Empowering farmers: The socio-economic impact of Krishi Vigyan Kendra's need based technological interventions

Introduction

In India Agricultural Science Centers commonly known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) were established in 1974 during last fifty years of journey KVK system successfully disseminated the knowledge through the On Farm Trials (OFTs), Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs), farmers training based on principle of 'Seeing is believing" & "Learning by Doing". The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Baramati is a Hi-tech, National & International Award Winning KVK, working since August 1992, and has completed the three decades of dedicated services for farming community. Total geographical area of Pune District is 15.62 lakh ha out of which cultivable area is 11.73 lakh ha. Rainfall in various talukas of Pune district is extremely different ranging from 750 mm in 45 days in Scarcity zone to 3000 to 6000 mm in Ghat zone. So major cropping patterns observed are Rain-fed Mixed, Semi-arid Rain-fed, Cannel Irrigated Sugarcane-Horticulture-Livestock based, River Irrigated Sugarcane-Horticulture-Livestock based, Rice based Farming System, Rainfed Sorghum-Livestock based etc. But due to the frequently changing environmental conditions, Pest and disease attack, lack of availability of inputs, knowledge & precised recent information farmers are facing the yield losses. So, in this milieu KVK, Baramati works in Baramati, Indapur, Purandar, Daund, Hveli, Bhor & Velha tehsils of Pune district for sustainable development in agriculture by reducing the time lag between technology transfers from research institutions to farmer's field. More focused interventions were designed on field crops, Horticultural crops and animal husbandry as per Marginal (less than 1.0 ha) Small (1-2 ha) Medium (2-4 ha) & Large (greater than 4) class of farmer. It had helped in increasing production, productivity and income from agriculture and allied sectors. Management practices in Soybean and Chickpea [4] , Used of BBF technology [8] .  Introduced new high yielding & resistant varieties like MACS-1188 and KDS-726 which has increased the yield by 33% [9] .  Conducted the Intervention on Integrated Farming System (IFS) with Agri-Hort-Dairy farming system model. It consists of HF cow, Use of silage technology; loose housing in Pomegranate orchids and Rabi sorghum based farming system components which has doubled the farmer's income.  In Sugarcane farming intervention consisting of use of settling with INM, drip fertigation techniques and use of in situ trash decomposing along with 2 ratoon crops was followed it was found helpful for increasing the Productivity [1] .  Introduction of Biofortifed Groundnut variety Girnar-4, having more than 80% of oleic acid content was proved to be a business opportunity for farmers for production of cold pressed oil from it.

 In Rice cultivated areas, intervention based on use of SRI technology and use of certified seed of Indrayani variety was found to be economical to the farmers of Bhor Taluka in Pune district  IPM Technology: Intervention based on use of integrated pest management technology to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases in field was useful in reducing excessive use of chemicals in the field [5] .  Use of advanced Mechanization on fields of farmer enabled the farmer for efficient and effective use of all inputs including water, seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers. It has also reduces spoilage and harvest losses which eventually resulted into cost reduction. The fertilizers were applied directly to the root zones of the plants & the total amount of fertilizer applied was reduced, resulting in average saving of 25-50% of the total cost of cultivation.  Bio fertilizer & Bio pesticides: Due to awareness program initiated by KVK farmers were able to minimize the cost of production [3] .  Irrigation System: use of drip irrigation system in their fields saved water & reduced soil erosion. Also proved to be cost effective.  Technical Guidance: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Baramati helped the Farmers Producer Companies, Self Help Groups, Startups and even individual farmers through providing technical guidance as per requirement as consequence of which Group of farmers/farmers in contact not only improved their package of practices for high quality production but also started to export their produce in other state & countries.

Horticulture Crops

Animal Husbandry

 Intervention consisting of Animal Health and Nutritional Management [7] for improving the productivity of milch animals through Assessment and Demonstration of Area specific Minerals mixture, CMT kits for prevention of mastitis was carried out for quality milk production.

 Demonstration and promotion of Silage making Technology for rainfed area, Supply of silage bag, silage culture etc. also Green fodder was made available throughout the year. This dry matter intake helped to increase in Milk Production by 16%-24%.  Promotion of Backyard poultry and supply of vaccinated Birds like Vanraja, Kaveri helped in generating additional source for livelihood of rural women farmers.  Demonstration & introduction of fodder varieties like Phule Gowardhan of Marvel, Hybrid Napier varieties like RBN-13, BHN-10, COBN -5, Super Napier, Multi-cut-Sorghum varieties like COFS-29, Lucerne RLS-88, Hedge Lucerne and Marvel for Alkaline soils which helped to improve the productivity and milk yield [9] .  Assessment and Promotion of Loose Housing System for dairy animal had helped to reduce labours cost and mastitis, Awareness campaign & Training for promotion of loose housing system helped to improve milk yield by 17% and reduce labour by 50%.  Capacity building program for scientific management of Cross breed dairy Animals, Goat like Osmanabadi and Beetle, Supply of breeding bucks also helped in income generation.

Fisheries

 Promotion of Fish farming with improved breeds like Rohu, Cypreneus, & other varieties like Catla, Mrugal, Tilapia through demonstration activities.  Capacity building training programs in Bio-flock fish farming, Fish farming in Farm pond, Aquaponics opened new horizons for fish farmers in area. By using this Fish water to farm helped to increase Avg. yield 20 % -30 % and also reduced fertilizer cost by 30% [6] . per cent [11] . [11] .

Non-Farming Enterprises

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementWe are thankful to The Hon. Chairman of Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati & Indian Council of Agriculture, New Delhi, ICAR ATARI Zone-VIII, Pune for providing inspiration & opportunity.

References

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