Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-2017 34. Maize and French Bean Intercropping in East Khasi Hills District of MeghalayaSituation: Maize and other legumes (specially Soy bean) intercropping has beentraditionally practiced in the EastKhasi Hills district. However, thepractice of intercropping French beanin Maize field as an additional crophas not been popularized.Furthermore, the farmers’ practice ofintercropping maize and otherlegumes are not scientific and yield assuch is low.Response: Thus in this regard, the KVK East Khasi Hills selected Smti. Shopsimai, aprogressive farmer in Laitjem village for the intervention of this technology ofintercropping French bean in Maizefield with proper package ofpractices. In the year 2012, VijayComposite variety of maize wasprovided to the farmer forcultivation with Selection 9 Frenchbean variety in a plot of land. For thiscause, trainings were conducted andstandard practices were demonstrated in the field where the farmer sowed the maizeseeds in lines with regular spacing of row to row and plant to plant with 1:1 ratio ofMaize and French bean. The importance of nutrient management in the field wasemphasized to the farmer and recommended practices was encouraged.Extension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat 44
Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-2017Result: The introduction ofintercropping of French Bean withMaize has brought about smilesto this particular progressivefarmer as she has been able toconsolidate her income level fromthe harvest of two crops from thesame area at different timesduring the year. An average of 3.2tonnes per hectare of maize was harvested at a rate of Rs. 12 per kg with a return ofRs. 43532.00. The average yield of french bean was 6.7 tonnes per hectare at a rate ofRs. 20 per kg giving a return of Rs. 133960.00. The total cost of cultivation for both thecrops was Rs. 58948.72 and the net return was Rs. 113543.28 with a Benefit cost ratioof 3.01.Evidence: The introduction of intercropping French bean in maize proved successfulwhere French bean provided a good source of additional income apart from the maincrop and this motivated the farmer to continue this practice in the following years.Witnessing the success of this practice, other farmers in the vicinity of Smti.Shopsimai’s farm are willing to follow this intercropping.Source: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, East Khasi Hills District, MeghalayaExtension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat 45
Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-2017 35.Silkworm rearing boosting economic status in Serchhip District, MizoramSituation: Mr. K. Lalchhuanawma S/o Chuailova started Silkworm rearing in 2011.When he first started out he had only one 1 Acre of land, he took a keen interest inSilkworm rearing so he prepared his land for Mulberry Plantation but he did not haveany experience or skill. He had been attending Farmers Training conducted by ATMA,which further encouraged him to take up Silkworm rearing as a profession.Response: With the help ofATMA and DSO staffs, SerchhipDistrict, he gained knowledgeand skills in Mulberry Plantationand Silkworm through differentFarmers Training,demonstrations, Farm Schooletc. conducted by ATMA.Result: In his journey to become a successful farmer, he faced lots of difficulties butwhen he faced difficulties, he did not give up but works harder than before whichresulted in the growth of his production. So, during the year 2012, he reared 5 crops(200 Kg @ Rs. 250/Kg) and his production was Rs. 50,000/-. In 2013 and 2014 hereared 150 dfls per crops and reared 5 crops and he was able to earn an annualincome of Rs.75, 000/-. In 2015, he reared 7 crops i.e. 250 dfls per crop and hisproduction is 300 kgs of Mulberry Reeling Cocoons amounting to Rs. 1, 00,000. Heaims at taking his production level to new heights in the coming year.Evidence: Mr. K. Lalchhuanawma has become a role model among Sericulturefarmers for the success he achieved and inspired others to work hard and take upSericulture as their main profession.Source: ATMA, Serchhip District, Mizoram 46 Extension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat
Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-201736. Cultivation of Water melon under water stress condition: Success of a farmer in North Pulinpur, TripuraSituation: Water melon is beinggrown since prehistoric time inIndia. Tahkirai Debbarma is anotherfarmer of North Pulinpur village. Heis a school teacher but he and hisfamily is involved in farming sincelong back. He is basically a paddyand vegetable farmer.Response: As a high value crop for the first time with the initiation and technicalguidance of KVK a trial on watermelon cultivation was done in the field of TahkiraiDebbarma in an area of about 0.32 ha.Result: To grow watermelon in anarea of 0.32 ha he has spent anamount of Rs. 50000/- and heearned a net profit of Rs.1, 05, 000/-. He has benefited very much fromthis project and has now showninterest in extending the land areaunder watermelon cultivation.Evidence: Now he not only makes a lot of money but also he is the pioneer ofwatermelon cultivation in the village. Other farmers of the village are now lookingupto him as an inspiration and are very much eager to grow watermelon.Source: Mr. D. Nath, SMS (Agricultural Extension) and Programme Coordinator (I/C), KVK,West TripuraExtension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat 47
Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-2017 37. Strawberry turns fruitful in Nalbari, AssamSituation: Monocropping is very much prevalent throughout the state. Mr. NirmalHaloi of Panigaon, Nalbari was also following rice monocropping for a long period oftime. He was not satisfied with the productivity and the financial outcome of hisfarming.Response: In 2012 he formed a farmer’s club alongwith his fellow farmers and thenby combining with other such farmers club they formed a FPO named Krishak Kalyanunder NABARD. They took up paddy and mustard cultivation. He started earning goodprofit out of his venture. Two years back in 2014 the District Agricultural Office,Nalbari called 4 farmers including him and trained them regarding ‘strawberrycultivation’ and also provided them with certain inputs required for strawberrycultivation such as the seedlings, dripkit system for irrigation and mulching material.Result: He along with one other farmer named Hemen Barman started cultivatingstrawberry in individual farms 2 years back in 2014. At first he tried to sell his productin the local market of Nalbari but was facing problem as people were reluctant to buythe fruit as it was a new thing for most of them. He then decided to start packing andlabelling the strawberry inpackets of half kg. After packinghis product people started to buythe product. He also stratedselling his produce other nearbyplaces like Belsor, Moriyadonga,Borbhat etc. During the last yearhe earned a total profit of Rs35000 from just 2 bighas of land.By seeing the profit he decided to increase the area of cultivation.Extension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat 48
Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-2017Evidence: At present he is cultivating strawberry in 10 bighas of land and is getting agood crop. His success is evident from the fact that by seeing this new and profitableventure other farmers has now approached him to learn the techniques of strawberrycultivation. 38.Cultivation of early radish brings success to Bijoylal Majumderin TripuraSituation: In Tripura the production of vegetables is low during the monsoon perioddue to heavy rainfall and unfavorable conditions. Tripura depends on neighboringstates (Meghalaya) for itsvegetable requirements duringthe period. Mr. BijoylalMajumder is a farmer ofBatapura village, he and hisentire family are involved inagriculture. He is a grower ofrice, vegetables and also rear livestock.Response: Under the project NHM, Divyodaya Kirshi Vigyan Kendra as atechnological intervention has initiated the growing of early radish at Batapura village,Purbaramchandraghat Grampanchayats of the district Khowai Tripura. Under technicalguidance of DKVK Mr. Majumder has grown Radish Var. Ivory White in an area ofaround 0.064 ha.Result: For growing radish he has spent an amount of Rs 4800 and he earned a netamount of 9600(gross return: 14400). And the farmer was quite profitable.Evidence: Mr. Majumder has further improved his socio-economic status and hasdecided to increase the area under radish cultivation in the next year.Source: Mr. D. Nath, SMS (Agricultural Extension) and Programme Coordinator (I/C), KVK, WestTripuraExtension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat 49
Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-2017 39.SRI method boosting rice production in Serchhip district, MizoramSituation: T. Bualzika is one of the most successful WRC-I rice cultivator. He has beencultivating rice the traditional way but was unable to reap major benefits out of it.Response: He cultivated DRRH-II variety taken from Agriculture Department,Serchhip District and he appliedSRI method starting frompreparation of nursery.Result: During the year 2011 -2012, he harvested 36 Qtls ofrice grain and during the year2012-2013, he harvest 43.65 Qtlswhich amount to a sum of Rs.109.125 thousand at the local rate. He continue to cultivate new variety of Rice ieCAU-R1 during 2013-2014, he harvested 50 Qtls of rice amounting to Rs 125Thousand. And the last year during 2015-2016, he harvested 60 Qtls of Rice whichamount to a sum of of Rs 150 Thousand approximately.Evidence: As an evidence of his success, he was awarded the best farmer underSerchhip District, ATMA during 2012 and he was also awarded the best farmer withinSerchhip District by Directorate of Agriculture during the year 2013. His success gaveinterests to other farmers and encourages them that hard work and interests togethercan give a real success and happiness in life.Source: ATMA, Serchhip District, MizoramExtension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat 50
Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-2017 40.Production of off-season exotic vegetables in East Khasi Hills District, MeghalayaSituation: Lumwahkrem is a village inCherrapunjee where the monsoonseason starts from May and ends inOctober. This prolonged monsoonperiod confines the growing season ofthe village to the months of Novemberto April. This peculiarity makes itpossible for the farmers to produce off-season vegetables which fetches a handsomeprice in the market. To add to this, the village of Lumwahkrem produces vegetableswhich are grown organically. Their produce are devoid of any chemical fertilizers andpesticides. This special feature of their produce has made them popular among theresidents of Cherrapunjee and Meghalaya as a whole.Response: The office of the KVK, East Khasi Hills conducted PRA in the village tolearn of the cropping pattern, problems faced by the farmers and knowledge of exoticvegetables. Upon studying the village and their agricultural practices, the KVK, EKHmade an effort to introduce Broccoli in the village. They wanted to create awarenessof exotic vegetables to the farmers of Lumwahkrem village. Therefore, inorder to addto the income of the farmers and to introduce them to exotic vegetables , the KVK inthe year 2014-15 Introduced Broccoli variety Solan Green Head as an On Farm Trial inthe area. Training on Package of practices of Broccoli was given to the farmers.Demonstration on nursery raising of broccoli was also done.Result: With the introduction of broccoli, which grew very well in their village, theywere able to increase their income. At the time Broccoli was a new exotic vegetableExtension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat 51
Inspiring Agricultural Extension Initiatives In NE States 2016-2017and it fetched a slightly higher price in the market compared to the other vegetables.As the farmers of Laitkynsew grew organic broccoli,they were able to sell their produce at a price of Rs. 80/kg and the Broccoli leaves soldat a price of Rs. 30/ bunch.Evidence: As a result of the good production of Broccoli in the village in the initialstages, the farmers have started growing broccoli regularly. The office of the KVK, EKHwas able to conduct Frontline demonstration of Broccoli in 2015-16. The number offarmers growing broccoli havegrown from the initial 10numbers to almost all thefarmers residing inLumwahkrem village.Source: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, EastKhasi Hills District, Meghalaya Extension Education Institute(NE Region), AAU, Jorhat 52
Operational Area of EEI (NE Region)EXTENSION EDUCATION INSTITUTE (NE REGION) Govt of India, Ministry of Agriculture Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-13 Phone: 0376-2340133 Fax: 0376-2341227 E-mail: [email protected]
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