National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) completion report.pdfNational Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems

National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP)

Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and

Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed Areas Project Completion Report

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Santoshnagar, Hyderabad 500 059, A.P., India

Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI)

Compiled and Edited by K.V. Rao, K.V.N. Raju, J.V.N.S. Prasad, Sreenath Dixit

Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Y.G. Prasad, R. Murali, N.L.N. Reddy, B. Anuradha and I. Bhaskara Rao

Citation: K.V. Rao, K.V.N. Raju, J.V.N.S. Prasad, Sreenath Dixit, Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Y.G. Prasad, R. Murali, N.L.N. Reddy, B. Anuradha and I. Bhaskara Rao (2012). Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed Areas - Project Completion Report. Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santoshnagar, P.O. Saidabad, Hyderabad 500 059, Andhra Pradesh, p:32.

Published by Director, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (ICAR), Santoshnagar, Hyderabad, 500 059, Andhra Pradesh, India. Phone: 040-24530177 (O), 24532262 (R) FAX: 040-24531802/245353336 Web: http://www.crida.in

No. of Copies : 250

Designed and Printed at: HERITAGE PRINTERS Plot No. C-15, Shed No.3 IDA, Uppal, Hyderabad-39 [email protected]

NAIP - MARI Project Report 2012

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Dr. B. Venkateswarlu Director and Consortium Leader Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

“Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and Efficient Support

Systems in Rainfed Areas” was implemented between September, 2007 and March 2012 in selected

village clusters in eight backward districts of Andhra Pradesh. Jaffergudem cluster of Warangal district

was one of the project sites. It has produced some significant outcomes in terms of improving of rural

livelihoods in the cluster. The challenge of improving rural livelihods was approached by implementing a

range of interventions such as nutrient management, rainwater harvesting, post-harvest value addition,

market linkages and weather-based insurance products. Important interventions such as rainwater

harvesting, zero till maize cultivation, backyard poulty, and capacity building of rural youth and women,

with a balanced approach to both on and off farm enterprises were successful. The project also set up

a system for leveraging ICTs for knowledge empowerment of the rural community. One of the areas in

which NAIP sub project implemented by CRIDA and MARI spent much of their time was in facilitating

convergence between different schemes operated by the state and the central governments. As part

of this, line departments at the district level were engaged through a process of consultation and

discussion so as to achieve maximum convergence of these schemes at the base level. Besides,

Navakalpana Society a community organization was promoted for articulating the needs of the

community and playing a catalyst role in leveraging development assistance to give maximum impact

for the people. It is heartening to see the Navakalpana Societies developing as a body of enthusiastic

members who have taken over the mandate of the project so that the changes promoted by the project

will sustain for a long time to come.

Foreword

(B.Venkateswarlu) Director

Hyderabad March 24, 2012


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MARI has for a long associated with livelihood systems in rainfed areas. Implementation of NAIP Component 3 sub project on “Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed Areas” in Jaffergudem cluster, Warangal with the technical support and guidance of Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), ANGRAU, IKISAN and ICRISAT was a good opportunity for MARI for finding solutions for many of the issues concerning the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. The project contributed largely to strengthening agriculture and livestock production systems through natural resource management. Besides, it helped build supporting institutions to improve livelihoods of vulnerable groups.

The project’s initiative in bridging the institutional vacuum of organising farmers by forming and strengthening a farmer’s cooperative (i.e., Navakalpana Society) as an alternative structure paid significant dividends. The infrastructure developed under the project, the corpus built through farmers’ contribution and linkages established with different line departments indeed helped farmers adopt resource conservation technologies more effectively.

One of the major achievements of the project was mobilization of over Rs.7.2 million through convergence from various government programmes. While this was a core strategy of MARI in all its interventions, the support and guidance of CRIDA enriched this process. The learning from this is being used in other projects of MARI. MARI recognized the need for carrying out the changes brought in by NAIP and has developed strategies and options for post-project sustainability. This report provides insights on all such efforts.

I would like to thank Dr. B. Venkateswarulu (Director, CRIDA) for his support and guidance in implementing this project. Dr. Sreenath Dixit (Consortium Principal Investigator) besides pro-actively facilitating project implementation was always with us and provided necessary support for achieving desired outcomes. Dr. K.V. Rao (Leader of cluster coordination monitoring team) was always available for any need and extended whole hearted support. The government officials, scientists from Regional Agricultural Research Station and Krishi Vigyana Kendra of Warangal district actively involved in this initiative. My special thanks to them for their support and encouragement.

I also would like thank Sri K. Viswanatha Raju, RA, NAIP and Mr. P. Yugandhar, SRF for their dedicated work in field. MARI is also grateful to Sri NLN Reddy, Executive Director Programmes (MARI) for all his support in compiling this report of this project. Last but not least, our grateful thanks to people in project villages of Kusumbaithanda, Yapalagaddathanda, Yerrakuntathanda, Cherlathanda, Jalthanda, Enyathanda, Korrathanda and Thallathanda for their active partnership, energetic efforts and cooperation in driving this project towards the achieving the set objectives.

R. Murali Secretary - MARI

Preface


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1. Introduction . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 1

1.1 Project Area .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1

2. Project Stategies . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 2

2.1 Natural Resource Management .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4

2.2 Efficient use of harvested water through micro irrigation. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7

2.3 Productivity Enhancement .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8

3. Livestock Interventions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18

4. Convergence .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20

5. Development of Institution and Infrastructure .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22

5.1 Custom Hiring Centre .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .23

5.2 ICTs for Knowledge Sharing . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .24

6. Post Project Sustainability .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24

6.1 Institutional Arrangements .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .24

6.2 Capacity Building of Stakeholders .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .24

Contents


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1.0 IntroductionNational Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) was an initiative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Government of India. The component 3 of the project1 focused on improving livelihoods in rainfed areas through application of agricultural technologies. This was implemented in eight districts of Andhra Pradesh between 2007 and 2012. Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI) implemented component 3 in Warangal district with the technical support and guidance of Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA). It may be noted that ANGRU, IKISAN and ICRISAT provided specialist support in implementation of the project.

Established in 1998, MARI provides support to a wide variety of activities (social development, NRM, sustainable agriculture, and livelihoods) by emphasising the primacy of local capabilities and needs. Its mission is to promote strong community-based organisations (CBOs) of the poor and disadvantaged, enabling them to mobilise resources from within, government and other agencies, and guide them to towards sustainable development.

National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) was initiated by MARI in 2008 with the technical support of CRIDA to address the above concerns in watershed areas.

1.1 Project AreaMARI implemented the component 3 of NAIP in Jaffergudem cluster consisting of seven hamlets and the village of Jaffergudem located in Raghunathapally mandal of Warngal district2. The total number of households in the cluster was 689. The analysis of social profile showed that majority households belonged to either ST category (48%) or other Backward castes (445). The rest of households belonged to SC (7%) and OC category (1%). Of the total population of 3286, about 50% was literate, which was lower in the case females (42%).

The land use pattern indicated that 75% area (1551 ha) was under crops, followed by 17% (359 ha) under uncultivable waste and 8% (160 ha) degraded ftorests. The soild under cluster are alfisols. The major crops grown in the area were cotton, Paddy and Maize. Other crops such as groundnut, caster, tobacco, cowpea and seasamum were grown in small area. The important source of irrigation included small tanks (5), wells and tube wells. It may be noted that a majority of well snad tube wells were dried up.

Agriculture was mainstay in the cluster. More than half of the households in the cluster were small and marginal farmers (52%), followed by medium (31%) and large framers (10%). About 7% of the households were landless. Some of the households were also subsisting on livestock. At the beginning of the project there were 1332 bovine and 2036 small ruminant population in the cluster. It was reported that only 30% of households have access to institutional finance. There was greater dependency on moneylender, which forces many a household to exploitation. The problems and constraints faced by farmers in the cluster were as follows:

1 “Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Framing systems Productivity and Efficient Support systems in Rainfed Area”2 This project was implemented in seven other districts of AP by other partners namely KVK -Adilabd, SAIRD-Gaddipllay, AAKRUTHI, WASSAN and BIRD.


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• Mono cropping of paddy and cotton leading to over exploitation of soil and ground water.Farmers were engaged high input agriculture, thereby excessively dependent on external inputs.

• Agricultureandwageemployment (includingmigration)aremajor sourceof livelihoods.

