CRIDA (Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture), 2010Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed AreasAnnual Report 2010Hyderabad, A.P., India: CRIDA p.46

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Sreenath DixitB.Venkateswarlu

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Dr. B. Venkateswarlu Director and Consortium LeaderCentral Research Institute for Dryland AgricultureSantoshnagar, Hyderabad 500059Telefax: 040-24535336Web: http://www.crida.ernet.in/naip/naip.htmlEmail: naip@crida.ernet.in, crida.naip3@gmail.com

Cover Photo: Ippalakunta tank in Khammam district after sluice gate repair

Annual Report2010

Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture Santoshnagar, Hyderabad 500 059, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

National Agricultural Innovation Project (Component 3)

Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed Areas

The ConsortiumCentral Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad – Lead CenterAcharaya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Hyderabad.International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, A.P.Watershed Support Services Network (WASSAN), Hyderabad, A.P.Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI), Warangal, A.P.BAIF Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Mahabubnagar, A.P.Sri Aurobindo Institute for Rural Development (SAIRD), Gaddipalli, Nalgonda, A.P.Center for World Solidarity (CWS), SecunderabadAakruthi Agricultural Associates (AAKRUTHI), HyderabadIkisan Limited (IKISAN), Hyderabad

Consortium Advisory CommitteeLate Dr. I. V. Subbarao Till 14th August, 2010 1-10-315, Manovikasnagar, Hasmathpet Road, Secunderabad 500 009 Dr.S.M.Ilyas From 21st December, 2010 Programme Coordinator, PDG-SRD NIRD, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500 030 Dr. N.K. Sanghi A-16, Ist Avenue, Sainikpuri, Secunderabad 500094Dr. M.V.R. Prasad 8-2-309/12, D1, Trendset Ville, Road No. 3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500 034Mr. D. Ramakrishna Reddy Progressive Farmer and Member of RAC (CRIDA) H.No.1-3-151/E/3/1, Rajendranagar Mahabubnagar 509 001Ms. V. Rukmini Rao Gramya Resource Centre 12-3-440, Street No.1, Tarnaka, Secunderabad 500 017Mr. S. Siva Kumar ITC Limited International Business Division 31, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad 500 003Mr.K.Vidyasagar, IFS Special Commissioner CORD, HUDA–Hermitage Offices Complex, 5th Floor, Hill Fort Road, Hyderabad 500004,Mr. I. Shariff AGM NABARD Regional Office, RTC X Roads, HyderabadDr. A.P. Srivastava National Coordinator, Component 3 NAIP-Project Implementation Unit, KAB-II, Pusa Campus, New Delhi110012

Consortium Implementation CommitteeB. Venkateswarlu Chairman Director & Consortium Leader, CRIDA, Hyderabad

P. Ramesh Member Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vignan Kendra ANGRAU, Opp. Ramnagar, Adilabad-504001

G. Surendra Nath Member Programme Coordinator, WASSAN 12-13-450, Street No.1, Tarnaka, Secunderabad–500017

R. Murali Member Secretary, MARI 1-8-499, Behind Ekashila Park, Balasamudram, Hanamkonda – 506001 Warangal District

B. Shivarudrappa Member Chief Programme Coordinator, BIRD C/o.B.Damodar Reddy Door No.9-6-173, Road No.2 Durga Bhavani Nagar Colony Santoshnagar, Hyderabad – 500 079

R. Veeraiah Member Programme Coordinator, SAIRD P.O.Gaddipalli, Garidepalli Mandal, Nalgonda district, A.P.

R.V. Rama Mohan Member Director (NRM), CWS 12-13-438, Street No.1, Tarnaka, Secunderabad–500017

R. Kishore Member Director, AAKRUTHI 6-3-903/A/3, II Floor, Suryanagar colony, Rajbhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad – 500 082

R. Sudhakar Rao Member Director of Research ANGRAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad – 500 030

S.P. Wani Member Principal Scientist (Watersheds), ICRISAT Patancheru – 502342

Vijay Jesudassan Member National Manager (Operations and Development) I Kisan Limited No.1 Nagarjuna Hills, Panjagutta – 500 082

Sreenath Dixit Member Consortium Principal Investigator, Secretary NAIP Component 3, CRIDA, Hyderabad

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INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION PROJECT

Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012

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Dr. Bangali Baboo National Director

Message

“Sustainable rural livelihoods through enhanced farming systems productivity and efficient support systems in rainfed areas” is a sub-project under Component 3 of National Agricultural Innovation Project implemented by a consortium led by CRIDA. This consortium is unique in many ways as it has partners from public, private and the NGO sectors. Besides, the disadvantages of the districts in which the project is being implemented are also unique in many ways. The rainfall, soil type, crops cultivated and the socio-economic settings vary widely among the districts. Thus, this sub-project offers an interesting learning platform for development researchers. This consortium has implemented some very innovative interventions across the clusters. The rainwater harvesting and water productivity enhancement interventions are particularly noteworthy. That significant improvements in livelihoods can be brought about by promoting site specific rainwater harvesting strategies in drought-prone areas, has been amply demonstrated by this project. This project has brought out significant learnings for promoting sustainable rural livelihoods in rainfed areas. I congratulate all the members of the consortium for their good work and wish them success in improving livelihoods.

New Delhi 25th March, 2011 (Bangali Baboo)

Acronyms

AICI . . . . . . . . . . . Agricultural Insurance Corporation of India

ARS. . . . . . . . . . . . Agricultural Research Station

BOD . . . . . . . . . . . Biological Oxygen Demand

CA . . . . . . . . . . . . Cluster Anchor

CAC . . . . . . . . . . . Consortium Advisory Committee

CCB . . . . . . . . . . . Continuous Contour Bunds

CCMT . . . . . . . . . . Cluster Coordination and Monitoring Team

CCT . . . . . . . . . . . Continuous Contour Trench

CD . . . . . . . . . . . . Check Dam

CG Center/ CGIAR . . . Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Center

DRDA . . . . . . . . . . District Rural Development Agency

DWACRA . . . . . . . . Development Of Women And Children In Rural Areas

FP. . . . . . . . . . . . . Farm Pond

FYM . . . . . . . . . . . Farm Yard Manure

GCS . . . . . . . . . . . Gully Control Structures

GP . . . . . . . . . . . . Gram Panchayat

HDPE . . . . . . . . . . High Density Poly Ethylene

ICAR . . . . . . . . . . . Indian Council of Agricultural Research

ICT . . . . . . . . . . . . Information and Communication Technology

INM . . . . . . . . . . . Integrated Nutrient Management

IVRS . . . . . . . . . . . Interactive Voice Response System

MNREGS . . . . . . . . Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

MPT . . . . . . . . . . . Mini Percolation Tank

NEDCAP. . . . . . . . . Non Conventional Energy Development Corporation of A.P.

NPM . . . . . . . . . . . Non Pesticidal Management

NTFP . . . . . . . . . . . Non Timber Forest Product

RMG . . . . . . . . . . . Rythu Mitra Groups

RWH . . . . . . . . . . . Rain Water Harvesting

SHG . . . . . . . . . . . Self Help Group

SRL . . . . . . . . . . . . Sustainable Rural Livelihood

SSNM . . . . . . . . . . Site Specific Nutrient Management

TSG. . . . . . . . . . . . Thematic Support Group

VKC . . . . . . . . . . . Village Knowledge Center

VRC . . . . . . . . . . . Village Resource Center

Dr. B. Venkateswarlu Director and Consortium Leader Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

The NAIP component 3 sub project “Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed Areas” has been in operation since September, 2007 and has since made some significant progress in terms of contributing to improvement of rural livelihoods in the selected disadvantaged districts. The project has adopted a participatory action learning framework and come out with noteworthy results over the past three years. While the first year was mostly spent in setting up a suitable project implementation framework, the second and the third years were spent on implementing site specific interventions aimed at enhancing household productivity and profitability. As envisaged in the title, the project has maintained a clear focus on building support systems in terms of rainwater harvesting infrastructure and community-based institutions as a means of aiding the process of change. Investment of project resources in identifying existing rainwater harvesting infrastructure and taking up measures to enhance their capacity has paid-off well during the year, as the rainfall situation was exceptionally good.

The problem of poor productivity and profitability was approached by implementing a range of interventions such as nutrient management, rainwater management, post-harvest value addition and market linkages. Though these interventions formed very much part of the overall strategy of livelihood improvement, they seemed to have fallen in place during the current year as the nature also cooperated. The community-based institutions such as the groundwater users association formed at Ibrahimpur cluster, Rangareddy district have marked a new beginning in sharing scarce groundwater and have drawn the attention of development thinkers and policy makers from far and wide.

These outcomes would not have been encountered if the members of the consortium had not put their hearts and souls into the project. I would like to appreciate the efforts of all the partners in bringing into reality the vision that was conceived at the beginning of the project. I also thank Dr.Bangali Baboo, National Director, NAIP, Dr.A.K.Singh, Deputy Director General (NRM) for their guidance and support from time to time. I wish to acknowledge the continuous support of Dr.A.P. Srivastava, National Coordinator, Component 3 and his colleagues. I wish to appreciate the efforts of a large number of CRIDA scientists who are actively associated with cluster level implementation and monitoring of the project. Last but not least, I must mention the contribution of Dr.Sreenath Dixit, CPI and his team for excellent team work and putting up this report which I am very glad to share with all those interested in this project.

Hyderabad 25th March 2011 B. Venkateswarlu

Preface

Contents

S.No. Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page No

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1 Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Target area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 Key interventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3.1. Seethagondi, Adilabad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3.2. Pampanur, Anantapur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.3 B.Y. Gudi, Kadapa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

3.4 Thummalacheruvu, Khammam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

3.5 Jamisthapur, Mahbubnagar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3.6 Dupahad, Nalgonda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

3.7 Ibrahimpur, Rangareddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3.8 Jaffergudem, Warangal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4. Thematic Interventions Across Clusters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4.1 Soil Health Improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4.2 Knowledge Empowerment and Agri-risk Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

4.3 Training and Capacity Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

5. Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

6. Publications and Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

7. Annexures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I Training and Capacity Building Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

II Crop Productivity Enhancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

III Income Generation through Livestock Interventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

IV Impact of Rainwater Harvesting Interventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Boxes

1 Mulching improves vegetable yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2 Establishment of horti-pasture system on marginal lands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3 Pipeline networking for groundwater sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

1

Annual Report 2010

The project entered into the third year of its implementation. This year was the best so

far in terms of overall rainfall and its distribution across the clusters, especially after a severe drought during the past year. In all the clusters except in the case of Adilabad and Khammam, the rainfall received during the year was higher than the normal annual rainfall (see fig). The distribution of rainfall however was satisfactory. The drought prone districts like Anantapur, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda and Rangareddy received much higher rainfall.

over 5 times in Mahbubnagar, 5 times in Khammam. Groundnut yields increased by 2 times in Kadapa and by over 35% in Anantapur. A new wave of enthusiasm could be seen among farmers in cropping across the clusters. All the project interventions which aimed at providing a support system for cropping activities peaked during the year and its impact was expressed through higher level productivities of crops across the board. This vindicates the stand taken by the project and its strong belief that farmers need to be supported with various systems and sub systems to benefit from new technologies.

Interventions aimed at improving rainwater harvesting capacity and water productivity gave very significant outputs. The project pursued its interventions of promoting rainwater harvesting and use. Site specific interventions helped to make best use of a good rainfall year and increased cropping intensity by 80% on an average. New initiatives in promoting judicious groundwater use were met with immense success in Ibrahimpur cluster, Rangareddy district. The innovation involving sharing of groundwater for building a system of protective irrigation besides encouraging farmers to diversify into less water demanding crops was widely appreciated. This single intervention has made a tremendous impact on the livelihoods of 17 tribal farmers who entered into water sharing agreement with neighbouring farmers who owned bore wells. Realizing the full potential of the Ippalakunta tank in Thummalacheruvu cluster, Khammam was indeed a significant event for the farmers of Bheemavaram village. After the faulty sluice gate was replaced through peoples participation, the tank filled to its capacity due to good rains during kharif. For the first time in the past two decades, farmers say, that cropping was possible during rabi with the tank water. The rainwater harvesting infrastructure established by the project either by freshly

Executive Summary

The ground work initiated for enabling the farmers to engage in profitable farming for achieving a better livelihood came to be realized during the year. In most of the important crops, farmers were able to achieve a very significant increase in productivity owing to a combination of interventions such as introduction of superior crop varieties, promotion of better plant nutrition, improved rainwater management and plant protection. For instance, the cotton productivity achieved in Jaffergudem during the year (1183 kg/ha) was 3 times higher than the district average (397 kg/ha) for the year 2006 (bench mark year). Similarly, the increase registered in pigeonpea was

Normal and actual rainfall (2010)

2

creating storage capacity or by reviving the defunct structures through repair resulted in harvesting of over 1,76,000 m3 of water across the cluster. Building/repairing these facilities also created over 15000 man days of work in the clusters. Besides, these structures benefitted a total of 774 farmers and brought 169 acres under protective irrigation regime during the year.

