Integrated agriculture key to farmers’ uplift
Date: Apr 13, 2022 & Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/integrated-agriculture-key-to-farmers-uplift-385802
Parveen is an example of a small farmer from Vagarahalli village of Hassan district in Karnataka whose enterprise has made sustainable agriculture a reality on his 1.69-hectare farm. Traditionally, he grew crops such as ragi (finger millet), maize, potato and coconut with a small dairy and poultry unit. The use of improved varieties and hybrids has been supplemented on the farm with introduction of high-value crops such as ginger and sericulture. Drumstick and papaya have been intercropped with coconut. Silver oak has been planted all along the farm borders. Farm waste is being recycled into healthy manure. He has installed a micro-sprinkler irrigation system in the coconut garden in addition to using appropriate farm machineries such as coconut climbers and de-huskers. Despite the challenges of climate change, soil fatigue and reduction of water availability, with the above measures, Parveen has increased his net annual income from Rs 47,740 to Rs 7.28 lakh! Without doubt, technical and capacity-building support from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Hassan, has been a critical resource.
The Doubling Farmers Income (DFI) Report, 2017, observes that the integration of farm activities, in both rainfed and dryland areas, when carefully chosen, planned and executed can yield greater dividends for sustainable livelihoods, especially in the case of small and marginal farmers. The Union Government is implementing the National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture. The objective of this mission is to extensively leverage the adaptation of integrated farming practices and appropriate technologies in conjunction with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and more importantly, the state government.
Our KVKs under the aegis of the ICAR have created and nurtured several successful integrated farming system models with crop combinations. The time is ripe for them to learn and dovetail from the good practices of the myriad private sector agritech initiatives, especially agri-startups, in the rural landscape. To name a few, Dehaat, Ninjacart, Sammunati, Waycool, Agrostar and Jumbotail have attracted huge venture capital funding in precision agriculture, on-farm management, supply chain and output market initiatives, according to a 2021 Ernst & Young study. There is a tremendous penetration of broadband connectivity and mobile usage in villages. Hence, virtual interaction with farmers on integrated farming ‘package of practices’ has to be supplemented with the physical reach of sufficient numbers of extension officers of agriculture, horticulture and allied departments. The use of Common Service Centres (CSCs), in this context, has to be intensified too. These are last-mile public delivery access points in districts that provide high-quality and cost-effective video, voice, data content and public utility services. It is in the above robust ecosystem that small farmers, such as Parveen from Karnataka, will be doubly empowered through a public-private partnership approach to imbibe the economic, ecological and sustainable dimensions of integrated farming.
This Year's Summer Crops May Be Damaged Due to Rising Temperature, Says Experts
Date: 20 April, 2022 & Source: https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/this-years-summer-crops-may-be-damaged-due-to-rising-temperature-says-experts/
Summer crops, which are cultivated on the Indian subcontinent between 'Rabi' (winter) and 'Kharif' (monsoon) crops, may be harmed by this year's extremely hot March and April, according to agricultural experts. States have also criticized the central government for failing to take any steps to assist them in increasing output of summer crops like pulses, oilseeds, and healthy cereals. Summer crop seeding begins in the last week of February or the first week of March, with harvest occurring in May or June. This year's summer harvests are causing alarm among the government and farmers. Summer crops require a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, according to experts. They go on to say that if the temperature rises beyond 40°C, the crops will be harmed. Summer moong (green gram) and urad (black gram) made up the bulk of summer harvests, according to Aditya Pratap, principal scientist at the Indian Institute of Pulses Research in Kanpur. He went on to say that the fact that the temperature has been over 40°C since the first week of April and that the weather has been dry may affect pollination of these pulse crops. Due of the heat, pulses will not be able to form beans. Farmers who harvested potatoes and mustard in the middle of February and planted summer crops in the final week of February or the first week of March, according to Aditya Pratap, would be unaffected. Farmers who harvested wheat and planted pulses in the middle or final week of March after harvesting it, on the other hand, may experience crop damage
Concerns About Procurement:Summer crops, which are cultivated in the remaining season between Rabi and Kharif, are regarded as a source of supplementary revenue for farmers. Summer crops, which make up the majority of such crops, are being promoted by the Indian government in order to minimise imports of pulses and oilseeds. The central government is calling on the state governments to encourage farmers to produce more summer crops. States, on the other hand, claim that the central government is not taking any concrete steps to procure these crops. According to the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, summer crops have been sown on 5.58 million hectares this year. This is a modest decrease from the 5.64 million hectares planted the previous year. Summer crops were planted on 3.36 million hectares in 2018-19.
Why mangoes will cost way more this summer
Date: Apr 22, 2022 & Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/why-mangoes-will-cost-way-more-this-summer/article65342065.ece
Lower output due to erratic weather and higher cost of production likely to make mango prices soar. For mango lovers this summer is going to be sour as the king of fruits is likely to be costlier by nearly 30-50 per cent due to lower production. Some of the major mango producing states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Karnataka are reporting the likelihood of lower harvest this year due to unfavourable weather conditions. According to industry players and farmers in Maharashtra, unseasonal rains, humidity and extreme heat have affected the quantity and quality of Alphonso this year and the overall output is likely to go down by about 30-35 per cent. Even though the fruit is arriving in all major APMCs in the State including the Mumbai market, the price is comparatively high. A box containing four to five dozen mangoes is sold at Rs 2,000-Rs 5,000 depending on the size and taste of the mango. Traders said that last year about 50,000 boxes arrived in the market every day during the peak season. On Monday over 45,000 boxes of mango arrived in Washi Market (Mumbai) and if the flow continues prices may come down.
Karnataka, another large mango producer is also reporting a slump in production. Excess rains last year in the state has impaired the physiology of mango, thereby affecting the production, said S V Hittalamani, a horticulture expert. The flowering was good raising expectations of a good crop. But the vegetative flush that followed destroyed the flowers and the fruit setting was very poor. As a result, the crop that could be harvested is about 30 per cent only, he added. Trade sources also estimate that the crop would be lower this year in the state. As against last year’s 13-14 lakh tonnes, the mango crop this year is likely to be around 5-7 lakh tonnes, sources said. Uttar Pradesh, which is one of the key producing regions, is forecasting a 30 per cent dip in production this year. The state is likely to produce only around 15 lakh tonne of mangoes this year, as against an average production of around 40-45 lakh tonne.
Governor sees need for more focus on farm, rural development
Date: MARCH 30, 2022
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/governor-sees-need-for-more-focus-on-farm-rural-development/article65274764.ece
He lays emphasis on the role of agriculture in strengthening the country’s economy and also progress
Emphasising the role of agrarian economy in strengthening the country’s economy and also in its progress, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has called for more focus on further development of agriculture and villages. Speaking at the second convocation of the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (KSRDPRU) in Gadag on Wednesday, the Governor said that the panchayat raj system is the most ancient system of governance and there is a need for further strengthening and improvising it. Referring to climate change and global warming, he said that these are signs of impending danger. “As there is a possibility of scarcity of water in the coming years, there is a dire need for effective measures for water conservation and also economical use of water,” he said. Mr. Gehlot said that the Prime Minister is leading the country in becoming self-reliant and it is the responsibility of all to join hands with the Prime Minister in achieving this. The role of youth in upholding Constitutional values and building a greater and stronger country is crucial and they should understand this and discharge their Constitutional duties first. Only concerted and collective efforts will make the country a world leader, he said.
Lauding the role being played by KSRDPRU in bringing about a change in the quality of rural life, he said that the university is trying to facilitate comprehensive rural development through sustainable development model. The Governor told the students that completion of their graduation meant the start of new pursuits in life and they should make their education a base to make further achievements in life.
Dharwad agri University gets set for Krishi Mela
Date: Apr 22, 2022
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/dharwad-agri-university-gets-set-for-krishi-mela/articleshow/90990516.cms
Dharwad: With pandemic receding and the government withdrawing all Covid-19 related restrictions, preparations are in full swing at the University of Agricultural Sciences in to host the 32nd edition of Krishi. The varsity has planned to hold the Krishi Mela from April 27 to 29. Covid-19 had cast a shadow on the event for the second successive year in 2021. Normally held in September, the event had to be cancelled due to pandemic. Every year, the four-day Mela was attracting lakhs of people not only from but also from other states. The 31st edition of the mela could not be held in 2019 due to heavy rains and floods in the region and it was held in January 2020. UAS vice-chancellor Professor Mahadev Chetti told TOI on Friday that they have decided to hold this year’s Krishi Mela for three days. Focus has been given to disseminate quality information and introduce new farm technologies and crop breed to the farming communities. Accordingly, this year, there will be special talks on production, value addition and marketing, rainwater harvesting system for groundwater recharge, diversified and Integrated Farming System (IFS) for doubling farmers income. Agriculture experts and progressive farmers will also throw light on empowerment of farm families through IFS, soil fertility and conservation of soil health, integrated crop, nutrient, pest and disease management, organic farming, biofertilizers and biopesticides, Improved farm equipment and machineries. There will be an exhibition on hi-tech horticulture, fruits and flowers show, agroforestry and bio-fuel trees, scientific animal husbandry and exhibition of breeds and home science technologies for empowerment of women. The seven districts of North Karnataka come under the jurisdiction of UAS. Due to the huge success of the Krishi Melas, people from far and wide attend it. Considering this, over the years, manufacturers of agricultural equipment like sowing equipment tractors, harvesting machines and many others put their products on display and sell them at the . The sellers come from as far as Punjab and Haryana. Farmers will be able to buy improved variety of seeds for Kharif sowing.