• Lowproductivityofpaddy (1.4 ton/acre) andcotton (0.4 to0.6 ton /acre)production

• 50acresof saline landpredominantlyused forpaddycultivation

• Very low levelsofdairyandvegetable cultivationdespitegoodopportunities

• Lackofknowledgeof efficient implementsand technologies; and

• Indebtednessdue toexcessivedependencyonprivatemoneylenders for credit.

2.0 Project StrategiesThe strategy followed by the project was an integrated approach to address the problem of poor productivity and profitability through use of productive technologies. Towards this end, an analysis was carried out with the participation of farmers, scientists and line departments3 to identify broad indicators. The farmers in the cluster were encouraged to play a major role in the decision-making process to identify constraints, find options, design experiments and adopt suitable technologies. The problem analysis indicated that farmers needed access to appropriate production technologies, reliable sources of agronomic information, adequate and timely supplies of inputs at accessible points, credit at reasonable rates, favourable relationship between input costs and crop values, crop insurance, and markets with a stable price.

Subsequently, the planning meetings were held before start of Kharif and rabi season every year with the involvement of farmers, scientists from RARS (Warangal) and CRIDA, and line departments. This strategy was necessary to options for each of the problems identified by farmers, design experiments and replicate. Crop based interventions, NRM activities and livelihood activities to be implemented in the ensuing seasons were finalised in the Grama Sabhas.

Table 1: Important interventions implemented during the project period season wise

Year Season Interventions

2007-08 Rabi 1. Seed multiplication of greengram Cv. WGG-37, WGG-02 2. SRI cultivation

2008-09 Kharif Rainfed 1. Cotton sole crop with a spacing of 60 x 30 cm2. Cotton + Redgram with 4:1 ratio3. Control of Redgram wilt

Irrigated 1. SRI cultivation2. Green manuring with Dhaincha in Paddy3. Introduction of new high yielding varieties of paddy, WGL-444. Capacity building for azolla and vermicompost production

Rabi Irrigated 1. Promotion of cowpea crop cultivation and groundnut seed production2. Scaling up of onion cultivation3. Introduction of zero tillage maize4. Promotion of vegetable cultivation5. SRI cultivation

2009-10 Kharif Rainfed 1. Upscaling of closer spacing in cotton (90 x 60 cm) to 100 acres2. Cotton, maize and cotton + redgram (6:1) ratio3. Green manuring in cotton

3 The process was aimed at creatively linking the knowledge of scientists with the local wisdom of people in order to overcome limitations of cultural or technical biases.


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Year Season Interventions

4. Foliar spray of nutrient solution in Bt cotton5. Green leaf manuring in paddy6. Seed production in groundnut and greengram7. INM trials in cotton8. Community spraying in redgram9. Farmponds-7

Rabi Irrigated 1. Zero till maize after kharif rice2. Introduction of maize after cotton3. Scaling up of onion cultivation4. Seed production in groundnut and greengram5. Promotion of vegetable cultivation6. Community spray

Livestock related

1. Livestock production management2. Sheep unit3. Capacity building

2010-11 Kharif Rainfed 1. Up scaling of micro nutrient application through supply of Zinc, Gypsum, Boran2. Maize and Red gram3. In situ green manuring with dhaincha in rice4. Community seed treatment with Azospirillum5. Control of weed growth in rainfed cotton with herbicide6. Introduction of new cropping system under form ponds, trial plots of castor.7. Plantation of field bunds, wastelands, INM trials in cotton8. Livestock developments- Sheep units9. Capacity building10. Crop insurance for cotton

2010-2011

Rabi Irrigated 1. Promotion of zero till maize2. Drip units to SC, ST, BC3. Maize after cotton4. Community spraying on red gram5. Summer vegetable6. FMD, Deworming to small ruminants7. Form ponds-3

2011-2012

Kharief Rainfed 1. Up scaling of INM trials in cotton2. Soil treatment with Trichoderma, Azospirillum3. Tarpaulin sheets to the farmers4. NRM- New form ponds-25. Desilting of check dams-066. HSBC, ET Vaccination to large ruminants and small ruminants7. Dewarming to Sheeps and goats

2011-2012

Rabi Irrigated 1. Tarpaulin Sheets2. Micronutrient application to paddy

Natural Resource development: The project followed a two-step process while building on the work done by earlier watershed programmes: (i) stabilization of resources; and (ii) addressing gaps in resourcedevelopment. For instance, initially it was thought that farm ponds were not necessary given the ongoingwatershed interventions;however, after careful analysis of gaps, farmpondswere takenupat a later phase. All that it followed was a process to avoid duplication and bring synergy.


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Promoting replicable Technologies: To arrive at replicable technologies or practices, the project facilitated the implementation of a package of tested measures for drought adaptation. In this context, a number of pilots were started, covering agriculture production systems, livestock production systems, natural resource management, livelihoods of vulnerable groups and economic support tools for farmers (e.g., insurance).

Institution Building: The formation and strengthening of a farmer ’s organization, namely Navakalpana Sangham, became a main component of the NAIP for sustainability and greater community participation. The Sangham was formed by drawing members from the Gram Panchayat (GP);CBOssuchas theVillageWatershedDevelopmentCommittee (VWDC),VWSC, self-helpgroups (SHGs)and Raitu clubs); one representative from each of the seven habitations of the cluster; and onefrom landless.

Convergence: The project considered it necessary to tap resources available under various government programmes for productivity enhancement; an effortwas alsomade to reach out to a large numberof small farmers with an improved technological package for productivity enhancement

Capacity building of stakeholders: Another important strategy was capacity building of farmers, Navakalpana Sangham and other actors on a continuous basis

2.1 Natural Resource ManagementModern Architects for Rural India (MARI) took up initiatives to augment rainwater storage capacity through revival of defunct water harvesting structures by mobilising financial support from ongoing government programmes. Participatory analysis of existing rainwater harvesting structures found that besides constructing a large number of stone gully plugs, earthen gully plugs and gabion structures, watershed project has implemented a few sunken ponds, mini percolation tanks (MPTs) and a check dam. And means of these were fully defunct or serving well below their capacity.

As part of this initiative 11 farm ponds were dug, one check dam was repaired 23 dried up wells recharged between 2009 and 2012. In addition, 12 Check Dams were constructed by mobilising resources from MGNREGS. Ensuing this, farmers in the area could avoid protective irrigation and could withstand variability in rainfall. The benefits accrued by farmers from this intervention include (table 2).

Table 2: Impact of water harvestingIndicator Unit Figures Narration

Increase in double crop area

ha 114.5 Increased from 59.5 ha to 174 ha; and the area may further increase in coming years

Protected irrigation ha 2.5 There were only a few cases of need for supplementary irrigationin 2010 as rainfall was well distributed.

Reduction in production loss

Amount/cluster 90000 Improved water availability has reduced production loss

Additional water storage capacity created

Cubic meters 24074 From water harvesting structures constructed under NAIP

Recharging open wells Number 23 Out of 45 dried up wells

Improvement in ground water table

Meters 1.5 to 2.0 In influence zone of check dam

Defunct bore well made functional

Number 21 Likely to increase further

Additional Production Tonnes 58.6 Due to increase in double crop area


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• Additionalstoragecapacityofwaterwascreatedtothetuneof23174cubicmeters.Farmerscouldgive protective irrigation covering cotton, maize and castor crops during Khariff 2010 and 2011.

• Improved availability ofwater to livestock, recharge of borewells and revival of defunct openwells.

• Percolationponds, checkdams, farmponds thatwereeither siltedupor leakingwere takenupfor repair to ensure that they functioned to their potential. A large number of soil mining pits were converted into percolation ponds and farm ponds by reshaping and diverting runoff into them.

• Convergence between NAIP and watershed interventions increased the efficacy of both theprojects and provided optimum benefits to the people in the cluster.

2.1.1 Rainwater harvesting through farm pondsFarmponds 13 numbers were promoted to mitigate intermittent droughts and reduce the moisture stress for khariff crops. The total volume of the 13 farm ponds was about 12325 m3 that could provide a critical irrigation to 32.87 ac of cotton and other rainfed crops with an average irrigation depth of 5 cm (Table 3). The map is showing the location of farm ponds across the cluster (Fig.1).

