INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE

CHAPTER VI INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE Adoption of innovation in agricultural practices is very much essential for speedy development of agriculture in a region. Such innovative practices include the use of modern agricultural implements, viz. irrigation, fertilizer, HYV seeds especially HYV rice, insecticides & pesticides etc. A number of physical and socio-economic determinants are responsible for the levels of adoption of these innovative agricultural practices. In Nagaon district of Assam also a considerable innovative agricultural practices have been observed to be implemented during the recent period. Due to adoption of such innovative farming practices, like mechanization, irrigation, chemical fertilizer, HYV seeds, pesticides, etc. the traditional age-old system of agriculture has been gradually getting replaced. This change has been bringing remarkable change in the crop productivity pattern. The level of application of different innovative measures in agriculture by the farmers of different villages of Nagaon district, is presented in the present chapter based on both secondary and primary information collected from 28 sample villages (1,215 households) covering all the seven revenue circles of the district. 6.1 Cultivation of HYV and Commercial Crops Introduction of HYV (High Yielding Varieties) is one of the important steps initiated for agricultural development in the region. High yielding seeds breeding technology is considered as a revolutionary change from the age-old tradition to contemporary innovation in the practice of agriculture. Under the green revolution technology, the high yielding variety seeds are the major input of agricultural production.

Their main characteristics are increased responsiveness to chemical fertilizer, their period of maturity is short. It helps particularly to use the land for double cropping and multiple cropping, etc, resulting in high productivity. The Government of Assam tried to introduce the improved varieties of rabi crops in different districts of the state. Since improved varieties of pulses and mustard were not immediately available, the Assam Seed Corporation was not able to supply them the farmers were advised to use locally available seeds of those crops. However, the Sonalika variety of wheat has been introduced in Nagaon district since 1974-75. Introduction of HYV varieties in the soils of north-western India during the late sixties of the 20 th century as part of green revolution brought about significant changes in the level of food-grain output of the country. Such a revolutionary change in north-western India defused to other parts of India and subsequently North East India also gets benefit. In Nagaon district, a good response is found among the farmers for use of HYV seeds, which topped first among all the districts in Assam in respect of use of HYV seeds. However, this adoption to HYV is overwhelmingly confined to the rice and vegetables cultivation only. The HYV rice area now accounted for 57.05 percent of the total area under rice cultivation as per households survey in different revenue circles of the district. The table 6.1 reveals the proportion of HYV rice area out of the total rice area of surveyed households. It is very clear that the Lanka revenue circle recorded the highest proportion of area under HYV rice, where 76.90 percent of the total rice area is devoted to HYV crops. This is followed by Hojai, Kaliabor and Dhing revenue circles with 70.17 percent and 68.03 percent and 64.57 percent of HYV rice area respectively also show the importance of HYV in the district. Among the other revenue circles, three revenue circles, viz. Rupahi Doboka and Raha recorded medium state in respect of cultivation of HYV rice

covering 55.66 percent, 50.91 percent, and 40.30 percent of the total rice area respectively. The remaining three revenue circles namely Kampur, Nagaon Sadar and Samaguri the adoption of HYV rice by the farmers are found to be low, as the percent of HYV rice area to the total rice area of the surveyed household of these three revenue circles are 30.85 percent, 30.30 percent and 26.03 percent respectively. It is perhaps because most of the fact that the rain shadow area is found under Kampur revenue circle. Rainfall is very essential for production of any crops. On the other hand in Nagaon Sadar revenue circle most of the area used for business and residential purposes and the farmers are not interested for development of agriculture or use of HYV rice. In contrast, the farmers in Samaguri revenue circle is more interested for cultivation of traditional varieties of crops especially produce cash crops especially jute, oilseeds, etc. along with rice. Therefore as compaired to other revenue circles the area under HYV rice is very less in this revenue circle. Table 6.1: Proportion of HYV Rice Area to Total Rice Area in Nagaon District, Assam, 2009-2010 (Area in Hectares) Revenue Circles No. of Surveyed Households Total Rice area HYV Rice area Percentage of HYV Rice to total Rice area 1.Kaliabor 296 235.84 160.44 68.03 2.Samaguri 96 94.92 25.58 26.95 3.Rupahi 92 97.18 54.09 55.66 4.Dhing 82 65.59 42.35 64.57 5.Nagaon Sadar 185 95.84 29.04 30.30 6.Raha 36 55.96 22.55 40.30 7.Kampur 152 131.06 40.43 30.85 8.Hojai 40 78.68 55.21 70.17 9.Lanka 186 312.31 240.16 76.90 10.Doboka 50 62.92 32.03 50.91 NAGAON DISTRICT 1215 1230.3 701.88 57.05 Source: Primary Survey, 2009-2010.

