PROJECT AT A GLANCE. Developing Sustainable Farming system Models for Prioritized Micro Watersheds in Rainfed Areas in Jharkhand.

Transcription

1 PROJECT AT A GLANCE Developing Sustainable Farming system Models for Prioritized Micro Watersheds in Rainfed Areas in Jharkhand NAIP(Component-3) Jharkhand is a new State with immense possibilities of development of Industrial and Agricultural sector. Out of million working population, 76.86% are engaged in Agriculture. Vast working force and natural resources are able to produce food grain to meet only 50% requirement. Water is the major constraint in agricultural land along with soil erosion. On account of topography and agro-climatic conditions, the region of Chotanagpur and Santhal Parganas is suitable for horticultural crops. Comparison of the agricultural production of the state vis-a vis requirement with that to the country show the need for upscaling the production related activities in agricultural sector. 39% of the total geographical area has waste lands and only 10% of the total area is irrigated. The productivity of principal crops is very poor because of the poor soil fertility and rainfall dependent risk prone agriculture. Farmers use limited amount of chemical fertilizer during the transplanting of rice. Otherwise farmers use farmyard manure as organic fertilizer on their field. In general rice is grown once a year, except in few areas where there are natural source of water for summer rice. The physical resources like population, climate, rainfall, soils, and agrarian structure mostly influence the farming practices and limit the productivity as most of them occupy sloppy, undulating, rocky or hilly land where only some low value crops can be grown. Aside from the physical constraints the population is mainly tribal dominated whose literacy level is very low. According to 2001 census report the literacy of Jharkhand is as such: male 67.94%, female 39.38% and the total 54.13% only. Moreover, the poor access to infrastructure like road, electricity isolates them from modernization. Due to lack of irrigation facilities, farmers seldom grow winter crops. To seek other sources of livelihood and food insecurity, males migrate on a seasonal or permanent basis to urban centers, brick kilns, tea gardens and high productivity areas in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. In this situation, wives are left behind and become de facto heads of households and managers of their farms. However, they are faced with several constraints such as lack of access to technical knowledge and skills required by improved varieties and crop management techniques and suffer the increasing burden in farming, household and childcare responsibilities. Rain-fed rice farmers in Jharkhand are trapped in a cycle of poverty in which high risks from drought, flood, and other stresses prevent adoption of improved technologies for rice production, diversification of rice systems and investment in non-farm activities. Reducing poverty in these areas requires that average productivity be greatly increased and stabilized in rainfed rice systems. The experience of Asian economic development in last 50 years indicates that the achievement of large and stable increases in rice yields by poor farmers leads to greater

2 income and food security, freeing them to engage in other income-generating activities. With recent advances in genomics and genetics the probability of research success in developing appropriate technologies for these ecologically unfavorable environments is much greater today than in the past. Thus increasing rice productivity, increasing cropping intensity and crop diversification through the validation and promotion of improved technologies through farmer/community participatory approach are important entry points for reducing poverty and increasing food security. The NAIP Project Agriculture is and will continue to be the main driver of country s economic growth with social justice. Our agriculture did extremely well and it was on the ascendancy till the mid nineties but after that the growth slowed down. Since the growth rate of agricultural GDP has been, on an average, 1.75% per year in contrast with the rate of 4% that is required. On the other hand the farmer has been fencing rising input costs, declining returns from the inputs, uncertain market, increasing role of market in agriculture and blurring of distinction between the domestic market and the international market. To assist the farmer in these changing contexts new strategies and innovative solutions are urgently required which in turn will require technological support. Hence the agricultural research system which generates technologies has been to conduct the business of agricultural research in an innovative way. The world Bank aided National Innovation Project (NAIP) has been conceived to pilot this innovation in conducting agricultural research. Household livelihood security is defined as adequate and sustainable access to income and resources to meet basic needs (including adequate access to food, potable water, health facilities, educational opportunities, housing, time for community participation and social integration). Livelihoods can be made up of a range of on-farm and off-farm activities which together provide a variety of procurement strategies for food and cash. Thus, each household can have several possible sources of entitlement which constitute its livelihood. These entitlements are based on the household s endowments and its position in the legal, political and social fabric of society. The risk of livelihood failure determines the level of vulnerability of a household to income, food, health and nutritional insecurity. Therefore, livelihoods are secure when households have secure ownership of, or access to, resources and income earning activities, including reserves and assets, to offset risks, ease shocks and meet contingencies. A livelihood is sustainable, when it can cope with and recover from the stress and shocks, maintain its capability and assets, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next generation. Unfortunately, not all households are equal in their ability to cope with stress and repeated shocks. Poor people balance competing needs for asset preservation, income

