)      It may be appreciated that other minimum soil parameters (physical, biological, soil organic C, and relevant micronutrients status field-wise are also necessary to assess soil health, which may be monitored at every 5 years interval. (iv)     CRIDA  may identify the minimum set of parameters to be analysed as inputs to soil health assessment, develop simple protocol for each, and ZPD may ensure training through deployment of appropriate staff at each centre. (v)       It has been reported that the benchmark soil survey has been conducted at each site, which may please be collated and placed before the monitoring team in future for their understanding. At Koderma, it was found that although major equipments were available at their KVK laboratory, there were no staff available to do the analyses, which is sheer waste of money spent on this.     It is suggested to take up ‘biochar’, a highly C-rich resource, as pilot studies at a few locations only representing various soil textures and C levels. ZPD may initiate such programme in order to enrich soil C level. Economics of such practices may also be monitored.
Conservation tillage	It is widely recognized as a major practice to mitigate climate change phenomenon. Zero tillage has been accepted by farmers at each site, mainly for their understanding that (i) it advances the date of rabi sowing following kharif rice harvest, and (ii) decreases irrigation requirement of the rabi crop, (iii) increases the yield of rabi crop. Residual mulching of the kharif harvest along with non-burning of the crop residues following the harvest of kharif harvest, resulting in less toxic gas emission , as well as faster re-building of the deteriorated soil structure, caused due to puddling of kharif soil, and lower energy inputs required for the cultivation, are also other scientific reasons for popularization of conservation tillage. It is recommended to spread this technology along with manufacturing of zero tillage equipment at lower cost and make these available more abundantly for custom hiring along with other agricultural equipments through district level machinery hubs.    It was very encouraging to hear some farmers in Koderma suggesting development of solar energy operated pumps. The ZPD may give appropriate attention towards this.
Agricultural machineries	At each site it was proposed to make tractors of higher capacities (say, 45HP) available since the present facilities are unable to operate efficiently with disc and mould board ploughs, etc. particularly in heavy soils common at these sites. Shelters may be provided to protect and maintain the farm implements at each site against corrosion against rains and heat.
Alternate farming vis-à-vis land holding	Generally, the land holdings are very small in each area visited, and about 70-80 % farmers are either marginal holders or landless farmers. It appears that much more emphasis needs to be given on alternate farming especially for these group of farmers to ensure continuous flow of income. The alternate farming may include nurseries for flower & fruit plants (preferably under artificial/ protected system , apiary, ornamental fish culture, mushroom, etc. it has been observed that arrangements have been made for periodical health check-up for domestic animals including cattle & buffaloes, goats, poultry birds, etc., which are praiseworthy. But this exercise may be given much more emphasis with supply of improved breeds, more scientific arrangements for their rearing including housing, preparation and supply of artificial feeds, and more frequent health check-ups. Ducks and pigs may also be added to the list. In order to mitigate climate change it is suggested to add N-inhibitors to the feed supplement . It was heartening to observe at least one farmer (Jai Pal Prasad) at Nawada following scientific nurseries under polyhouse. This should a model for all others to follow. Sri Prasad may be encouraged more for scientific practice through training, supply of improved varieties, saplings, etc.
VCRMC	The VCRMC in general at all places are doing good jobs, and the members are highly enthusiastic. The assets are growing, and it is time to think of registering the Committee with carefully drawn bye-laws and compositions. A minimum of 20 % may be reserved for the ladies, and all category of farmers should be represented in the committee.
Marketing strategy	The Monitoring Team opines that adoption of better marketing strategy so as to minimize the role of middlemen to absorb bulk of the profit may be given due attention. Formation of farmers’ cooperative may be the starting point towards this for which a sub-committee under VCRMC may be formed. ZPD may discuss this aspect with all sections of farming community.
Transfer of technology	It was heartening to observe in all the three NICRA adopted villages farmers from the adjoining villages showing significant interest to come under the fold of NICRA. This is encouraging, and appropriate studies may be taken up by the NICRA team to monitor as far objectively as possible the diffusion of technology from the present sites where the studies are underway. Finally, it is very important that the farmers in the study areas should undergo awareness/ training of the climate change phenomenon and its impact on farming in long run, and possible strategies to be taken to mitigate such effects.

(H.S.Sen), Chairman

.