It is observed during field study that important HYV rice varieties are cultivated in Nagaon district. The HYV rice are namely Ranjit, Masuri, Bahadur, Pankaj, Basmati, Jaya, Biplav, China, China 420, IR-20, Suagmoni, Rongduli, Harkona, Purabenu, Mala, Pussa, Krishna, Lal Bihari, Forma, Dariya and Gaya etc. Among them Ranjit is found to be most preferred variety of winter rice followed by Masuri, Bahadur, Pankaj and Basmati. The summer rice are Jaya, China, China-40 etc. are important. Besides Mala, Pussa and Krishna etc. are HYV rice which is extensively used in lesser hectarage strength. These crops fetch more money than some of the major crops because of their higher market price and demand for these crops. Emergence of such cultivation of new crops like commercial banana, small scale cultivation of tea, aromatic oil plants like patchouli, citronella, lemon grass, wild grass etc. has contributed for the change of the cropping pattern of the district during the recent years. This has been found to enrich the agricultural economy of the district. Even small tea gardening areas are found in Kaliabor and some parts of Kathiatoli, Rengbeng area. Introducing vegetable gardening on commercial basis in flood prone areas on the bank of Brahmaputra and south-eastern part of the district especially Muslim peasants of immigrant origin have contributed significantly to raise the economy of the district. The sample survey data on the use of crop fields to new crops by the farmers of the district reveal that, there is a marked spatial variation in the proportion of area under new crops in different revenue circles of the district. The proportion of area under new crops to total cropped area of the surveyed households of different revenue circles of the district is presented in the table 6.2. It is observed that there is spatial variation in high market value crops like banana, small scale cultivation of tea, patchouli, citronella and lemon grass. It is already mentioned that HYV

rice is not cultivated in the char areas, but other high market value crops are cultivated according to the suitable soil condition. HYV vegetable seeds play an important role in the field of agriculture. From the sample survey villages it is very clear that there are high production of vegetables in the study area. The HYV rice seeds and HYV vegetable seeds packet are supplied by the Government and different agencies i.e. Agriculture Department and Gram Bikas Kendra either at free of cost or at subsidy rates to the peasants in different showing season of the year. Inside every packet have some quantity of HYV vegetable seeds which are namely, carrot, cauliflower, tomato, knolkhol, spinach, chilly, raddish and marisha etc. The supplied seeds are used by the farmer of the district for production of a surplus amount of vegetables both for their own consumption and for earning cash from sale of these commercial crops. During the sample survey of the study area one important aspect observed that, cultivation of certain crops other than HYV which were quite unknown to the region till recently are introduced by the educated unemployed youths engaged in agricultural activities. This is undoubtly a good sign as regards agricultural development to the district, In spite of fact that banana plantation is under some areas of the northern part of the district covering a sizable area in the highest area under commercial banana plantation is found in Samaguri and Kaliabor revenue circles of the district especially in Baziar Gaon (Samaguri revenue circle), Kuritol, Hatbor, Dalgaon Bamunbheti, Ouguri villages (Kaliabor revenue circle). The area occupied by this crop in Samaguri revenue circle is 20.40 percent of the total cropped area followed by Kaliabor revenue circle with 8.31 percent shown in the table 6.2. Both revenue circles are located in north-eastern part of the district. The maximum proportion of cropland devoted to the cultivation of banana plantation in