3 generation and present and future food supplies in complex ways. People may go hungry up to a point to meet another objective. Thus, food and nutritional security are subsets of livelihood security; food needs are not necessarily more important than other basic needs or aspects of subsistence and survival within households. Food-insecure households juggle among a range of requirements, including immediate consumption and future capacity to produce. Livelihood promotion involves improving the resilience of household livelihood so that food and other basic needs can be met on a sustainable basis (i.e. development). Interventions of this type often aim to reduce the structural vulnerability of livelihood systems by focusing on; improving production to stabilize yields through diversification into agro-ecologically appropriate crops and natural resource management measures (e.g. soil and water conservation); creating alternative income-generating activities (e.g. activities to develop small enterprise); reinforcing coping strategies that are economically and environmentally sustainable (e.g. seasonally appropriate off-farm employment); improving on-farm storage capacity to increase the availability of buffer stocks; Improving common property management through community participation. Against this background, the present project on Developing Sustainable Farming system Models for Prioritized Micro Watersheds in Rainfed Areas in Jharkhand has been formulated as an action research pilot project in selected village clusters of the 2 backward districts of Jharkhand involving a consortium of ICAR institutes and Birsa Agricultural University. The specific objectives of the project are; Objectives To develop appropriate land & water use plan in the selected micro-watersheds for conserving natural resources. To improve productivity of crops, promote horticulture, animal husbandry fisheries & lac cultivation for livelihood security. To promote entrepreneurship for value addition to reduce migration & employment generation at farm level. To develop sustainable farming system models for the micro-watershed & improve market linkages. Project Location

4 The identified districts for implementation of the programme are Dumka (10 blocks, 1412 mm rainfall, 61 rainy days, ha land suitable for agriculture, 5792 ha irrigated, ha under rice. 49.2% cultivators, 34.4% agric. Labour, total workers) and Jamtara (4 blocks, 1376 mm rainfall, 60 rainy days, ha land suitable for agriculture, 7251 ha irrigated, 60,000 ha under rice, 43.1% cultivators, 35.1% agric. Labour, total workers). The consortia includes BAU, Ranchi as Lead Centre, HARP & ILRI, Ranchi and CRURRS, Hazaribagh as Consortia Partners. ZRS, Dumka, ATMA Jamtara, ATMA, Dumka, CASA as NGO & Progressive farmer as cooperators. Four microwatersheds in Jamtara (Narayanpur and Jamtara blocks) and Dumka (Jama and Dumka blocks) districts comprising over 2000 hectares lands are the locations of the present study.

5 Project approach and phasing This is neither a pure research nor a development project. It is basically an action research project i.e. research on putting technologies to work. It aims to understand the constraints and packaging the available technologies in such a way that the communities can adopt the same and enhance the productivity/profitability. This will be done through participatory farming systems approach. There will be also focus on landless and promoting off-farm employment opportunities. The major interventions will be on resource conservation, enhancing productivity of crop, livestock (goat, pig, poultry, duck) fisheries, horticulture, lac cultivation, value addition and market linkages, institutional innovations and capacity building. The project will be implemented in four phases. Phase Duration Activity I 6 months PRA Base line survey for biophysical and socio economic variation. Identification of crop/animal/fisheries/lac of strength for up scaling. Formation of site specific participatory work plan. II 6 months Entry point activities Demonstrations III 3 years Implementation of work plan in each site. IV 1 year Addressing post project sustainability issues. Develop market linkages. Document success stories. Analysis and reporting. Objective wise activities milestones Objectives To develop appropriate land and water use plan in selected micro Activities Base line survey (PRA) of 4 micro watershed. Identification of farmers need & constraints in about 20 villages at project site. Reorientation of existing farmers groups, Available in agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, fisheries and lac cultivation and formation of new farmers groups (SHGs, WIGs, CIGs) in all four selected microwatersheds. Year