Integrated nutrient management in rainfed crops is crucial to realizing higher yield levels especially during good rainfall years. The project has invested lot of its resources in driving home this point to farmers for the past 3 years. In a separate section in this report, a summary of the interventions leading to Site Specific Nutrient Management is provided.

The project has been laying emphasis on improving profitability by mobilizing the farmers for better access to markets. Several measures like formation of commodity interest groups,

promotion of good agricultural practices to produce quality product having market demand, promotion of weather based insurance and empowering farmers with regular updates on weather and market related information were promoted during the year. Details of process and its outcome are summarized in a separate section in the report.

The focus on livestock related interventions was trained on encouraging farmers to produce fodder required to meet the needs of their livestock herds. Hybrid napier, fodder sorghum, lucerne, horsegram and stylo were promoted over 170 acres across the clusters. A total of 376 t of fodder was made available within the clusters. This resulted in improving the overall availability of fodder thereby giving an impetus to livestock activities.

The report also provides a glimpse of the capacity building programmes taken up at different clusters, publications and budget details.

3

Annual Report 2010

The National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), Component 3 Sub

project on “Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed Areas” is being implemented across 8 districts of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) with a view to improving the livelihoods of the rural poor by adopting strategies of sustainable natural resource management, productivity and profitability enhancement, building support systems and institutions, and converging on development agenda of different development agencies. In other words, it is aimed at testing a new model of sustainable rural livelihood (SRL) strategy, which is focused on innovations in technology transfer, support systems and collective action with the overall goal of improving the income and livelihoods of people. The SRL strategy is considered as the most relevant to the target area as it is only through the improvement of farming systems productivity and enabling institutions in most disadvantaged areas, the goal of poverty reduction can be achieved.

The project is conceived with the overall objective of addressing rural livelihoods holistically by piloting innovations to optimize the use of natural and human capitals and by building institutional capability to sustain the gains at watershed/cluster level. The specific objectives however, are:• To improve the livelihoods of the rural poor

through efficient management of natural resources and increased productivity, profit-ability and diversity of the farming system.

• To facilitate agroprocessing, value addition andmarket linkages for enhanced on farm and off-farm income and employment generation.

• Capacity building and skill development ofprimary and secondary stakeholders through knowledge sharing, collective action and use of modern ICTs.

• To build a policy framework, institutionalmechanisms and support systems for scaling up of the successful approaches.

1. Background

There is a wide diversity among the clusters in terms of biophysical as well as socio economic characteristics. For instance, the annual average rainfall ranges from around 500 in Pampanur cluster Anantapur district to over 1100 mm in Thummalacheruvu cluster, Khammam district. Likewise, there is diversity in terms of crops and cropping systems and the willingness of the people to accept and adopt the technologies. Besides, there is also wide diversity among the partners of the consortium in terms of organizational culture and ability to mobilize the influence the stakeholder communities.

For the first time since the inception of the project (September 2007), we have experienced a good kharif during the year. The kharif season of the year 2010 experienced good rainfall across the clusters. The well distributed rainfall resulted in record sowing operations. Timely onset and good distribution were much needed to revive agricultural activities especially after experiencing severe drought during 2009.

Locations and Project Sites

Chhattisgarh

Maharashtra

TamilnaduN

Bay of

Ben

gal

Karn

atak

a

Orissa

4

The target area for the project includes eight predominantly rainfed clusters of

villages in 8 districts of Andhra Pradesh identified as backward by the Planning Commission of India. Each cluster covers 3-4 villages/6-8 hamlets falling under one Gram Panchayat (GP) and is contiguous with a homogenous production

system. It was ensured that adequate population of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, the landless and poor households are represented in the selected villages so that the interventions and their outcomes will be useful for replication in other parts of the district/state. The profile of project clusters is summarised below.

2. Target Area

Profile of project clusters in the target districts

District Mandal Cluster Villages/Hamlets Area (ha.)House-

holds (no.)

Adilabad Gudihathnoor Seethagondhi Old Somwarpet, New Somwarpet, Garkampett, Arkapalli, Chinna Malkapur, Peda Malkapur, Kotwalguda

1913 575

Anantapur Atmakur Pampanur Pampanur, Pampanur Thanda, Y.Kothapalli

2111 576

Kadapa Lakki Reddy Palli

B.Yerragudi Brahmana Yerragudi Kaspa, V.N. Palli, Mudindla Palli, Kapu Palli, Konampeta, P.V. Palli, Puttakarlavary colony, Madhigapalli

1354 516

Khammam Ashwapuram Tummalacheruvu Tummala Cheruvu, Bandla Pullaiah Gumpu, Kurvapalli Kotturu, Koremvari Gumpu, Ramavaram, Mamillavai, Venkatapuram, Bheemavaram

6934 629

Mahabubnagar Mahabubnagar Jamistapur Jamistapur, Telugugudem, Kodur Thanda

1217 739

Nalgonda Penpahad Dupahad Jalamalkunta, Seetamma Thanda, Yellappa Kunta Thanda, China Gorekunta, Peda Gorekunta, China Seetaram Thanda, Peda Seetaram Thanda, Lalsing Thanda

800 621

Ranga Reddy Parigi Ibrahimpur Ibrahimpur, Ibrahimpur Thanda, Roopsing Thanda, Dhadi Thanda, Malkaipet Thanda

898 409

Warangal Raghunathpally Jaffargudem Jaffergudem, Satyanara-yanapuram, Ramannagudem, Kusumabai Thanda, Chakal Zal Thanda, Lokya Thanda, Vepula Gadda Thanda, Cherla Thanda

2070 689

5

Annual Report 2010

The current annual report documents key interventions implemented in each cluster

and their outcome. After implementing a range of interventions in the previous years (2007 to 2009), the project consolidated its key interventions and focused on rainwater harvesting and water productivity enhancement interventions. Besides, interventions aimed at strengthening communitybased institutions were also emphasized to support and sustain the changes brought about by the project.

The report presents a brief background of each cluster and the key interventions taken up during the year with their significant outcomes.

3.1. Seethagondi cluster, AdilabadGeneral background There are eight hamlets in the Seethagondi cluster of Adilabad district which is located at 13 km from the district headquarters and 7 km from Gudihathnoor which is the mandal headquarters. The total geographical area of the cluster is 1913 ha, of which 1296 ha (68%) is under cultivation.

The average annual rainfall of the district is 984 mm. However, the cluster received a rainfall of 903 mm during the year 2010. The cluster has a total population of 1983 (as per 2001 census) with number of women outnumbering men marginally.

The cluster has in all 575 households out of which 38.4% belong to medium farmers, 22.4% to marginal farmers, 18.4% belong to small farmers, 11.1% belong to landless labourers and 9.6% to large farmers. The Scheduled Tribe families account for 23%. About 9% of the households in the cluster are reported to be below poverty line.

There are about 22 village level community based organizations like Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Rythu Mitra Groups (RMGs) in the cluster. Thus, the average number of such village level institutions works out to one per every 100 persons. There is one commercial bank branch in the cluster. There is no primary health centre and animal health center in the cluster. The nearest agricultural market yard is around 10 km.

Of the total geographical area (1913 ha), 601 ha (31%) is under forests while 1296 ha (68%) is under cultivation. About 23.3% of the land is classified as degraded land. Approximately 9% of the geographical area is treated with soil and water conservation measures. Majority of the soils of the cluster represent Vertisols with reasonable depth. The estimated soil loss of the cluster is 19t/ha/year. The major crop group of the cluster is commercial crops such as cotton (62%) followed by cereals (20%) and vegetables (9%). The major source of irrigation is open wells followed by bore wells. There is one agro-processing unit in the cluster.

Farm Pond Technology After the success of large sized farm pond (17 x 17 x 4 m) a larger number of farmers who were earlier reluctant to go for farm ponds, came forward to adopt the technology. Since the demand was very high and the project had limited funds

3. Key Interventions

6

for meeting the demands of all the farmers, it approached the MNREGS authorities to upscale the success of farm ponds in the cluster. A detailed survey was undertaken to identify appropriate spots for digging the farm ponds. About 30 suitable spots were shortlisted and forwarded to the MNREGS authorities. However, MNREGS could only take up digging of ponds of 11 x 9 x 2.5 m only, as it was mandatory that such work be taken up only by manual labour. But, the runoff harvesting potential being much greater, it required larger sized farm ponds for taking advantage of the prevailing agro ecological situation of the area. In order to demonstrate this, the project took up remodeling of a few ponds dug under MNREGS and increased their rainwater harvesting potential. This has strengthened the case in the cluster for going in for bigger sized farm ponds to harvest higher quantity of water so that the water stays longer and is available as a source of protective

irrigation. The farmers’ apprehension that large sized farm ponds would result in loss of land was countered by encouraging farmers to cultivate high value crops and vegetables around the pond by erecting trellis. The pond water was effectively used to improve household productivity and profitability. Trellis was erected around the farm pond both as a support to train cucurbits vines as well as a barrier for cattle and humans. A trial was conducted to encourage vegetable cultivation by training cucurbits vines using farm pond water. Two farm ponds accommodated 40 ridge gourd vines from which 58 kg ridge gourds were harvested and sold at Rs.28/kg accounting for Rs.1624/-.

To further strengthen the income generation, farmers were encouraged to release fingerlings in their farm ponds. Around 500 fingerlings each were released in the 4 farm ponds that were remodeled

Pond dug under MNREGS resized (left); Trellis erected along the border of the pond to train cucurbits

Fish rearing in farm ponds

Particulars Chinamalkapur Garkampet Remarks

Size 20 x 20 x 4.5 m 17 x 17 x 4.5 m

Fingerlings released (No.) 400 350 Rs. 1/- per fingerling, Feed cost : Rs.250

Fish release date 22-09-09 04-08-09

Breed Koi carp Koi carp

Harvest date 28-12-09 31-12-09

Avg. fish weight (g) 310 325 20 % mortality, 40 % died due to high BOD

Yield (Kg) 49 45

Live fish (No.) 160 140

Income (Rs.) 1960/- 1800/- @Rs.40/kg

7

Annual Report 2010

Leafy vegetable cultivated using farm pond water (left) and fishlings being released into farm pond

and each farmer could earn an additional Rs.2000/- each by the end of the rainy season.

Low Cost Nursery for Gap Filling in Cotton Generally, about 3-5% gaps are observed in cotton fields due to mortality of plants as a result of water logging or trampling damages. However, these are not filled generally as there will be a difference in the age of the plant. To address this, a technique was developed to grow nursery of cotton plants in a limited number. The date of sowing in the field and that in the nursery being the same, the nursery grown plants will be very useful for gap filling purpose. Five thousand Bt 2-cotton seedlings were raised in the nursery by using palas (Butea monosperma) leaf sleeves which are available in abundant quantity in the villages. Members of an SHG took up this activity and

sold the nursery raised cotton plants @ of Rs.0.50/plant. Farmers in general appreciated this effort as it made their job of gap filling easy.

This activity has a good potential as an income generation activity for small and marginal farmers and also for the SHGs. Such nurseries act as good support system for maintaining optimum plant population in cotton which is very crucial for achieving higher yield potential.

Crop Diversification The major crops grown in the cluster are cotton intercropped with redgram followed by sorghum and a few vegetables. In order to discourage mono-cropping of cotton, substantial area was brought under different crops during Kharif as well as rabi seasons in the cluster.

Cotton seedling nursery raised in the sleeves of Palas leaves (left); seedling ready to fill gaps

8

This encouraged diversity as well as ensured food and fodder security to the households.

Inter crops promoted in the cluster

Crop/variety Area (Ac)

Mean yield

(kg/ac)

No. of villages

No. of farmers

Redgram (MRG-66) 466 250 6 105Redgram (PRG-100) 66 200 1 12Soybean (JS 93-05) 18 600 5 16Greengram (WGG-37) 10 300 6 47

Besides, the following crops were introduced to promote household food security and diversity

where farmers were practicing cotton mono-cropping for a long time.

