Case studies 2016

Success Stories in NE States | 99 40. Fishery yields additional income in East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh Situation: Fish farming is a profitable venture but the farmers of the district East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh is still struggling for better productivity and sustainability in aquaculture. The bottle neck in increasing the aquaculture activity is lack of fish seed and balanced fish feed. In spite of these major problems Mr. Taki Muang a hard working and enthusiastic farmer of Mirem village from East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh has achieved success in fish farming. Initially he dug a pond of approx. 0.2 ha area for fish farming with a hope of additional earning. However, due to lack of proper knowledge and skill he could not achieve his goal. He was too upset by experiencing failure in pisciculture. On the other hand, he continued his efforts for getting suitable remedies to his failures. Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 100 Response: During a TNA survey Mr. S.M. Hussain, SMS Fisheries, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, East Siang came in contact with Mr. Taki Muang and came to know about his problems. He proposed to carry out one FLD (Front Line Demonstration) on Composite Fish Farming in his pond which was done with full participation of the neighbouring farmers. Initially the FLD programme commenced with a training programme on Composite Fish Farming System for benefit of the fish growing farmers of the village. Mr. Muang was involved in each and every step of FLD operations where he learned scientific management practices of fishes. Mr. Muang along with few progressive farmers of the district were also taken on exposure visit to College of Fisheries Sciences, Central Agricultural University, Agartala, Tripura during North East Agri Fair organised by Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur. In the exposure visit programme Mr. Muang visited the institutional aquaculture farm of College of Fisheries Sciences, Central Agricultural University, Agartala, Tripura. Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 101 Results: The whole FLD programme in 0.2 ha pond area including costs of labour and other inputs were calculated to be approximately Rs. 20,000/. Farmer harvested approx. 2.5 quintal of table fish after 8 months of rearing which they sold at the rate of Rs. 150/kg and had a net income of Rs.17, 500/-. Evidence: Having a better harvest of fish after adopting good management practices Mr. Taki Muang was very happy, and he is planning to improve his aquaculture business in coming time. He also dug out two new ponds. He has increased fish aquaculture farm form 0.2 ha area to 0.6 ha area and also planning to further increase it to 1.0 ha during coming years. Courtesy -KVK East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 102 41. Integrated farming ensuring livelihood in Kokrajhar district of Assam Situation: Mr. Bimala Prasad Basumatary aged of 41 years, S/o Late Upendra Basumatary of village South Ghoskhata under Dotma Dev. Block is a young educated farmer of Kokrajhar District. At that time, he inherited 5.3 ha of cultivable land as paternal property. He observed that his income was not adequate to meet the expenses of his family. Instead of his father's traditional cultivation, he thought of modern cultivation. For the first time, he started horticultural farming by cultivating hybrid tomato, cabbage, cauliflower etc. This first venture earned him a good profit and since then, he did not have to look back. Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 103 Response: Incidentally, he got a scope to take a training from KVK, Gossaigaon in his village. This encouraged Mr. Basumatary to take up more activities on modern agricultural farming. One fine morning, he visited KVK, Gossaigaon where he sought suggestion from KVK, scientist for enhancing income by utilizing his vast land. The KVK, Gossaigaon undertook FLD and OFT in the field of Mr. Basumatary on HYV of rice (Var. Ranjit,) and HYV of rape seed (var. TS-36). Simultaneously, Farmer Participatory Action Research Project (FPARP) on multiple use of water were conducted in the land of Mr. Basumatary under the direct supervision of KVK, scientists. The results were encouraging and Mr Basumatary also participated in various training programmes conducted by KVK, Kokrajhar. Result: Getting himself well trained, he started integrated farming in his land and shifted completely to scientific farming.He started rice cultivation (Kharif rice) in 3.3 ha of land. Moreover, he cultivates vegetables in 1.2 ha of land. Since then, he is running a Integrated farming with horticultural