Enhancing the income of resource poor farmers through introduction and expansion of improved crop production technologies (ICPT) of chickpea and other crops in rainfed rice fallow lands (RRFL) in Jharkhand

DST - ICRISAT Collaborative Project

Two districts Ranchi and Palamau were chosen based on the RRFL, tribal population and small holder poor farming families for introduction, adoption and further expansion of improved crop production technology.

Problem and Need

RRFL of in Jharkhand

Non-availability of improved technologies for establishment of crops Non-availability and delivery of seeds of improved varieties Non-availability of disease/pest management technologies (IPM/IDM).

Target districts and small-holder farmers in Jharkhand

About 11.65 million ha remains fallow during the rabi (post-rainy season) after harvest of kharif (rainy season) rice. About 1.48 million ha rainfed rice fallow lands (RRFL) are located in 24 districts of Jharkhand and thus offer an opportunity to grow a second crop with pulses (chickpea, lentil and field pea) and oilseeds (mustard and linseed). These second crops would be able to utilize the residual soil moisture left by previous rice crop. However, various technology gaps to grow these crops in RRFL of Jharkhand are:

Farmers awareness activities

RRFL of Jharkhand

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For more details, please contact: Mamta Sharma, mamta.sharma@cgiar.org

M Sharma, R Ghosh, CS Mahto and S Pande

Project Sites

Exposure visit to ICRISAT, Hyderabad

Field day, Ranchi Kisan mela, Ranchi

Technology package: ICPT

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Project Goal and Objectives The science and technology inputs of the project had following major objectives:

Evaluate and identify improved high-yielding disease resistant varieties for further introduction and expansion

Promote cultivation of high yielding chickpea and other crops (linseed, lentil, mustard and field-peas) through Improved Crop Production Technologies (ICPTs) in participation with farmers.

Develop Village Level Seed System (VLSS) to achieve self-sufficiency in seeds of farmer-preferred improved varieties of chickpea and other traditional crops.

Capacity building of farmers, NGOs, and self-help groups on ICPT components for sustainable intensification of RRFLs.

Provide research backstopping for refinement and research on ICPT components as identified by researchers and farmers in the target area.

Technology and approach was farmers centric and farmer owned involving Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS), Improved Crop Production Technology demonstrations (ICPT) and Village Level Seed Systems (VLSS) along with backstop research.

Sustainability of the program

Seed distribution

Zero-tillage sowing

S & T Interventions and Activities

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Strategy and approach

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The research and development process aimed to integrate locally adopted improved cultivars of chickpea/ other crops and ICPT crop management practices. Flow chart illustrates the strategy & approach adopted to achieve the project milestones.

Project deliverables and salient achievements

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Impact