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
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Mahaboobnagar <strong>and</strong> Ranga Reddy districts was <strong>of</strong>fered for certification by APSSCA, whereby informal<br />
seed production was formalized.<br />
Capacity building<br />
Over-all, 14,114 participants including 1,740 women (farmers, traders, processors, extension workers,<br />
NGOs <strong>and</strong> private seed sector) attended meetings, seminars, trainings, <strong>and</strong> field days/fair (Table 9-9).<br />
The breakdown <strong>of</strong> participants is as follows.<br />
<strong>Farmers</strong> training<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 4,307 farmers (AP – 2,474 <strong>and</strong> Maharashtra – 1,833) were trained in seed production, crop<br />
management, seed health, IPM, <strong>and</strong> post-harvest practices to enable farmers to produce quality seed.<br />
Aside from the training, <strong>Farmers</strong>’ Day gatherings were also organized in Maharashtra with 351 farmers<br />
(including 21 women). This event showcased to farmers the isolation requirement in pigeonpea,<br />
identification <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>f-type plants in seed production blocks, <strong>of</strong>f-type removal at appropriate time, irrigation<br />
scheduling, fertilizer application (including use <strong>of</strong> bio-fertilizers), harvesting, <strong>and</strong> seed storage.<br />
Local seed traders <strong>and</strong> processor<br />
During the 3 year project period, a total <strong>of</strong> 533 traders/dal mill operators in Andhra Pradesh <strong>and</strong><br />
Maharashtra were trained in seed storage, processing <strong>and</strong> marketing. Around 10 dal mill operators<br />
(owners) <strong>and</strong> 76 local traders <strong>of</strong> Andhra Pradesh participated in the training course <strong>of</strong>fered by ANGRAU<br />
at ARS, T<strong>and</strong>ur. In Maharashtra, training for local seed traders <strong>and</strong> dal mill owners at village level were<br />
implemented with 447 participants.<br />
Training course<br />
Aside from conducting trainings/seminars to farmers involved in seed production in Andhra Pradesh<br />
<strong>and</strong> Maharashtra by ANGRAU <strong>and</strong> PDKV, respectively, a total <strong>of</strong> 699 extension <strong>of</strong>ficers, NGO staff, <strong>and</strong><br />
private seed sector personnel were provided training in seed production, scientific storage, stored grain<br />
pest management <strong>and</strong> marketing network. In Andhra Pradesh, a training-cum-field day program was<br />
attended by 220 participants in Kosgi village <strong>of</strong> Mahaboobnagar district <strong>and</strong> 346 participants in ARS,<br />
T<strong>and</strong>ur while in Maharashtra, 133 participants attended the training at KVK Karda, Washim.<br />
<strong>Farmers</strong>’ day/field visit/farmers’ fair<br />
During the 3-year period <strong>of</strong> the project, a total <strong>of</strong> 6421 farmers attended the farmers’ field days/fairs<br />
in Andhra Pradesh <strong>and</strong> Maharashtra. In Maharashtra, 1791 farmers (including 3 women farmers)<br />
attended field days/fair organized by KVK Akola <strong>and</strong> Washim. In Andhra Pradesh, ANGRAU organized<br />
farmers’ field days with an attendance <strong>of</strong> 4630 farmers (including 1150 women farmers). In both states,<br />
project staff involved in the program demonstrated ways on how to conduct roguing <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>f-type plants,<br />
maintenance <strong>of</strong> isolation distance, control measures <strong>of</strong> pests <strong>and</strong> diseases etc. Aside from these field<br />
days, 75 farmers were given the chance to visit demonstration fields at ICRISAT Headquarters. ICRISAT<br />
Staff guided the farmers in different projects such as watershed <strong>and</strong> pigeonpea hybrid seed production<br />
technology that the institute is showcasing.<br />
202<br />
<strong>Engaging</strong> <strong>Smallholder</strong> <strong>Farmers</strong> | Tropical Legumes II Project