Alternate crops promoted in the cluster

Crop/variety Area (Ac)

Mean yield

(kg/ac)

No. of villages

No. of farmers

Maize (Trishulatha) 12 500 3 58Horsegram (sole crop) (CRIDA-18R)

3.5 550 2 7

Bengalgram (ICCC-37)

38 350 7 38

Bengalgram (JG-11) 14 300 6 14Wheat (Lok-1) 14 250 3 14

Wheat (Lok-1) Bengalgram (JG-11)

Box-1Mulching improves vegetable yield

Mulching has been shown to decrease the evaporation of soil moisture and thus helps moisture retention in soil in umpteen number of studies. However, making available enough material to mulch the soils under field conditions still remains a challenge. There is a dearth of biomass for use of mulch on the one hand while on the other crop residues which are not used as cattle fodder are either burnt or simply left in the field. Since cotton is extensively cultivated in Seethagondi cluster, it was decided to make use of cotton stubbles as an effective material for mulching for tiding over moisture stress. This however, required a machine which can cut the cotton stalks into small pieces so that it can be spread around the plants. An appropriate machine called chipper shredder was identified in the market and procured for shredding the cotton stalks for use as mulch. This machine can shred dry as well as wet biomass into small pieces which can be used for mulching. Demonstrations were conducted with the machine to raise the awareness among farmers about the advantages of mulching. A vegetable farmer came forward to try mulching in his brinjal crop. The farmer applied mulch in the inter row spaces and observed that the mulched plants showed better growth characteristics. Further, he also observed that the weed competition in the mulched plot was much less. The advantages of mulching as observed in the farmers field are summarized in the following table.

9

Annual Report 2010

Effect of mulching on plant growth

Parameter Mulched plot Control plotHeight (cm) 90 75Length of moisture retention (days) 6 4No. of irrigations 3 6Branches/plant 6 5No. of flowers/plant 24 18No. of fruits/plant 10 8Yield (t/ac) 10 8

3.2.Pampanur cluster, Anantapur districtGeneral background There are 3 villages in Pampanur cluster of Ananthapur district. The total geographical area of the cluster is 2110.9 ha out of which the cultivable area is 1431.5 ha. The cultivable area comprises of 138.5 ha of wet land (irrigated) and 1293 ha of dry land (rainfed). The average annual rainfall of the district is 338 mm while that received in Pampanur cluster during 2010 was 425 mm. The cluster has in all 576 households out of which 31.8% belong to medium farmers, 23.8% to landless labourers, 17% belong to large farmers, 16% belong to marginal farmers and 12.3% to small farmers. The share of Scheduled Tribe households in the cluster was 18%.

The cluster has a total population of 2905 (as per 2001 census). Almost equal number of men and women were present in the cluster. The literacy rate was 59%.

There are 36 DWACRA and 11 RMGs in the cluster. One commercial bank, and one primary health centre are present in the cluster. The cluster has no market yard in the vicinity of

10 km radius. Out of the 2110.9 ha of geographical area, the net sown area was 1430.5 ha, land under forest was 427.4 ha, barren land 100 ha, uncultivable waste 90 ha, permanent fallow land 42 ha, and 10 ha each under trees/groves and other cultivable lands.

Cotton stalks being shredded (extreme left) and applied as mulch in vegetable field

10

Majority (93%) of the soils in the cluster are red chelka soils (Alfisols). Extent of soil loss per year was estimated at 6 tons /ha while extent of land degraded was 1.7% of the total geographical area. About 30% of the total geographical area was treated with soil and moisture conservation measures when the project began. Groundnut is the major oilseed crop in the cluster which occupies over 80% of the cropped area. Area under cereals is around 6% while that under pulses was 4% with very little under vegetables (0.4%).

The major source of irrigation is wells. There are 2 tanks, which cater to the irrigation needs of paddy growers in the cluster. There are 3 agro processing units in the cluster.

Project Interventions Keeping in view the limitations of the agro-ecology of the cluster, project interventions were designed to augment the natural resource base to encourage profitable farming. The major focus has been on developing and implementing site specific rainwater harvesting and water productivity enhancement initiatives. Besides, productivity enhancement of groundnut, the major crop of the cluster, was addressed through a systematic plan involving seed replacement, nutrient management and mechanization of post harvest operations. During the year, groundnut seed production was pursued, as in the previous years, with cv. K-6 released by the groundnut research station, Kadiri, Acharya N.G.Ranga Agricultural University on a buy back arrangement. However due to cyclonic

depression at the time of harvest the crop suffered severe damage. Therefore, the seed produced was of very meager quantity. Due to the sustained efforts in the direction of seed replacement, over 60% of the area has come under this variety in the cluster ever since the project was launched in 2007.

Natural Resource Management The project has facilitated digging of farm ponds, mini percolation tanks and continuous contour trenches along with block plantation on wastelands. The NRM activities taken up during the year included farm ponds (8), percolation ponds (8), contour trenches (1840 m) and block plantation with 17000 saplings of different tree species. These efforts together increased the rainwater harvesting capacity by nearly 8000 m3.

Promoting farm mechanization through custom hiring centers The Pampanur cluster has been doing extremely well in maintaining and running the custom hiring center which is equipped with the need based agricultural machineries. The center has the following equipment which are in high demand by the farming community.

The overall transactions of the custom hiring center amounted to Rs.97,800 so far. An area of around 750 acres was serviced by the equipment of the custom hiring center wherein the cost saving on account of labour ranged between 30-80%.

Use of improved implements/machinery by farmers

Type of the Implement

No of Units

Crops coveredArea covered

in (Acre)Field capacity

Per hourLabor

Saving (%) Cost saving

(%)No of

farmers used

G.Nut Decorticator 03 Groundnut 15 acre 40 kg/day 80 45 04

Thresher 02 Groundnut, Red gram and Paddy

420 acre 0.75 acre 75 65 50

Anantha Seed Planter 1 Groundnut, Redgram 13 acre 1 acre 65 50 6

Power Weeder 01 Sweet Orange 2 acre 0.85 80 60 01

Hand Operated Seed drum

03 Groundnut Redgram 82 acre 40 kg/hr 85 45 34

Sprinkler Sets 07 Groundnut, 72 acre 0.225 50 40 26

Power Sprayers Thiwan Sprayers

09 All crops 152 acre 0.8 60 45 42

11

Annual Report 2010

Among the non-farm enterprises, the performance of the calf rearing center along with the vermi composting unit attached to it has been a successful intervention having scope for horizontal spread. These enterprises are being run by two separate self help groups. The cluster anchoring partner (BIRD-AP) with its experience of successfully running calf rearing centers elsewhere suggested the group of women to take up calf rearing as an economic activity. Nine women came forward to form a group and they purchased 17 calves (13 Holstein Friesian and 4 Jersey) ranging between 6 months to 12 months of age during the year 2008 in two phases. The cost of the calves ranged between Rs.5,800/- to Rs.7,200/-.The total investment was Rs.1,50,000/-. The group of women engaged in calf rearing was trained by BIRD-AP in feeding and management practices. The drought of the year 2009 was particularly challenging to this group, as there was acute fodder shortage during the following summer. They were encouraged to cultivate fodder during the drought by availing access to a private property on lease. The group cultivated fodder sorghum, guinea grass and horsegram to supplement feed resources. BIRD-AP facilitated artificial insemination of these calves upon maturity and each pregnant cow was worth Rs.18,000/- to Rs.20,000/-. Of the nine, 5 women chose to retain the cow throughout pregnancy and retain the calf after calving to

engage in selling of the milk. While the remaining four, sold the pregnant cows and realized lump sum profits. The group of women engaged in vermi composting produced 5 t and sold the lot @ Rs 3 per kg to earn a total income of Rs 15000/-. The following table summarizes the economics of calf rearing as a group enterprise.

Economics of community calf rearing centre*(n=9)

Average calf purchase cost (Rs)

Average sale cost

(Rs)

Mean Earnings

Milk sale Dung sale

cost

8500 18,650 - 1000

6600 - 11,100 2000

*Data presented is for one cycle of production which is of 18 months for calf rearing enterprises and 30 months for milk yielding cows.

Plastic mulching for promoting higher melon production Plastic mulching was promoted in melon cultivation in the cluster for ensuring higher yield and better quality melon production. During the year 2009, a trial was taken up in Mr. China Venkatesh’s field to demonstrate the benefits of plastic mulch in production of better quality melons. Initial trial was laid out in water melon (1.5 ac) and musk melon fields (1.2 ac). The results were very encouraging. Plastic mulched water melon production was to the tune of 22 t / ac as compared to 18 t in the plots without plastic mulch. In the case of musk melon, the yield in mulched plot was 14 t / ac while it was 8 t in the check plot. Melon farmers of the cluster were taken to Mr Venkatesh’s melon plots during the field day. The farmers were impressed with the advantages of plastic mulch in melon cultivation. The following are the advantages of plastic mulch as listed by the farmers:

• Weedfreeplot;relativelylowpestincidence

• Healthy growth and early maturity due tofavourable micro climate

• Largeranduniformfruitsizewithattractivecolour

Based on the experience generated by Mr. Venkatesh during 2009, 16 farmers took up melon

Multicrop thresher being used by farmers in Anantapur

12

cultivation with plastic mulch during December 2010. The fruits are being harvested and final data awaited.

Yield and net returns

ParameterMulched Not Mulched

Water melon

Musk melon*

Water melon

Musk melon

Yield t /ac 22 14 18 8

Net Returns (Rs/ac)

37150 36750 22000 12500

*Directly procured at the farm gate by retail chain operators of Bangalore.

3.3. B.Yerragudi cluster, Kadapa districtGeneral background The cluster comprises of 6 hamlets with total geographical area of 1670 ha. The cultivable area is 578 ha out of which 96 ha is irrigated and 482 ha is rainfed. The average annual rainfall of the district is 394 mm. The rainfall in the cluster during 2010 was 522 mm.

The cluster has in all 516 households, out of which 49.4% belong to small farmers, 24.6% to medium farmers, 16.1% belong to landless labourers, 5.6% belong to large farmers and 5% to marginal farmers. Men out number (620) women (568) in terms of population. The total population of the cluster was 1286, which include 98 children. About 38% of the population is illiterates (437).

Melon cultivation with plastic mulch

No other village institutions except 13 DWACRA and 5 SHGs were present in the cluster. Less than 50% of the geographical area of the cluster (578 ha) is under cultivation of crops. A major portion of the land (350 ha) is barren and put to non-agricultural use. Both permanent (71 ha) and current (42 ha) fallows account to 113 ha (10% of the geographical area). Only 20 ha are under forest strip and 18.5 ha are under miscellaneous trees and groves. Only 18% of the cultivable land is red chelka soil, 14% are black soils and other types constitute 68%.

Major crops grown in the cluster are; oilseeds (362 ha), pulses (112 ha), cereals (32 ha) and vegetables (7 ha) where as other crops account for 65 ha. Wells (both open and bore wells) are the major sources of irrigation followed by tanks for irrigated crops.

Agriculture and allied interventions Interventions were taken up to encourage diversity by introducing fodder crops, horticultural crops (See box), vegetables and small ruminants in the cropping system. One of the major objectives of these interventions was to increase household food security. This was attempted by taking up nutrition

KADAPA DISTRICT

13

Annual Report 2010

gardening in the backyards of the households in a campaign mode. Nearly half of the families (205) took part in this campaign with about 10 m2 area under vegetables in their backyard. All these households were provided access to seeds of tomatoes, brinjal, okra, snake gourd, bitter gourd, ridge gourd and leafy vegetables like amaranthus, fenugreek etc. Together over 2.6 t of vegetables worth Rs.44,000/- were produced. The average vegetable production per household was 13 kg worth Rs.215/-. Besides, 1000 plants of papaya and 800 drumstick plants were planted on the farm bunds or in the backyards. This apart, some farmers took up vegetable cultivation on a relatively large scale which accounted for about 30 acres of tomatoes and 5 acres of chilies. About 2 acres of fodder was also taken up in the cluster.

Community shade net The potential of the cluster for vegetable production during rabi and summer seasons was well understood in the beginning of the project. However, lack of availability of good quality seedlings was an issue. Though there were some nurseries in the area, they were far away from the cluster and involved large transportation cost leading to higher cost of cultivation. A shade net was established during the second year of the project and a commodity interest group was promoted to take up production and sale of good quality vegetable seedlings. During the year, the nursery produced over two lakh vegetable seedlings (tomato-1,55,000; chilies-40,000;brinjal-18,000). Over 500 man days of labour and

sale value of Rs.50,000/- were generated by this enterprise.

Natural resource management De-silting of 5 water bodies namely Gajulakunta, Y.Pedda Cheruvu, Kadirappa Kunta, Narsimhulu Kunta, Nayudi Cheruvu was taken up. Over 1100 tractor loads of silt was excavated and applied to over 60 acres of land in the cluster. De-silting could create an additional 3000 m3 rainwater storage capacity. Besides, over 640 m long bunds were laid covering 27 acres by utilizing 117 man days of MNREGS where the land slope was of higher gradient. Due to favourable rainfall during the kharif, copious amount of rainwater was harvested in these water bodies. It also reflected favorably in terms of raised water table in bore wells and open wells (see graph).

