Integrated Crop Management Practices of Wheat through Frontline Demonstrationin Bundelkhand Region

Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Datia, Madhya Pradesh conducted 365 demonstrations on wheatvarieties GW-366 and RVW-4106 during 2017-18 to 2020-21 at farmers’ field in Datiadistrict to find out the worth of the improved technology. The parameters like technologicalimpact, economical impact and extension gap were analyzed and the feasibility ofdemonstrated technologies at grass root levels was assessed. The results of four years ofstudies revealed that the yield under demonstration plots was 4684 kg/ha as compared to3875 kg/ha in traditional farmer practices plots. This additional yield of 809 kg/ha and theincrease in average wheat productivity by 21.43 per cent may contribute to the presentwheat requirement on national basis. The average technology gap, extension gap andtechnology index were found to be 376.50 kg/ha, 807.75 kg/ha and 7.40 per cent respectively.An additional investment of Rs. 1470 per ha coupled with scientific monitoring ofdemonstrations and non-monetary factors resulted in an additional net return of Rs. 13531per ha. Fluctuation in the sale price of wheat during different years influenced the economicreturns per unit area. On four years overall average basis incremental benefit cost ratiowas found as 3.41. The results indicate the positive effects of FLDs over the existingpractices.

Toxic Sensorium

Pesticides and toxicity are constitutive features of modernization in Africa, despite ongoing portrayals of the continent as “too poor to pollute.” This article examines social science scholarship on agricultural pesticide expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa. We recount the rise of agrochemical usage in colonial projects that placed African smallholder farmers at the forefront of toxic vulnerability. We then outline prevalent literature on “knowledge deficits” and unsafe farmer practices as approaches that can downplay deeper structures. Missing in this literature, we argue, are the embodied and sensory experiences of African farmers as they become pesticide users, even amid an awareness of toxicity. Drawing on ethnographic research in Mozambique and Burkina Faso, we explore how the “toxic sensorium” of using agrochemicals intersects with farmers’ projects of modern aspiration. Th is approach can help elucidate why and how differently situated farmers live with pesticides, thereby expanding existing literature on structural violence and knowledge gaps.

Pre-Extension Demonstration of Improved Bread Wheat Varieties with Their Production Packages in High land Area of Eastern Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The study was basically focused on demonstration of bread wheat technologies for wider demand-driven technology diffusion in major wheat growing area in high land of eastern Amhara. The objectives were in order to evaluate and demonstrate improved bread wheat variety with their production package to the farming community and assess farmers and extension workers reaction towards improved bread wheat technology. The activity was conducted in main season 2019/2020 at Jama and Meket districts. The fact that wheat production and productivity in the region as well as in the particular study area low because farmers are using low yielding, disease and pest resistant local varieties. The improved bread wheat variety was demonstrated along with the local variety at 12 farmers' fields. Yield data, economic data, farmers’ perception and preferences were collected throughout the demonstration stages and data were analyzed by using ANOVA, partial budget analysis and preference ranking. The results of ANOVA showed that yield and yield related parameters statistically significant at the probability level of 0.01% and 0.05% among treatments. The highest mean yield was recorded from "Hibist" with improved management 2.49 ton/ha and 1.42 ton/ha at Jama and Meket districts respectively followed by local with improved management and the lowest was from local with farmers practices. Furthermore, the result of partial budget analysis show that the use of improved and local variety with recommended package more profitable with the MRR of 1.96 and 0.81 than farmer practices at Jama district and 74.26 and 9.26 at Meket district respectively. Farmer preference analysis improved & local variety with improved management ranks 1st and 2nd at Jama respectively while reverse at Meket and lastly ranks farmer practices at both districts. Generally, improved bread wheat with recommended package has higher yield advantage, financial feasibility and social acceptance than control and farmer practices, it is recommended to be scale out for further dissemination.

Impact of front line demonstration on yield and economics of onion

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most important bulb crops in India, which plays a major role in supplementing the income of small and marginal farmers of Sikar District in Rajasthan. In the district one of the major constraints in onion cultivation is poor keeping quality of local variety. Most of the farmers in the district are still using the locally self produced seeds of unknown source. The cultivation of recommended /released varieties is very limited. To replace this anomaly Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Fatehpur-Shekhawati, Sikar has introduced improved variety of onion through front line demonstration in selected villages of Sikar district with the objective of getting higher production with good storage potentials under real farm situation. The result showed that maximum TSS (13.1%) and average keeping quality (5-6 months) was recorded in demonstration variety whereas, it was very less in farmers practices. On an average the bulb yield achieved by adopting improved production technology was 347.62q/ha, whereas, the corresponding yield ranges under farmers practices was to 343.20q/ha. The economics of data indicated that an average of Rs. 160834/ha was recorded net profit under recommended practices, while it was Rs 62030/ha under farmer practices. Cost benefit ratio was 2.34 under demonstration, while it was 1.90 under farmer practices. The study suggests that front line demonstration is one of the key extension tools for transfer of technology at grass root level that directly impact the horizontal spread of technology. This can be also a good option for enhancing farmers’ income.