2.1.2 Renovation of check dam and its influence on water levels in open wellsA check dam that was constructed under earlier watershed development project was leaking.As a result large quantity of rainwater used to flow out as without as without. Farmers requested the project to renovate thestructuresoas tohelp rechargeofborewells /openwells in thesurroundingarea.Thecheck dam was renovated with participatory approach. The work was carried out through navakalpana society and was completed before the cropping season. Groundwater levels in surrounding open wells were monitored periodically. The observation bore wells located at right side were influenced by the

Fig.1 Form ponds constructed across the cluster under the project


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checkdamHowever,observation(openwell)pointswhichwerelocatedontheleftsideofcheckdamand behind the hillocks were not influenced by check dam.

Depth of groundwater levels was observed from six open wells around the check dam. It was noticed that the average depth of water level increased by two to three meters. It was also observed that recharge is inversely proportional to distance from the check dam (Fig.3).

Table 3: Details of farm ponds and their potential use:

Sl. No

Farm Pond Location

Households benefited by farmponds

Water Storage Capacity

(cum)

Total area around the farm pond

(ac)

Potential of one critical irrigation

irrigation, ac

Crops grown

1 Guguloth Srya 3 580 6.5 1.55 Cotton2 Korra Shankar 5 283 8 0.76 Cotton3* Korra Mangya 4 395 7 1.05 Cotton4 Korra Sudhakar 2 450 4 1.20 Cotton5 Moodu Dakya 4 553 10 1.47 Cotton6 Gugulothu Hari 3 468 6 1.25 Cotton7 Moodu Dharma 2 450 7 1.20 Cotton8 Baddula Bixapathi 4 5700 8 15.20 Cotton9 Marati Anjaiah 4 863 6.5 2.30 Cotton

10 Bukya Amarsing 3 431 5.5 1.15 Cotton11 Varda Yadagiri 3 960 5 2.56 Cotton12 Puligilla Anjaiah 1 640 6 1.71 Cotton, Maize13 Karakanti Anjaiah 2 553 8 1.47 Cotton

Total 40 12325 87.5 32.87

Fig.2 Location map of check dam and open wells surrounded by it


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2.1.3 Open well recharge through runoff waterIn the initial PRA and baseline survey, it was observed that groundwater level was declining season by season and some of the open wells and bore wells were completely dry.These were received by diverting runoff from a near by stream after the silt is trapped in a pit.. This initiative served immediate need of water requirement of crops as well as improving ground water levels, besides making use of the defunct structure.

This technique was adopted for 23 open wells in the cluster through which a runoff harvest potential of around 18400 m3 (Table 4) was created.

Table 4: Details of open well recharge through runoff waterSl.No Particulars Details

1 No of farmers benefited 302 No of wells recharged 233 No of villages covered 64 Average catchment area/well 1-2 ha5 Average annual l runoff potential created/ well 800 m3

6 The runoff harvest potential 18400 m3

2.2 Efficient use of harvested water through micro irrigationDrip irrigation method was adopted for cotton and chillies in convergence with Andhra Pradesh Micro Irrigation Project (APMIP). A total of 52 drip systems were grounded against 66 systems approved by APMIP. From the farmers’ feedback and physical observations, it was observed that one acre area could be irrigated within 3-4 hour against 8 to 9 hour in conventional flood irrigation method. Additional one acre of area was brought under assured irrigation under each drip system (Table 5). Earlier, it was hard to give one or two critical irrigations in rainfed crops. After this intervention, it became possible to provide critical irrigation to rainfed crops to alleviate water stress condition. The average yield improvementwasobserved tobe 1q/ac in cotton crop.The total yieldgrowth in cottonunderthe drip systems were about 52 quintals. Use of micro irrigation systems not only contributed towards the water saving but also the labour costs for water application, and costs related to the weed control besides saving on fertilizer and energy.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan

Deot

h to

gro

undw

ater

, m

Month

Fig.3 Groundwater levels in openwells around the check dam

Open well 1 Open well 2 Open well 3Open well 4 Open well 5 Open well 6

Fig.3 Groundwater levels in openwells around the check dam


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Table 5: Details of drip irrigation systems in the cluster

Sl.No Particulars Details

1 No of drip units installed 52

2 Crops grown Cotton: 75 ac Chillies 15 ac

5 Average additional area brought under irrigation per system 1 ac

6 Total additional area brought under irrigation 52 ac

Table 6: Details of pumping water and irrigation application

Sl.No Particulars Details

1 Name of the farmer Varala Raju Madusudhana reddy

2 Name of the crop Maize Paddy Paddy

3 Area (ac) 2 1.5 2

4 No. of irrigations given 8 daily daily

5 Irrigation period, days 3-4 daily daily

6 Irrigation interval, days 7-10 daily daily

7 Pumping duration per day(h) 7 7 7

8 Total volume of water pumping, m3 4726 8234.5 8126

9 Application of irrigation water, mm 590 1356 1004

2.3 Productivity EnhancementIn order to enhance crop productivity, appropriate technological options were promoted on a trial basis initially and later on up scaled to a large scale.

Introduction of new technology

Increase in productivity by increasing plant population by adopting spacing 60x90cm in cotton under rainfed situation. Reduction of risk in rain-fed cotton in chalka soils by inter-cropping cotton with red gram

Introduction of new varieties

Introduction of B.P.H-resistant paddy variety WGL-44 Introduction of short duration groundnut variety TAG24 suitable for kharif under rain-fed conditions. Introduction of wilt-resistant red gram varieties PRG-158,Asha,WRG-53

Soil fertility related interventions

Saline soil reclamation with gypsum in Satyanarayanapuram, Kusumbai thanda. Promotion of green manure (Dhaincha). Application of PSB, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, Azatobactor, Azospirillam in different crops as trial basis.

Farmer’s experience in drip system

“My name is Pallati Raji Reddy a farmer of Satyanarayanapuram village of Jaffergudem Panchayat. I am one of the beneficiaries of drip irrigation.During kharif 2011-12, I cultivated cotton in 1 ac areaIn conventional method 3 labour-days were required to cover the area. Drip system not only addressed the labour problem but also reduced weed infestation. I noticed improvement in yield also. The cotton yield increased by about 1q/ac. It saved irrigation water and electricity. Additional area of 1 ac area of cotton brought under irrigation with the saved water. With my own experience, I can say that drip irrigation system is very essential especially for rainfed farmer. Groundwater could be used judiciously and productivity could be enhanced with drip irrigation. I am very grateful CRIDA and MARI for providing drip systems for 66 famers at one village at a time. This could happen only due to because of the facilities of Navakalpana Society, i got the drip irrigation system without much hassle”


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Crop diversification Zero-tillage maize after kharif rice. Introduction of castor as an alternative to cotton. Promotion of vegetable cultivation in summer

Others Seed production: red gram, green gram and groundnut. Community spraying on red gram for effective control of pod-borer

(i) Increasing the plant population in Bt-cotton under rainfed conditions:Generally farmers follow a spacing of 90 x 90 cm for rain-fed cotton cultivation. As the Bt cotton has determinate growth habit, the plant density was increased from 4840 per acre to 7200 by adopting a spacing of 90 x 60 cm instead of 90 x 90 cm.

Closer spacing in rain-fed cotton was introduced in 2008 in nine locations (covering 9 acres); andupscaled it subsequently to all the farmers in the cluster. The increase in plant population resulted in increasedcropyield from,4.5quintals to6.8quintals /acre.Asconsequenceof thisyield increase, thenet income went by Rs.6000 per acre.

(ii) Cotton-red gram intercropping: Intercropping is a traditional practice in rain-fed areasas a risk mitigation practice. Over the years, farmers have neglected this practice with the emergence of cotton as a major cash crop in this area. And cotton is grown as sole crop in the cluster under rain-fed conditions. During the deficient rainfall years, farmers suffered low yields and incurred financial loss. Average yield of sole crop was 4.5 quintals, which was much lower during drought years.

Sole cotton crop

Cotton with spacing 90 x 60 cm

Cotton + Redgram 6:1 ratio


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Keeping this in view, MARI promoted this practice in order reduce risk of crop failure in drought years and optimize use of nutrients and moisture from different layers of soil and to encourage build up of beneficial insects in the field.