commercial basis is in these two revenue circles. Moreover, in the Hojai and Doboka revenue circles also this crop occupies 8.47 percent and 5.42 percent respectively. In addition to this, patchouli, citronella, lemon grass and wild grass are cultivated mostly by indigenous educated youths in built-up area of district. The sample survey reveals that in case of Samaguri revenue circle the proportion of new crops is found to be highest occupying 27.83 percent of total cropped area. Out of which 20.04 percent is used for commercial banana plantation and 7.79 percent is devoted to small scale tea plantation. Other commercial crops like patchouli, citronella and lemon grass are not cultivated in this revenue circle. The Samaguri revenue circle is followed by Kaliabor revenue circle the proportion of new crops area is found to be 16.38 percent of the total crop area. Here, 8.31 percent cropland of surveyed households is used for cultivation of commercial banana plantation 4.75 percent used for small scale tea plantation and 1.78 percent used for patchouli plantation especially in built-up area of the northern part of the study area. Besides these crops, 0.83 percent of small area is used for citronella and 0.71 percent of area is used for lemon grass in the Kaliabor revenue circle. Some important crops are to be cultivated in Kaliabor Nursury and Uloni area under Kaliabor revenue circle which are especially important for patchouli, citronella and lemon grass plantation under Kaliabor revenue circle. In Hojai revenue circle has 14.52 percent of area is under new crops. Out of which 8.47 percent is used for commercial banana plantation and 3.63 percent is devoted for patchouli plantation and 2.42 percent for citronella plantation. In case of Doboka revenue circle located in the south-eastern part of the district 11.15 percent of total cropped area is found to be devoted to commercial crops.

Table : 6.2: Proportion of High Market Value Crops to Total Cropped Area at Revenue Circle Level in Nagaon District, Assam, 2009-2010 Revenue Circle No.of Surveyed Households Total Cropped area of Surveyed househol ds (hect) Commercial Banana plantation Area (hect) % of total cropp ed area Small scale tea plantation Area (hect) % of total cropp ed area High Market Value Crops Patchouli Citronella Lemon grass Total 1.Kaliabor 296 225.62 18.74 8.31 10.71 4.75 4.02 1.78 1.87 0.83 1.61 0.71 36.95 16.38 2.Samaguri 96 120.25 24.10 20.04 9.37 7.79 - - - - - - 33.47 27.83 3.Rupahi 92 90.55 2.01 2.22 - - - - - - - - 2.01 2.22 4.Dhing 82 104.45 0.87 0.83 - - - - - - - - 0.87 0.83 5.Nagaon 185 87.25 0.27 0.31 - - - - - - - - 0.27 0.31 Sadar 6.Raha 36 37.98 0.67 1.76 - - - - - - - - 0.67 1.76 7.Kampur 152 97.99 0.94 0.96 2.68 2.73 - - - - - - 3.62 3.69 8.Hojai 40 55.37 4.69 8.47 - - 2.01 3.63 1.34 2.42 - - 8.04 14.52 9.Lanka 186 157.52 5.36 3.40 - - - - - - - - 5.36 3.40 10.Doboka 50 42.05 2.28 5.42 - - 1.34 3.19 1.07 2.54 - - 4.69 11.15 Source : Primary Survey carried by the Researcher, 2009-2010 Area (hect) % of total cropp ed area Area (hect) % of total cropp ed area Area (hect) % of total cropp ed area Area (hect) % of total cropp ed area

