Committee reviewed climate resilient agricultural interventions in Nandurbar & Ahmednagar
Pune: The Zonal Monitoring Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. M.C. Varshney, former Vice Chancellor, Anand Agricultural University, Anand and Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar monitored the climate resilient interventions in Nandurbar and Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) during 8th to 10th January – 2019. Dr. Lakhan Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI,Pune, Dr. K.D. Kokate, Director Extension Education, MPKV, Rahuri, Dr. Jagdish Rane, Head, School of Drought Stress Management, ICAR-NIASM, Baramati, Dr. M.S. Mahajan, Professor, MPKV, Rahuri and Dr. K. Nagasree, ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad were among the other dignitaries present during the monitoring session.
During the visit, the opportunities for addressing the water scarcity, conserving the moisture and soil through in-situ conservation methods, using each drop of water with appropriate irrigation schedule, etc. were also explored.
The Committee also inspected the Bhima Dark Red (onion) for seed production, Jaki-9218 (chickpea) drought tolerance, CSV-27 (sorghum), GM-6 (maize) interventions which gave better performance in the area. Kadaknath backyard poultry promotion in the area that is capable of providing about Rs. 10,000 per month to the farmers was also inspected by the Monitoring Committee. The Committee also drew the results of Rabi crops like chickpea could yield nearly twice with life saving irrigation and hence enhanced income for farmer; crop cafeteria to safe guard income as demonstrated by tribal woman who earned beyond her expectations, etc., with the help of NICRA’s initiative during their visit to the tribal areas.
During the occasion, a visit to the NICRA villages (Nirmal Pimpri and Pimpri Lokai) in Ahmednagar district was also organized. The different interventions specially water harvesting, drip irrigation, mulching, short duration and drought tolerant varieties, loose housing, goat farming, integrated farming system, custom hiring service of farm implements, etc., were also inspected during the visit.