With red gram as intercrop, at different ratios, optimum yields were obtained when 6:1 ratio was followed. The yield of cotton and red gram was 3.5 q and 1.5 q respectively. The increase in income went up from Rs. 18900 to Rs. 22000 with introduction of red gram. Some of the farmers have reported that they got more income from red gram than cotton due to good market price.

(iii) Zero till maize (ZTM) after paddy: Ground water table improved significantly after implementation of watershed projects in Jaffergudem cluster. As a result, the farmers started cultivating rice both in kharif and Rabi seasons under open wells and bore wells. But farmers besides facing water shortage in rabi season, were struggling due to heavy pest problem, power cut or fluctuations in power supply during crop period, salinity in certain patches and hail storm at harvesting stage. Therefore, maize was promoted under zero tillage condition after kharif rice. This helped farmers save water, energy and get better returns.

Process

• Afterharvestofkharifricemaizeseedisdribbledby holding a rope marked with spacing at optimum soil moisture level.

• Spraying of pre-emergence weedicide likependimethalin on next day to control the weed growth.

• Irrigationwasgivenasper theneed.• Basaldoseoffertilizer(DAP)wasappliedat15

DAS stage through placement method.• Top dressing with urea + MOP at 30 and 60

DAS.

Zero till Maize performance in field


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This practice was aimed at avoiding over exploitation of ground water besidesas well as achieving food security. The trails conducted demonstrated usefulness of this practice i.e., shorter crop duration, less investment, less power and water consuming, and more profitable besides avoiding the risk of crop failureduringrabi.ThenetreturnisaboutRs.4300/-acreoverconventionalmaizeandRs.7100/-acreover rice.

Trials were conducted in 2008 in five locations (covering 5 acres). The practice was scaled-up to 20 acres (15 farmers) in 2009-10. Based on this experience one-day training was organized on November 10, 2009 to the farmers in Andhra Pradesh. In order to upscale ZTM in these clusters, farmers practicing paddy – paddy sequence were short-listed and twenty of them (10 each from Jamistapur and Ibrahimpur) were bought to Jaffergudem for exposure visit to ZTM fields on February 27, 2009.

One-day Training course was organized to impart skills for taking up on zero tillage maize. Farmers from Dupahad (Nalgonda) and Jamistapur cluster (Mahabubnagar) at Jaffergudem also participated in the training. Shri Gugulotu Bhema, who was the first farmer to be trained in ZTM by the project acted as a resource person for propagation of this solution.

(iv) Community pest controlMajority of the small, marginal and scheduled tribe farmers cultivate redgram as an intercrop in cotton. The yields of redgram generally affected by pod borers if not controlled in time. Farmers are unable to take up control measures in time because of small holdings, non availability of sprayers, etc. Farmers were motivated to take up control measures in time by pooling up of resources, hiring of sprayers which proved effective in controlling pod borers in redgram. In the year 2009-10 about 50 farmers were involved in the activity. During the year 2010-11 about 70 farmers were involved in community

Advantages

•Sowings canbe taken up immediately after theharvest of kharif rice. This saves 20 to 30 days of time.

•Water consumption is less since the soil is notploughed.

•Germinationwillhigher(over95%)sinceseedissown at optimum depth

•Optimumplantpopulationismaintainedatuniformspacing.

•Power consumption is less.•Labour scarcity is avoided since sowing and

harvesting is completed early.•Moreareacanbecultivatedwiththesameamount

of water and power.•Water shortage at the fag end of the crop is

avoided.•Pestproblem is negligiblewhencomparedwith

rabi Rice.

Zero till maize

I am Gugulothu Bheema. We are cultivating paddy in both the kharif and rabi seasons since long. We got normal yields during the kharif season, but the rabi yields were substantially low due to drying of crop at maturity. This was happening almost every year due to the deficit water supply due to power cuts oe seasonal drying of the borewells. During the rabi planning meeting in the village as part of National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), crop rotation was suggested by scientists from CRIDA and R.A.R.S Warangal. One of the alternatives suggested was zero till maize cultivation in rice fallows. This method of cultivation is done without ploughing and land preparation after the harvest of kharif paddy. Some of us came forward and gave it a try. During 2008, zero till maize cultivation was taken up by five farmers in five acres. We were surprised to see that the normal yields were realised. We also observed that there is substantial reduction in water requirement when compared to paddy, reduction in ploughing cost and labour cost besides overcoming the issue of regular power cuts. The advantage with zero till cultivation is that we can take up immediate sowing of maize after harvesting of kharif paddy, early harvesting of crop, reduced number of irrigations and lower water consumption, higher yields and additional income to the tune of Rs 3000 per acre. Due to the advantages all the farmers in our village adopted this practice since 2009 and the practice is slowly spreading to other villages in the mandal.


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spraying. This ensured control of pest on a large scale there by creating awareness on the need for pest management on larhe scale.

(v) Integrated nutrient management in cotton:During the year 2007, ICRISAT collected 100 representative soil samples covering all the habitations, analysed then and prepared the soil health cards for all the farmers in the village. According to the soil test data nutrients like zinc, boron and calcium were deficient in the soil. Trials were conducted in the 2008-2011 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management practices along with the deficient nutrient application several farmers’ fields. The trials were started in 8 farmers’ fields during the year 2008 and scaled up to 15 farmers in 2009-10 and subsequently to 50 farmers during 2010-11. Table below gives year-wise trails and yield per acre.

SeasonNo. of trials Quantity applied (kgs/acre) Yields Q/acre

No. of farmers

Acreage (acres) Zn B Gypsum Farmers’

practiceInnovative practice

2008-09 8 8 20 1 100 4 5.52009-10 15 7.5 20 1 100 3.2 4.12010-11 50 50 20 1 100 3.4 4.2

(vi) Introduction of bio-productsTo improve the soil fertility and microbial activity the following bio fertilizers were introduced in the cluster. Azospirillum to rice through the root drip method, azolla application to the rice after

Redgram crop without plant protection measure

Cotton crop without Micro nutrient application

Plant protection in redgram on community basis

Crop with Micro nutrient application


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transplantation and trichoderma viridae seed treatment for the control of wilt disease in redgram werepromoted. Out of the above three products, application of azospirillum through the root drip methods gave positive results in the year 2010-11. This practice was up scaled during the year 2011-12. As a result, income went up from Rs. 19,292 to Rs. 20,748

SeasonNo. of trials Quantity applied

(kgs/acre) Yields Q/acre Additional yield

obtainedNo. of farmer Acreage (acres) Azospirillum Farmers’

practiceInnovative practice

2010-11 50 50 @ 1 kg/acre 21.20 22.80 1.60

(vii) Introduction of summer vegetables for higher profitsThe lands were kept fallow during the summer season due to water scarcity, and the farmers used to move out of the village in search of work. Taking advantage of the enhanced water availability due to well planned natural resource management interventions implemented under the NAIP and NABARD watersheds, farmers were encouraged for vegetable cultivation during summer. During the year 2008-09 four farmers cultivated vegetables successfully. Considering the profitability, six farmers have took the cultivation during 2009-10 summer. To encourage more farmers to take-up vegetable cultivation, theNavakalapana society started supplying the suitablequality seed/plantingmaterial.Thispracticelater spread to a siginificant number of farmers who started vegetable cultivation during summer. The returns obtained from the summer vegetable cultivation vis-a-vis the traditional practice is as follows

Brinjal at flowering stage

Dipping of roots in Azosperillum culture at the time of transplantation

Farmer harvesting Tomatoes

Crop at flowering stage


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Year No. of farmers Area cultivated (acres) Gross income (Rs/ acre)

2008-09 4 3 15,500

2009-10 6 4.25 16,000

2010-11 9 6.5 16,460

(viii) Promotion of fodder sorghum cultivationDuring Kharif 2009-10 farmers were anticipating sever fodder shortage as majority of rice fields were kept fallow because of deficit rainfall. To combat fodder shortage, the project encouraged fodder cultivation with 20 farmers Seedwas procured from theDepartment of AnimalHusbandry (AH) and technicalsupport was extended by the project staff. Farmers acceptedfodder sorghum cultivation as a good strategy to combat fodder scarcity during drought situation. Farmers having milch animals took up the fodder cultivation round the year.