Out of these 5.42 percent used for commercial banana plantation and 3.19 percent used for patchouli and 2.54 percent used for citronella plantation and 3.19 percent used for patchouli and 2.54 percent used for citronella cultivation. On the other hand Kampur revenue circle in the south-eastern part of the district shows 3.69 percent of the proportion of total cropped area under commercial crops of which 0.96 percent area used for commercial banana plantation and 2.73 percent area is used for small scale of tea plantation especially in Kathiatoli and Rengbeng areas. In the remaining three revenue circles, viz. Rupahi, Dhing and Nagaon Sadar have cultivated only one commercial crops i.e. banana plantation as shown in table 6.2. Especially in Rupahi and Dhing revenue circles cultivated banana plantation in commercial basis by the immigrant Muslim peasants in the district. But in Nagaon Sadar revenue circle a very small portion i.e. 0.31 percent of land is used for banana plantation as shown in table 6.2. Moreover, beta nut crop is available in all revenue circles of the district. 6.2 Irrigation Practices Irrigation is essentially the artificial application of water to overcome deficiencies in rainfall for growing crops. It may be called as the life blood of agriculture. It plays a decisive role in cropping pattern, intensity of cropping, crop-combination, the extent of yield and the seasonal rhythm of sowing. The adoption of HYV crops and use of chemical fertilizers are not possible without irrigational facilities. The distribution of rainfall in Nagaon district is uncertain, variable and inadequate in time and therefore, irrigation is highly essential to raise a number of crops during an agricultural year. It is also observed that during rainy season, most of the crop fields of the district are over flooded where

growing of kharif crops is not possible. Therefore the peasants in those areas are compelled to produce rabi crops with the help of irrigation. The district is drained by a number of perennial rivers and streams. The surface sources of water which can be utilized for irrigation are Kallong, Kapili, Jamuna, Nichari rivers etc. Moreover, drainage channels were cut for irrigating new lands and also for improving those lands which were already under plough. These drainage channels in some cases draw out excess water from the agricultural fields. They are controlled by sluice gate, and hence water supply in the fields is controlled at the source region. The low lying areas are flooded almost every year during the rainy season and while suffer from extreme drought during the winter months. However, these areas are suitable for boro rice cultivation. Power pump irrigation was becoming popular as they could supply water from the low-lying water pools and tanks to the agricultural fields. Diesel engines operate these power pumps. Canals are of less importance in the irrigation of Nagaon district while minor irrigation consisting of drainage channels etc, was more important. The importance of adequate water supply to the crops are popularly acknowledged in the district. Paddy is the most important crop for the district and steps for ensuring adequate water supply to this crop have received foremost attention from the Government Agricultural Department. Irrigation activities in the district can be classified in to three heads, viz, a) Major irrigation, b) Minor irrigation and c) Power pump irrigation In major irrigation, flood control of Kapili river was the most important. It comprises of (i) Bunding and regulating of the spill cannels of the Kapili river,

(ii) Improving independent drainage of the Kapili flood water, (iii) Raising the Kapili banks by arresting deposition of silt on the river bed and (iv) Contouring survey of Kapili basin and its upper reaches which would regulate the flow water after care. This scheme, when completed, would bring 3,000 acres of land under cultivation and about 10,000 acres of waste land would be reclaimed. The minor irrigation projects were becoming popular among the people and are also implemented by the Government due to its less complicated nature and low investments involved in them. Minor irrigation project began to operate from 1942/43 during the period of Grow More Food campaign in the district. Minor irrigation project comprises of (i) Drainage channel for irrigation new lands and also provides better facilities to the already cultivated areas, (ii) Drainage channels for drawing out excess water from the fields and protecting the fields from flood damage, (iii) Silt channels for encouraging silt deposition in the lowlands to raise them and make them fit for cultivation, (iv) Sluice gates for controlling the wasteland in fields. Such minor irrigation projects are mostly concentrated in the south and south-western part of the district. Irrigation with power pumps began in the district during the Grow More Food campaign, primarily for extending the area under boro paddy in the flood affected low-lying areas. Pumped water from pools, beels and river can be brought to some land under plough, the power being supplied by diesel engines. Such type of pump-irrigation was found in the Raha area where pumps operated. The irrigation was concerned only 7 percent of the net sown area before independent. More and more agricultural land has been covered under irrigation through