Seedlings in trays under shade net

Box-2

Establishment of horti-pasture system on marginal lands

The analysis of soil in the B.Y.Gudi cluster had clearly shown that the soil is more suitable for tree based farming or hortipasture systems. Keeping this in view, farmers were mobilized to bring their land under horticulture with inter spaces planted with perennial fodders. Over 60 acres of land was brought under hortipasture system by planting mango varieties of farmers’ choice. Farmers were encouraged to dig the pits and the grafted plants of farmers’ choice were mobilized from reputed nurseries in the locality. The plantation is coming up well with a mortality of around 5%. Farmers have taken up gap filling and also cultivated groundnut in the interspaces helping the mango saplings with better moisture conservation. Grafted mango saplings in hortipasture system

14

Impact of de-silting of water bodies on water level of bore wells and open wells

3.4. Thummalacheruvu cluster, KhammamGeneral background In the Tummalacheruvu cluster of Khammam district there are 8 hamlets with total geographical area of 6936 ha. The total cultivable area is 978.4 ha out of which 73.8 ha is irrigated and 904.6 ha is rainfed. The average annual rainfall of the district is 890 mm. The rainfall in the cluster during 2010 was 802 mm.

Digging of contour trenches (left); and rain water harvested in the trenches

The community vermi composting was continued as a group enterprise run by the members of the self help groups. The demand for vermi compost has increased in the locality and many vegetable growers are approaching the SHG for the vermi compost. Until now over 2000 man days were generated with about 440 accounting for the year under report. So far, nearly 7 t of vermi compost has been produced and sold with an income of Rs.2.15 lakhs to the SHG.

0

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0

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15

Annual Report 2010

The cluster has in all 629 households out of which 29.9% belong to medium farmers, 26.6% to small farmers, 20.2% belong to marginal farmers, 16.7% belong to landless labourers and 6.7% to large farmers. The total population of the cluster is 2637. Except a primary health centre, no other institution like financial institutions and market yards are present in the cluster. The cluster being a remote locality situated in the fringe forests, the share of tribal households is as high as 42%.

Literacy among the population of the cluster is 44 %. In respect of institutions in the cluster, there are 48 SHGs / DWACRA groups and 4 rythu mitra groups. The land use pattern indicates that the maximum area is under forests (5549.6 ha) followed by area under crops (978.4 ha), non-agricultural use/barren land (419.5 ha), uncultivable waste (278.3 ha) and area under trees/grooves (27.5 ha).

The soils of the cluster are predominantly red chelka soils (68%) followed by black soils (18%) and other types (14%). A look at different crops grown in the cluster shows that as much as 63% of the area cultivated was under commercial crops followed by 15% under cereals, 10% under pulses 7.5% under vegetables and about 4% of the area under other crops.

Wells (both open and bore wells) are the main source of irrigation. There are two tanks under which irrigated crops like paddy are being predominantly grown.

Agriculture and Allied Activities Farmers in the cluster were cultivating only one crop during kharif and leaving their land fallow later even though there was scope for utilizing residual moisture for growing a short duration crops and vegetables during rabi. As part of the projects efforts to increase cropping intensity and promoting diversity, farmers were engaged through awareness building. Farmers were encouraged to cultivating green gram and vegetables during rabi season through a systematic programme. A significant increase in area of pulses and vegetables has been achieved due to a sustained campaign. A survey was conducted to assess the extent of increase in area and production of rabi crops in the cluster. Initial results from the 4 villages where survey was completed, show that the area under second crops (pulses and vegetables) increased by nearly 43% on average in the cluster (see Fig. below).

Natural Resource Management All the work related to aqueduct across Bandlavagu was completed during the year. Later the beneficiary farmers participated in removing of weeds in the main channel which is 446 m long and digging distribution channels to access water to their fields. The entire work was completed by November 2010.

0

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2008 2009 2010

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a(a

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Increase of area (acres) under pulses andVegetables in Rabi

Blackgram

Vegetables

Greengram

16

The beneficiary households have come together as a group and opened a separate bank account and deposited amount towards operation and maintenance of the aqueduct by collecting Rs.100/household/year.

Benefits from Bandlavagu aqueduct

Total area expected to be benefited (acres)

Farmers benefitted (No.s) Rabi 2010

Area cultivated in Rabi 2010 (acres)

Extending irrigation to new area – 31.15

2 1.5

Enhancing water avail-ability to area further downstream – 24.25

15 24.25

Renovation of Ippalakunta Tank Ippala kunta is a small irrigation tank located in Kurvapalli village in the Thummalacheruvu cluster. There was leakage in the tank through sluice gate and hence the water harvested in this tank was going as waste without making itself available for cropping.

The tank has a total command area of 30 acres but only 5 acres used to be cultivated with paddy during Kharif season before the renovation work. Experiencing severe water shortage at critical time of crop harvesting, farmers slowly abstained from cultivating these lands.

A technical survey done by the project staff revealed that minor investment of about Rs.1.5 lakh on renovating and plugging the leaks will benefit

all 30 acres of land owned by around 14 farmers and this will facilitate cultivation of paddy in Kharif as well as pulses (like green gram) during Rabi season. This not only enhances the food security and income levels of these small farmers but also increases the availability of fodder for livestock.

This work was taken up by involving the Abhinandana RMGs in the village. Though renovation work was completed in May 2009 but failure of monsoon prevented the farmers from realizing the impact of the work. But, during 2010, the tank harvested rainwater to its full capacity and provided irrigation to 25 acres of land in the command area. During Rabi 2010, around 14 farmers also cultivated green

Brinjal cultivation Bhendi cultivation

17

Annual Report 2010

Ippalakunta tank brought back to life by repairing sluice gate (left bottom)

gram and benefited from the additional income and fodder availability. This intervention not only savedcropsin25acresofland;assuredirrigationwater to the lands; but also enhanced the yieldof paddy by around 30% (from 1.5 tons to 2.0 tons per ac).

Promotion of household biogas units It is a general practice with the households in the cluster to fetch firewood from the nearby forests once every year in several cartloads. Each household on an average used 6 - 8 cartloads of firewood to meet their cooking needs. Cutting firewood from the forests not being environmentally sustainable was also a major cause of respiratory ailments among women and children especially during monsoon. The Non-

conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NEDCAP), keeping these in mind has been promoting small sized (1 m3) biogas plants for every household in the cluster. However, the program was not able to make much headway as the households; to avail benefits ofthis programme were expected to arrange for sand and bitumen for the construction of the biogas dome. Due to the remoteness of the area and the cost of transport many households were not keen to avail the NEDCAP project benefits. The NAIP subproject staff working in the cluster facilitated the community by pooling the requirement of sand and bitumen of the households and arranging for transportation of material helped construction of 47 plants during April-Sept 2010. This encouraged NEDCAP to further expand the program in the cluster. After the installation of first phase of the biogas units, there were several minor issues such as gas leakage insufficient gas production etc., and, as a result, some households discontinued use of biogas initially. The project staff identified these gaps and conducted on-the-spot training programmes for troubleshooting. Followed by this, the project staff arranged for periodical meeting with beneficiaries involving the NEDCAP officials on operation and maintenance of the systems. Staff visited each beneficiary household to observe the use and operational aspects and advised them on the proper way of mixing the dung and feeding the plants for efficient gas production. By September 2010, total functional bio gas plants in the cluster reached 97.

Follow up and repair by project staff Biogas for clean and hassle free cooking

18

3.5. Jamisthapur cluster (Mahabubnagar district)General background Jamisthapur, Telugugudem and Kodur thanda are the three villages selected for project implementation in this cluster. The project is addressing a total geographical area is 1216.80 ha, of which 850.40 ha cultivable. Agriculture is predominantly rainfed in this cluster with only 59.30 ha under irrigated. The average annual rainfall of the district is 447 mm. The rainfall in the cluster during 2010 was 536 mm.

The cluster has in all 739 households out of which 50.9% belong to small farmers, 25.6% to landless labourers, 18.8% belong to medium farmers and 0.8% to large farmers. The share of the tribal households was only 3% in the cluster. The strength of women was 1402 out of 2863 total population in the cluster.

The literacy level in the cluster is about 36%. There are 42 village institutions in the cluster which include;36DWACRA/SHGgroupsand6RMGs.There is a market yard within the vicinity of 10 km of the cluster.

Net sown area in the cluster is about 850 ha while that under forests is 305.40 ha. Permanent fallows account for 43 ha and area under miscellaneous trees and groves for 18.40 ha. The cluster has predominantly (93%) red chelka soils (Alfisols). About 53 % of the total cultivated area is under oilseeds followed by 36% and 10 % under cereals and pulse respectively. The sources of irrigation for agriculture represent 23 open wells, 127 bore wells and 8 tanks.

Castor productivity enhancement by introduction of hybrids Castor hybrid seed production was carried out for the second year with another farmer Mr.K.Venkatesh, Jamisthapur. The hybrid seeds produced (80 kg) during the rabi 2009 were sold to 45 farmers in the cluster and a total of 40 acres came under hybrid castor DCH-519. Due to better rainfall during the year, the average productivity of hybrid castor was 985 kg/ha as compared to castor varieties

(450 kg/ha) generally cultivated by the farmers of this area. During rabi 2010, Mr.Venkatesh produced 200 kg hybrid castor seeds in his 1.6 acre plot and realized a profit of Rs.11,000/-. This seed will be used to spread hybrids in the cluster during kharif 2011. Though farmers are interested to produce hybrid castor seeds, some local constraints like availability of power and water are the major limitations. However, there is a wide spread awareness and interest among the educated farmers about hybrid seed production. The higher profitability of seed production enterprise which is 4-5 times the bulk crop production is attracting farmers towards this

Project staff visiting a hybrid castor field

19

Annual Report 2010

enterprise. Besides, local production of hybrid seeds is also making available hybrid seeds to a large number of farmers at their door steps at an affordable price.

Small ruminant enterprise for the landless women The landless women were encouraged to invest in small ruminant rearing enterprise by supporting them through initial project support. Each woman was assisted by 5 ram lambs and encouraged to fatten them through better feed management and controlled grazing for a period of 6 months. They were de-wormed regularly and fed with locally available concentrate feed. One of the landless labourer, Anasuya bought 5 ram lambs and sold them for Rs.22,500/- after 6 months. With this money she purchased 15 more ram lambs and continued the cycle for a complete year. Over 3 cycles, she earned Rs.75,000/-.

Drying yard in community land The farmers of Jamisthapur cluster had a long standing demand for a drying yard in the village as the traditional system of having a farm yard has long been discontinued owing to pressure on land. This issue was discussed with the village elders and the panchayat. The panchayat came forward to provide about 1000 m2 land for this purpose and transferred the same to Salaha Samithi. As part of the project’s initiative in promoting simple post harvest practices like proper drying and storing of agricultural produce, it was decided to support this activity by ensuring farmers’ contribution. Inputs like labour, transport and the soil required for

filling were contributed by the community while the project has provided cement, sand and stones for the construction. The drying yard is nearing completion and will be ready for use from the next cropping season onwards. A process of making this facility available to farmers is being arrived at. There is a broad agreement among the farmers that a nominal user fee be levied for using the drying yard facility. The details however will be worked out in consultation with the community.

3.6. Dupahad cluster (Nalgonda district)

General background The total geographical area of the cluster is 800 ha, spread over in 9 hamlets. Out of this area, 600 ha is the cultivable with over 80% of it under rainfed condition. The rest is irrigated by groundwater. The average annual rainfall of the district is 562 mm. The rainfall in the cluster during 2010 was 599 mm.

The cluster has in all 621 households out of which 47.5% belong to marginal farmers, 34.8% to small farmers, 10.8% belong to medium farmers, 5.6% belong to landless labourers and 1.3% to large farmers. The total population of the cluster is 2326 of which women population was slightly higher (1141) than men (1130). The scheduled tribes account for nearly half (46%) of the households in the cluster.

There are 6 SHGs and 3 RMGs. There is one branch of the commercial bank and one Dr. N.K. Sanghi, CAC member interacting with Anasuya

Drying yard being constructed

20

primary health centre. However there is no animal health care facility in the cluster. No market yard is present within the vicinity of 10 km radius of the cluster.

The land use pattern indicates that 600 ha are net sown area, 74 ha are permanent fallows and 13.5 ha are under miscellaneous trees and groves. About 97 % of the cluster soils are red chelka soils and only 3 % are black soils and 16 % of the geographical area is reported as degraded.

Pulses are the major crops grown in this cluster representing 63 % cultivated area followed by 18 % under cereals, 11 % under oilseeds and 8 % under vegetables. The major source of irrigation is wells. There are a total of 232 wells with over 50 open wells. Of these 45 open wells are defunct while over 80% of bore wells are functional. There is one processing unit in the cluster.

Natural Resource Management During the year, recharging of the open wells was continued and a total of 27 open wells were revived. With the help of additional water the area under protective irrigation increased from

4 ha to 26 ha. Besides this, 4 percolation ponds were dug during the year leading to recharging of 4 bore wells in the farmers field. With this, an additional 13 ha was brought under protective irrigation. The de-silting of Jalamalakunta which was taken up during summer 2009 resulted in an additional water storage capacity of over 3000 m3 which in turn brought in over 100 acres under protective irrigation due to recharging of the open and bore wells around the tank.

Due to heavy rains during the year, there was seepage in the community bio gas unit which resulted in poor production bio gas. This snag was attended by emptying the bio gas pit. Besides, the vermi composting activity using the slurry coming out of the bio gas was carried out by the community bio gas unit. Twelve vermi compost beds of 18x3.5’ were used for producing 30 t of vermi compost during the year. This was supplied to the vegetable and melon growers of the cluster. There was very good response for vermi compost application in vegetables. Initial observations in melons is also encouraging.

Market interventions for improving vegetable growers’ profitability During the previous years, efforts were made to create awareness on good mango production, harvesting and grading practices and group marketing. However, only 5 farmers had

Retail chain executives visit mango orchards during flowering

21

Annual Report 2010

availed the benefit of this intervention. During the year, many mango growers approached the project staff and expressed their willingness to participate in group marketing. Noting farmers interest, a mango growers society was formed with an objective of establishing direct market linkage between the growers and retailers. Thus, Sri Aurobindo Mango Growers’ Society was formed. Last season’s hurdles were discussed in the meeting and plans to tackle them were worked out, especially the issues in pooling up farmers’ produce. It was decided to make use of the crates that were provided through the project to separate individual’s produce when pooled up.

Problems associated with weighing the produce and payment terms were resolved. Weighing would be done at the local weighing bridge and the payment would be made through RTGS or issue of a cheque within a week.

Importance of schedule of a harvesting calendar for the season was explained to the Society members as the inventory capacity might not match the Society’s huge potential to supply mango. The capacity of absorption of produce is 5 to 6 tons per day per retailer. Based on this capacity a harvesting calendar has been planned by the society.

Water melons The melon farmers of Dupahad cluster generally cultivated large sized water melons and sold them to the middle men who would enter into some pre harvest agreement. However, the farmers usually stood to lose about 10% of the crop while selling, as the middle men would reject 10% as wastage while procuring the produce from the farmers. After studying the issues related to melon cultivation and marketing, the farmers were engaged in a series of meetings to switch over to small sized water melons which are in demand with the retailers. They were facilitated with purchase of seeds from reputed seed producers and trained on package of practices by experts. A pre-harvest agreement was facilitated with the retailers and the melon farmers are very happy to change their producing and marketing practices.

3.7. Ibrahimpur cluster (Rangareddy district)General background The cluster has 4 villages viz., Ibrahimpur, Malkaipet, Roopsing Thanda, Dadi Thanda representing a total geographical area of 898 ha. Of this, 439 ha is the cultivable comprising 284 ha of un-irrigated and 155 ha of irrigated area. The average annual rainfall of the district is 587

Project staff on a monitoring visit to water melon field (left); mango growers listening to experts

22

mm. The rainfall in the cluster during 2010 was 682 mm.

The cluster has in all 409 households out of which 52.6% belong to marginal farmers, 24.2% to small farmers, 14.7% belong to landless labourers and 8.6% belong to large farmers. The cluster has a population of 2365 members of which men were 1170, women 1088 and children 107. The literacy rate in the cluster is around 35%.

In respect of presence of village institutions, DWACRA / SHGs out number (23), RMGs (6). There are no credit organizations institutions, primary health centers (for humans and animals) and tmarket yards (within 10 km radius) in the cluster. The cluster has a cultivable area of 439 ha followed by forest (427 ha). About 50 % of the net sown area is red chelka, while 30 % is black soils and the rest are other type of soils.

Cropping pattern of the cluster indicates that cereals occupy prominent position in terms of area covered (181 ha) followed by pulses (118 ha), vegetables (24 ha), oil seeds (22 ha), fruits and commercial crops (8 ha each) and other crops (78 ha). Tube wells (138) are the major source of irrigation followed by open wells (18) in addition to two tanks which mainly cater to the irrigation needs of paddy growing farmers of the cluster. There is one processing unit in the cluster.

Agriculture and Allied Activities

The major activity in the cluster was to enhance the drought coping ability of the small and marginal tribal farmers by providing life saving irrigation during kharif and provide limited irrigation facility for a rabi crop. This was achieved by linking the bore wells through underground network of pipelines at Malkaipet thanda. The details of the intervention are detailed in Box while its impact is summarised in the table that follows.

Box-3

Pipeline networking for groundwater sharingThe Innovation

Seven bore wells owned by 7 different farmers located over a vast patch of land have been linked through a network of underground pipelines and the groundwater extracted through these bore wells is prudently shared through sprinkler irrigation by 18 farmers who collectively own 45 acres of land.

Background Southwest monsoon is the major source of soil moisture for agricultural activities in rainfed areas. Due to the erratic distribution of the monsoon, rainfed agriculture often suffers intermittent droughts causing severe crop losses. The losses can be prevented if the crop can be protected by providing irrigation to tide over the moisture stress due to break in monsoon. Paradoxically, we also see a few farmers using groundwater from bore wells for irrigating high water demanding crops with poor water use efficiency.

Besides, in most rainfed areas the length of crop growing season is just enough for cultivating only one crop a year. Once the monsoon recedes the land is left fallow. It has been shown by many studies that providing irrigation support to mitigate moisture stress during critical stages of crop growth will enhance crop yields by 2-4 times (depending on crop and

23

Annual Report 2010

Impact of groundwater sharing on the pipe line network user group (2008-09 and 2009-10)

Before Groundwater Sharing Arrangement

Annual Income

per family

(Rs. ’000)

After Groundwater Sharing Arrangement

Annual Income

per family

(Rs. ’000)

Area Cultivated in Kharif (acres)

Area Cultivated

in Rabi (acres)

Ann

ual T

otal

Area Cultivated in Kharif (acres)

Area Cultivated in Rabi (acres)

Ann

ual T

otal

Pad

dy

Red

gra

m +

Mai

ze

Tota

l

Pad

dy

Gro

und

nut

Tota

l

Pad

dy

Red

gra

m

Mai

ze

Gre

en G

ram

Cow

pea

Tota

l

Pad

dy,

Gro

und

nut

Gro

und

nut

Tota

l

Bore well owning farmers (7 nos.)

7 0 7 2 10 12 19 - 4.5 2 0 7.2 2 15.7 4, 7 7 18 26.7 -

Income of bore well owning farmers (Rs.’000)

49 0 49 14 60 74 123 17.57 31.5 6 0 25.2 6 68.7 70 42 112 180.7 25.81

Farmers without bore wells (11 nos.)

0 25 25 0 0 0 25 - 0 11 4 11 3 29 0 10 10 39 -

Income of farmers without bore wells (Rs.’000)

0 75 75 0 0 0 75 6.81 0 33 18 33 9 93 93 60 153 246 22.36

the stage at which moisture stress is experienced). Though, a lot of experimental evidence is available to demonstrate the importance of critical irrigation, it has been seldom possible to demonstrate this on a large scale under field conditions. Thus, the concept of protective irrigation has so far remained largely an exploited potential.

Through this innovation which involves irrigation and social engineering approaches, we have been able to operationalize the concept of protective irrigation under field conditions. The Impact of groundwater sharing on the pipe line network user group was assessed by comparing their cropping and income during the year 2008-09 (when the pipe line network was not operational) with those in 2009-10. The summary of the impact is presented in following table. It can be seen from the data presented in the table that there is quantum jump in the annual income of both the groundwater donors and recipients offering a win-win situation for both.

Once the underground pipeline network was laid out to link the bore wells, the area under second crop increased by two folds. The 11 farmers who had never cultivated crop during post monsoon season (rabi) could dramatically increase their family income. Further, they were able to provide protective irrigation and save crop during mid season droughts besides diversifying their cropping pattern during kharif. Generally, the farmers who did not have any water source would migrate during post monsoon to nearby cities. The pipeline network encouraged them to stay back and engage in cropping during post monsoon season preventing them from out migration and its hazards, as this new system generated an additional 90 to 100 days of employment/family in the post rainy season. The pipeline networking also prevented the unhealthy competition for digging bore wells in the already precarious groundwater situation. Thus, the pipeline network helped to manage the water demand within the threshold of seasonal hydrological recharge potential. This is a very significant ecological benefit to the community, as this arrested over exploitation of the precious groundwater.

Dr. Bangali Baboo, National Director, NAIP interacts with the project staff and farmers at Malkaipet Thanda

24

Promotion of Compost Production Farmers were encouraged to dig a compost pit of size 4 m x 3 m x 0.5 m right on their farm. They also planted 50 glyricidia cuttings on the border of each pit. The weed biomass and other agricultural waste was dumped in the pit to produce about 1-1.5 t compost twice a year. This is particularly useful to the groundnut farmers who cultivate during rabi under pipeline network. Each farmer under the pipeline networking system has agreed to dig one compost pit each on their farm after they discussed about the options for reducing frequency of irrigation during rabi in a brainstorming session facilitated by the project staff.

Revival of Local Seed Systems Earlier a system of barter existed where certain families in the village specialized in cultivating, storing and distributing good quality seeds. Over time, this system de-generated. An attempt was made to revive the system where a group of women engaged in ensuring collection of seeds in lieu of certain quantity of seeds supplied. Improved varieties of red gram (PRG-158), sorghum (PSV-1) and green gram (WGG-37) were made available to farmers by the project and the women managing the seed systems were made responsible to collect 1.5 to 2 times the seed that was earlier distributed to them as seed material. This arrangement covered an area of 225 acres during kharif 2010. Further, the group has also collected enough seed material for 350 acres of these crops for kharif 2011.

3.8. Jaffergudem cluster (Warangal district)General background The Jaffergudem cluster of Warangal district has eight villages with a total geographical area of 2070 ha. The total cultivable area in the cluster is 1551 ha, of which 312 ha is irrigated while the remaining 1239 ha is rainfed. The average annual rainfall of the district is 799 mm. The rainfall in the cluster during 2010 was 844 mm.

The cluster has in all 689 households out of which 42.2% belong to marginal farmers, 27% to small farmers, 11.5% belong to medium farmers, 5.8% belong to landless labourers and 0.3% to large farmers. The households belonging to scheduled tribe account for 35% of the households in the cluster.

Out of the total population of 3286 there were as many as 1150 illiterates. About 46 village institutions exist in the cluster and of these 31 are self help groups formed under DWACRA and 15 RMGs. There are no credit institutions in the cluster. There is no primary health centre or veterinary hospital in the cluster. However, there are 3 market yards within the vicinity of 10 km radius.

Improve greengram in the field with the seeds collected for the next season (inset)

25

Annual Report 2010

A perusal of the land use pattern indicates that 1551 ha is net sown, 310 ha is under forests, 159 ha is under permanent fallows with a meager area under barren land (16 ha). Further, area under miscellaneous trees and groves is 18.6 ha and uncultivable wasteland is about 15 ha. Red chelka (Alfisols) represent nearly 75% of the soils followed by black soils (15%) and others (10%).

Among different crops grown in the cluster, cereals occupy highest area of 715 ha (46%) followed by 689 ha of commercial crops (45%). Also grown are oilseeds (84 ha), pulses, (49 ha) and vegetables (14 ha).

The major source of irrigation is groundwater (155 open wells and 207 tube wells). Tanks (5) also form the secondary source of irrigation for growing mainly paddy.

Agriculture and Allied Activities Integrated nutrient management trials were conducted in 50 cotton farmers’ fields in one acre each. Micro nutrient like boron (1 kg), zinc (20 kg) and gypsum (100 kg) were applied in every plot. An average yield increase of 110 kg/acre worth Rs.5500/- was noticed. Over all yield gain at the cluster level was 5500 kg and the total additional income accrued to the farmers was Rs.2,75,000/-. Azospirillum was introduced as a bio-fertilizer in kharif rice in 50 acres. The yield increment was to the tune of 150 kg/acre worth Rs.1600/-. Pigeonpea was introduced as an intercrop in maize with a marginal decrease of 200 kg/acre in the yields of maize with an additional yield of 380 kg pigeonpea yield. Due to good market price the additional income through intercropping was Rs.12,000/acre.

NRM Activities

Farm ponds During the last two years, efforts were made to convince the farmers to adopt farm ponds for protective irrigation. Farmers were initially reluctant to dig farm ponds on their farms. In order to convince them, the project staff located a few large pits which were dug for soil mining

by local contractors for an irrigation project in the district. These pits used to harvest some rainwater which was not used by any farmer. The project invested in re-shaping a couple of irregular sized pits and converting them into farm ponds. The neighbouring farms were given protective irrigation using low lift pumps. With this the farmers were convinced and as many as 10 farmers came forward to adopt farm ponds.

During the year, the project took up 10 farm ponds with a total capacity of 10,172 m3 rainwater storage. To facilitate the use of the stored rainwater for supplementary irrigation to neighboring fields, two portable oil engines have been procured by Nava Kalpana Society which are being hired out to farmers on custom hiring basis.

Recharge of defunct irrigation wells (open wells) The success of open wells recharging at Dupahad cluster, Nalgonda was presented in the annual sharing and planning workshop organized by the lead center. This idea was picked up by the cluster anchoring partner, MARI. Later, during the year, a survey was conducted in Jaffergudem cluster to identify defunct open wells. It was found that 45 open irrigation wells had gone dry due to depletion of ground water. Of these, 23 were selected in the first phase for recharging. These

Rainwater harvested in the farm pond being pumped out with a low lift pump

26

wells were recharged by tapping into a nearby runoff channel and diverting the runoff using an HDPE pipe into the open well through a silt trap. During the kharif 2010 about 5650 m3 runoff water was diverted in to these wells.

Livestock Interventions Sheep units were promoted among small and marginal farmers as a means to earn additional income. Small and marginal farmers (24 No.) were encouraged to purchase sheep units by availing soft loan from the Nava Kalpana society. With the profits earned the group has added 165 more sheep to make the total number to 225 sheep within a span of 6 months. The general practice is to sell the rams and retain the eves. The groups are supported with seasonal de-worming and vaccination camps

A marginal farmer with his sheep unit multiplied several times

involving the local staff of the Department of Animal Husbandry.

27

Annual Report 2010

4.1. Soil Health Improvement Right from the inception of the project, efforts are made to address soil health related issues across the clusters. As the first step towards this, a large scale soil survey was conducted and 1050 samples covering all the project villages. The major soil types and dominant cropping systems represen- ting the clusters is detailed in the following table.

Soil types and dominant crops/cropping systems in the project clusters

District Cluster Soil type Major cropping systemAdilabad Seethagondi Black Cotton+ pigeonpeaNalgonda Dupahad Red and black Groundnut, pigeonpea, greengram, sorghum, vegetablesKhammam T.Cheruvu Red and black Cotton, sorghumMahbubnagar Zamistapur Red and black Castor, sorghum, groundnutAnantapur Pampanur Red (gravelly) GroundnutKadapa B Yerragudi Red and black Groundnut, sunflowerWarangal Jaffergudem Red and black Cotton, riceRangareddy Ibrahimpur Red sandy Maize + pigeonpea

4. Thematic Interventions Across Clusters

Once the soils were diagnosed with deficient nutrients, trials were laid out to educate the farmers about the impact of balanced nutrition. The impacts were documented and discussed with farmers

before up-scaling this practice on a large scale. A cursory look at the following table gives an indication of the extent to which the soils in the cluster are deficient in terms of major and micro nutrients.

Summary of results of soil testing across the clusters

Name of thet cluster/

DistrictpH (1:2.5)

EC OC Av. P Av. K Av S Av. B Av.Zn

dS/m % Kg/ha Kg/ha Kg/ha mg/kg mg/kg

Seetagondi (Adilabad) (63)*

Range 6.4-8.9 0.06-2.86 0.27-1.33 0.2-48.8 46-549 2.0-142.2 0.10-0.74 0.22-2.90Mean 8.2 0.27 0.62 6.9 205 12.2 0.34 0.62%deficient farmers’ field

27 60 2 76 92 74

Tummala-cheruvu (Khammam) (102)

Range 3.8-8.8 0.03-0.86 0.32-1.50 0.2-57.8 31-856 3.6-71.9 0.12-1.22 0.28-6.80Mean 6.8 0.15 0.70 8.5 180 10.6 0.39 1.09%deficient farmers’ field

25 60 2 67 87 45

Farmers collect soil samples

28

Name of thet cluster/

DistrictpH (1:2.5)

EC OC Av. P Av. K Av S Av. B Av.Zn

dS/m % Kg/ha Kg/ha Kg/ha mg/kg mg/kg

Jaffergudem (Warangal) (100)

Range 6.1-9.4 0.04-1.68 0.08-0.84 0.2-53.4 21-280 1.8-48.9 0.10-1.42 0.26-3.88Mean 7.8 0.27 0.41 16.0 118 9.4 0.38 0.96%deficient farmers’ field

81 14 5 77 84 50

Dupahad (Nalgonda) (143)

Range 5.5-9.0 0.03-1.60 0.14-1.13 0.2-50.4 21-346 2.1-140.3 0.04-1.20 0.22-6.58Mean 7.6 0.29 0.46 9.0 89 17.0 0.34 1.02%deficient farmers’ field

68 29 14 61 86 51

Zamistapur (Mahbub-nagar) (133)

Range 6.0-10.2 0.01-2.37 0.13-1.13 0.2-44.4 25-1263 3.4-287.3 0.04-1.24 0.30-4.68Mean 7.80 0.22 0.44 8.7 105 11.6 0.36 0.96%deficient farmers’ field

62 43 18 73 83 48

Ibrahimpur (Rangareddy) (121)

Range 4.7-8.2 0.02-1.16 0.15-1.56 0.2-60.0 24-405 1.1-81.6 0.06-1.24 0.30-8.00Mean 6.7 0.12 0.50 8.9 92 3.7 0.26 1.22%deficient farmers’ field

55 39 17 98 98 35

Pampanur (Anantapur) (82)

Range 5.5-8.8 0.02-3.20 0.12-1.45 0.6-42.4 38-1488 3.5-117.3 0.06-1.40 0.26-5.00Mean 7.4 0.18 0.45 8.4 116 10.0 0.32 0.88%deficient farmers’ field

66 32 9 85 88 61

B. Yerragudi (Kadapa) (83)

Range 6.0-8.8 0.02-1.30 0.12-1.31 0.2-13.4 17-482 1.8-222.6 0.04-1.46 0.24-5.20Mean 7.3 0.12 0.26 2.5 61 6.6 0.16 0.61%deficient farmers’ field

96 84 54 98 95 85

Out of different INM trails conducted in cotton, groundnut, chickpea, greengram and some vegetables, the most significant results are illustrated below.

In Jaffergudem cluster of Warangal district, balanced nutrition improved cotton yields significatly in many farmers fields. In some of the farmers fields, cotton yields reached to 1.6 t/ha with balanced nutrition registering an increase from 5 to 30% over farmers' practice.

Impact of balanced fertilization on cotton yield in farmers’ field at Jaffergudem cluster of Warangal district (2009-10; 2010-11)

29

Annual Report 2010

Impact of balanced fertilization on groundnut yield in farmers’ field at Pampanur cluster of Anantapur district (2009-10; 2010-11)

Impact of balanced fertilization on chickpea (var. JG-11) yield in farmers’ field at Seethagondi cluster of Adilabad district (rabi season 2009-2010)

In spite of poor soil and low rainfall (<500 mm) in Pampanur cluster of Anantapur district, response of groundnut to balanced nutrition ranged from 20 to 50%.

Among rabi crops, chickpea (variety JG-11) showed significant response to balanced nutrition in Seethagondi cluster of Adilabad district. Being pulse crop, its S requirement is met from added sulphur in the form of gypsum besides application of ther nutrients. However, the variation in the crop response to balanced nutrition was wide among farmers’ fields. The improvement in chickpea yields with balance nutrition was from 12 to 60% over farmers' practice.

30

Gliricidia nursery Shredded biomass (inset) coming out of chipper

Inventory of organic resources Farm yard manure is an important form of organic matter. However, its competing use as a source of fuel is a major obstacle in making this useful resource to productive agriculture. It contains on an average 0.5% N, 0.2% P and 0.5% K besides most secondary, micro and beneficiary nutrient elements. A survey was conducted to identify and prepare an inventory of organic resources available within each cluster so as to devise a strategy for production of compost.

4.1.1. Strategies for augmenting organic nutrientsPromotion of green manuring crops All the clusters were encouraged to establish nurseries through self help groups to produce glyricidia seedlings in large numbers. These were

Inventory of organic resources available across the clusters

District Cluster Organic manures available

Adilabad Seetagondi FYM, glyricidia, cotton residue, redgram residue, vermicompost

Rangareddy Ibrahimpur Compost, maize residue, redgram residue, vermicompost, FYM

Warangal Jaffergudem FYM, cotton and pigeonpea residue, glyricidia

Khammam Tummala Cheruvu Redgram and cotton residue, FYM

Mahboobnagar Jamistapur FYM, cotton redgram residue

Anantapur Pampanur Groundnut shells, horsegram incorporation, FYM, glyricidia, vermicompost

Kadapa B. Yerragudi FYM, vermicompost, groundnut shells, green manure

Nalgonda Dupahad FYM, vermicompost, glyricidia, redgram residue, groundnut shells

bought back by the project and farmers were encouraged to plant them on their field bunds and boundaries, around compost pits and in common lands.

Crop residue recycling Besides, the crop residues like cotton and pigeonpea stalks are being shredded by using a special machine chipper shredder procured for the purpose. The shredded biomass can be initially used as mulch and later incorporated into soil. The successful use of shredded cotton stalks as mulch is detailed elsewhere in this report.

Promotion of community vermicomposting units Self help groups of women were encouraged to take up vermi composting as income generation

31

Annual Report 2010

activity and make the vermi compost available for different agricultural crops within the cluster. This was successfully done in Anantapur, Kadapa, and Nalgonda clusters. The women were trained and helped to access to premises either in a private property regime or in the public property regime. For instance, in Kapada the women have been producing vermi compost in an abandoned poultry shed belonging to a farmer by paying rent. Whereas in Anantapur, a building belonging to the DRDO is being used with its permission. These efforts have augmented the availability of organic resources within the cluster and are playing a major role in improving soil health and crop productivity.

Tank silt application The project has been promoting activities to enhance the rainwater harvesting capacity in each cluster by identifying and facilitating de-silting of community water bodies. This is largely taken up in convergence with MNREGS where the farmers of the clusters are encouraged to use the silt as a soil amendment. Tank silt is a source of nutrients as well as it helps soils to retain moisture. A quick survey of the clusters indicated that there are large sized community water bodies in all the clusters. However, the number of tanks was highest in the project clusters of Warangal, Anantapur and Nalgonda districts. The following table

summarizes the economic viability of taking up de-silting and applying the silt of these tanks to farmers fields.

Composition of tank silt in Warangal, Anantapur and Nalgonda Districts

Total number of Tanks 42

Sediment 97524 tons

Carbon 1009 tons

Nitrogen 68.5 tons

Phosphorus 28.9 tons

N Fertilizer Equivalent Rs 756480

P Fertilizer Equivalent Rs 570348

B:C Ratio of Desilting of Tanks 1.23

Soil health cards as monitoring tool Soil health cards were prepared based on soil analysis data along with recommendations for nutrient application to predominant crops in each cluster. Over 1000 soil health cards were prepared in local language and handed over to the farmers. These farmers who have been provided with soil health cards are also being promoted as the messengers of soil health improvement. Demonstrations are conducted on these farmers plots to promote site specific nutrient management. Field days, kisan melas, group meetings are organized to promote awareness about soil health.

Members of SHG engaged in vermi compost production in Anantapur (left) and Kadapa

32

Enhancing nutrient use efficiency through supplemental irrigation Rainfed soils are basically very degraded and have poor water holding capacity owing to their light texture. Appropriate in situ moisture conservation measures are promoted to exploit the full potential of nutrient application to the soils. Besides, wherever possible crops are provided with protective irrigation so that best results can be obtained through nutrient

application. Based on the topography, soil type and runoff potential different rainwater harvesting structures have been promoted across the clusters. In places where there is scope for groundwater use, efforts are being made to pool the groundwater and provide life saving irrigation during droughts. This strategy has brought a new enthusiasm among farmers in rainfed areas (please refer to the report of Ibrahimpur cluster, Rangareddy district).

Tank de-silting in progress at Kadapa (left); silt applied and incorporated in soil

33

Annual Report 2010

4.2. Knowledge Empowerment and Agri-risk Management The project has firmly believed in the process of knowledge empowerment as a means to achieving sustainable rural livelihoods. Accordingly the project has committed resources and personnel to work towards knowledge empowerment of rural societies. State-of–the-art information and communication technologies (ICTs) are being extensively employed as a tool to knowledge empowerment. During the initial phase of the project, infrastructure such as buildings for housing ICT equipment, installation of the hardware and software, test running, establishing connectivity, identifying and training village youth to man the ICT kiosk and developing and deploying site specific content were taken up. Certain local issues such as power availability, attrition of kiosk operators, poor telephone network, breakdown of equipment and software glitches were attended to and a platform for smooth functioning of the ICT kiosk was prepared. Currently each village knowledge centre (VKC) facilitates the sharing of data, information and the collective knowledge gleaned from research, experiences and interaction with cluster partners. The custom tailored services include information and knowledge dissemination of package of practices, crop diagnostic services, plant protection measures, dynamic market information, weather advisory services in an integrated manner. The following hardware and software have been installed at each VKC to enable this to happen.• Touch screenkiosk• Displayannouncement system

• Interactivevoiceenquiry system,• Sasyavani• Basic Internet connectivity enabled by data

card• e Farmer mandi

How many visit the VKC? Men, women and youth of the community were separately exposed to the facilities of the VKCs. The initial hesitation in going over to the VKC and seeking information faded gradually. The average number of visitors at different clusters is provided in the following table.

