Impact of technological interventions of seed spices through FLDs in TSP area of Pratapgarh-A success story

Abstract

Seed spices constitute an important segment of agriculture commodities that play a significant role in Indian economy. Since ancient, India has always been renowned as a land of spices. It account for nearly 50.31 percent and 21.30 per cent of total area and production, respectively of total spices in the country. Amongst total seed spices, ICARNRCSS is working on ten crops viz., coriander, cumin, fenugreek, fennel, ajwain, dill, nigella, anise, celery and caraway and developed a number of technologies for improving quality production and productivity of these crops. In the country, seed spices are mainly growing in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and many more states in large and small areas. Rajasthan is the leading state of the country, both in area and production of many seed spices like coriander, cumin, fenugreek etc. In tribal areas of Rajasthan particularly Pratapgarh which comprises of clay soil with high carbon contents, good quality water and other weather parameters are very congenial for higher production of coriander, fenugreek, nigella and ajwain. However, the farmers of this region are still growing many other crops including coriander and fenugreek with local cultivars/varieties and using broadcasting method of sowing and other practices. There is no standard package for seed treatment, irrigation pattern, insect-pests, diseases and weed management for reaping higher yield. In the area, no seed supplying agencies is working to provide quality seed of improved varieties and also lacking in mechanization for seed sowing, weeding, harvesting, threshing and packaging.