the introduction of five year plans after 1950. The position up to the end of fourth five year plan is stated below as shown in table 6.3 Table 6.3: Position of Irrigation at the End of 10 th Five Years Plan Major and Minor irrigation Minor irrigation scheme Total scheme Area Amount Area Amount Area Amount benefited in spent in benefited in spent in benefited in spent in lakh hect. lakhs lakh hect. lakhs lakh hect. lakhs.210 437.026 64.65.236 481.65 Source: Irrigation Department, Nagaon, Assam. According to the District Census Hand Book, 1961, the Government and private irrigated an area of 2,225 hectares in the district and the private tanks and tube wells irrigated a total of 48,760 hectares of land. Subsequently, the Agricultural Department undertook thirty minor irrigation schemes at different places in the district in 1961-62, which benefited 2,295 hectares of agricultural land. Lift irrigation, with energized pumps, were also introduced in the district in1966-67. In 1967-68 a total of 120 power pumps were installed and five deep tube wells and some shallow tube wells in the district. In addition to these, several other minor and medium irrigation schemes were executed. In 1971-72, out of the net area sown in Nagaon, 15.58 percent were irrigated by canals, tube wells, wells and other sources as against 43.87 percent in Haryana. Although the area under irrigation was less in comparison to the other agriculturally developed states of India. It is found that in 2005, due to implementation of the irrigation schemes the overall picture of the district has changed. The district has 1,19,678 hectares area under net irrigated area. Out of these 27,811 hectares area is irrigated by the channels, 53,018 hectares by wells and 38,849

hectares by other sources. An additional irrigation potential and achievement during 1998-99 to 2006-2007 is 9,380 hectares as shown in the table 6.4 Table 6.4: Target and Achievement of Additional Irrigation Potential Created in Nagaon District, Assam, 1998-99 2006-07 (Area in Hectares) Year Target Achievement Minor Major Total Minor Major Total Irrigation Medium Irrigation Irrigation Medium Irrigation 1998-1999 120 100 220-100 100 1999-2000 532 1,000 1,532-550 550 2000-2001 420 2,550 2,970-600 600 2001-2002 780 3,150 3,930-1,000 1,000 2002-2003 410 4,450 4,860 480 3,300 3,780 2003-2004 290 5,550 5,840-1,250 1,250 2004-2005 290 5,550 5,840-1,250 1,250 2005-2006 120 700 820-850 850 2006-2007 10 1,000 1,010 - - - Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistic, Government of Assam. Although the Nagaon district is situated in the middle part of Assam, major section of farmers of Nagaon fully depend on monsoon rainfall. But the rainfall is neither adequate nor time certain. Therefore, the artificial supply of water through irrigation is essential for high production of crops in the district. The table 6.5 reveals that the percentage of total irrigated area to total cropped area of the district is 53.16 percent. However, the spatial variation of irrigated area from one revenue circles to another as shown in the table 6.5. It is found that the Hojai revenue circle recorded the highest percentage i.e. 71.23 percent of total irrigated area to total cropped area followed by Lanka revenue circle which recorded 68.94 percent and Doboka revenue circle with 66.17 percent of irrigated area to total cropped area of the district. Out of seven revenue circles three revenue circles have medium

irrigation namely Rupahi is recorded 58.21 percent followed by Kaliabor is 57.82 percent and Samaguri recorded 54.92 percent. Other four revenue circles recorded low irrigation, among them Raha only recorded 48.99 percent and Dhing recorded 49.15 percent While reaming two revenue circles are very low irrigation, viz. Kampur recorded 25.53 percent and Nagaon Sadar recorded only 24.22 percent of irrigated area to total cropped area of the district. Table 6.5: Spatial Variation of Total Irrigated Area as Percentage to Total Cropped Area in Nagaon District, Assam, 2005-06 Revenue Circles Gross Irrigated area Total Cropped Area Percentage of Irrigated area to total cropped area 1.Kaliabor 17,115.29 29,601.95 57.82 2.Samaguri 16,834.85 30,651.97 54.92 3.Rupahi 14,901.85 25,600.79 58.21 4.Dhing 18,734.85 38,121.72 49.15 5.Nagaon Sadar 8,175.67 33,655.31 24.22 6.Raha 12,545.75 25,608.2 48.99 7.Kampur 6,987.00 27,365.8 25.53 8.Hojai 25,409.00 35,672.85 71.23 9.Lanka 29,867.69 43,325.75 68.94 10.Doboka 17,245.55 26,062.96 66.17 Nagaon District 1,67,817.5 3,15,667.3 53.16 Source: Data collected from Revenue circle offices of the Nagaon District and computed by the Researcher