Place of KSCAverage no.of visitors /month

since the inception of KSCIbrahimpur 140.25Dupahad 55.81Jamisthapur 87.20Pampanur 68.41Seethagondi 103.00B.Yerragudi 96.47Thummalacheruvu 126.78Jaffergudem 73.73

What do they access at VKC? As mentioned before, each cluster has its kiosk loaded with information relevant to the most important crop grown by its farmers. However the major crops for which content is developed and deployed are paddy, cotton, chillies, redgram, blackgram, bengalgram, greengram, Maize, castor and groundnut. An analysis of the crop-wise information accessed by the users at different clusters shows that content of cotton accessed most

In situ moisture conservation in furrows (left); farm ponds for protective irrigation

34

(15.05%) of those visiting the VKC (followed by the paddy(10.88%) and redgram (10.84%) among the content of ten crops placed in kiosk for accessing information.

Cluster wise usage of (DAP) for screening CDs/DVDs

Cluster No. of Cds’ screenedIbrahimpur 83Dupahad 172Jamisthapur 157Pampanur 412Seethagondi 128B.Yerragudi 538Thummalacheruvu 523Jaffergudem 443

Besides this crop specific information, the VKCs are also equipped with a library of video CDs and DVDs on various matters of interest

to farmers such as dairying, backyard poultry, mango cultivation, mushroom production, animal diseases and their management etc. These were procured off the shelf from various institutions, research organizations and media houses based on farmers preference. Farmers in group can walk into the VKC and get the CD of their choice screened in the specially provided display system. The following table gives details of the number of video screenings at each VKC.

How can one access information being away from VKC? Farmers who are unable to visit cluster can also take advantage of VKC by calling the IVRS telephone number and access voice modulated information on weather and markers. Besides, the

cell phone owners are provided with voice mails with weather and market information.

The voice information is provided in local language (Telugu) and as well as in English. By using this service farmer can directly get the current market information, weather information, best management practices for agriculture and allied information by a call from his/her mobile or from any phone. At present 13 crops are under IVRS service and a service of Re.1 is applicable per call. With regard to IVRS application where telephone connection is mandatory which again depends on the phone line availability of Fixed Cellular Terminal (FCT) technology was used innovatively. In this a mobile SIM card is inserted which could be used for connecting to the IVRS application.

Agri Risk Management I-kisan, the consortium partner having the mandate to promote better access to markets and facilitate farmers with risk mitigation strategies, focused this year on promoting insurance as a risk mitigation tool. Crop insurance and weather based insurance were tried in different clusters during the season. The following presents a brief report on the activities taken up during the year.

Face-to-face Meetings Interaction meetings were arranged for bringing farmers and industry experts/subject specialists for bringing them face to face and develop an understanding of each other’s perspective. During these meetings, emphasis was laid on three important areas of project intervention viz. Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Market Linkages and Agri Risk Management. Experts and resource persons from these fields were invited to participate in the programme and interact with the farmers in each cluster. Together with Agricultural Insurance Corporation of India (AICI), a large number of farmers were encouraged to avail the weather based insurance policy for kharif 2010 (table). Special meetings were conducted across cotton growing clusters to bring awareness about weather based insurance product promoted by AICI.

35

Annual Report 2010

Details of cotton farmers covered for cotton crop across three clusters

Cluster Acreage Total

Premium (Rs.)

No. of farmers

Seethagondhi 39 21,060 13

Thummalacheruvu 121 78,650 111

Jaffergudem 116 75,400 116

Total 276 1,75,110 240

Facilitation of settlement of crop insurance claims In kharif 2009 non-loanee farmers were encouraged to insure for their crops in all the clusters for different crops that were notified for that season by Agriculture Insurance

Company of India (AICI). A total of 75 non- loanees were insured for 5 crops for the season kharif 2009.

ICT session at the Refresher Programme, Bhadrachalam - 23.09.10

Farmers respond to ICT session at Anantapur

Disbursement of Kharif ‘09 NAIS claims Dupahad cluster

Details of crop insurance claims

Cluster Crop Claim amount (Rs.)No. of farmers

enrolledNo. of farmers who got claims

B.Yerragudi Groundnut 2166.00 8 8

Dupahad Green gram 5280.00 16 2

Ibrahimpur Red gram 647.00 8 8

Jaffergudem Green gram 380.00 6 1

Pampanur Groundnut 2800.19 10 10

Total 11273.19 48 29

36

The claims for Kharif 2009 crops were declared in September 2010 and disbursed to the respective nodal banks in December 2010. Five of NAIP clusters fell in the list of affected mandals which were notified for crop loss and reduced yields. The claims of farmers were from Dupahad, Ibrahimpur, B.Yerragudi, Pampanur and Jaffergudem clusters and were settled based on the indemnity percentage (loss %) declared respective area. As I-kisan Limited is considered as a nodal point for the non- loanees farmers of NAIP clusters, it received

the cheque of Rs.11,274 towards settlement of claim.

4.3. Training and Capacity Building Efforts to build the capacity of the house- holds for practice change were continued during the year through specially designed training programmes, exposure visits and brainstorming sessions. The details of capacity building efforts organized by the Consortium partners are provided in Annexure I.

Farmers gather for a discussion (left); skill training for seed treatment

37

Annual Report 2010

(Rs. In Lakhs)

PartnerDuring the Year 2010-2011 Cumulative (2007-08 to 2010-11)

Funds* Released

Funds* Utilized

% UtilizationFunds

Released Funds Utilized % Utilization

CRIDA 55.86 30.51 55 276.68 245.08 89

ANGRAU 32.48 15.43 48 125.77 102.79 82

ICRISAT 18.58 14.65 79 76.13 70.57 93

BIRD 23.93 16.71 70 128.68 116.63 91

WASSAN 18.05 14.46 80 91.18 83.42 91

SAIRD 13.52 7.50 55 71.26 63.74 89

CWS 14.74 10.29 70 80.06 74.49 93

MARI 15.76 11.18 71 76.02 69.97 92

I KISAN 25.45 20.35 80 120.12 108.86 91

AAKRUTHI 15.91 11.49 72 71.82 67.35 94

OVERALL 234.29 152.56 65 1117.71 1002.90 90

* up to December, 2010

5. Budget

38

6. Publications and Awards

National Refereed Journals1. Srinivasarao, Ch., Venkateswrlu, B., Sreenath

Dixit, Veeraiah, R., Rammohan, S., Sanjeeva Reddy, B., Sumanta Kundu and Gayatri Devi, K. (2011). Implementation of contingency crop planning for drought in tribal villages in Andhra Pradesh: Impacts on food and fodder security and livelihoods. Indian J.Dryland Agric. Res. & Dev.2010. 25(1): 23-30.

2. Ramana, D.B.V and Vijaya Kumar, A. (2010). Raillietina infestation in Vanaraja chicks. Intas polivet, 11(1): 126-127.

3. Ramana, D.B.V., Vijay Kumar, A., Sreenath Dixit, B. Venkateswarulu and G. Surendranath (2010). Success of ram lamb rearing: a livelihood option for landless tribal women. Intensive Agriculture, 49: 18-20.

4. Ramana, D.B.V., Vijaya Kumar, A., Sreenath Dixit and Venkateswarlu, B. (2011). Livestock Production Practices for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: A Participatory Action Research in Rainfed Areas of Andhra Pradesh, India. Journal of Rural Development, 30 (1): 71-79.

5. Sreenath Dixit and Venkateswarlu, B. 2010. Local solutions to climate change. Infochange Agenda. Quarterly Published by Centre for Communication and Development Studies, Pune. Issue.19 (21-24). Available online at http://infochangeindia.org/Agenda/Agricultural-revival/Local-solutions-to-climate-change.html

6. Sreenath Dixit, Prasad, J.V.N.S., Raju, B.M.K and Venkateswarlu, B. Towards a Carbon – Neutral Rural India: Challenges and opportunities in agriculture. 2010. India Infrastructure Report – 2010. Infrastructure development in a low carbon economy. pp. 393-407.

Conference & Symposia Papers

1. Ramana, D.B.V., Vijay Kumar, A, Sudheer, D and Raju BMK. 2010. Spatial distribution of enteric methane emissions from ruminanat livestock

in Andhra Pradesh. In Extended Summaries of Papers of National Symposium on Climate Change and Rainfed Agriculture at CRIDA, Hyderabad from February 18-20, 2010: 413-415.

2. Rao, K.V., Venkateswarlu, B., Sahrawath, K.L., Wani, S.P., Mishra, P.K., Sreenath Dixit, Srinivasa Reddy, K., Manoranjan Kumar and Saikia, U.S. (Eds) 2010. Proceedings of National Workshop-cum-Brain Storming on Rainwater Harvesting and Reuse through Farm Pond: Experiences, Issues and Strategies. Pages: 242.

3. Sreenath Dixit, Venkateswarlu, B (2011). Local solutions to cope with climate change effects on rainfed agriculture: Innovative NRM interventions. Agricultural Drought: Climate Change and Rainfed Agriculture, Lecture notes of the 5th SERC School, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, India. 289-294.

4. Vijaya Kumar, S., Sreenath Dixit, Rao, K.V., Bhaskara Rao, I., Vijaya Kumar, A. and Majid Ali (2010). Roof top rainwater harvesting for domestic needs – An approach. Paper presented at the National Seminar on Engineering Agriculture for Evergreen Revolution, 24-25 September, 2010, ISAE AP Chapter, Hyderabad.

5. Sreenath Dixit, M.Prabhakar, B.Anuradha, M.Padmaiah (2010). Village level hybrid seed production: A process for effective transfer of castor production technology. Lead paper presented at the National Symposium on Research and Development in Castor: Present status and future strategies, DOR, Hyderabad, October 22-23, 2010.

Technical manuals/Bulletins1. Srinivasa Rao, Ch., Venkateswarlu, B., Sreenath

Dixit, and Anil Kumar Singh. 2010. Potassium deficiency in soils and crops emerging soil fertility constraint in dryland agriculture, NAIP-SRL Series-4, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad. pp.34.

39

Annual Report 2010

2. Srinivasa Rao, Ch., Venkateswarlu, B., Sreenath Dixit and Venkataraoamma, K. (2010). Pantalalo mareu nealalo potassium lopam metta vayavasaya utpathilo peruguthuna poshaka samashya, NAIP-SRL Series-5, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad. pp.34.

3. Nagasree, K., Sreenath Dixit, Ravishankar, K., Venkateswarlu, B. (2010). Garamina vyavasaya vignyana samachara kendramulu-Karadeepika. NAIP-SRL Series-4, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad. pp.24.

Popular Articles1. Dunnakunda neruga vittu mokkajonna- Jatiya

vyavasaya navakalpana pathakamlo raitula anubhavalu in Annadata on 01.01.2010.

2. Mokkala sandrata penchi varshadhara pattilo adhika digubadulu- Raitula bhoomullo prayogalu in Annadata on 01.02.2010.

3. Azolla utpattilo vacche samasyalu mariyu parishkara maargalu in Annadata on 01.02.2010.

4. Samishti sasya rakshanato kandi pantanu kaapadukunna raitulu in Annadata on 01.03.2010.

5. Gayatri Devi K., Vishwanatha Raju.K.,Prasad Y.G., Rao.K.V and Dixit, S. (March, 2010). Samisthi sasya rakshanatho kandi pantanu kaapadukunna Jaffergudem raitulu (Telugu), Annadatha Pg no: 23-25.

6. Nagasree. K., Dixit.S., Venkateshwarlu.B., Ravishankar.K., and Vijay Jesudasan (January, 2010). Raitanga vignana pennidhulu grameena vignana samachara kendralu (Telugu), Stanika paalana Pg no: 23-25.

7. AlertNet - A Thomson Reuters Foundation Service; Indian farmers pool groundwaterto protect against drought, 02 Nov 2010

10:42:00. Written by: AlertNet correspondent, Manipadma Jena; http://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/60167/2010/10/2-104242-1.htm.

8. Vijay Kumar, A. and Ramana, D.B.V. (2010). Azolla vutpattilo vacche samasyalu mariyu parisharaalu (in Telugu). Annadata, 2: 17-19.

9. Ramana, D.B.V. and Vijay Kumar, A. (2010). Jevaalalo adhika mamsothpattiki parannajeevula samagra yajamanyam (in Telugu). Annadata, 42 (12): 47-50.

Success stories1. WASSAN, (2010). An experience of ground water

sharing by Malkaipet tribal community in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh. Ibrahimpur cluster, Rangareddy.p8.

•Newspaper items/clippings: 6Nos.

•TVReports: 3Nos.

