ICAR-RCER Newsletter Jan.-June 2018

Abstract

The low and highly fluctuating agricultural productivity and farm income is causing detrimental effect on the interest in farming, and farm investment, and is also forcing more and more farmers, particularly younger group, to leave farming. It is apparent that income earned by a farmer from agriculture is crucial to address agrarian distress and promote farmers welfare. Realizing the need to pay special attention to the plight of farmers, the Hon’ble Prime Minister announced to double the farmers income by 2022 to promote farmers welfare, reduce agrarian distress and bring parity between income of farmers and those working in nonagricultural profession. Agriculture in Eastern India have been facing the challenges of the new economic regime, besides the usual problems of rising population, unemployment and poverty; declining investment in agriculture and degradation of natural resources. The second generation problems have emerged in agriculture due to over exploitation of natural resources after Green Revolution. Hence, the major focus needs to be given on resource conservation technologies (RCTs) including retention of crop residues on soil surface to improve the soil health. Use of RCTs especially zero tillage (ZT) in wheat in ricewheat system is one of the fast growing technologies in the region, and has resulted in average yield gain of 7.6%, seed saving by 12-15 kg/ha and reduction in cost of crop establishment by Rs. 1500/ha. The technology has been adopted in more than 2.5 lakh hectare area during last 5 years in Bihar. Spread of this technology even in 50% wheat growing area (10.6 lakh ha) by 2022 will result in an additional production of 2.12 lakh tonnes of wheat besides net savings of 13,800 tonnes of seed and Rs 1632.4 million on crop establishment. Besides, the technology is spreading fast in other winter crops like lentil and chickpea. Similarly diversification of rice-wheat system with pulses, vegetables, green manuring crops like Sesbania, etc. is urgently required to improve the soil fertility and to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. The Eastern region has developed a large number of technologies related to agrihorti crops, vegetables, livestock, poultry and fisheries. In order to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability and profitability, there is a need to make planned efforts for promotion and use of these technologies in befitting manner so as to increase farmer’s income, ensure sustainable food and livelihood security, besides achieving the nutritional security at household and even at individual level.