(ix) Introduction of Maghi Jowar in rice fallowsRain fall was deficit received during kharif 2009-10. Most of the rice fields were kept fallow and farmers were anticipating fodder shortage. To avoid the fodder shortage and also to ensure food security, the project introduced Maghi Jowar which can grow with the residual soil moisture. Trials were conducted in 4 acres by procuring seed of M 35-1 from Madhira Research Station Khammam. Sowings were taken up in the last week of September 2009. Average grain yield 2.5 Q besides 4 cart loads of dry fodder per acre were realised. A field day was organized on 28.12.2009 and About 60 farmers attended the programme.Most of them appreciated the intervention/ accepted the activity as good option towithstand drought conditions.

Demonstration of fodder sorghum

Performance of Maghi Jowar


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(x) Promotion of post harvest technologyThehabitations (hamlet thandas) are located at distance tomain village Jaffergudemaswell asVRC(village resource center) building. Farmers were facing many hardships in protecting their produce in the fields from rains after. They were getting less price in the market due to improper drying and poor quality. They were also facing problems with drying their produce. Due to poor drying, of their produce suffered quality and thus fetched lower prices. Therefore farmers requested for some solutions to the problem. About 200 Tarpaulin sheets of 18’x36’ size were provided to 200 households on cost sharing basis. This was addressed their problem to a large extent.

(xi) Soil Health and Productivity Enhancement

Participatory soil sampling Soil samples from 350 farmers’ fields covering 9 villages of Jaffergudem cluster of Andhra Pradesh were collected by participation of farmers. Soil samples collected after conducting farmers meeting in each village and depending upon soil type, crop, slope and management, about 30 per cent farmers’ fields were sampled. The identified farmers were made into groups for demonstration of soil sampling procedure. Collected soil samples were labeled with cluster name, village name and farmer’s name. Collected soil samples were tested at the analytical laboratories at CRIDA. Tank silt samples were collected in the clusters and analyzed for salinity to assess their suitability as amendment in light textured red soils. Similarly water samples were tested in some of the clusters to identify water quality and pollution aspects.

Soil analysis and soil health programmeAs soils of rainfed regions are multi nutrient deficient, further productivity enhancement is not possible without optimum plant nutrition. Yield levels of rainfed crops are extremely low leading to low income to farmers. In the present project soil health management through balanced fertilization and integrated nutrient management for productivity enhancement is one of the several interventions for enhancing livelihoods of rural poor.

Distribution of tarpaulin sheets

Farmers meet and explaining participatory soil sampling


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Soil fertility status: Analysis of 350 soil samples in a village indicated that organic carbon content of the soils is low (Table-7). Soil analysis suggest that soils of farmers fields were low available N, low to high in available P and K and low in available Zn content. Other micronutrients Fe, Mn, Cu, etc use in sufficient level.

Table 7. Soil test report of selected farmer’s fields of Jaffergudem cluster, Warangal district, A.P.

Farmer No Location pH EC

(dS/m)OC %

N (kg/ha)

P (kg/ha)

K (kg/ha)

Zn (mg/kg)

Fe (mg/kg)

Cu (mg/kg)

Mn (mg/kg)

1 Jaffergudem 5.2 0.49 0.41 169 45 251 0.47 25.0 0.90 22.3

2 Ramannagudem 5.6 1.61 0.35 156 15 258 0.55 13.1 1.08 16.0

3 Kushmbai thanda

6.0 2.61 0.42 169 37 268 0.48 13.9 0.43 16.2

4 Jaffergudem 6.4 1.28 0.40 194 38 227 0.58 12.6 0.59 11.4

5 Jaffergudem 7.0 0.99 0.43 117 16 122 0.27 8.3 1.14 10.7

6 Jaffergudem 6.6 2.89 0.38 182 30 289 0.77 10.9 0.98 12.0

7 Yapalagadda thanda

6.8 1.08 0.36 194 30 102 0.43 10.9 0.64 18.9


6.8 1.39 0.41 116 29 446 0.52 11.1 1.09 16.1

9 Satyanarayana- puram

6.8 2.21 0.43 194 16 244 0.31 8.7 0.48 18.4

10 Ramannagudem 8.3 3.34 0.49 182 24 309 0.49 10.6 0.89 12.0

Range 5.2-8.3

0.49-3.34

0.35-0.49

116-194

15-45 102-446

0.27-0.77

8.3-25 0.43-1.14

10.7-22.3

Mean 6.6 1.8 0.41 167 28 252 0.49 12.5 0.82 15.4

Site Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM)In Jaffergudem cluster, where farmers’ fields showed high P, P dose was reduced. Potash was not applied at all so far. K was applied in K deficient fields. Similarly Zn, S and B were recommended depending upon deficiency and crop. For legumes and oilseed crops like sunflower, greengram, pigeonpea, sulphur application is essential particularly in S deficient fields. Cotton is very exhaustive crop and required proper attention on nutrient supplementation. Based on individual farmers field soil analysis, SSNM package sheets developed for various crops. For example. SSNM for Bt and non Bt cotton are presented in Table-8 and Table-9.

Table 8. Farmer field’s specific fertilizer recommendation for cotton (variety) based on soil test value for Jaffergudem cluster, Warangal district, A.P.

Farmer No Location

Fertilizer requirement (kg ha-1)

Urea (total amt.)

2 splits DAP (entire amt as basal)

MOP (total amt)

2 splits ZnSO4 (as

basal)

Borax (as

basal)30

DAS60

DAS30

DAS60

DAS

1 Jaffergudem 120 60 60 65 70 35 35 50 5

2 Ramannagudem 100 50 50 110 70 35 35 50 5

3 Kushmbai thanda 120 60 60 65 70 35 35 50 5


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Farmer No Location

Fertilizer requirement (kg ha-1)

Urea (total amt.)


MOP (total amt)

2 splits ZnSO4 (as

basal)

Borax (as

basal)30

DAS60

DAS30

DAS60

DAS

4 Jaffergudem 120 60 60 65 70 35 35 50 5

5 Jaffergudem 100 50 50 110 90 45 45 50 5

6 Jaffergudem 120 60 60 65 70 35 35 50 5


120 60 60 65 90 45 45 50 5


120 60 60 65 50 25 25 50 5

9 Satyanarayana- puram

100 50 50 110 70 35 35 50 5

10 Ramannagudem 100 50 50 110 50 25 25 50 5

Table 9. Farmer field’s specific fertilizer recommendation for cotton (hybrid) based on soil test

value for Jaffergudem cluster, Warangal district, A.P.

Farmer No Location

Fertilizer requirement (kg/ha)

Urea (total amt.)


MOP (total amt)

3 splits ZnSO4 (as

basal)

Borax (as

basal)30

DAS60

DAS90

DAS30

DAS60

DAS90

DAS

1 Jaffergudem 150 50 50 50 75 75 25 25 25 50 5

2 Ramannagudem 120 40 40 40 125 75 25 25 25 50 5

3 Kushmbai thanda 150 50 50 50 75 75 25 25 25 50 5

4 Jaffergudem 150 50 50 50 75 75 25 25 25 50 5

5 Jaffergudem 120 40 40 40 125 95 35 30 30 50 5

6 Jaffergudem 150 50 50 50 75 75 25 25 25 50 5

7 Yapalagadda thanda 150 50 50 50 75 95 35 30 30 50 5

8 Yapalagadda thanda 150 50 50 50 75 55 25 15 15 50 5

9 Satyanarayanapuram 120 40 40 40 125 75 25 25 25 50 5

10 Ramannagudem 120 40 40 40 125 55 25 15 15 50 5

Fertilizers were distributed for on farm SSNM demonstrations based on 50:50 percent cost sharing. As per recommendations made for each farmer, fertilizers were applied to each selected farmer’s field. Before that intervention, meetings were organized in these villages and demonstration plots were measured for 0.5 acre as SSNM (improved practice based on soil testing) to compare with farmers’ practice of blanket application without soil testing. Fertilizer application in the fields was supported by the scientists and technical staffs of CRIDA with the help of MARI in order to improve confidence to get reliable data from these on farm trials in eight districts.


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Site specific nutrient application in Jaffergudem cluster villages in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh

Improved performance of and cotton (Jaffergudem) through integrated nutrient management

3.0 Livestock InterventionsMany of the poor manage to earn a steady income for themselves and their families. Others, truly destitute,areoftenwithoutanymeansof livelihoods.Theyownno land;have fewproductiveassetsand very few opportunities to gain a share of economic progress. Women-headed households without any means production. Therefore, special attention was given to the vulnerable groups to diversify livelihoods by promoting backyard poultry, sheep rearing and milch animals.

• In this interventionabout 40householdswere encouragedwith sheep rearing eachduring theyears 2009-11.

• Milchanimalwasalsoprovidedfor17households.Eachhouseholdwasassistedwithonebuffalo.

• Backyardpoultrywaspopularisedamongthecommunities.VanarajaandRajasribirdstoover120households during 2008-11. Backyard poultry has contributed towards the income and nutritional security.

• Tehhouseholdswereassistedtoprocureaunitof10sheepeachandreartheminasemiintensivemode. The project supported the families with deworming and prophylaxis. Besides, they were also encouraged to avail insurance against animal death.


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Animal health servicesAs part of livestock productivity enhancement, animal health services were provided with the support of department of Animal husbandry. The services provided included livestock vaccination, Artificial Insemination(AI),de-warmingandinsurance.Livestockvaccinationprogrammewasprimarilyaimedat preventing epidemics.

Livestock as alternative source of income Animal health camp

Animal health camp by local veterinarian

LivestockvaccinationprogrammeunderNAIPcoveredallthevillagesandentirelivestockpopulationirrespective of prevalence of disease occurrence. The service of Gopalamitra4, who was trained and certifiedbyAHdepartment,wasusedmobilizationofpeople,vaccinationcamps,ArtificialInseminationDe-worming and promotion of Azola.

Services 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Vaccination Households 82 19 28

Animals 435 960 62

De-worming Households 80 46 12

Animals 1475 2242 678

General Treatment Households 12 27 71

Animals 20 48 167

4 Gopalamitra was paid Rs.200o per month. In addition, s/he collects Rs.100 for every providing AI to each animal (including Rs.60 for injection and Rs.40 as service charge).


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Services 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Artificial Insemination

Households - - 32

Animals - - 45

Insurance Households - 10 -

Animals - 56 -

4.0 ConvergenceResources available under various government programmes were mobilised for productivity enhancement;aneffortwasalsomadetoreachouttoalargenumberofsmallfarmerswithanimprovedtechnological package for productivity enhancement. The fund utilized for resource mobilisation for the year 2010-11 was Rs.25.02 lakhs.

MARI prepared a catalogue of all the relevant government programmes by gathering information from various departmentsand it facilitated a dialogue process between the officials of various government departments (i.e., APMIP, Animal Husbandry and Horticulture) and community. These steps have

Impact of small ruminant programme on the livelihoods of peopleThe Navakalpana Society promoted by NAIP has provided loan for 24 small and marginal farmers to purchase sheep. On an average each beneficiary purchased about 7 animals which ranged from 4 to 12 animals depending on the age of animals. With this interventipn farmers income, expand the small ruminant units, diversify livelihood activity, invest into agriculture and allied activities. Based on the experience in the first phase, 16 more units were grounded in the subsequent period of the project, thus all together total 40 units were grounded under the project.

Benefits accrued by households from small ruminant activity

Sl.No. Impact No. of beneficiaries Narration

1 Improved Income 5 Gained income by rearing and selling animals

2 Expanding the small ruminant units 7 Increase in unit size

3 Diversifying livelihood activity 3 Tent House, Trolly Auto

4 Investment into agriculture and allied activities

5 Agriculture Inputs and Investment, Borewell

5 Asset creation 4 Construction of House

TOTAL 24


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Desilting the water way and plugging leakages through convergence

ensured the flow of information from government allowing convergence among different government programmes wherever possible.

Convergence meetings were held at the project area twice a year, at the time of planning before the start of each agriculture season (Kharif and Rabi). Convergence meeting was used as a for fostening convergence platform, convergence. In addition, it was used to disseminate knowledge and information. While the departments shared about their activities and programmes in this meeting, the farmers’ expressed their needs. This meeting acted as a platform to identify the needs of farmers and map opportunities for linkages with various departments. Based on this, efforts were made to match the needs and opportunities.

TheNavakalpana society played important role in disseminating the decisions made in the meetings in each of the habitations. This will be followed by the consultations meetings with the farmers in all the habitations. Thus information was being shared to the farmers who were not able to attend

Sri Kavati KomaraiahI am Kavati Komaraiah, a farmer living in Jaffergudem village,. The income from the farm was not sufficient to lead a comfortable life, as much of the area is rain fed. My son has completed 10 th class with great difficulty. I am not in a position to send him to higher education due to my financial condition. So I thought about his career and decided to continue him in agriculture for his sustenance. During 2007, I came to know about NAIP. Unemployed youth were encourage by the project to undergosome courses like computer, electrician under this scheme. i enrolled my son for this training. He underwent training in electrician course.Immediately after the completion of the course, my son got job in campus selections. He did job in airtel for sometime in khammam and west godavari districts and earned Rs 6000/- per month., and subsequently joined in another company where he was earning about Rs 7000/- per month. Now my worries are clear about his future, thanks to the employment programme of NAIP.I got a loan from Navakalpana scheme and purchased a buffalo for milk production. Now I am earning an extra income of Rs 400-500/ per month from milk. I completely paid the loan amount. Few years back I cultivated cotton as rainfed crop and I used to get an yield of 4-5 q yield/ acre during good rainfall situations. In NAIP, we were informed about many technologies for increasing the productivity of cotton. One of the suggestions to improve the yield in rainfed cotton was to increase the plant population by adopting 90 x 60 cm distance. We cultivated cotton crop following their suggestions in demo plots along with other farmers. We got yield of 7-8 q/ acre. I got an extra yield of 2q/ acre. All the farmers of the village noticed the yield improvement and all the farmers are now following this method and getting benefits. Now it has spread to other villages as well.The Navakalpana promoted by NAIP not only enhanced the productivity but also benefitted our families in many ways. We are very thankful to CRIDA and MARI institutes for establishing the Navakalpana society.


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the meeting for different reasons. The society submitted the list of the farmers (along with relevant documents) to MARI5, which would process these applications and got necessary approvals from the respective departments.

The officials also felt that these meetings served as a useful instrument to achieve their project targets. Social mobilization and technical backup given to MARI and CRIDA respectively lent credence and value to the entire process. The process got enriched due to the time spent by MARI in taking up prior assessments of needs and preparation of annual plans in order to tap resources.

Another important step in the facilitation of convergence was the formation and strengthening of a farmer’s organization, namely Navakalpana Sangham. The attempt was also to develop a corpus fund for sustaining the project intervention process. Its long term objective is to gain expertise and confidence, and to establish itself as a viable agency for local development with a little support from MARI. Convergence with various developmental programmes was ensured by closely interacting with the line departments. The following activities were implemented in convergence with the line departments. This was made possible due to continuous interaction between government officials, farmers, CRIDA and MARI

Sl.No. Line departments involved Activities taken up Approximate value of activity

1 Agriculture Inputs at subsidised cost etc. 13,70,078

2 ATMA & NFSM Seed production and demonstrations

94,000

3 Horticulture Veg. Seeds on subsidy 4,200

4 RARS, Warangal Seed production 60,000

5 APMIP Drip units & sprinklers 32,00,000

6 Rural Development (NREGS) Check dams 25,02,000

Grand total 7230278

5.0 Development of Institution and InfrastructureA building was constructed in the Jaffergudem village as a meeting place for all the people of the cluster. The building consisted of a large hall and three rooms with toilets in one acre of land. The land for the building was purchased by the community by doing shramadan. The total cost of the

5 The role played by society includes the selection of beneficiaries, documentation formalities (i.e., certificates etc) and passing on information to all the hamlets.

VRC Building Jaffergudem Cluster Shade Net 20x20m


23

buildingwasaboutRs.8.5Lakhs,ofwhichthecommunitieshascontributedaboutRs.50,000andtheremaining was funded by NAIP. The building is being used for training and capacity building activities in the cluster and the surrounding place of the building is being used for setting up demonstration of several technologies such as fodder parks with various varieties, azolla with various models of azolla pits, vermicompost and also a shade net 20x20 m. It has also one godown which is about 45”x28’ in size which is being used by the community for storing the produce temporarily and also for storing equipment of custom hiring.

Amodel roof water harvesting structure was created in the VRC building which has a capacity ofstoring30,000Lofrainwater.Theroofwaterharvestingstructureconsistsofabigstoragetank,pipelineand filters. The water is being used as source of irrigation for the nursery and also the fodder park.

5.1 Custom Hiring CentreTraditional sources of farm power are on the decline and will continue to do so at a faster rate than ever before. The energy crisis is going to be the most important production-limiting factor. Time-sharing of the implements through custom hiring seems to be a prudent solution in the present scenario. In recognition of this, we introduced improved tools/implements and promoted custom hiring centrewith portable water lifting devices, seed treatment drums, power weeders.The centre was run by Navakalpana Society members.

List of the implements

Sl.No. Type of implement Qty No. of farmers using implements

Revenue generated

1. Seed treatment drums 2 168 -2. Oil Engines 2 05 -3. Sprinkler set 1 08 -4. Raingun 1 01 -5. PVC Pipes 55 72 3600.006. Neem seed pulveriser 1 - -7. Portable water lifting device 1.5 HP 1 15 270.008. Portable water lifting device 3.0 HP 1 10 -9. Power weeders 2 6 -10. Cotton stalk shredders 2 - -11. Seed drills 2 - -

Total 3870.00

In addition, improved agriculture implements were promoted to reduce drudgery and ensure quality work. The following improved agricultural implements were procured at subsidized cost from Department of Agriculture of agriculture and supplied to the farmers.

Sl.No. Farm Implement Number1. Three tyne cultivators 342. APAU puddlers 23. Bullock dozer (leveling boards) 464. I.C. ploughs 215. Two M.B. plough 286. Maize shellers 027. Taiwan sprayers 12


24

5.2 ICTs for Knowledge SharingTechnical information on soils, fertility and crop management including agronomic practices, weed management, pest management for different cropsVIZ.,, cotton, redgram, groundnut, maize, chillies, greegram,bengalgram, castor, rice, tomato, ladies finger, brinjal and drum stick have been made available through touch screen. Farmers are also receiving information on weather forecast, market prices, pest outbreak, and control measures etc, through SMS and voice mail.

6.0 Post Project SustainabilityMARI has promoted community based institutions and created assets under NAIP. Making effective use of these resources and facilities during post-project is an important need. The efforts made in this direction are as follows:

6.1 Institutional ArrangementsThere were common concerns and needs among small and marginal farmers in the cluster. This necessitated the promotion of collective response. Towards this end, farmers’ organization, namely Navakalpana Susthira Vyavasaya Sangam, was formed and strengthened. This strategy ledtopromotionofgreaterparticipationoffarmers;anditwasalsousedasaninstrumenttobuildfunctionalrelations between community and extension system and thereby ensuring long term sustainability.

MARI strengthened the farmers’ cooperative through regular meetings, exposure visits, like visit to Ananthapur cluster and Indian Institute of Horticulture and Sericulture Research Station, Mysore.The directors of the cooperative were trained to identify eligible beneficiaries for livelihoods related activities. Project also made arrangements of meetings of the farmers with the scientists before kharif and rabi season, mobilization of sustainable fund, promoting nursery activity and conducting year wise audit. Short term sub-committees formed for the purpose of construction of form ponds and repairs of check dams.

The cooperative has revolving of Rs. 10.88 lakhs, which was mobilised as a contribution from the farmers. The fund will be used for continuing project work and graduating project impacts.

6.2 Capacity Building of StakeholdersThe capacity building activities were carried out throughout the project period for farmers, members of the Navakalpana Society and households involved in livelihood activities. As part of enhancing employment opportunities, six educated youth were sent to Ramananda thirtha institute for professional course on computers, electric work, livestock management, etc. (They were given placement after completion of course.) MARI also conducted activities for sensitizing school children on climate change issues.

Introduction of improved agricultural implements through custom hiring centres

ICT Kiosk


25

Table 10: Type of capacity building events by coverage

Activity No. of events Coverage Narration

Training to farmers

Orientation to children

1 On climate change to children of ZPHS, Ashwaraopalli

Training to youth 3 6 Computer, electrical work and livestock management

Farmers’ Exposure visits

5 Ankapur (Nizamabad), Mulknoor Cooperative society, Mhaatama Phule Krishi Vigyanpeet and Hivereybazar (Ahmded Nagar), Indian Institute of Horticulture (Banglaore) and Central Sericulture Research and Training Institute (Mysore), Ibrahimpur cluster (RR district)

Field days 4 160 CRIDA farm

Additionally, a number of organisations, farmers and senior officials from different parts of Andhra Pradesh and India came to the cluster to learn about the project activities.

Strategies and options for post-project sustainabilityArea Strategy Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Remarks

Project model/innovations

Training/Exposure

Creating a field level training facility for use by institutions (e.g. NARM, APARD, CRIDA, etc)

Annual training calendar by MARI and seek sponsorship from institutions

Using it as filed arm of polytechnic

Letter to be sent to institutions; and ensure continuation of demos in farmers field

Field innovations Proposal to NABARD on community adaptation to CC

Agricultural university/RARS

KVK, Malyal To be implementation under technical guidance of CRIDA

Farm machinery Change of asset ownership

Selling it individual entrepreneur for custom hiring

Sell it to research/educational institutions

- Resources generated will be credit into corpus

Shade-net Proper use Lease-out to forest department

- - Discussion in progress

IT- Kiosk Avenue sharing model

Discuss with I-kisan

Involve private actors such as Bayer crop sciences

Handover to RARS

Navakalpana enters MOU with interested party

Premises Leasing- out Training centre Storage facility for seed company, IKP, etc

Use it as procurement centre under DSO by society

Revolving Fund Multiple ways FD for meeting maintenance cost

3 lakhs for agriculture loans (50%of totalcost)

Continuation Demos and innovations

Guidelines


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Area Strategy Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Remarks

Club watershed and NAIP funds

Services through convergence with line departments

40% forlivelihoods

20% forrepairs and maintenance

Guidelines

Enterprise models

Vermi unit Dairy Sheep units Managed by society with technical support of MARI

Salary of watchman

Self-employment avenue

Ram-lamb Sheep unit Any other

Others Alternative use Eco-tourism centre

Resource centre

Capacity Building:

Sl.No. Date Event Participants No. of farmers attended

1. 16.11.07 Visit to onion fields of Devannapet

Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A. Smt. Sujatha, SRF

15

2. 21.12.07 Training on Sri Paddy and Zero tillage Maize Cultivation

Dr. P. Ragurami Reddy, Scientist, DATT Centre Warangal Dr. P. Vamshi Krishna

45

3. 27.12.07 Training on Vermi Composting

Mr.M. Krishna, A.O., Raghunathpalli Mr. G. Prabhakar, DGM NABARD Mr. K.V. RAJU, R.A.

48

4. 07.01.08 Training on Preparation of Bio pesticides

Mr. M. Krishna, A.O., Raghunathpalli Mr. K.V.N. Raju, R.A. Smt. Sujatha, SRF

36

5. 11.01.08 Training on Integrated Nutrient Management

Mr. M. Krishna, A.O., Raghunathpalli Mr. K. Ramana, A.E.O, Raghunathpalli Mr. K.V.N. Raju, R.A.

35

6. 18.01.08 Training on greengram seed production in rabi

Mr. K.V.N.Raju, R.A 23

7. 22.01.08 Visioning and planning work shop

Smt. Sri K.Damayanti, Dist. Collector Dr.L.Jalapathirao, ADR, RARS, Warangal Dr.Balaramnayak, J.D.A., Warangal Mr. R. MURALI Secretary, M.A.R.I

85

8. 29.02.08 Training on Summer Vegetable cultivation

Mr. C. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Horticulture Officer, Ghanpur K.V.N. Raju, R.A.

33

9. 20.03.08 Training on Soil and Water Management

Smt. D. Usha, ADA, St. Ghanpur Mr. M. Krishna, A.O., Raghunathpally Mr. K.V.N. Raju, R.A.

29

10. 25.03.08 Training on Azolla Cultivation

Dr. Srinivas Reddy, D.E. Mr. Janardhan Rao, ADA, Soil Testing Laboratory Mr. K.V.N. Raju, R.A.

53


27


11. 25.04.08 Field day on Greengram Seed Production

Mr. Krishna, A.O., Raghunathpalli Mr. K.V.N. Raju, R.A. Smt. Sujatha, SRF

44

12. 29.04.08 Kharif Action plan Meeting Ms. Gayathri Devi, SRF – CRIDA Mr. K.V.N. Raju, R.A.

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National Agricluture Innovation Project (NAIP)

Jaffergudem Cluster - Dist. Warangal

CAPACITY BUILDING 2009-10

Sl.No. Date of Programme Training Programme Participants No. of Farmers

Participants1 22.02.09 Training on sheep rearing

developmentK.V. Raju, R.A., MARI Staff and Farmers

90

2 13.03.09 Field day on Zero Tillage Maize

Dr. B. Rama Prasad, Scientist DATT center, Warangal I. Bhasker Rao,CRIDA Krishna - A.O.,Raghunathapalli

45

3 17.03.09 Field day on Summer Vegetables

Mr. D. Sanjeeva Rao, H.O. Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A.

60

4 18.03.09 Training on Azolla Cultivation and sheep rearing

Dr. Jakirali, VAS, Raghunathapalli Mr. Srikar, NABARD Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI

51

5 21.03.09 Training on Poulty birds of back yards areas

Dr. Jakir Ali, VAS, Raghunathapalli Mr. D. Nagabushanam, NABARD, AGM Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI

50

6 25.03.09 Training on Importance of Neem Seed Products

Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI 40

7 17.05.09 Grama Sabha for Kharif Action Plan

Mr. Bhasker Rao, CRIDA Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI

80

8 24.08.09 De worming camp for sheeps and goats

Dr. Natraj, VAS, Khilashapur Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI Staff and Farmers

70

9 26.10.09 Grama Sabha for Rabi Action Plan 2009 at Grama Panchayath Office, Jaffergudem

Dr. JVNS Prasad, Sr. Scientist, CRIDA Dr. K.V. Rao, Sr. Scientist, CRIDA Dr. Durga Prasad, Sr.Scientist, CRIDA Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI

100

10 28.12.09 Field day on Maghi Jowar at Baddula Nagaiah’s field

Mr. S. Vedanta, ED HR & Admn., MARI

60

11 24.11.09 Training on Azolla Cultivation for all NAIP Clusters farmers

Dr. Sreenath Dixit, CRIDA Dr. Vijay Kumar, CRIDA Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI

60


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Sl.No. Date of Programme Training Programme Participants No. of Farmers

ParticipantsINTERNAL VISITS

12 27.11.09 Visit of Form ponds from Ibrahimpur and Jamistapur Clusters for mass along with CRIDA staff

Mrs. Gayatri, CRIDA Mr. I. Bhaskar Mrs. Laxminarasamma Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI and farmers

30

13 04.05.09 Visit of Sri R.K. Agarwal, Research Advicacy Committee, CRIDA for take the opinions of Jaffergudem cluster farmers

Dr. R.K. Agarwal, Research Advisary Committee, CRIDA Dr. K. Gopinath, CRIDA Mr. I. Bhaskar Rao, CRIDA Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI Staff and Farmers

35

14 28.05.09 Visit of Fatheshapur village farmers

Mr. Ramana, AEO Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI Staff and Farmers

30

15 02.08.09 Visit of Dr. Samra CEO - NRAA

Dr. Samra, CEO, NRAA Dr. Venkateswarlu, Director, CRIDA Dr. H.P. Singh, Ex. Director, CRIDA Dr. K.V. Rao, CRIDA Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI Staff and Farmers

16 05.09.09 Visit of CRIDA Trainees for Watershed Gruidelines

Mr. I. Bhaskar Rao, CRIDA Mr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI

41

17 22.10.09 Visit of Senior level officers from Kasnathanda State Department

40

EXPOSURE1 15.09.09 Exposure visit to Hevrey

Bazar, MaharashtraMr. K.V. Raju, R.A., MARI Staff and Farmers

42

2 Exposure visit to Ibrahimpur cluster Phargi for ground level community water sharing

Sr. Ugener, SRF Sri Ch. Srinivas, F.O. Sri M. Thirupathi, FA and farmers

35


1. 03.03.10 Training on water sharing for profitable cultivation

30

2. Exposure visit to Ibrahimpoor cluster on community irrigation through water sharing

Ugendar, S.R.F 36

3. 13.05.10 Gramasabha on kharif action plan

Dr. K.V.Rao, Senior Scientist 50

4. 06.06.10 Training on Paddy seed treatment and green leaf manuring in kharif rice

Dr. K.V.N. Raju, R.A. 30


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5. 23.06.10 Training cum demo on paired row planting

Dr. Sreenath Dixith 20

6. 20.07.10 Exposure visit to Huzurabad & Jangaon on Sericulture organized by DATT centre

Dr.Uma Reddy, DATT Center Dr. Ram Prasad, DATT Center

20

7. 27.08.10 Workshop on Dairy development and market linkages

Mr. Dastagiri, Mr. R. Murali, Secretary, MARI Mr. K.V.N. Raju, RA

50

8. 08.09.10 Awareness camp on Hybrid rice production

Mr. R. Murali, Secretary, MARI Mr. K.V.N. Raju, RA

50

9. 24.09.10 Animal Fertility Camp Dr. Nataraj, VAS, Khilashapur Mr. K.V.N. Raju, RA

50

10. 30.09.10 Rabi action plan 2010-11 Dr. K.V. Rao, Sr. Scientist 7011. 13.12.10 Awareness camp to school

children on NRM & Climate change

Mr. K.V.N. Raju, R.A. School Teachers and Students

70


1. 05.01.11 Training on Environment and Natural Resources Management

Mr. K.V. Raju R.A. 75

2. 07.02.11 Exposure visit to Bangalore Farmers 353. 11.04.11 Field day on Watermelon Smt. Usha, ADA, St. Ghanpur

Mr. Krishna, A.O., Raghunathpalli Mr.Sanjeeva Rao, Horticulture Officer, Stn. Ghanpur

51

4. 13.05.11 Grama Sabha on Kharif Action plan

Dr. K.V. Rao, Sr. Scientist-CRIDA Dr. J.V.N.S. Prasad, Sr. Scientist, CRIDA Dr. Sadanandam, ADA, AH Dr. Deepak, VAS, Khilashapur Mr. Krishna, A.O., Raghunathpalli

73

5. 21.09.11 Farmers Day Meeting in Gunegal Farm house - CRIDA

Dr. P. Raghava Reddy, VC, APAU, Registrar Dr. B. Venkateswarlu, Director, CRIDA

22

6. 27.10.11 Weather based crop insurance claim meeting

Dr. P. Nagarjuna, DGM, AIC of India Dr. B. Venkateswarlu, Director, CRIDA Dr. Sreenath Dixith, Principal Scientist, CRIDA Dr.KV. Rao, Sr. Scientist, CRIDA Dr. J.V.N.S. Prasad, Sr. Scientist, CRIDA

84

7. 12.10.11 Grama Sabha on Rabi Action plan

Mr. K.V.N. Raju 64


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Capacity Building

Sl.No. Year No. of Trainings No. of farmers attended Trained in

1. 2007-08 10 402 • SriPaddyand zero tillagemaizeCultivation

• PreparationofBiopesticides• IntegratedNutrientManagement

2. 2008-09 08 404 • Sheep rearing• Azolla cultivation• Maintenanceofpoultrybirds in theback

yards

3. 2009-10 11 623 • Dewarmingcamp for sheepsandgoats• Gramasabhaon kharif actionplan,Field

day on Maghi Jowar

4. 2010-11 13 586 • Paddy seed treatment andgreen leafmanuring before kharif rice.

• AwarenesscamponHybrid rice seedproduction

• Awarenesscamp to school childrenonNRM & Climate Change

• Awarenessonweatherbasedcropinsurance

5. 2011-12 05 294 • Gramasabhaon kharif and rabi actionplan

• Weatherbasedcrop insuranceclaimpayment

• Visit toFarmersdayatGunegal farm.


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Media coverage on project activities

On the eve of project launch workshop Shri Damayanti IAS addressing in the meeting on 22nd January 2008

Field day on red gram was organised in collaboration with ATMA in NAIP villages on 23rd Dec, 2008


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Famers being received their claims for weather based crop insurance from Dr. B. Venkateswarlu, Director, CRIDA

Dr. Korwar, Head, DRM, CRIDA(Left clipping), and Dr. Jalapathi Rao ADR, Warangal (Right clipping) addressing the farmers in the meeting at Jaffergudem on 21st Jan, 2009

Documents

National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) completion report.pdfNational Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems