Success Stories of KVK

1. Intervention of High Density Plantation of Mango in Lower Hills for Doubling the Farmers’ Income

KVK intervention - Uttarakhand by and large is hilly and the agro climatic conditions found in the large part of the state restrict the cultivation of field crops but offer great scope for the development of horticultural industry. Generally in hilly area of the state was known for the production of temperate fruits but in the recent past, mango cultivation has gained momentum in lower hills. Under such circumstances the concept of high density plantation has become extremely significant to increase fruit yield and productivity in small as well as scattered land. Krishi Vigayn Kendra, Uttarkashi introduced the intervention of high density plantation of Amrapali variety of mango in lower hills of district Uttarkashi. The dwarf variety of mango Amrapali was planted in 3 x 3 m spacing at farmer’s field. A total number of 44 plants were planted in 400 m2 (2 Nali) area where if we would have planted the large varieties (Dashehri/ Langra) it would be maximum 8 plants in this area. This intervention was implemented in five farmers’ field. The first harvesting of fruits was taken after 3rd year of plantation where in case of large varieties it would be more than 7 to 8 years.

2. Rejuvenation of Old Orchard

Farmers Detail: Shri Jai Pal Singh Negi ; Village-Jhala, P.O. Harshil, Distt. Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand)

Description of Innovation : Apple orchards have been the main source of his family income since last forty years. They have more than 435 apple trees in 1.4 hectare field in which 280 trees are in fruiting condition. Their annual income is approximately Rs. 3.25 lakh from fruiting trees. Due to atmospheric changes specially rise in the temperature, moisture content rapidly decrease in the soil during the month of March to July which badly affects production and quality of the fruit. To solve this problem Mr Jaipal Singh mulched apple orchard with the help of K.V.K, Chinyalisaur, Uttarkashi. Results obtained after first year were satisfactory but not significant rise in the production. This method was also repeated in 2nd year and results were shown very effective.

Practical utility of innovation : After getting Rs. 656 more from a tree J.S. Negi covered all apple trees with black polythene next year also. As a result he earned a sum of Rs. 5.40 lakh in the last year only which was much more than his earlier annual incomes. It also inspired 22 neighboring farmers to use black polythene as mulch.

3. Vegetable Cultivation has become a direct source of economic transformation of farm families

Due to lack of water availability and irregular rain fall pattern in Uttarkashi, farmers were dependent on traditional farming system. Farmers were growing only the cereal crops without application of scientific methods. After the initiation of NICRA project in the village, the farmers were provided LDPE tanks for conservation of waste and rain water which was further used in watering vegetables. The farmers were trained in seasonal and off seasonal vegetable cultivation with input support. The farmers are growing vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower vegetable pea in rabiseason, French bean and summer squash in jayad while tomato, capsicum, French bean brinjal and okra in kharif season.

The farmers have provided high yielding varieties of vegetable crops with technical support through project. The area of vegetable cultivation has increased from zero to 10 Nali (2000m2). Farmers have also started nursery production of brinjal, capsicum, onion, tomato, etc. Farmers are getting fresh vegetables for consumption and are saving the expenditure incurred in purchase of vegetables from the market besides earning profit of Rs. 5000-10000 per crop per season.

4. Pigeon pea based cropping system with intercropping of millets

Farmers Detail: Suryamani Baluni S/O Jagdish Prasad Village- Dunda, Uttarkashi,Uttarakhand

Suryamani Baluni, an old farmer of village Dunda, district Uttarkashi, used to grow cereals and millet crops. The income from these crops was not even sufficient for the survival of his family. Under NICRA project pigeon pea seed was provided. He introduced Pigeon pea based cropping system with intercropping of millets. In this intercropping between two rows of pigeon pea he sown two rows of finger millet, as he increased the spacing between two rows of pigeon pea (90 cm instead of 45 cm which is recommended spacing).

Specifications of the practice Seed rate: Pigeon pea- 12-15 kg, Finger millet- 5 kg per nali Spacing: Between pigeon pea- 90 cm x 20 cm and between Finger millet- 20 x 10 cm. Time of sowing: First fortnight of June.