6 watersheds for conserving natural resources. To improve productivity of crops, promote horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries and lac cultivation for livelihood security. Identification of critical erosion prone area and assessment of various quality parameters of soil and water in project area. Preparation of design separately in each Micro watershed for intervention of various activities. Livelihood analysis of the communities and identification of livestock and suitable crop as per soil & climate suitability and farmers preference. Training and exposure visit of rural youth of 4 micro watershed on IFS, Agriculture Business Management, Watershed & Rain water Management. Training and exposure to master trainers for continuing the skill upgradation programme on multitier cropping, rice-fish-duck system, piggery, poultry, fisheries, animal husbandry and lac cultivation. Introduction & improvement of goatry in project area by supplying improved goat breed (`1 unit = 3 goat + 1 buck) among 300 interested farmers of project area providing all health care facility for one year Supply of 2 male & 6 female (total eight) piglet of improved pig breed (T&D) among 100 interested family of project area with feed supplement, health care & miscellaneous items for exploring this beneficial enterprise among poor tribal farmers. Introduction and strengthening of poultry activity in project area by introduction of improved poultry 10 chicks per family among 1200 interested farmers of project area with vaccination & medication and management upto 6 weeks. Artificial insemination, vaccinations and other livestock health improvement compaign. Demonstration on zero till rice cultivation (24 unit in two years) Improved off season vegetable and fruit cultivation based on multitier model (24 unit in 2 years) On farm water management technology demonstration in farmer field (24 unit in 2 years). Demonstration on rice-fish-duck farming system (24 units in 2 years). Rainfed intercropping in upland soil (24 unit demonstration in 2 years)

7 Demonstration on Papaya cultivation (24 unit in 2 years) Technology backup on acid soil reclamation at field level (24 unit in 2 years) Improved cultivation of Tomato, Brinjal, Cauliflower, Cabbage & other vegetables as per farmer preference (24 unit in 2 years). Construction of OFRs in project area (Total unit 24) Construction of ring well on farmers field (Total unit 24). Formation of ditches on farmers field. (Total unit 240). Renovation & disitation of old existing ponds of farmers (Total unit 12). Seepage control measures in ponds (Total unit 12) Gabian structure for soil conservation (Total unit 12) Drainage channel to control excess water loss (Total unit 5) Establishment of rice-fish-duck unit in project area (Total unit 16) Production of fish cum prawn farming in perennial ponds (Total unit 10) Demonstration & training of progressive farmers on production of stunted finger lings in farm pond (Total unit 10) Establishment of ten decimal model of off season vegetable in project area (Total unit 160) Introduction of one acre model of fruit based multitier model on farmers field (Total 20 units) Initiation of lac cultivation activities on existing Palas & Ber tree (Total unit 300) On farm trial of improved rice cultivation with INM & IPM (Total unit 320) Demonstration of crops at multilocation for high yielding varieties of pulses & oil seed crop with application of biofertilizer, sulphur, lime, IPM & INM on soil test basis (Total unit 100).

8 To promote entrepreneur ship for value addition to reduce migration and employment generation at farm level. Programme on increase yield and expand area under green fodder in project area (Total unit 80) Technology of lime application to address acid soil problems along with indigenous technology intervention (recycling of forest litter and crop residues) to increase organic matter (75 units). Technology for by product utilization such as poultry manure, pig manure, crop residues, forest litter & farm yard manure and their recycling to improve the productivity of farming system will be assessed. Diagnostic study of markets, assessment of marketable surplus of each commodity & identifying alternate market opportunity for each commodity in project area. Assessment of new technological options regarding post harvest handling at farm level. Demonstration of lac processing technology (1 unit) Development of seed production units (Total 16 units of 1 ha. Area) Quality protein maize as well as fodder crops will be grown to supplement the feed requirement of poultry, livestock and pig. Training on post harvest technology, value addition, processing & preservation of fruit & vegetables. Establishment of pig meat processing unit with slaughter house (1 unit). Establishment of model small lac processing unit (Total 2 units) To develop a sustainable farming system model for the micro watershed and improve market linkages. Study of input use & removal in each enterprises (Piggery, Lac, Horticulture, crop, fisheries etc.) Monitoring & evaluation of production, processing & value addition under each enterprises in present implemented area. Multilocation testing of technologies & farming system models under similar environments. Impact assessment. Analysis of data. Report writing.

9 Innovation of the Project Consortium approach in project implementation deriving synergy from different institutions with strengths in technical expertise, market linkages and community mobilization. Interventions with a holistic approach to address the livelihood security of the community rather than increasing crop productivity alone. Linking natural resources management with livelihood security i.e. watershed plus approach. Enhanced profitability rather than increased productivity as the deliverable. Attention to cluster level processing, value addition and market linkages. Linkage and Upscaling The project will have strong linkages with development departments. Convergence of the project activities with that of State Soil Conservation, Horticulture & Agriculture Departments will be done through KVK/ZRS/ATMA, who are partners in the programme. SAMETI/MANAGE/CRIDA will impart requisite training to extension and project partners on different aspects of farming system. NABARD and other financial institutions and market organizations at local level will provide the necessary support as per requirement. Regular visit of of development department officials to the project sites will be ensured. It will bridge the key technology gaps in the ongoing rural livelihood programmes in Jharkhand. The outputs from the project and lessons learn are to feed into the state and national level policy making in the area of NRM and livelihoods in rainfed areas. EXPECTED OUTPUT/ OUTCOME/ IMPACT Output Out come Impact Increase in crops and animal production by 25 to 30%. Efficiency of improved breeds of goat, pig & poultry in higher by 25%. Increase in crop and animal productivity. Improved breed of goat, pig & poultry Higher mandays of working Food & nutritional security

