As farmers prepare for the sowing of 'sali dhan' (traditional winter paddy) that is set to begin in June, a farming model that yielded positive results has been adopted again.
Over 1,600 farmers in southern Nalbari districts are gearing up to carry on the farming model to prevent agricultural lands from lying idle and helping preserve the indigenous variety of rice paddy.
'Augmenting productivity of lead crop through adoption of sustainable agricultural practice' began as a three-year model pilot project. It was planned as a farming intervention to increase crop productivity, inculcate practical knowledge on seed selection and treatment, and preserve the indigenous variety of paddy.
The project was initiated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Lotus Progressive Centre (LPC), a NGO, based at Morowa village in Nalbari district, in July 2011.
The project period got over in 2014. The model, however, continued to be practised by the farmers. The farming families in a cluster of seven villages held on to the practice because of the positive results it brought.
"The model led the overall crop productivity to jump from 13-18% to 30-40%, while also bringing about an increase in the income of the farmers," said Hemanta Baishya, member and coordinator of LPC.
The model ensures that the agricultural land does not lie idle. For instance, a farmer might have five bighas of agricultural land and may use three bighas to cultivate the main crop of paddy. The remaining two bighas, considered 'baam' or shallow, are utilized for rabi and other crops.
After the main crop is harvested, leguminous crops (peas, lentils and chick peas) and rabi crops are cultivated, improving the natural soil fertility.
"The farmers have informed us that they are continuing the practice. It has led to crop intensity. This project has been a success. The followup is continuing," said Tapan Baishya, secretary, LPC.
Before the introduction of the initiative, farmers had no practical experience in increasing crop productivity, and no knowledge of or systematic approach to seed selection and treatment, seed-bedding preparation, seeding duration. They also had an unsystematic approach to line preparation (the manner in which seeds are sown based on line rows).
"The project period is over but it is now that we are witnessing the impact. This has given an immense boost to their financial and motivational levels. We do have a plan to expand it to other places as well," added Baishya.
With most farmers are cultivating high-yield varieties - Joymoti, Luit, Athaisa, Untrisa and others, local varieties of rice paddy - Joha, Kola Joha, Mainagiri, Phool Pakhori, Tengre, Samraj, Boka Dhan, Tulsi Joha, Konkoni, Biru, Kajali Bah, Bordhan, Kalamdani, and others - are also being cultivated, besides mustard, peas, lentils, chick peas, among others.
Over 1,600 farmers in southern Nalbari districts are gearing up to carry on the farming model to prevent agricultural lands from lying idle and helping preserve the indigenous variety of rice paddy.
'Augmenting productivity of lead crop through adoption of sustainable agricultural practice' began as a three-year model pilot project. It was planned as a farming intervention to increase crop productivity, inculcate practical knowledge on seed selection and treatment, and preserve the indigenous variety of paddy.
The project was initiated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Lotus Progressive Centre (LPC), a NGO, based at Morowa village in Nalbari district, in July 2011.
The project period got over in 2014. The model, however, continued to be practised by the farmers. The farming families in a cluster of seven villages held on to the practice because of the positive results it brought.
"The model led the overall crop productivity to jump from 13-18% to 30-40%, while also bringing about an increase in the income of the farmers," said Hemanta Baishya, member and coordinator of LPC.
The model ensures that the agricultural land does not lie idle. For instance, a farmer might have five bighas of agricultural land and may use three bighas to cultivate the main crop of paddy. The remaining two bighas, considered 'baam' or shallow, are utilized for rabi and other crops.
After the main crop is harvested, leguminous crops (peas, lentils and chick peas) and rabi crops are cultivated, improving the natural soil fertility.
"The farmers have informed us that they are continuing the practice. It has led to crop intensity. This project has been a success. The followup is continuing," said Tapan Baishya, secretary, LPC.
Before the introduction of the initiative, farmers had no practical experience in increasing crop productivity, and no knowledge of or systematic approach to seed selection and treatment, seed-bedding preparation, seeding duration. They also had an unsystematic approach to line preparation (the manner in which seeds are sown based on line rows).
"The project period is over but it is now that we are witnessing the impact. This has given an immense boost to their financial and motivational levels. We do have a plan to expand it to other places as well," added Baishya.
With most farmers are cultivating high-yield varieties - Joymoti, Luit, Athaisa, Untrisa and others, local varieties of rice paddy - Joha, Kola Joha, Mainagiri, Phool Pakhori, Tengre, Samraj, Boka Dhan, Tulsi Joha, Konkoni, Biru, Kajali Bah, Bordhan, Kalamdani, and others - are also being cultivated, besides mustard, peas, lentils, chick peas, among others.