crops, Agro-forestry, poultry, fisheries, cattle, goat and piggery which gave him an annual income Rs 5 lakhs. In 0.28 ha fishery, he is rearing Rohu, common carp, Mrigal, Catla, Chinese carp etc. Moreover, he is running a broiler farm of 100 capacity, 10 nos. of local goat and 4nos. of pig of cross breed. He is managing 1.3 ha of agro- Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 104 forestry including 0.26 ha arecanut, and 0.26 ha bamboo and 0.4 ha forest tree plantation. Evidence: With the profit he made in his farming, he owns a tractor, one power pump set and a spray machine. Under the constant guidance of KVK scientist, he was awarded best farmer for Kokrajhar district by District Agriculture Office, Kokrajhar in 2011. Courtesy -KVK, Gossaigaon, Assam 42. Massive orange cultivation in Assam- Meghalaya border brings prosperity Situation: The orange growers hailing from villages like Bandorgog, Marlap, Magursila, Markang, Pithagog, Kolongpur etc., on the Assam-Meghalaya border, had for long been at the mercy of middlemen. Compelled by financial constraints, these farmers had to go for contract- based cultivation, with the middlemen deciding the Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 105 rates of their produce. This area, nestled on a hilly terrain and dominated by the Karbi community, can be described as nature’s paradise in one word. Response: With the support of NABARD and under the initiative of Kalong Kapili, a non-governmental organisation for rural development, the Orange Producers Organization (OPO) was formally organised in Bandorgog village under Nartap Gaon Panchayat, Kamrup (Metro). Around 100 orange growers took membership of OPO so that they can directly sell their produce to the buyers. It helped to get a direct market linkage to maximise the profit margin and the hardships of the orange growers will be minimised. The economically backward orange cultivators have a genuine reason to be happy with support from NABARD, as it has been helping to avail technological benefits to enhance orange production. The State agriculture department and Assam Gramin Vikash Bank are also going to help the orange growers. Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 106 Results: The villages now have a golden hue about them with rows and rows of orange trees bending down under the weight of the ripe fruits. Due to the intervention, the orange growers were getting the price for a small sized orange at Rs 4, the medium sized at Rs 4.50 and the big ones at Rs 5 each. A good price for the cultivators compared to last year. Evidence: The villagers are now leading a comfortable life meeting all the family expenses to live up happily with a high standard of living. Courtesy -NABARD, Assam - N A B A R D Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 107 43. SRI gaining momentum in Arunachal Pradesh Situation: Shri Tapung Tali of Sika Bamin village in East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh was a traditional rice grower to get minimal income which was not sufficient to manage his family expenditure as rice is the sole crop he grows and totally depends on it with no alternative source of income apart from doing occasional daily wage earner. Response: Shri Tali attended a farmers’ training programme conducted by the KVK East Siang, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central th Agricultural University, Pasighat on 26 June 2009 at the Sika Bamin village, where Dr. Debashish Sen, Assistant Professor Agronomy of the college and the resource person of the training delivered a presentation on SRI. A demonstration was done where rice seeds were sown @ 5 kg st th 2 -1 ha on 1 July, 2009 and transplanted on 10 July 2009 in 300 m with wide spacing (30cm X 30cm). Finally, the crop was harvested and an -1 alluring yield of 5.2 t ha was recorded by the farmer. The energetic, educated and highly enthusiastic progressive farmer summarized this Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 108 whole experience of SRI-dhan in Kharif 2009 as a great achievement and joy. Results: In Kharif 2010, Shri Tali adopted the learned technique of SRI 2 and raised Deku in his 2 pura land (1 pura = 5360 m ) in the month of July. Dean, CHF visited Shri Tali’s plot during peak growth of the crop and addressed 52 visiting farmers in training programme conducted by the KVK of college. Everybody present in that gathering was astonished to see the bumper growth of SRI crop of Deku. Followed by the success, Shri Tali was inspired to continued with the SRI technologies incorporating more area under rice. Evidence: Shri Tali is a happy man and could manage all the expenses needed for daily family expenditure. Inspired by the success he achieved, many youths turned up to take up SRI technology as income generating activity. Courtesy-Mr. S.M. Hussain, SMS, KVK East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 109 44. Strawberry cultivation setting high hopes in Saiha of Mizoram Situation: Pu Lalsiama aged 60 is a progressive farmer living in Niawhtlang III, 10 km from Saiha, Mizoram. He had experimented different farming since 1982 in his 2 ha plot of land. To his misfortune, he could not get satisfactory profit from any of these farming due to certain natural calamities. Response: Being an adamant person, after many years of incurring losses, he once met an expert from KVK Saiha in 2010. The experts advised and persuade him to take up strawberry farming. At that time, Pu Siama’s wife was sceptical initially, but their passion for experiencing new things motivated them to have another try. Pu Siama got around 65 tissue cultured roots from KVK, Saiha. Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 110 Result: That was a turning point in his life. Continuing his innovative spirit, gradually began to make profit. He annually makes a profit that sums up to Rs 4 lakhs and the number keeps on increasing each year. Evidence: Now, Mr Lalsiama dreamt of making his village to be known as ‘Strawberry Village’. Even, many families of this village took up strawberry farming and the total profit in 2014 amount to around 30 lakhs. They supplied strawberry to different parts of Mizoram. Courtesy--ATMA, Saiha, Mizoram Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 111 45. Polyculture and Breeding succeeds in Arunachal Pradesh Situation: Shri Kahi Saroh of Ledum village had inclination towards culture of fishes since his youth time. He started the fish farming activity in the year 2010 by renovating a old pond constructed by his father nearby his village. Despite his continuous effort, he could not meet his goal due to lack of technical knowhow in the subject of fish farming. Response: Shri Kahi attended a farmers’ training programme organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra East Siang, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat on Aquaculture Practices in the year 2011. During the training programme he interacted with the KVK Scientists and actively Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 112 participated in the field visit programme. The Subject Matter Specialist Fisheries explained him the remedial measures and good management practices for getting better production viz. proper cleaning of aquatic weeds present in the pond manually, removal of excess mud and organic load as well as increase the pond depth at least 1.5 m, facility of inlet and outlet pipe for controlling the water flow, removal of big size rocks which may create hindrance during netting operation, proper stocking and feeding by following the composite fish farming system. Result: Shri. Saroh was convinced with the SMS Fisheries and started to take technical support and guidance from the Kendra. The Kendra initiated Front Line Demonstration programme on Fish Farming at his farm in Ledum village. In due course of time as per the suggestion of the Kendra, he approached the District Fisheries Development Officer for financial assistance for pond renovation and construction. He also got support from the Fisheries Department of Arunachal Pradesh under FFDA scheme 2013-14. Due to the continuous efforts made by him today he is earning a sum of Rupees 25,000 to 30,000 per year from his ponds with a dimension of 100 feet x 80 feet and 80 feet x 15 feet. Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 113 Evidence: Seeing his success, other fish farmers of the village also start working on fish farming activities. They have initiated a Fish Farmers Club in the name of Leyi Gumin Fish Farmer Group. The specialty of the group is that the female farmers are also actively participating in the group activities. Courtesy -KVK East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh 46. Sericulture at Thuampui – an emerging economic venture Situation: Thuampui is a small village of Lunglei block and is around 71 km from Lunglei of Mizoram. Majority of the households are engaged in agriculture and allied activities. The major cultivable crops of the locality are fruits and vegetables( both summer and winter). The production is high in comparison to the available cultivable land. The main problem is on the marketing channel as there is no proper market within and in the neighbouring villages. Pineapple and cabbage are Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 114 produced on a large scale during the season. They are transported to Lunglei and there is no method of post harvest facilities in that locality. Response: ATMA BTT Lunglei introduced sericulture under the cafeteria of activities for