•CDs/VideoFilms: 2Nos.

Honour and AwardsInstitution Honour/Awards

CRIDA Vasantrao Naik Award (2009) for outstanding research and applications in dryland farming systems

CRIDA- I-Kisan

Citizen Choice # 2 for the Best ICT Enabled Agriculture Initiative of the Year 2010 (e-India Awards 2010)-August 5, 2010

AAKRUTHI Sankalp Award-2010 for Excellence in Business and Commitment to creating sustainable impact in the social enterprise category Emerging Enterprise

AAKRUTHI Sankalp 2010 Award for innovation in Agriculture, Food and Rural Business Category

40

Annexure I

Training and Capacity Building ActivitiesDate Name of the training programme (or) Exposure visit Participants (No.)

AAI

13.04.10 Vermi culture awareness programme 15

03.05.10 Training on INM trails 18

06.05.10 Vermi compost awareness programme 24

10.05.10 Horti pastoral development 22

12.08.10 Vermi compost awareness programme 14

22.09.10 Horti pastoral development (mango) 28

08.12.10 Training programme on mango value addition 12

Total number participants 133

BAIF

29.11.10 Agri Exhibition for Farmers 35

2 days Training on Calf rearing and Vermi composting 22

2 days Training on Agro forestry plantation 80

29.11.10 Agri Exhibition for farmers 35

05.09.10 Farmers day- Castor and Red Gram cultivation 15

Total number participants 187

CWS

25.01.10 to 26.01.10 Training programme N.T.F.P (Non-Timber Forest Products) 35

05.02.10 Training on Dairy Management 10

26.04.10 Training programme on ICRISAT INM Trails 10

22.05.10 Training on NTFP Collection 25

26.05.10 Training on Nursery Management 10

14.06.10 to 15.06.10 Awareness programme on Weather Insurance 70

18.06.10 Training on NTFP Collection 22

22.07.10 Demo on Bio-gas and Dairy Management 42

23.09.10 Kiosk operators meet 86

28.09.10 Demo on Honey Collection 28

10.10.10 to 12.10.10 Demo on NTFP Collection 14

27.10.10 Training on dairy Management 58

27.10.10 Training on cotton Procurement 58

15.11.10 Training on cotton Procurement 92

03.12.10 ICRISAT Training programme on Vermi Compost 14

Total number participants 574

KVK, Adilabad

21.01.10 Value addition & Marketing to Mahua flowers 20

21.01.10 Training on Gel Candle making (4) 85

24.01.10 Exposure visit to Nazrulnagar 35

28.01.10 Value Addition to fruits & vegetables 20

41

Annual Report 2010

Date Name of the training programme (or) Exposure visit Participants (No.)

30.01.10 to 01.02.10 Training on tie and dye 50

02.02.10 to 12.02.10 Embroidery 50

08.02.10 to 09.02.10 Value addition and Marketing to Mahua flowers 20

09.02.10 Training on tailoring 45

15.02.10 to 01.03.10 Demo on silage and hay making 20

23.02.10 to 24.02.10 Training on animal feed preparation from agro-wastes 30

27.03.10 Training on animal feed preparation from agro-wastes 10

01.04.10 Training on leaf plate making 15

13.12.10 Awareness programme on micro enterprises 41

Total number participants 441

MARI

10.07.10 to 11.07.10 Vermi-compost training 52

28.07.10 to 29.07.10 Mulberry cultivation 48

05.08.10 to 06.08.10 Training on vegetable cultivation 51

24.08.10 to 25.08.10 Training on fodder cultivation 49

13.10.10 Training on rearing 15

12.11.10 Training on vegetable nursery 14

Total number participants 229

SAIRD

13.05.10 Pre kharif Workshop 59

06.06.10 Method demonstration on seed Treatment and green manure 17

23.06.10 Field demonstration of ridge furrow method 12

06.07.10 Awareness camp on weather based crop insurance 20

08.09.10 Training on Hybrid rice seed production 50

24.09.10 Animal Health camp cum fertility camp 40

30.10.10 Pre Rabi work shop 70

Total number participants 268

WASSAN

22.04.10 Meeting with Water Sharing Farmers 26

21.06.10 Farmer field school on participatory Groundwater management 24

27.07.10 Exposure visit to Orissa 8

28.07.10 Farmer field school on participatory Groundwater management 15

10.08.10 Training on NPM in different crops 17

18.08.10 Farmer field school on participatory Groundwater management 12

24.08.10 Awareness on ICT, Marketing, Agriculture Insurance 50

14.09.10 Training on NPM in redgram 75

18.09.10 Farmer field school on participatory Groundwater management 14

13.10.10 Farmer field school on participatory Groundwater management 10

20.10.10 Common Interest Group Leaders Meeting 41

25.11.10 Crop-Water budgeting Workshop 18

Total number participants 310

42

Annexure II

Crop Productivity Enhancement

Cluster Major Crop Variety NAIP interventionArea

covered (ha)

Average Productivity (kg ha-1)

CurrentBase line yield

(2006#)

Adilabad

Kharif Redgram* PRG-158 Variety replacement 167.5 591 695

Rabi Bengal gram JG-11 INM, SSNM 75 875 1538

Anantapur

Kharif Groundnut K-6 Variety replacement 67.5 506 350

Rabi Groundnut K-6 Variety replacement 34.5 1589 1049

Kadapa

Kharif Groundnut K-6 Variety replacement, INM

804.5 620 268

Kharif Horsegram CRIDA 18 R Variety replacement 8.75 489 434

Khammam

Kharif Paddy MTU 1010 & JGL 1798

Ensuring water security

107.5 3245 2460

Kharif Redgram NTL-30, Durga Replaced with hybrid 12.5 2750 545

Mahbubnagar

Kharif Castor DCH-519 Variety replacement with hybrids

85 985 456

Kharif Redgram PRG-158 Variety replacement 12.5 1125 208

Rabi Groundnut K-6 Variety replacement 98.75 1439 1010

Nalgonda

Rabi Groundnut K-6 INM, SSNM 33.75 6272 1023

Rabi Tomato Annapurna INM, SSNM 40 22734 NA

Rangareddy Greengram WGG-37 Variety replacement and seed production of WGG37

197 455 315

Warangal

Kharif Cotton* Private Hybrids Altered spacing 120 1183 397

Kharif Redgram PRG-100 Variety replacement 168.8 723 349

Rabi Cowpea C-152 Variety replacement 70 686 NA

Rabi Groundnut K-6 INM, SSNM 10 1644 1445

Rabi Maize Kargil Zero-tillage 82.5 5676 4700

Redgram* = Redgram+Cotton (1:7); Cotton* = Cotton + Redgram (4:1); # District average

43

Annual Report 2010

Annexure III

Income Generation through Livestock Interventions

DistrictNo. of livestock & poultry rearing units owned by the farmers Income

generated (Rs.)Milch animals Small ruminants Poultry

Adilabad - 93 460 217080

Anantapur 15 80 - 264000

Kadapa - 30 740 133920

Khammam 42 201 110 709680

Mahaboobnagar 10 74 - 213200

Nalgonda - 27 1600 221400

Ranga Reddy 04 - - 32000

Warangal 15 158 - 404400

Total 86 663 2910 2195680

44

Annexure IV

Impact of Rainwater Harvesting Interventions

ClusterRWH and Use

Strategy

Storage Capacity (cu m)

Man days generated

No. of farmers benefited

Protective Irrigation potential

created* (ac)

Increase in Cropping

intensity %

Seethagondi, Adilabad

Capacity enhancement of farm pond

2925 2400 12 7.3 100

Pampanur, Ananthapur

Farm Pond 1960 608 26 5 100

Mini Percolation Tank, GCS, CD, CCT, Block Plantation

5886 3033 239 Indirect impact on groundwater recharge

B.Yerra Gudi, Kadapa

Desilting of existing water bodies and CCB

3070 1845 30 6 100

Thummala-Cheruvu, Khammam

Bandlavagu pipe line irrigation work

NA 30 32 60 150

Ippalakuntla renovation work

1,45,692 45 24 30 150

Jamisthapur, Mahabubnagar

Dugout Farm Ponds 1094.8 405 16 2.7 100

MPT, Repair of CD & MPT, GC and Field Bunding

11006 3099 180 To reduce the water velocity, moisture conservation & recharge of groundwater

Dupahad, Nalgonda

Open well recharge (27) & Percolation Tanks (4)

- 50 55 39 100

Ibrahimpur, Rangareddy

Networking of bore wells with social regulation

NA - 18 45 250

Jaffergudem, Warangal

Farm Ponds, Enhancement FP, Open well recharging

10172 3800 142 13 150

Total 1,81,805.8 15,315 774 208 157

* Two protective irrigations at a depth @ 5 cm per irrigations

45

Annual Report 2010

Cluster Coordination and Monitoring Teams (CCMT)

Cluster Scientists

Seethagondhi, Adilabad Dr.Mohammad Osman

Dr.G Ravindra Chary

Dr.Ravikanth V Adake

Pampanur, Anantapur V.Maruthi

Dr.S.Desai

Dr.K.A.Gopinath

B.Y.Gudi, Kadapa Dr.K.Srinivasa Reddy

Dr.B.M.K. Reddy

Dr.K.Kareemulla

Dr.N.N.Reddy

Thummalacheruvu, Khammam Dr.K.Srinivas

Dr.M.Srinivasa Rao

Dr.C.A. Rama Rao

Dr.J.V.N.S. Prasad

Jamisthapur, Mahabubnagar Dr.M.Prabhakar

Dr.D.B.V.Ramana

Dr.V.S.Rao

Dupahad, Nalgonda Dr.Ch.Srinivasa Rao

Dr.B.Sanjeeva Reddy

Ibrahimpur, Rangareddy Dr.I. Srinivas

Dr.S.S.Balloli

Dr.G.Pratibha

Jaffergudem, Warangal Dr.K.V.Rao

Dr.Y.G.Prasad

Consortium Monitoring Unit

Dr. K. Kareemulla, Pr. Scientist (Agril.Econ.) Convener

Dr. C.A. Ramarao, Pr. Scientist (Agril. Econ.) Member

Dr. S.S. Balloli, Pr. Scientist (Soil Science) Member

Dr. D.B.V. Ramana, Sr. Scientist (Livestock Mgt) Member

Dr. B.M.K. Raju, Sr. Scientist (Agril.Stat.) Member

Dr. K. Ravi Shankar, Sr. Scientist (Agril.Extn.) Member Secretary

46

Consortium Lead Centre (CRIDA)Name Position Role/Responsibility in Project

Dr.B.Venkateswarlu Director

Consortium Leader Overall Management, Administrative Leader

Dr.Sreenath Dixit Principal Scientist

Consortium Principal Investigator (CPI) Overall Coordination, Technical Leader

Dr.B.Sanjeeva Reddy Sr.Scientist

Co-CPI Coordination/ Communication/ Monitoring

P Lakshmi Narasamma Techinical Officer T(7/8) Technical Support/ Budget monitoring

MA Rekha Personal Assistant Secretary to CPI

Lead Centre Staff (as on 31st December, 2010)

Name & Area of Support Responsibility

A. Vijaya Kumar, Research Associate (Veterinary Science)

Supporting CPI, CCMTs and Cluster Anchors in implementing interventions

Shailesh Borkar, Research Associate (FMP)

B. Anuradha, Research Associate (Plant Breeding)

Raghava Sarma, Senior Research Fellow (Computer)

M. Harika, Senior Research Fellow (Horticulture)

M.V. Jyothirmayi, Accounts Associate

Administration and Accounts SupportS. Suresh, Office Assistant (Admin.)

G. Satish Reddy, Junior Assistant

A. SrikanthOffice Assistance

P. Nagaraj

S.D.T. Srinivas Driver

CRIDA (Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture), 2010Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming Systems Productivity and Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed AreasAnnual Report 2010Hyderabad, A.P., India: CRIDA p.46

Compiled and Edited by:

Sreenath DixitB.Venkateswarlu

Assistance:

Budget and Finance:

P. Lakshmi NarasammaM.V. Jyothirmayi

Data Analysis & Graphics:

S. Raghava SarmaB. Anuradha

Technical:

B. AnuradhaM. SrinivasuluShailesh BorkarN. Venkata LakshmiMani MaheshwariB. MalleshI. Bhasakara Rao

Word processing:

M.A.Rekha

Layout & Printing:Venu EnterprisesHyderabad-500 039, A.P., India Ph.: 9949236019 Email: venuenterprises2010@gmail.com

Published by

Dr. B. Venkateswarlu Director and Consortium LeaderCentral Research Institute for Dryland AgricultureSantoshnagar, Hyderabad 500059Telefax: 040-24535336Web: http://www.crida.ernet.in/naip/naip.htmlEmail: naip@crida.ernet.in, crida.naip3@gmail.com

Cover Photo: Ippalakunta tank in Khammam district after sluice gate repair