6.3 Manure and Fertilizer Consumption Application of modern technology generally enhances the intensity of cropping and the overall crop output. When more than one crop is raised from the same land, obviously the natural fertility of the soil declines. However, proper scientific crop rotation sometimes help the farmers to restore fertility when soil natural fertility declines there is need of use of fertilizer or manures. The use of fertilizers is an important ingredient in the modern technique of cultivation. Thus the increase of agricultural productivity mainly depends on use of manures and fertilizer along with other related inputs like HYV seeds, irrigation, mechanization of agriculture etc. From the field study it is observed that irrigation and fertilizer are most important input required for the successful cultivation of HYV seeds. They use of fertilizer is important because they boost crop production are also vital in the use of improve techniques. In Assam, the level of fertilizer input is very low. The per hectare input of fertilizers is only 10.5 k.g. The commonly used chemical fertilizers are Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. In Nagaon district of Assam, the level of fertilizer input is very low. Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are the commonly used chemical fertilizer in the district. Now-a-days however, biofertilizer is more preferred as these are eco-friendly and sustainable. The table 6.6 reveals the different type wise consumption of fertilizer of the district from 1985-86 to 2006-07 use of fertilizer is not significant.

It is observed from the table 6.6 that there was a steady rise in the consumption of fertilizer from 1985-86 to 2006-07. The district recorded a spectacular rise in the consumption of fertilizer (NPK) as it increased from 1,476 tonnes in 1985-86 to 28,423 tonnes in 2006-07. The consumption of Nitrogen (N) in Assam in the year 1985-86 recorded 9,352 tonnes and rise up to 102610 tonnes in 2006-07. In Nagaon district the consumption of Nitrogen is 1,094 tonnes in 1985-86 and it gradually increasing up to 14,127 tonnes in 2006-07. The consumption of Phosphorous (P) fertilizer of Assam recorded 3,634 tonnes in 1985-86 and increased up to 51,077 tonnes in 2006-07 and the consumption of Phosphorous was 221 tonnes in 1985-86 whereas it has increased up to 8,027 tonnes in 2006-07. So far the consumption of Potassium (K) is concerned, it is observed that in the state of Assam the consumption of Potassium was 3,754 tonnes in 1985-86 and it has increased up to 49,990 tonnes in 2006-07. It is further noticed that in the district Nagaon the consumption of fertilizer in very low i.e. only 161 tonnes in 1985-86. But in 2006-07 it is increased up to 6,269 tonnes in 2006-07. From the table 6.6 it is very clear that as compared to Phosphorous and Potassium fertilizer the Nitrogen fertilizer is very much used for high production of agriculture.