10 Double cropping in 30 to 40% of the project sites. More than 50% of inputs will be available in the villages where work is under taken. Farm income increase by 50 to 75% in the area due to multiple enterprises. Facilities for processing & value addition with market and financial institutions linkages will be in place. Will reduce migration, improve skills Proper management of land & water resources In-built input supply system Integration of farm enterprises Development of rural industry Employment generation Environmental security Less dependence on external inputs Higher profits Sustainable rural development. Less migration Partner Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi Horticulture and Agro-forestry Research Programme, ICAR, Ranchi Central Rainfed Upland Rice Research Station, ICAR, Hazaribagh Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, ICAR, Ranchi Responsibility Natural Resourse Management Improved Crop Production Improved Pig Production Improved Goat Production Improved Poultry Production Improved Fish Production Developing Farming System Models Improved Vegetable Production Improved Fruit Production Post Harvest Processing Establishment of Seed Villages Improvement of Input Management Market Assessment Improved Lac Production Lac Processing and Marketing Project Duration : to (5 years)

11 Budget : Rs lakh Team of the project Sl.no. Name Address Duration Consortia Leader 1 Dr. N.N. Singh Vice Chancellor, Birsa ]e Dr. M.P. Pandey Agricultural University, Ranchi till date Consortia Principal Investigator 1 Dr.S.K.Pal, Professor Agronomy BAU Ranchi Dr.A.K.Singh, Porfessor, Aquaculture, BAU Ranchi till date Co -Consortia Principal Investigator 1 Dr.A.K.Sarkar, Dean,RAC,BAU,Ranchi Dr.R.S.Pan, Principal Scientist,HARP, Ranchi Dr A.K.Jaiswal Principal Scientist, IINRG, Ranchi Dr.R.K.Singh Dr.C.V.Singh Principal Scientist CRURRS,Hazaribagh Principal Scientist CRURRS,Hazaribagh Dr. S.K. Singh, Animal Husbandry, BAU, Ranchi Dr.A.K.Singh Dr.Shushil Prasad Porfessor, Aquaculture, BAU Ranchi Associate Scientist & University Prof.Dept of LPM, RVC Dr.P.B.Saha, Sr. Scientist ZSR Dumka Er. D.K. Rusia, Agril. Engeenering, BAU, Ranchi Dr. Arvind Kumar, Co PI, Soil Science, BAU, Ranchi Dr. S. Karmakar, Sr. Scientist, Agronomy, BAU,Ranchi

12 Contractual staff Dr.Praveen Kumar, Asstt.Professor,RVC,Ranchi Dr. Ravindra Kumar, Asstt.Professor,RVC,Ranchi Smt. Padmaja Gupta Research Associate (BAU) Mr. Hemant Kumar Research Associate (BAU) Er.Amresh Kr Thakur, Research Associate (BAU) Dr.Dushyant Kr. Research Associate(BAU) Raghav Dr.Raghuveer Ranjan Research Associate (BAU) Dr.Sunil Kumar Research Associate(BAU) to Madhav Kumar Research Associate,(IINRG) Dr. Abdul Karim. Research Associate (BAU,HARP) Mr. Narendra Kumar, Research Associate, (CRRUS) to Dr. Shiv Mangal Research Associate, (CRRUS) Yadav, Piyush Shrivastava Research Associate (BAU) Upendra Ram Research Associate (BAU) Ajit Kumar Research Associate (BAU) Arvind Kumar Research Associate (BAU) to Sushil Kumar Research Associate (BAU) Mr. Dhirendra Yadav, Research Associate (IINRG) Ms. Shewta Mishra, Office Assistant (BAU).to Sunil Kumar Singh, RA (Horticulture) Pawan Kumar, RA (Horticulture) Manohar Panjikar, RA (Horticulture) Sunil Kumar, RA (Horticulture) Abdul Karim, RA (Horticulture)

13