Application of technology packages to improve seed production and profitability of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

The quality seed production is a main strategy to improve national garlic development. The study aim was to evaluate productivity and profitability of garlic seed production technology packages in Sembalun, East Lombok, Indonesia. There were three technology packages tested namely, the national recommendation package (A); site-specific recommendation package (B); and farmer practices (C) which was laid out in a randomized completely block design with 6 replications. The results showed that the fresh bulbs of the Sangga Sembalun garlic variety was significantly higher at packages A and B with 42.19 t ha-1 and 38.99 t ha-1 respectively, than that of package C (yield of 31.24 t ha-1). The pattern was consistent after seed stored for 12 weeks. Garlic seed production was profitable with R/C ratio values of 3.39; 3.34; and 2.99 on fresh bulbs for treatments A, B and C, respectively and 4.34, 4.85 and 4.31 on dry bulbs for treatments A, B and C, respectively. Technology package B was more profitable than A as indicated by MBCR value of 9.36 and 3.56 for treatment B and A, respectively. The breakeven point of both production and price of technology package B was 3.4 t ha-1 and Rp. 8,553 kg-1, respectively.

Efficacy of Herbicides on Weed Control in Zero-tilled Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Eastern Indo-gangetic Plains

Background: Field experiments/ On Farm Trial (OFT) were conducted at Farmers field in village Hasanchak and Agwanpur under the ICAR- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barh, Patna during the winter season (Rabi). The basic aim of experiment was to find out the effective method of weed control in Zero- tilled wheat through the application of herbicide. Methods: The experiment was laid in Randomized Block design (RBD) in 2014-2015, replicated 4 times (Farmers field) with 5 treatments viz., 2,4-D, ethyl ester 2.00 kg ha-1 at 25 days after sowing (DAS) fb one hand weeding (Conventional tillage-Farmer practices) at 55 DAS, Sulfosulfuron 75% WP 25 g ha-1, Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 20 g ha-1 at 25 DAS, Sulfosuluron 75% WP + Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 40 g ha-1 at 25 DAS and control (Unweeded). Result: Sulfosuluron 75% WP + Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 40 g ha-1 at 25 days after sowing provided effective control of grassy and broadleaf weeds and recorded less dry weight and highest (91%) weed control efficiency (WCE). Herbicide Sulfosulfuron 75% WP 25 g ha-1 and Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 20 g ha-1 controlled only grassy and broadleaf weeds, respectively. 2,4-D, ethyl ester 2.00 kg ha-1 fb one hand weeding (Conventional tillage-Farmer practices) recorded higher weed dry weight and less weed control efficiency (WCE). Significantly higher grain yield (4280 kg ha-1) was recorded under Sulfosuluron 75% WP + Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 40 g ha-1 at 25 days after sowing followed by Metsulfuron 20% WP 20 g ha-1, Sulfosulfuron 75% WP 25 g ha-1, 2,4-D, 2.00 kg ha-1 fb one hand weeding (Farmer practices). Significantly higher net return (Rs. 48145 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.93) were recorded under Sulfosuluron 75% WP + Metsulfuron 20% WP @ 40 g ha-1 at 25 days after sowing.

Plot Scale Nitrogen Balance of Newly Developed Lowland Rice at Kleseleon Village Malaka District, Nusa Tenggara Timur

<p align="center"> </p><p><strong>Abstract. </strong></p><p>Study on plot scale nitrogen balance of newly developed lowland rice was conducted in Kleseleon village, Malaka District, Nusa Tenggara Timur in 2014. The soil was classified as ustifluvent with ustic moisture regime. Five treatments were tested including T0: farmers practices, T1: NPKat recommendation rate + Rice straw compost, T2: NPKat recommendation rate + Smart + Rice straw compost, T3: ¾ NPKat recommendation rate + Smart + Rice straw compost and T4: NPKat recommendation rate + Smart + Rice straw compost, in which N, P and K were split two times. Nitrogen balance was computed according to the differences between nitrogen gains and losses. To quantify total nitrogen input, nitrogen<strong> </strong>content in urea, dosage of urea, rate of compost, nitrogen concentration in compost, irrigation water supply, and nitrogen concentrations in rain water were collected. Output parameters included<strong> </strong>rice grains yield, rice straw production, nitrogen concentrations in rice grains and rice straw. The results indicated that surplus nitrogen balances were taken place in all treatments including the farmer practices. Concerning the environmental, agronomical and economic point of views, the recommendation of urea fertilizer rate at least was about 100 kg ha^-1 season^-1 like done in the farmer practices plus the compost rate about 3000 kg ha^-1 season^-1. Urea should be available in the district level every planting season was the urea application rate multiplied by total low land area in Malaka district equal to 1.207 tons district ^-1 season ^-1.</p><p><strong>Abstrak.</strong> Percobaan neraca hara nitrogen pada skala petak pada sawah bukaan baru dilaksanakan di Dusun Kleseleon, Kabupaten Malaka, Propinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur pada Tahun Anggaran 2014. Tanah yang digunakan termasuk golongan ustifluvent denga kelembaban tanah ustik. Lima teknologi yang menjanjikan diuji pada percobaan ini meliputi T0: Praktek Petani sebagai kontrol, T1: NPKpada dosis rekomendasi + Kompos jerami, T2: NPKpada dosis rekomendasi + Smart + Kompos jerami , T3: ¾ NPKpada dosis rekomendasi rate + Smart + Kompost jerami dan T4: NPKpada dosis rekomendasi + Smart + Kompos jerami, dimana N, P dan K diberikan dua kali. Keseimbangan N dihitung berdasarkan berdasarkan selisih antara nitrogen yang masuk ke lahan sawah dengan nitrogen yang hilangdari lahan sawah . Untuk menghitung nitrogen yang masuk ke lahan sawah diperlukan kandungan N pada urea, dosis pupuk urea, kadar nitrogen dalam kompos, takaran kompos, air irigasi dan kandungan nitrogen pada air irigasi dan air hujan. Sedangkan nitrogen yang hilang dari lahan sawah meliputi hasil gabah dan produksi jerami serta kadar nitrogen pada gabah dan jerami. Hasil penelitian menjukkan bahwa positif nitrogen balance pada semua perlakuan. Mengingat bahaya pencemaran lingkungan, keuntungan agronomik dan ekonomis yang didapat, pemberian Urea sebaiknya dikurangi dari 250 kg ha^-1musim^-1 menjadi 100 kg Urea kg ha^-1musim^-1 seperti pada praktek petani dengan memberi kompos jerami sebanyak 3000 kg ha^-1musim^-1. Dengan demikian urea yanbg harus tersedia di Kabupaten Malaka setiap musim tanam sebanyak dosis urea rekomendasi dikalikan dengan luas sawah di kabupaten Malaka sama dengan 1.207 ton kabupaten ^-1 musim^-1.</p>

