Mechanization research under rainfed agro-ecosystem of NATP

Abstract

n the production system research (PSR), the Rainfed Agro Eco System received high emphasis in view of the critical importance of rainfed agriculture in the country. Out of few hundred projects submitted by the scientists, after critical examination and revision, 103 projects were finally approved by the Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) in the PSR mode under 5 production systems i.e. rainfed rice (35), oilseeds (18), pulses (12), cotton (11) and nutritious cereals (27). The projects were developed based on a formal constraint analysis and research prioritization in the respective target domains. Addressing the problems of the production system as a whole rather than single commodities as the target and on-farm rather than on-station research were the unique approaches followed in the PSR mode. The goal was to reach the unreached and focus on stressed enviroments. 2002-03 has been an eventful year in the implementation of the PSR projects. The severe drought during kharif season affected several on-farm trials in major states but it also provided an opportunity to demonstrate the viability and cost effectiveness of drought management and contingent strategies on farmers fields. Major areas in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand and A.P faced rainfall deficit upto 55%. However, the rain water harvesting and recycling approaches followed in many of the on-farm trials could save the crop and produce significantly more yield and economic returns to participating farmers as compared to neighbouring fields. Similarly, crop diversification projects in many states demonstrated that stable income is realised from agri-horticulture and horti-pasture systems during drought compared to kharif cropping alone. In states like Chhattisgarh and M.P, the success of the water management and watershed projects could convince the development departments to include the models developed under the projects in the drought relief programmes. Making the best use of rain water with integrated nutrient and crop management produced the best results on farmers fields. Projects in the area of post harvest technology and value addition have moved a step forward towards commercialization in collaboration with entrepreneurs. A total of 57 technologies have been identified as outputs of PSR research to be refined under TAR-IVLP. Salient findings during 2002-03 from 5 production systems are summarized in the following paragraphs.