PROJECT BY GVCL & ATMA AT Keonjhar_2009

Maize Production in Kharif-2009 at Keonjhar

Grambhumi Vikash Cooperative Ltd(GVCL) is currently executing a project in PPP mode with Agriculture Technology Management Agency(ATMA)In 3 Blocks in Keonjhar District.

Major Objectives: •Enhancement of Maize productivity ;•Ensuring remunerative price to the farmers through strengthening the market linkages

Methodology:•Adequate and timely supply of farm inputs – credit, seed, manures, farm machinery, bio pesticides etc•production technology extension including training on post harvest technology, Training on modern maize cultivation methods, Spreading awareness on commercial agriculture• formation of farmers interest groups/ goshtis, and their capacity building through appropriate training.• Procurement of maize at remunerative price

Phase 1:Distribution of Inputs: seed, fertiliser etc.- Meeting with SHG members to discuss distribution of Inputs

Phase 1:Distribution of Inputs: seed, fertiliser etc.- and on field training to farmers

Sowing of seeds being demonstrated to a farmer at Jatra village

Phase 1:Distribution of Inputs: seed, fertiliser etc.- and on field training to farmersActual on field demonstration to a farmer in Banspal Block

Phase2:Technical Training and Capacity building

Demonstration on pesticide spraying

Phase2:Technical Training and Capacity building

Benefits of forming farmers’ interest group being explained to farmers

Phase2:Technical Training and Capacity building

Inspection by officers of the Deptt of Agriculture, and their interaction with the women members of the Farmers’ SHG

Phase2:Technical Training and Capacity building

A 46 acre maize demo patch of land belonging to several farmers at Raiguda in Banspal Block

Phase2:Arrangement of finance from Microcredit organisation

Visit to farmers’ field by executives of one of India’s biggest micro credit organisations.

Phase 2:Post Harvest Management Training

Maize stored by farmers after harvest in Banspal Block

Phase2:Post Harvest Management Training

Use of maize sheller by one of the beneficiary woman farmer

Phase 3: Purchase of maize from farmers

Procurement hubs established by GVCL to provide a meeting place for buyers- sellers of maize.

Overview & Suggestions

• There is considerable scope for larger maize coverage in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Deogarh and adjacent tribal districts having a preponderance of abiotic stress because maize hybrids have been found to give higher yield under stress conditions than various other crops including upland rice

• According to the ICAR, the national yield is half of the average yield obtained in the demonstration. This is due to lack of quality seeds at affordable rates , inability of the farmers to invest in quality inputs, and lack of adoption of new technology. There is a strong case for taking up maize production under programs like RKVY where allocation of funds are much higher.

• Longer period of handholding and capacity building efforts need to be carried out in the tribal districts as for a variety of socio cultural reasons the degree of absorption of modern farming techniques is quite unsatisfactory.

• In the tribal districts where malnutrition is widespread, Quality Protein Maize (QPM) hybrids need to be promoted because of their tremendous nutritional significance

Overview & Suggestions

• More credit need to reach the farmers to buy inputs etc. On its part, GVCL has been collaborating with Bandhan, a micro credit organisation having a total loan outstanding of Rs.928 crores as on September,2009.

• Greater investments need to be made in mechanized cultivation of maize, especially in harvesting and threshing operations

• Farmers themselves need to be trained to produce hybrid seeds in their fields . This will bring down the cost of the seeds, and make it available to larger numbers of small and marginal farmers.GVCl has been a seed producer and supplier of white sesamum/paddy seeds to National Seed Corporation.

• More numbers of Farmers Groups need to be formed for better crop planning and management , and those groups need to handle their own affairs with assistance from Cooperatives/ NGOs. GVCL has carried out such projects with the assistance of NABARD.

• This project needs to be extended to other crops particularly paddy so that a sustainable system can be worked out in future.

Thank you