Farmer Interest Groups (FIG). The FIG first constituted of 7 family members and out of them, some had previously reared silkworms on a small scale. Initial financial support was given by ATMA with which they maintained a bank account and make monthly contribution among themselves. Before rearing, demonstration and training were provided on mulberry cultivation for the feed. The department of sericulture also provided rearing trays and water harvesting structure. Training and exposure tours were also provided to the members of the group. Result: Currently the cocoons are purchased by the department @ Rs 200 per kg and it sometimes it goes up to Rs 250 per Kg. The department is ready to buy whatever amount is available and thereby minimising the marketing constraints. Evidence: Followed by the success the FIG achieved, many neighbouring farmers had come forward to take up sericulture activity Courtesy -ATMA Lunglei, Mizoram Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 115 47. Goatery Farming changes it all in Mizoram Situation: In a small village of Lailak which is 85 kms from Aizawl Mr Vanlalfela, a goatery farmer was struggling to get his livelihood as the daily wage earner is his sole source of income which is meagre to meet the family expenses. Mr Fela had a keen interest for livestock faming and Sailak village had enough pasture in the form of abundant grazing field. Response: The field veterinary officer visited his village and advised him to rear goat since it was suitable with enough grazing ground nearby. He followed his advice and bought a pair of goats out of his savings and some he borrowed from his relatives and started small scale goatery farming. Mr Fela was selected as one of the beneficiary under the RKVY scheme under which he was given a Rs of 1 lakh to expand his farm. With the money he received, he bought high yielding stock of animal and constructed concrete structure for rearing. Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 116 Result: Soon he realised that the goatery is a profitable enterprise as the animal started rapid breeding resulting increasing in numbers in quick succession. He started having regular income from the enterprise in the form of sales of meat and milk. Evidence: Soon, Mr Fela generated a regular income of Rs 3 lakhs every year and started living a life where he could manage all his family expenditure out of the farm income. Mr Fela had make it happen with just a pair of goat and since then, there is no looking back him. Courtesy -DVO, Darlawn, Mizoram Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 117 48. From Ex-Army to Successful Agri-preneur in Kamrup district of Assam Situation: Mr Krishnapoli Bodo, an ex-army aged 55 yrs from Bamunigaon village of Kamrup district is a progressive farmer who after retirement started doing farming owing to his interest in farming activities. Moreover, the pension he used to get was not sufficient to meet the daily expenditure of his family. Response: During his service in Maharastra, he was inspired by visiting an orange orchard owned by a retired army person. Mr Bodo started the farm in his own land of 1.2 ha by investing Rs 4 lakhs. He started planting arecanut and lemon using his own ideas and knowledge. Later, when he came in contact with Kahikuchi, CPCRI, he adopted new scientific knowhow, accommodating more crops like banana, citrus Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 118 and vegetables. Apart from this he has another 1.2 ha of land where he did rice cultivation. He was also supported by a powertiller which he got at subsidized rate from ITDP. Results: Now, his farm has 1100 nos of Arecanuts, 400 nos of lemon, 100 nos of banana along with 0.5 ha of vegetable land. His initial income was Rs.30000.00 per year and at present, his income is about Rs 150,000 in lemon, Rs 8000.00 from lemon sapling, Rs 42,000.00 from Joha rice and Rs 9400.00 from Arecanut. He is assisted by his family members in different farming activities. His gross income is Rs 2 Lakhs per year. He disposed his produces in local bamunigaon market. Evidence: Now, Mr Bodo is leading a comfortable life with his enhanced level of income His farming ideas are followed by 20-25 farmers in the village. Courtesy -CPCRI, Kahikuchi, Assam Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 119 49. Promoting organic farming and entrepreneurship through Farm to Food organization Situation: Mr Samir Ranjan Bordoloi, an agri graduate from AAU, Jorhat was serving as an Agricultural Development Officer in Arunachal Pradesh for a short while. With a strong determination and a vision, he left his job for doing something better for his own farming community. In the beginning, he had to encounter criticisms from different quarters, but he took it