Achievements of the DBT Project entitled “Agro-ecological conservation using Integrated Approach”

  Name of the Project:                       “Agro-ecological conservation using integrated approach”

  Implementing Agency:                      Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Babhaleshwar

                                                            Taluka Rahata Dist. Ahmednagar

                                                            Maharashtra

  Total Outlay:                                       17.84 lakhs

  Project Period:                                   3 years

  Period of the Project :                       March 2001 to October 2003

PI and Co-PI:                         PI:             Mr. Purushottam Hendre

                                                            Co-PI: 1. Mr. Shantaram Sonawane

                                                                        2. Mr. Bharat Dawange

Project Components:             1. Vermicompost

                                               2. Biopesticides

  Objectives:

a)     To educate and train the 200 SC/ST beneficiaries about the advantage of Bio-farming

b)     To set up suitably scaled vermicompost and biopesticides unit on the beneficiaries land and provide hands on training and on its uses

c)      To provide technical and managerial backup to the units thus set up including marketing assistance.

d)     To monitor the use of vermicompost and biopesticides on the crops of beneficiaries.

I. Production of Inputs at KVK for supply

Following eco-friendly inputs were produced and supplied for the farmers under the project:

1. Vermicompost
2. Earthworm Culture
3. Vermiwash
4. Biopesticides

  1. Vermicompost Production:

  a)     Establishment of Model demonstration unit at KVK.

The KVK has established the model demonstration at its Farm. The vermicompost unit has the size of 34 X 25 sq. ft. The purpose of the vermicompost unit is to provide the skilled training, vermiculture rearing and vermicompost production. The KVK in response to the demand from farmers has extended the production unit has established additional vermicompost unit on an area of 50 X 20 sq. ft. area. The total production of vermicompost from the model unit was 45 tonnes.

b)     Vermi-Unit under Farm Shed: The unit can accommodate 06 beds of dimension 12X3X1.5 cu. ft. The yield obtained during the project period under this type of production method is 9.5 tonnes

c)     Vermi-Unit under Tree Shade: The unit has also been expanded to other areas under the tree shade to meet the requirements of the beneficiaries under the project. Under this type of system 8 beds of 12X3X1.5 cu.ft were laid additionally yielding a total quantity of 10.0 tonnes Vermicompost during this half year.

d)     Total Vermicompost Production: 64.5 tonnes

Comparative study of Vermicompost production under farm shed and tree shade:

  * Test Report and analysis performed at KVK Soil Testing Lab.

  From the above data it is observed that under farm shed the vermicompost was produced in less time and with less frequent water. Also the pest problems were observed to be less under farm shed. The quality of vermicompost in farm shade was also observed to be better as compared to that in the tree shade.     

      Earthworm species: Esenia foetida and eudrillus euginae

      Feeding material: Locally available feeding material was utilized which included cow dung, partially decomposed crop residues like wheat hay, soybean husk, bengalgram husk, sugarcane trash and sunhemp stalks.

2. Vermiculture Production:

            During the initial period of project initiation the earthworm culture production was not started and hence for supply of earthworm culture for the SC/ST beneficiaries the culture was brought from outside. A total of 150 kg culture was brought from outside. After the utilization of earthworm culture for vermicompost production multiplication of earthworm culture also followed. There was a production of 452 kg of earthworm culture at the Model demonstration unit at KVK Farm, which was supplied to the SC/ST beneficiaries under the project.

3 Vermiwash Production- The Vermiwash demonstration cum production unit was also started at KVK vermicompost unit. The vermiwash is an extract of earthworm body secretion and other bodily discharge, which is rich in plant nutrients in soluble form, plant grow hormones and antibiotics. The unit has supplied till date 800 litres of pure vermiwash. The unit utilized for giving practical training to the SC/ST project beneficiaries to start their own vermiwash production units. The vermiwash has very encouraging results on crop to enhance growth, flowering and fruit setting. Fifteen SC/ST project beneficiary farmers have also started the vermiwash production on their own vermicompost units.

4 Biopesticides Production:

          The KVK has a biopesticides production laboratory producing different biopesticides for supply to the farmers. The production of different biopesticides was also undertaken for supply of these biopesticides to the SC/ST beneficiaries under the project. Following biopesticides were produced and supplied to the SC/ST beneficiaries under the demonstration:

According to the needs identified among the targeted SC/ST population, the following bioagents of pests and diseases have been produced in the KVK Biological laboratory, during last three years.

1.HaNPV                                            350 lit.