Table 6.6: Consumption of Different Types of Chemical Fertilizer in Nagaon District, And Assam, 1985-86 2006-07 (in Tonnes) (Figures in brackets indicate the percentages) Nagaon Total Assam Total Years Types of Fertilizer Types of Fertilizer N P K N P K 1985-86 1094 221 161 1476 9352 3634 3754 16740 (74.12) (14.97) (10.91) (55.87) (21.71) (22.42) 1987-88 1511 624 604 2739 12325 5815 5636 23776 (55.17) (22.78) (22.05) (51.84) (24.46) (23.70) 1991-92 3480 1054 1157 5691 19295 7843 8383 35521 (61.15) (18.52) (20.33) (54.32) (22.08) (23.60) 1995-96 2483 438 2139 5060 23665 5453 20023 49141 (49.07) (8.66) (42.27) (48.15) (11.10) (40.75) 2000-01 14585 3856 3578 22019 73580 36928 30711 141219 (66.24) (17.51) (16.25) (52.10) (26.15) (21.75) 2001-02 11908 4938 3410 20256 75580 41625 35741 152946 (58.79) (24.38) (16.83) (49.42) (27.21) (23.37) 2002-03 12377 5801 4324 22502 86291 46137 42473 174901 (55.00) (25.78) (19.22) (49.34) (26.38) (24.28) 2003-04 13374 7164 5616 26154 90372 51489 47583 189444 (51.14) (27.39) (21.47) (47.70) (27.18) (25.12) 2004-05 12720 6925 5229 24874 77937 50922 37044 165903 (51.14) (27.84) (21.02) (46.98) (30.69) (22.33) 2005-06 13997 7782 6176 27955 93615 55212 48569 197396 (50.07) (27.84) (22.09) (47.42) (27.97) (24.61) 2006-07 14127 (49.70) 8027 (28.24) 6269 (22.06) 28423 102610 (50.38) 51077 (25.08) 49990 (24.54) 203677 Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Guwahati, Government of Assam. N- Nitrogen, P Phosphorous, K Potassium.

From the households surveyed it is clear that 84.77 percent of the farm families used fertilizer in their agriculture. A detailed study on revenue circle wise consumption of the district recorded maximum percentage of farm families using fertilizer 86.15 percent in their agriculture, followed by Dhing revenue circle 82.93 percent farm families using fertilizer. In Rupahi and Lanka revenue circles 72.92 percent and 72.58 percent of the surveyed families use fertilizer. Another five revenue circles exhibit very low proportion of farm families using fertilizer in their agricultural field. They are Kampur 69.08 percent, Hojai 67.5 percent, Nagaon Sadar 60.54 percent, Doboka 58 percent and Raha 55.56 percent. So far the per hectare input of fertilizer in different revenue circles are concerned it is found that consumption level is highest in Kaliabor revenue circle i.e. 23.13 k.g. per hectare followed by Dhing revenue circle which recorded 26.19 k.g. per hectare and followed Rupahi revenue circle i.e. 22,57 kg per hectare. The lowest input of fertilizer is recorded by Doboka revenue circle where the consumption level is only 8.61 kg per hectare as shown in table 6.7. Now-a-days more stress has been laid on the application of biofertilizer. Therefore, majority of the peasants in this region depends on the natural fertility of the soil automatically derived from the grasses, water and atmosphere. But in areas where Muslim peasants of immigrant origin reside, who are more advanced in agricultural technology than the indigenous people use chemical fertilizers.

Table 6.7: Use of Fertilizer by the Farmers at Revenue Circle Level in Nagaon District, Assam, 2009-2010 Revenue Circles Number of Surveyed farm families Number of farm families applied fertilizer Percent of farm families applied fertilizer Total consumption of fertilizer (kg) Per hectare consumption of fertilizer 1.Kaliabor 296 255 86.15 6847 23.13 2.Samaguri 96 70 72.92 5548 18.10 3.Rupahi 92 72 78.26 5779 22.57 4.Dhing 82 68 82.93 9985 26.19 5.Nagaon Sadar 185 112 60.54 3569 10.60 6. Raha 36 20 55.56 2477 9.67 7.Kampur 152 105 69.08 3789 13.85 8.Hojai 40 27 67.5 3987 11.18 9.Lanka 186 135 72.58 5675 13.10 10.Doboka 50 29 58 2245 8.61 Nagaon district 1215 893 73.50 49401 Source: Primary survey carried by the Researcher, 2009-2010. 6.4 Crop Protection Measures With the rise of area under HYV incidence of diseases and pests has been increasing. Even in some cases varieties of crops, which ecologically adjusted to the areas, have also become vulnerable to attack by insects and pests. It is found from the field study that the diseases sometimes take epidemic form in the pockets of HYV crops such as Hojai, Lanka, Kaki, Rupahi and Juria areas. The hot and humid climate perhaps facilitates the incidence of such diseases in the newly introduced crops as against the sub-humid regions like Punjab and Haryana where incidence of these diseases is comparatively less. (kg)

