OPERATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT AT A GLANCE

Abstract

Sub mountainous undulating areas (Zone- (1) locally known as kandi region stretches over North–Eastern border of Punjab, constituting 7.8 per cent of total geographical area of the state). Small, scattered and fragmented land h o l d i n g s , l ow r i s k bear ing capaci ty of farmers, erratic rains and frequent dry spells, severe soil erosion and unawareness of improved crop production technologies results in lower crop yields. Moreover, little knowledge of agricultural based subsidiary income generating activities also leads to poor economic growth of rainfed farmers. To enhance the productivity and net returns on sustainable basis, All India Coordinated Operational Research Project for Dryland Agriculture was started at eight AICRPDA centers [Arjia (Rajasthan), Ballowal Saunkhri (Punjab), Hisar (Haryana), Indore (M.P), Ranchi (Bihar), Bangalore (Karnataka), Anantapur (A.P), Solapur (M.P)] by CRIDA-ICAR. In Punjab, All India Coordinated Operational Research Project (ORP) was initiated in the year 1976 at Garhshankar. Since its inception, this research project has been in operation in different districts of kandi region within the domain of R.R.S, Ballowal Saunkhri (P.A.U) with the mandate to disseminate the proven rainfed agricultural technologies for its testing and refinement at farmers' fields under rainfed conditions.