2.Noumuraea relayii.                         300 kgs

3.Trichoderma viridae.                    3050 kgs

4.Paecillomyces spp.                      1050 kgs

5.Verticilium lecanii                         100 kgs

6. Tricho Cards                                 500 no.

Apart from the biopesticides production various botanicals were also suggested for the farmers for use under the project. These botanicals have made a favorable impact on reduction on use of chemical pesticides on different crop pests.

The SC/ST beneficiaries are utilizing the following extracts on their crops:

- Neem seed Kernel extracts                                               3%

- Chill + Garlic extract                                                         3%

- Tobacco decoction                                                          1%

- Custard apple seed extract                                              2%

- Custardapple Leaf extract                                                5%

- Ipomoea carnea (Besharam)                                           5%

- Mundulea suberosa (Supli)                                               1%

- Acorus root extract                                                          1%

- Neem oil (0.5%) + Embellia seed extract (0.1%)

- Castor seed extract                                                          1%

2. Activities Undertaken

Selection of Beneficiaries:

The SC/ST farmers were identified from the selected villages using the PRA techniques and matrix ranking methods. The selected families were selected in such a method where the productivity problem persisted due to various ecological factors like poor soil fertility status and pest and disease resistance and resurgence. The soil problems were primarily focused to reduce the pH and haphazard fertilizer application while the pest problems were focused to reduce the incidence of sucking and lepidopterous pests on the common cultivated crops. The soil problems were handled with specific emphasis on the vermicompost production and its application on the cultivated crops. The project report focused the production of the vermicompost and use of other biocontrol methods to reduce the pest incidence on various crops at the selected beneficiaries farm.

The list of beneficiaries where the vermicompost units were installed has been enclosed as annexure.

  1. No. of Training Programmes and Demonstrations conducted:

The KVK undertook several awareness generating training programmes to sensitize the farmers regarding the use of the vermicompost. The programme was implemented through the Farmers Clubs established by the KVK in the selected villages. Several preconditions were applied for selecting the beneficiaries to ensure the success of the programme. This included availability of the animal waste and/or biogas plant, crop residue, personal interest towards the use and production of the vermicompost and ability to motivate other farmers to involve in the vermicompost programme. The training programme was also focused to provide skilled and vocational training for the SC/ST farmers and rural youths. The skills were imparted on various aspects of vermicompost production like establishment of shed, bed laying, pretreatment of crop residue, addition of biofertilizer cultures, laying of vermiculture, watering vermibeds, harvesting, care and maintenance of beds etc. Similarly the training on vermiwash preparation was also provided to the SC./ST trainees which included the effects of vermiwash, preparation of vermiwash, laying of layers of vermicompost and earthworm, watering the vermiwash bin, collection of vermiwash etc. The training on biopesticides and botanicals use was also imparted. The training sessions comprised the preparation and use of different biopesticides and botanicals.

a) Training programmes undertaken: 51 training programmes for 1245 farmers in the selected villages were undertaken during various technical group meetings of the farmers in villages. The training also involved the women farmers where there was considerable interest.

  Venue                                 March 2001 to October 2003  

                                         No.of Prog.       No.of Participant  

On Campus                    10                          261  

Off Campus                    41                          984  

Total                                 51                          1245  

b) Demonstrations -Total 200 vermicompost units have been started at the beneficiaries’ field up to the March2003. In addition to this the direct SC/ST contacties have supplied earthworm cultures for 60 indirect contacties who have also established vermicompost units. This has helped to establish the vermicompost units to other farmers. In total the project has been able to provide the benefits to 260 farmers for demonstration. The KVK has also undertaken a comprehensive agro-ecological conservation emphasizing on use of organic compost as well as use of other biological nutrients like vermiwash. There are over 15 SC/ST farmers who have also started producing the vermiwash from the earthworm culture for use on crops as nutrient sprays. Beneficiaries are successfully producing the vermicompost and utilizing it in its crop cultivation programme. Some beneficiaries have also gained additional income by selling the vermiculture and vermicompost and which has also as an income generating activity in the village itself besides improving the soil status and quality of the agriculture produce.

  2. No. of beneficiaries created in various activities of the project:

  A. Training Programme

The KVK has undertaken off campus as well as on campus training programme on the topics as mentioned below that were part of the project objectives. The trainings were specifically conducted to impart the skills as well as generate awareness regarding the use and benefits of the vermicompost in crop production. The on campus training was conducted for three days while the off campus training was conducted for two days.

B. Demonstration Units:

  C. Crop Demonstrations: