Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat
Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat
Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat
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Awareness creating activities through electronic <strong>and</strong> print media<br />
Efforts were made to reach large number <strong>of</strong> farmers through electronic <strong>and</strong> print media to disseminate<br />
information on improved varieties <strong>and</strong> crop production technologies. The project partners organized 12<br />
radio programs, 21 TV programs including live question <strong>and</strong> answer sessions, <strong>and</strong> 21 popular articles<br />
in local magazines <strong>and</strong> newspapers (Table 7-13).<br />
A chickpea seed production manual was published in English, Telugu (for Andhra Pradesh) <strong>and</strong> Kannada<br />
(for Karnataka) languages. The English version is available online (www.<strong>icrisat</strong>.org/tropicallegumesII/<br />
pdfs/ChickpeaManual_full.pdf).<br />
Table 7-13: <strong>Farmers</strong> awareness activities conducted from September 2007 onwards<br />
Season<br />
Radio<br />
programs<br />
AP-Kurnool<br />
TV programs<br />
Popular/<br />
Newspaper<br />
articles<br />
Radio<br />
programs<br />
AP-Prakasham<br />
TV programs<br />
Popular/<br />
Newspaper<br />
articles<br />
2007-08 1 1 1 - - -<br />
2008-09 3 2 2 2 1 -<br />
2009-10 2 3 2 - 2 -<br />
2010-11 3 1 1 - 1 -<br />
Total 9 7 6 2 4 0<br />
KA-Dharwad<br />
KA-Gulbarga<br />
2007-08 - - 1 - 1 1<br />
2008-09 - - 1 - 4 6<br />
2009-10 - 2 4 - 1 -<br />
2010-11 1 2 2 - 1 -<br />
Total 1 4 8 0 7 7<br />
Training <strong>of</strong> extension personnel<br />
The extension personnel <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Agriculture (Agriculture Extension Officers, Assistant<br />
Directors <strong>of</strong> Agriculture) <strong>and</strong> NGOs were trained as Master Trainers in improved production technologies<br />
so that they can effectively impart training to farmers. Eleven training programs were organized in India<br />
in which 1411 extension personnel (1229 men + 182women) participated (Table 7-14).<br />
Table 7-14: Training <strong>of</strong> extension personnel in chickpea crop <strong>and</strong> seed production<br />
Season AP-Kurnool AP-Prakasham KA-Dharwad KA-Gulbarga<br />
Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women<br />
2007-08 70 5 25 5 55 5 100 30<br />
2008-09 115 - 72 12 87 9 30 -<br />
2009-10 86 6 26 3 15 4 153 52<br />
2010-11 224 19 131 22 - - 40 10<br />
Total 495 30 254 42 157 18 323 92<br />
Training <strong>of</strong> seed traders<br />
In addition to public seed sector, the local seed traders play important role in making seed available<br />
to farmers. This is particularly important when the private seed companies have little involvement in<br />
legume seed industry. The local seed traders generally procure seed from farmers <strong>and</strong> sale to other<br />
farmers. Training programs were organized for improving their knowledge <strong>and</strong> skill <strong>of</strong> local seed traders<br />
in proper h<strong>and</strong>ling <strong>of</strong> seed. A total <strong>of</strong> 130 seed traders (68 traders in AP <strong>and</strong> 62 traders in KA) were<br />
provided training (Table 7-15) on seed processing <strong>and</strong> safe storage. It was interesting to note that the<br />
local seed trading business was dominated by men.<br />
Progress <strong>of</strong> Phase 1<br />
173