Strategies and technologies to be promoted to extend Green Revolution for the states of U.P,

Chattisgarh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa.

S. K. SanyalVice-Chancellor

Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, PIN - 741252

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WEST BENGAL : AN OVERVIEWPopulation (2001 census) : 8.78 crore (1st October, 2010) expectedPopulation Density : 903/ Sq. Km.Nos. of Agricultural Districts : 18Nos. of Mouza / Village : 40782Geographical Area : 88752 sq. km.Agro-Climatic Zones : 6 Nos.Cultivable Area : 8686639 haNet Area Sown : 52.94 lakh haGross Cropped Area : 98.015 lakh ha Area under non-agriculture used : 17.92 lakh haForest area : 11.73 lakh haCurrent fallows : 2.87 lakh haCultivable waste land : 0.316 lakh haBarren and un-culturable land : 0.211 lakh ha

Permanent posture and other grazing land : 0.0719 lakh haIrrigated Area : 62% of Net Cropped AreaTotal Nos. of Agricultural holdings : 6953922 Nos Size of average Land Holding : 0.82 ha / Holding Cropping Intensity : 185%

AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES OF WEST BENGAL

Hill Zone (2.4 to 8 lakh ha)

Terai Zone (2.149 lakh ha)

Old Alluvial Zone (17.537 lakh ha

New Alluvial Zone (15.304 lakh ha)

Red and Laterite Zone (24.842 lakh ha

Coastal and Saline Zone (14.569 lakh ha

Progress of agriculture production in West Bengal (1975-76 to 2009-10)

Crop

1975-76 2009-10Percentage

increaseProduction (lakh ton)

Production growth index

Production (lakh ton)

Production growth index

Rice 68.66 100 148.65 216 116

Food grain 85.91 100 168.26 190 90

Oilseeds 0.78 100 7.13 914 814

Potato 16.15 100 95.00 588 488

Jute 26.86 100 93.26 347 247

Annual growth rate of rice, food grain and populations in West Bengal (1970-71 to 2008-09)

Year Population growth rate (%)

Production of growth rate (%)

Rice Food grains

1970-71 to 1980-81 2.11 1.33 0.97

1980-81 to 1990-91 2.23 6.39 5.80

1990-91 to 2000-01 1.71 1.93 2.07

2000-01 to 2008-09 1.78 1.16 1.04

Production and Requirement of Food grains in West Bengal

Percentage share of area and production of Aus, Aman and Boro Rice in Total Rice in West Bengal during 2007-08

Source: Agricultural Department, Government of West Bengal

The current status of productivity in the State vis-à-vis National Level

CropNational level State level

Maximum yield*

Average yield** Yield gap Maximum

yield*Average yield** Yield gap

Rice 3944 2173 1771 3156 2566 590

Wheat 4370 2800 1570 2833 2458 375

Pulses 812 631 181 1054 731 323

Oilseeds 1784 1019 765 1515 914 601

Potato 26102 16617 9485 23860 15922 7938

Jute (bales/ha) 13.76 11.71 2.05 17.97 13.69 4.28

(* - Based on two years average; ** - Based on three years average (2006-09). # - including mesta)

(Yield rate in kg/ha. Jute – bales/ha)

Present status of productivity gap of Rice in State as well as National level

Present status of productivity gap of Wheat in State as well as National level

Present status of productivity gap of Pulses in State as well as National level

Present status of productivity gap of Oilseeds in State as well as National level

Present status of productivity gap of Potato in State as well as National level

Present status of productivity gap of Jute in State as well as National level

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o About 12 m ha of rain fed rice in the region are subject to vagaries of monsoon & occurrence of dry spells.

o Single crop production enterprise in small holdings (0.15 to 0.30 ha) is not sustainable.

o Lack of rain water conservation & ground water recharge. o Existence of soil acidity problems is about 50 lakh ha in WB,

Jharkhand & Orissa. o Widespread deficiency of plant nutrients in soil (N, P, Zn, S &

B).o Soil degradation in about 30% area. o Natural calamities – drought, flood, cyclone especially in

coastal region. o Soil & water pollution with heavy metals (As, Fe & others)

Arsenic contamination in West Bengal (Source: http:/www.soesju.org)

Coverage 12 Districts (Mushidabad, Maldah, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Bardhaman, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata, Coochbehar, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur),

Blocks 11 1

Level of contamination

50-3700 μg/l

Citation http://www.soesju.org /arsenic/wb.html

• Increased incidence of Lung disease and Hypertension was found in arsenic exposed people compared to unexposed people.