all as a challenge and involved went ahead Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 120 Response: Having undergone several trainings and after his exposure visits, he also attended a programme under ACABC organized by MANAGE, Hyderabad. There, he could perceive the importance of organic farming. He also got to know few associated international organizations. With the assistance he got through ACABC, he started establishing one Agro chemical Shop cum Plant Disease Diagnostic Centre at Jorhat city. He extended his help to many youth agri-preneurs and farmers through need-based linkages with financial organizations, NABARD, NGOs, SAUs, KVKs and State Department of Agriculture and allied sectors for support and necessary arrangements. Result: He started engaging rural youths and farmers in organic agricultural practices and attract them towards farming as their livelihood activity. In 2008, Mr Samir had Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 121 established his own NGO to provide environmental education as well as farming to school children. Thus he has gained several years of experience in community engagement, agricultural research and rural development. Now, he is totally engaged in promotion of organic farming with the active involvement of school going rural children in the activities like vermicompost production, kitchen gardening and composting. Few ‘Vermi-villages’ have come up with such efforts. He is extending consultancy services to many private parties and is serving as a Partner in the Hi-Tech MD’s Organic Farm at Cinnamara in Jorhat. He has been adjudged as one of the Best Agripreneur in the country by MANAGE, Hyderabad. . He Evidence: Now, Mr. Samir Ranjan Bordoloi is a renowned personality at the national level amongst all youth agricultural entrepreneurs in India. He has become an active member of Farm2Food foundation which was established in the year 2010 under the leadership of Shri Gaurav Gogoi who is a member of Parliament from Assam and Founder Secretary of the organization. The basic purpose of the organization is to involve rural youths in agriculture by promoting low cost natural farming method to ensure more profit and easy replication by others. The foundation is introducing agriculture as a vocation and organic farming activities in rural colleges so as to attract a young group of farmers towards agri-preneurship. Under his guidance and support, a team of Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 122 farmers made an Overseas Exposure Visit to Thailand and Bangkok last year. Mr Bordoloi is presently an esteemed member of the Board of Management of AAU, Jorhat. Courtesy: Mr S. R. Bordoloi 50. Massive Organic Farming Movement in Biswanath Chariali of Assam through dynamic leadership Situation: Sh. Neelam Dutta is a progressive and innovative organic farmer from the Biswanath Charali, Sonitpur, Assam (India). He has been doing integrated farming for the last 12 years in his own farm with the different components of agriculture and allied sector. He was struggling in the beginning after his father passed away. With the hard work and a sense of dedication, he could efficiently manage the farm, solely with the support of his family. Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 123 Response: He has been looking after his farm with his innovative ideas and through support he got from Agriculture and allied departments. He had undergone one training under ACABC organized by MANAGE, Hyderabad. There he could learn the importance of organic farming and its necessities for sustainable development of farming community. He got several training and exposure visits where he learned the different aspects and prospects of organic farming. Result: He has set up Lakshmi Agricultural Multipurpose Project through which he has been promoting training and developmental activities to youths, farmers and research scholars. He has been coordinating different projects successfully under SAUs, KVKs and State Agriculture & allied departments. He also has developed Pabhoi Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13

Success Stories in NE States | 124 Greens Project which is a composite farm situated in the village of Pabhoi in Sonitpur district of Assam covering around 12 hectares of land. He has been promoting organic agriculture, horticulture and pisciculture through this project and successfully encouraged many youths to take up these activity as the livelihood option. Evidence: Sh. Neelam Dutta was awarded Haldhar Organic Farmer Award, 2014 by ICAR and received it from the hands of Shri R M Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agri & Farmers' Welfare, Govt of India Courtesy: Mr Neelam Dutta Extension Education Institute (NE Region), AAU, Jorhat-13