Minimizing Aflatoxin Contamination in the Field, During Drying, and in Storage in Ghana

ABSTRACT Aflatoxin in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and other crops can negatively affect human health, especially in countries where regulatory agencies do not have limits on aflatoxin entering the food supply chain. While considerable research has been conducted addressing aflatoxin contamination in peanut at individual steps in the supply chain, studies that quantify aflatoxin contamination following combinations of interventions to crop management, drying, and storage are limited. Research was conducted during 2016 and 2017 in two villages in southern Ghana to follow aflatoxin contamination along the supply chain and to compare improved practices with traditional farmer practices used by smallholders. The farmer practice of only a single weeding was compared with improved practices during the growing season up to harvest that included applying local soaps to suppress aphids (Aphis gossypii Golver) that transmit peanut rosette virus disease (Umbravirus: Tombusviridaee), one additional weeding, and calcium applied at pegging. The improved practice for drying included placing pods removed from plants onto tarps compared with the traditional practice of drying on the ground. Storing peanut for four months in hermetically-sealed bags was the improved practice compared with storing in traditional poly bags. All improved practices individually resulted in lower aflatoxin contamination as compared to the farmer practices. While aflatoxin levels were very low (&lt;1 μg/kg) at harvest, the levels increased significantly during drying and storage, with the improved methods resulting in lower levels. Greater estimated financial returns were noted when at least one improved practice along the supply chain was implemented through either increased yield or maintenance of quality kernels. Results from this research demonstrate progression of aflatoxin contamination at pre- and especially post-harvest in villages in Ghana. Future research needs to consider the effects of improved practices as components of packages that farmers can consider, and not just as individual interventions.

Evaluating Improved Management Practices to Minimize Aflatoxin Contamination in the Field, During Drying, and in Storage in Ghana

ABSTRACT Aflatoxin in peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) and other crops can negatively affect human health, especially in countries where regulatory agencies do not have limits on aflatoxin entering the food supply chain. While considerable research has been conducted addressing aflatoxin contamination in peanut at individual steps in the supply chain, studies that quantify aflatoxin contamination following combinations of interventions of crop management, drying, and storage are limited. Research was conducted during 2016 and 2017 in two villages in southern Ghana to follow aflatoxin contamination along the supply chain and to compare improved practices with traditional farmer practices used by smallholders. The farmer practice of only a single weeding was compared with improved practices during the growing season up to harvest that included applying local soaps to suppress aphids ( Aphis gossypii Golver) that transmit peanut rosette virus disease ( Umbravirus: Tombusviridae e), one additional weeding, and calcium applied at pegging. The improved practice for drying included placing pods removed from plants onto tarps compared with the traditional practice of drying on the ground. Storing peanut for four months in hermetically-sealed bags was the improved practice compared with storing in traditional poly bags. All improved practices individually resulted in less aflatoxin contamination as compared to the farmer practices. While aflatoxin levels were found to be very low (&lt;1 µg/g) at harvest, the levels increased significantly during drying and storage, with the improved methods resulting in lower levels. Greater estimated financial returns were noted when at least one improved practice along the supply chain was implemented through either increased yield or maintenance of quality kernels. Results from this research demonstrate progression of aflatoxin contamination at pre- and especially post-harvest in villages in Ghana. Future research needs to consider the effects of improved practices as components of packages that farmers can consider, and not just as individual interventions.