• High Arsenic (As) level in Urine & Hair has been observed in spite of intake of safe water.

• Arsenical symptoms persist despite safe water intake for 5 years or more.

• Significant Arsenic excretion occurs through urine and hair in these subjects.

• Thus combined effect of high Arsenic in food & water have additive effect on Biomarkers & human health.

• Increased incidence of Lung disease and Hypertension was found in arsenic exposed people compared to unexposed people.

• High Arsenic (As) level in Urine & Hair has been observed in spite of intake of safe water.

• Arsenical symptoms persist despite safe water intake for 5 years or more.

• Significant Arsenic excretion occurs through urine and hair in these subjects.

• Thus combined effect of high Arsenic in food & water have additive effect on Biomarkers & human health.

Source: DNGM Research Foundation, 2009

Arsenic Toxicity Symptoms

Crop Arsenic (mg/kg)Paddy (Grain) 0.10-0.89

Potato (Tuber) 0.05-1.05

Wheat (Grain) 0.45-1.08

Mustard (Seed) 1.37-1.60

Sesame (Seed) 0.31-1.02

Brinjal (Fruit) 1.50-2.55

Pointed Gourd (Fruit) 1.20-3.65

Kachu (Tuber) 11.6-33.2

Cabbage (Head) 2.50-5.60

Chilli (Fruit) 1.05-3.80

Banana (Fruit) 1.20-4.80

Papaya (Fruit) 1.80-5.60

Arsenic content in rice, vegetables and fruits at the study site (Arsenic affected area)

Low arsenic accumulating rice varieties and landraces suitable for arsenic contaminated area: IR64, Khitish, Gobindabhog etc.

Genotypes

Arsenic content (mg/kg)

Kharif rice Boro Rice

Grain Brown rice Husk Grain Brown rice Husk

Choli 60 0.120 0.103 0.044 0.281 0.240 0.102

IR 36 0.186 0.165 0.064 0.394 0.346 0.135

IR 64 0.240 0.076 0.184 0.462 0.146 0.354

Palman 0.806 0.205 0.657 1.32 0.336 1.076

Rasi 0.205 0.132 0.127 0.526 0.335 0.321

Satabdi 0.175 0.201 0.023 0.421 0.459 0.052

TN1 0.213 0.211 0.062 0.511 0.505 0.148

Khitish 0.194 0.179 0.068 0.346 0.289 0.121

Promotion of the rice cultivars: IR 64 or Khitish for arsenic contaminated areas as replacement of Satabdi.

Low arsenic accumulating crops like potato, Pumpkin, Sesame, Green gram , sunflower can be safely included in cropping sequence to minimize the arsenic entry into the food-chain.

Promotion of the rice cultivars: IR 64 or Khitish for arsenic contaminated areas as replacement of Satabdi.

Low arsenic accumulating crops like potato, Pumpkin, Sesame, Green gram , sunflower can be safely included in cropping sequence to minimize the arsenic entry into the food-chain.

Introduction of surface irrigation system through installation of large-scale water harvesting structures in the contaminated areas.

Introduction of surface irrigation system through installation of large-scale water harvesting structures in the contaminated areas.

Reduced use of ground water as irrigation source: Use of pond (surface) water (harvested rain water) has been observed to reduce arsenic loading in edible parts of different crops like kharif rice (24%), boro rice (20%), mustard (30%), wheat (31%), potato (30%), as compared to the crops exposed to irrigation through shallow tube well water (STW).

Increased use of Organic Manure: Vermicompost, oil cakes (mustard and castor cakes), FYM, Green manure (Sesbania rostrata) were observed to reduce soil arsenic availability to standing crops. (Vermicompost was most efficient in this regard, reduced 55.2% grain Arsenic loading in boro rice over the control counterparts.)

Inorganics as soil amendments: ZnSO4, FeSO4, CaSiO3, elevated levels of phosphate were established as efficient inorganic amendments to reduce soil arsenic availability to standing crops.

Reduced use of ground water as irrigation source: Use of pond (surface) water (harvested rain water) has been observed to reduce arsenic loading in edible parts of different crops like kharif rice (24%), boro rice (20%), mustard (30%), wheat (31%), potato (30%), as compared to the crops exposed to irrigation through shallow tube well water (STW).

Increased use of Organic Manure: Vermicompost, oil cakes (mustard and castor cakes), FYM, Green manure (Sesbania rostrata) were observed to reduce soil arsenic availability to standing crops. (Vermicompost was most efficient in this regard, reduced 55.2% grain Arsenic loading in boro rice over the control counterparts.)

Inorganics as soil amendments: ZnSO4, FeSO4, CaSiO3, elevated levels of phosphate were established as efficient inorganic amendments to reduce soil arsenic availability to standing crops.

Recommendations for immediate implementation

Zonal Level Priorities

Development Model for the State of West Bengal

State Level Priorities

Flood control & Drainage

Soil & Water Conservation

Reclamation of saline soil

Land Improvement and Development

Overall Development in Agricultural and

Allied Sectors

Irrigation Dev. & rain water conservation

Agricultural production cropping intensity

Fruits, vegetables floriculture, spices

Forest & Social Forestry Dev.

Cattle (milk), Goat/pig (meat), Poultry/duck (egg) &

Fishery

Seed production

Silk & Lac culture

Feed mill

Animal production processing

Handicrafts cane/mat/jute

Agro-based industries jute/cotton/wood etc.

Agricultural process coir/bamboo/mat

Biopesticides industries

Agricultural processing fruits/vegetables

Biofertiliser industry

Arsenic problem

Crop improvement

Areas of prioritizationAgricultural development in the State of West Bengal in future may have the strategy with following prioritization. While strategy for the next plan will be relatively a short-term one, that up to 2025 A.D. will be long-term strategy.

The objectives of such agricultural development plan would be as follows:

Increasing agricultural production and productivity using natural resources as much as possible without harming the existing agro-ecological balances.

Genetic improvement of crop varieties with higher yield potentiality, adaptability under various biotic and abiotic stresses keeping in view the changing climate, following well planned research and developmental programme suitable for different agro-ecological situations.

Employment generation as well as livelihood security of the vast rural population of the State.

Generation of viable, low-cost agro-technology suitable for different agro-ecological situations.

Capacity building of the farming communities through extensive training and demonstration programme:Institution credit support to the farmers.Agro-based processing industries.

Major Strategies:•To maintain the productivity of major cereals in irrigated agro-ecosystem, especially in rice.

•Value-addition in rice, pulse etc for better market price vis-à-vis more earning from the same area of land.

•Promotion of quality seed/planting materials production for rice, pulse, vegetables and fruits.

•Development of abiotic and biotic stress tolerant variety for rice, pulse, jute, fruits and vegetables using modern tools and techniques.

Constraints (BCKV)Inadequate infrastructure for adopting modern tools and techniques due to insufficient fund flow.Shortage of manpower, infrastructure and resources in the Zonal Research Stations for undertaking zone specific need-based research and extension programme.University has shortage of man-power which is impeding teaching , research and extension works.Lack of fund for translational research, particularly in the field of variety development.

Emerging areas of research for innovation and customization of technologies

Development of varieties for principal crops suitable for agro-ecological zones and capable to withstand biotic and abiotic stresses

Development, validation and training related to seed production technologies for principal crops across agro-ecological regions

Formulation of site-specific integrated plant nutrient management system to augment productivity and to sustain soil health and resilience at the same time

Formulation of IPM modules across agro-ecological regions for eco-friendly management of pest-disease-weed.

Development and administration of appropriate post-harvest technologies for fruits, vegetables and other commercial crops for value addition.

Sensitization and motivation of entrepreneurship for linking producer-customer through producer companies developed with stakeholders

Thank you