In order to protect the crops from the pests, insects and diseases different pesticides, insecticides and medicines have been used in the district. It is observed from the field study that it is very difficult for the poor peasants to use pesticides or insecticides if the credit facilities are not properly afforded. It was estimated in the rabi Production Campaign Guide (1974-75) that the total cost of pesticides alone, for ordinary plant protection in some area of the rabi crops ranges from Rs. 90.00 to 128.00 per hectare. Although the amount is not much, the poor peasants can hardly afford it. Thus proper distribution of pesticides, etc. and adequate credit facilities to buy these are of utmost necessity for adopting requisite measures. Unless this is done, area under high yielding varieties of crop will never increase and production will never reach the target envisaged and thus development may hamper. 6.5 Infrastructural Facilities The infrastructural facilities like rainfall, water supply, irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides etc. are very important for the development of agriculture. For the extraction of drinking water either from ground water or from any water bodies power is essential. Before the introduction of water directly from river, tanks, spring, canal etc. Some rich people used to take water from ring wells and tube wells. After the introduction of water supply scheme the problem of drinking water has been reduced. The infrastructure of Nagaon is very poor which has adversely affected the industrial development of the region. The Agar Perfume industry at Hojai in Nagaon earns huge revenues by exporting the Perfumes to Middle-East countries. Nagaon district is the second most popular district in Assam with 89 percent of the total population living in rural areas. For the rapid growth of education in the district

Government has established schools of various categories, colleges, professional and Technical Institution like I.T.I, Poly technique and colleges etc. Moreover, Technical education, Oriental schools, Colleges for the handicapped. Adult literacy and social education offices and libraries are found in different places of the district. References Bhagabati, A.K. and Dutta, D.C.(1999): Innovation in Farming practices and Dynamic of Crop Productivity in Malayabari area of Kamrup District, Assam, Journal of Geography, Gauhati University, Vol.2, pp.54-69. Bhagabati, A.K. (1990): Spatial Analysis of Small Scale Agriculture in Assam: A case Study of Nalbari District, unpublished Ph.D Thesis, Gauhati University, Guwahati. Bora, M. M. 2008: Agricultural Development in Sonitpur District, Assam: A Spatio- Temporal Analysis unpublished Ph.D Thesis. Datta, L. (1983): Agricultural Occupance of Nagaon District: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis, unpublished Ph.D Thesis, Gauhati University, Guwahati. Das, M.M. (1984): Peasant Agriculture in Assam, Inter-India Publications, New Delhi, pp. 211-229. Das, M.M and Goswami D.N. (1990): Peasants response to Agricultural Innovative in a Backward area of Assam published in Journal of Geography, Vol.2; pp 54-69. Gopalkrishnan, R. (1984): The State of Agricultural Development in Assam, Geographical Review of India, Vol.51, No.2, pp.62-67.

Kakoti, B.K.(1985): Impact of Agricultural Innovation on Socio-Economic Structure of Bajali Block, unpublished M.Phil. Dissertation, Gauhati University, Guwahati. Nath, L.(1984): Growth and Development of Peasant Agriculture in Mangaldoi Region, unpublished M.Phil. Dissertation, Gauhati University, Guwahati. Nath, K.C., 1984: Transformation of Rural Landscape in Nagaon district since 1950/51 unpublished M.Phil Dissertation, Gauhati University, Guwahati. Report of Assam Agricultural Commission, 1975, State Planning Board, Govt. of Assam, P.196, Report of Assam Agricultural Commission, 1975, State Planning Board, Government of Assam, p.196 Report of Assam Agricultural Commission, 1975, p, 212, -------------------